Airgo Networks' True MIMO(TM) Wireless Chipsets Power First Reliable Video Cable Replacement in Set-Top Boxes
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Industry Leaders Sign On for Flawless Multimedia Multiple-Streaming Capabilities to Offer Service Providers Wireless Triple-Play Option for Data, Video and Voice
TAIPEI, Taiwan, COMPUTEX, June 6 - Airgo Networks, Inc., pioneer and leader in high performance wireless technology, today announced its latest True MIMO Gen3 technology, True MIMO Media(TM), will be demonstrated during Computex, June 6 - 10, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt, Taipei, Suite #1305/1306. As evidenced by a spate of recent announcements, Airgo is rapidly expanding the footprint of True MIMO Gen3 technology by entering new markets with True MIMO Media(TM), a multimedia delivery enhancement.
As consumers increasingly clamor for distributed multimedia streaming in the home, service providers are eager to offer expanded services like PVR, music-on-demand, Internet access and VoIP. Those that can deliver a converged network of entertainment and services to all parts of the home wirelessly will remove for themselves the cost and complexity of cabling and thus enjoy a marketplace advantage. Until now, service providers looking to provide expanded services to residential customers through low-cost, high-value wireless home networks through set-top boxes (STBs) have been stymied by the limitations of wireless technologies.
Airgo True MIMO Media for Optimizing Wireless Multimedia Delivery
Recognizing the need for high-performing wireless to drive adoption of dependable full home and office coverage for the next-generation digital convergence applications like wireless video streaming, digital voice connections, digital music and full Ethernet replacement, Airgo last week announced the launch of True MIMO Media, a technology which optimizes performance for multimedia over Wi-Fi by dramatically increasing range and virtually eliminating packet errors over long distances, even in the presence of interference. True MIMO Media technology now provides a flawless cable-free television viewing experience.
STMicroelectronics and Airgo True MIMO Media Reference Design for STBs
STMicroelectronics' products are currently found in the majority of cable, satellite, terrestrial and Personal Video Recorder (PVR) STBs available on the market today. Last week, Airgo announced that its True MIMO Media technology will power STMicroelectronics' latest generation of wireless-capable STB solutions. Products based on the STMicroelectronics/Airgo reference design will be able to stream live TV and movies, including high definition content, throughout a home -- enough to ensure a viewer experience similar to watching content on a TV directly wired to the STB.
Caton Delivers STBs Featuring STMicroelectronics and Airgo True MIMO Media Reference Design
Caton's V2O Wireless Home Media Network, the world's first wireless STB capable of whole-home video streaming, was launched last week. Integrating state-of-the-art digital tuning, Single-Card-Multi-Channel (SCMC) technology, and network storage technologies, and featuring the STMicroelectronics MPEG decoder platform and Airgo Networks True MIMO Media technology, the V2O is a media hub that delivers multiple independent digital channels and personal video recording (PVR) content throughout the consumer's home in a wireless fashion. It also serves as centralized storage for consumer media files like MP3s, digital video and digital photos.
"By choosing the Airgo True MIMO Media, STMicroelectronics and Caton have delivered the most reliable wireless digital media triple play products that eliminate the cost, service delay and inconvenience associated with installing video and Ethernet cables," said Greg Raleigh, CEO and president of Airgo Networks. "STMicroelectronics and Caton have leveraged Airgo's substantial performance lead in MIMO chipsets to create products with the coverage, dependability and interference robustness needed for a home video network as reliable as cable with the low cost and freedom of wireless. Airgo is the only chipset company prepared to deliver the MIMO wireless performance required to reliably connect these new applications throughput the home and office."
"Wireless offers consumers much greater convenience and eliminates expensive support and installation costs that are currently preventing service providers from fully distributing video content around the home," said Christos Lagomichos, corporate vice president and home entertainment group general manager of STMicroelectronics. "Airgo was a natural choice of partner since it has consistently led the field in developing wireless technologies for home networking that offer superior speed, range and reliability."
"After thoroughly vetting all Wi-Fi chips on the market or even in development, Caton identified Airgo True MIMO Media wireless chips as the only technology for the foreseeable future that has the performance necessary to deliver robust, error-free multimedia streaming throughout the home," noted Michael Yang, president of Caton. "Caton's unique RapidMedia protocol provides a superior digital TV experience as well as all the benefits of a wireless system for the consumer that were not possible before now. The V2O's network PVR brings full PVR functions to up to three individual rooms, like 3-PVRs-in-1. Wireless LCD TV, as part of the V2O system, can be placed anywhere in the household. Caton is confident that its broadcast partners will also benefit from the dramatically reduced installation and customer service cost that comes from a robust wireless home media network powered by True MIMO Media technology."
About Caton
Caton Overseas Limited is a leading provider of professional and consumer digital TV and IPTV products and solutions based in China. With facilities in both Beijing and Shanghai, the company has a very strong R&D focus in media and wireless networking. The result is high-value-added digital TV solutions including complete end-to-end community IPTV solutions, the Wireless Home Media Network and wireless IP STBs. Its innovative technologies and products have positioned Caton in a leading position in the digital TV industry in China as well as in the worldwide market.
About Airgo Networks, Inc.
The founders of Airgo Networks have pioneered a wireless communication technique known as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). A breakthrough in wireless, MIMO OFDM has been adopted as the foundation for defining the new IEEE 802.11n standard for next generation Wi-Fi(R). Airgo is first-to-market with 802.11a/b/g-compliant MIMO enhanced chipset, software and reference design solutions. Now in its third generation, Airgo's True MIMO(TM) technology has surpassed the speed of wireline connections, enabling the most bandwidth-intensive applications and eliminating the need for wires at home, at work, and in public places. Founded in January 2001, the company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA. Information about Airgo Networks is available at www.airgonetworks.com.
NOTE: V2O, RapidMedia and SCMC are trademarks of Caton Overseas Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Airgo, Airgo Networks, the Airgo logo and Wireless Without Limits are registered trademarks of Airgo Networks, Inc. True MIMO and ACE are trademarks of Airgo Networks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Source: Airgo Networks, Inc.
CONTACT:
Joe Volat of Airgo Networks, +1-650-475-1983, or joevolat@airgonetworks.com;
Press/Analyst Inquiries, Adriana Gascoigne of LEWIS PR, +1-415-992-4424, or adrianag@lewispr.com, for Airgo Networks
Web site: www.airgonetworks.com/
