MARKHAM, Ontario, Jul 06, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- New Theater products deliver industry leading digital
reception cost effectively
ATI Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:ATYT)(TSX:ATY), 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 311, Theater 312 and Theater 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 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.
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