HP Adds New Dimension to its Internet Advisor Test Solution With MPEG-2 Video Viewing; HP Internet Advisor Enhancement Helps Network Service Providers Deliver High-quality Video over ATM Networks

Business Wire, Sept 23, 1996

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1996--To help managers and trouble-shooters of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks deliver high-quality video transmissions to their customers, Hewlett-Packard Company today adds MPEG-2 (Motion Picture Experts Group) visual verification and decode test capabilities to its Internet Advisor test instrument.

The new capability is now standard on the HP Internet Advisor ATM, which gives network service providers the ability to test all protocol layers anywhere on the network to help maximize network uptime.

"Until now, powerful test capabilities such as this have been available only in more expensive instruments," said Chuck Acken, general manager of HP's Communications Measurements Division. "With the addition of MPEG-2 support, network managers now have a comprehensive, low-cost solution to provide visual verification and MPEG decodes to deliver high-quality video over ATM networks."

QUALITY VIDEO OVER ATM

HP Internet Advisor ATM's MPEG-2 test capability allows users to capture MPEG data carried over the ATM network, decode the MPEG transport scheme and strip an MPEG-playable video stream out of captured ATM data. MPEG-2 is an international standard for converting analog or digital video signals into packets of digital information for more efficient transportation over today's high-speed data-communication networks.

Decoding of the MPEG-transport stream allows the user to understand ATM adaptations and to view the program-association table for information about the channels and their properties that are multiplexed on an ATM network. For example, users can obtain information in the MPEG header about continuity counts, transport errors, payload unit starts, transport priority and transport-scrambling and adaptation-field controls.

The HP Internet Advisor ATM provides a Microsoft(R) Windows user interface to make the instrument easy to operate in addition to providing multiple windows for viewing ATM cell data, simulation and statistics in a format that is most familiar to the individual user. It also features autodiscover, which allows users to quickly determine the service on every active circuit; a built-in optical power meter to allow verification of signal strength; and frame-relay testing at up to 2.048 megabits per second for more comprehensive test capability.

To help ensure that HP Internet Advisor customers receive the latest product enhancements, such as the MPEG-2 test capability, HP provides a low-cost software-update subscription service for Internet Advisor customers.

U.S. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Prices for the HP Internet Advisor ATM with the MPEG-2 test capability begin at $26,500. A software-upgrade subscription service (HP J2899A UAF) is available for current HP Internet Advisor ATM customers for $1,800. Product availability is expected in October.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 110,800 employees and had revenue of $31.5 billion in its 1995 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com. Additional information on products from HP's Test & Measurement Organization can be obtained on the World Wide Web via http://www.tmo.hp.com. -0-

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Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

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CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard

Joel Salzberg, 719/531-4298

fax: 719/531-4526

e-mail: joel_salzberg@hp.com

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