STMicroelectronics Leading-Edge Decoder Technology Powers Proview Set-Top Box in Brazil

Use of ST’s latest single-chip STi7101 decoder helps Proview dramatically cut the cost of digital terrestrial set-top boxes in Brazil

GENEVA — STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers and the worldwide leader for set-top box (STB) solutions, today announced that Proview (HKSE: 0334), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of computer monitors and flat-panel TVs, is to use ST’s world-class MPEG decoder technology in Proview’s new XPS-1000 digital terrestrial set-top box (SBTVD). The new product is the first STB in Brazil to use ST’s new STi7101 low cost HDTV MPEG2 / H264 single chip video decoder and will retail for about $180, significantly cheaper than existing equipment, bringing affordable digital TV to every sector of Brazilian society.

Digital terrestrial TV broadcasts in the new Brazilian SBTVD (Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão Digital) digital terrestrial TV standard began in December 2007 in Sao Paulo, with other major Brazilian cities such as Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro following in 2008. With an estimated 60 million households in Brazil, digital STB is potentially a large market but a recognized obstacle was the relatively high cost of the STB equipment. In response to an aggressive target retail price challenge proposed by the Brazilian government, ProView, which established a factory in Brazil in 1999, initiated the development of the XPS-1000 and began working with application experts from ST’s design centre in Sao Paolo in March 2007.

“The STi7101 platform, with its high level of integration and very competitive cost, was the natural choice for our new set-top box product families,” said Mr. Tseng Ling Yun, CEO Proview Brasil. “We are proud that this new set top box, which was wholly developed here in Brazil, will enable millions of families to enjoy affordable digital terrestrial TV.”

The STi7101 is the latest addition to ST’s STB7100 family of high performance HDTV MPEG2 / H264 single-chip video decoders. The superior integration of these devices – which combine all the STB functions and multi-standard decoding circuitry into a single chip – coupled with production using ST’s 80nm process technology, results in the most cost-efficient solutions and minimizes both design and production costs for STB makers.

The STi7101 offers all the functionality of the popular STi7100 along with additional features such as an integrated Ethernet controller and MAC (media access controller), 64MByte flash support and 256MByte DDR interface.

“We are delighted that our collaboration with Proview has resulted in the rapid development of a high quality STB that meets the challenging cost constraints of the Brazilian market”, commented Thierry Tingaud, ST’s Corporate Vice President and General Manager Emerging Markets Region. “This is a strong example of ST’s ability to meet the needs of emerging and fast-growing markets with our unique blend of market knowledge, cutting-edge technology and manufacturing capability, and world-class application engineering support.”