[opendtv] PR: ATI Brings High-Definition Television To The Rest of Us
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2005 09:01:49 -0400
ATI Brings High-Definition Television To The Rest of Us
July 7, 2005 12:00am
Source: CCNMatthews (English)
MARKHAM, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - July 6, 2005) -
New Theater(TM) products deliver industry leading digital reception
cost effectively
ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX:ATY)(NASDAQ:ATYT), the leader(1) of the
VSB receiver chip market, just made high-definition reception for
television sets more affordable with the introduction of the
Theater(TM) 311, Theater(TM) 312 and Theater(TM) 314 chipset
solutions. ATI's Digital Television group has created this new
technology for high-definition TV (HDTV) manufacturers to deliver
outstanding high-definition TV signal reception while reducing
overall production cost. ATI is offering these solutions to help
ensure that 'no viewer is left behind' as the broadcast industry
works through the digital transition.
ATI developed the new Theater chips as a response to current and
future HDTV requirements. More specifically, the United States
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently reaffirmed the
digital tuner mandate requiring 50 per cent of all 25-inch to 35-inch
TVs include digital tuners by July 1, 2005 and accelerated the 100
per cent mandate for this same segment from July 1, 2006 to March 1,
2006. The FCC has also announced it is considering shifting the
mandate for digital tuners in 13-inch and greater sets to December
31, 2006. Simultaneously, United States legislators are also now
proposing a hard shut-off date for off-air National Television System
Committee standard transmissions as early as 2008. This mandate and
legislation, along with increasing consumer demand, are driving TV
manufacturers to convert mid- and low-end TV products to digital
formats at an unprecedented rate.
Until now, converting analog consumer products to digital in this
short time has left manufacturers with a tough choice. They have had
to lower the cost by integrating low performance vestigial sideband
(VSB) receivers that limit the ability to receive the digital signals
and hope the end customer will not notice. Or, embed a
high-performance receiver that can cost a few dollars more. As a
result, less price sensitive large screen digital televisions (DTVs)
are likely to have the best off-air reception, but they are more
likely to be connected to a cable or satellite set-top box (STB)
receiver. Mid- and low-end DTVs are likely to be used for off-air
reception and are more likely to include an inferior cheaper receiver
increasing the risk that these TVs may go dark when analog is shut
off. ATI developed the Theater 311, Theater 312, and Theater 314
receiver chip solutions to help ensure that this scenario does not
become a reality during the digital transition.
"ATI has always delivered the highest quality digital TV reception
technology in the world," said Mike Gittings, Director of Marketing,
DTV Products, ATI Technologies Inc. "We're making sure that HDTV and
consumer electronics manufacturers have the best HD reception
technology possible today so consumers' TV screens stay lit once the
analog-off-air signals are shut off."
The recent RFQ (request for quote) from The Association for Maximum
Service Television, Inc. (MSTV) for a TDCB (Terrestrial
Digital-to-Analog Set-Top Converter Box) re-affirms the need for
high-performance, cost-effective VSB reception. In a press release
announcing the request for quotes, MSTV underscored the need for a
consumer friendly, low-cost, high quality receiver so that 'No viewer
is left behind' in the digital transition.
Quality HDTV manufacturers, such as Funai Electric Co., Ltd,
recognize the need for high quality, cost-effective, HDTV reception.
Funai, a strategic partner of ATI, ships more mid-range TVs and
set-top boxes to the North American market than any other single
manufacturer. Funai is also known in North America for its popular
Emerson, Sylvania, and Symphonic brands. THEATER(TM) 311 will be
available in Funai's consumer products later this year.
The new Theater products provide industry leading VSB reception at
affordable prices to all segments of the digital over-the-air (OTA)
and digital cable ready (DCR) TV market. Extensive testing by ATI and
ATI's customers prove that these devices are the highest performing
receivers available on the market today. Test methods utilizing
proven Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) recommended
practice A/74 field scenarios for receiver performance demonstrate
ATI's superiority when it comes to delivering high quality HDTV
signal reception. In a recent inquiry, the FCC stated that they plan
to sample and test retail OTA reception in DTVs and STBs. ATI filed
comments encouraging the FCC to use the A/74 industry standard test
methods to validate performance.
Available now for evaluation, Theater 311, Theater 312 and Theater
314 offer scalable solutions for today's consumer products. The
Theater 311 VSB receiver is ideal for applications that require
highest OTA performance at a low price and do not require cable
compatibility such as: Satellite STBs that require local OTA
reception; TDCBs and non-cable compatible DTVs; Personal Computer
DTV; Personal Video Recorders and writeable HD-DVDs. The Theater 312
adds clear 64 and 256 QAM reception to the Theater 311 for clear QAM
cable reception. DCR applications are enabled by the Theater 314
which adds universal Forward Data Channel (FDC) reception. All chips
also feature ATI's field proven smart antenna technology.
About ATI Technologies
ATI Technologies Inc. is the world leader in the design and
manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and digital media silicon
solutions. An industry pioneer since 1985, ATI is the world's
foremost graphics processor unit (GPU) provider and is dedicated to
deliver leading-edge performance solutions for the full range of PC
and Mac desktop and notebook platforms, workstation, set-top and
digital television, game console and handheld device markets. With
2004 revenues of approximately US $2 billion, ATI has more than 2,700
employees in the Americas, Europe and Asia. ATI common shares trade
on NASDAQ (ATYT) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (ATY).
(1) According to Strategy Analytics, 2.5 Million Integrated DTVs
were sold in 2004. According to Internal ATI sales figures, ATI sold
over 2 Million VSB chips in 2004.
Copyright 2005 ATI Technologies Inc. All rights reserved. ATI and
ATI product and product feature names are trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of ATI Technologies Inc. All other company and
product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their
respective owners. Features, pricing, availability and specifications
are subject to change without notice.
For media or industry analyst support, visit our Web site at
http://www.ati.com
Contact:
For media inquiries: John Swinimer, Public Relations ManagerATI
Technologies Inc.Consumer Products Division(905) 882-2600, Ext.
8456swinimer@xxxxxxx
Porter Novelli CanadaOther ATI Contacts:Sarah Vella, Communications
Coordinator(416) 422-7185sarah.vella@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ATI Technologies Inc.For investor relations support, please
contact:Zev Korman, Investor Relations(905) 882-2600, Ext.
3670zev@xxxxxxx
<<CCNMatthews (English) -- 07/07/05>>
<< Copyright ©2005 CCNMatthews >>
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