Microsoft Selects S3 as Mediaroom IPTV Set-Top Box Testing Partner

Accelerating the testing of Microsoft® Mediaroom™ STBs to enable timely deployment for Manufacturers and Telco Operators worldwide

AMSTERDAM — IBC 2009 — Silicon & Software Systems (S3) has been selected as a Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Mediaroom testing partner to provide set-top-box (STB) testing services. This means that S3, a leading provider of products, services and IP to the Digital TV industry, will undertake testing work for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to test new and derivative STB models for deployment by Microsoft Mediaroom customers. S3 is in a position to increase testing capacity for Mediaroom, enabling faster time-to-market for OEMs and more choice of STBs for Mediaroom operators.

Mediaroom has a global customer base of customers delivering IPTV services to more than 3.5 million subscriber households worldwide. Mediaroom offers a more personal and connected alternative to digital cable or satellite TV services with exciting features such as instant channel zapping, HD VoD, whole home DVR, remote recording and rich interactive TV applications.

Through this relationship with Microsoft, S3 will provide independent professional services tailored to the requirements of the OEMs with the key emphasis on time-to-market. S3 will integrate the Hardware Adaptation Layer from the OEM with the Microsoft Mediaroom client on the STB bringing the integrated system through all phases of testing required for deployment. This is done by executing a series of structured test cycles, focussed on comprehensive functionality, stability and reliability testing at each phase.

“As we grow our Mediaroom business it is important that we also grow our partner ecosystem. The addition of S3 as the first set-top box testing partner for Mediaroom brings scale to the STB testing process while also enabling us to re-deploy internal resources on developing next generation client experience. S3 has a skilled base of engineers with design and integration experience right across the digital TV development cycle and will provide an efficient service to STB OEMs,” said Steve Koepp, Sr. Manager, Business Development, TV, Video & Music Business, Microsoft Corporation.

“Achieving this testing relationship status is a clear endorsement of S3’s capability as a trusted collaborator. Since many of the OEMs are already customers of S3, we understand their platforms, systems and technologies intimately which enables us to work efficiently and assist Microsoft and the OEMs in getting set-top boxes to market faster.” said Paul Kavanagh, General Manager, North America, S3.