AITech now developing HDTV set-top receiver to unite broadcast, cable, & PC markets; Scan conversion leader targets digital broadcast industry for strong growth potential

Business Wire, May 19, 1997

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 1997--AITech International, the world leader in video scan conversion and desktop technology, today announced plans to develop a powerful HDTV (High Definition Television) set-top receiver that will meet new ADTS broadcast standards established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The ADTS (ATSC Digital Television Standard) is part of the FCC's recent approval of HDTV. AITech will deliver the HDTV receiver within 18 months to meet the FCC's schedule for ADTS broadcast. With an estimated price of around $400, AITech's receiver will give consumers the benefits of HDTV at a fraction of the expected $5,000 cost of a new HDTV set.

"AITech's receiver represents a product category that will be the highest volume digital receiver in the consumer market," said Jonathan Cassell, industry analyst with Dataquest, a research firm based in San Jose, Calif.

"The digital broadcast industry has enormous growth potential. AITech's HDTV receiver will make digital TV affordable for all, which will connect broadcasters to the viewing audience they need," said Casey Ng, strategic product manager with AITech. "AITech will use its extensive experience in video signal conversion to develop a feature-rich product that will bring digital content and interactive media to the home market."

Virtually every home in the United States currently has one or more analog or NTSC televisions, which cost roughly $200 to $1,000. When full-feature ADTS-receiving HDTV sets are available, they will display at a resolution of 1920 x 1080. It is unlikely that the "average" consumer will readily pay the $2,000 to $5,000 cost of a new HDTV.

AITech's HDTV set-top box will receive high-definition digital broadcast signals from the airwaves or from cable, decodes the signal, and converts it to a format displayable on any analog TV or standard VGA PC monitor. Depending on the resolution of the incoming signal, the receiver may convert it into an analog video signal which connects to any existing analog TV set via RF, composite, or S-VHS connection. AITech's receiver will also include an advanced audio decoder to perform digital AC-3 decoding into 6 channels of multi-lingual or surround-sound audio.

Installation of AITech's set-top box will be as easy as connecting a VCR. If the consumer already owns a high-quality TV with S-VHS inputs, the receiver will provide up to 30% more resolution over existing analog cable or terrestrial broadcast programming. It will include a remote control for on-screen navigation. The consumer will be able to connect the AC-3 surround sound output to existing home stereo or theater equipment.

Plans for the new set-top box draw on many of AITech's existing technologies, including its FlicFree(TM) filter and patented VSPro(TM) PC/TV scan conversion. Still, the digital receiving circuitry design is challenging and requires scan conversion of several resolution choices: 1920 x 1080; 1280 x 720; 704 x 480; 640 x 480; with aspect ratios of 16:9 and 4:3; in 60 frames per second (fps) progressive, 30 fps progressive, 60 fps interlaced, or 24 fps progressive.

"With a strong presence and significant experience in this market, AITech is in the best position to develop the technology and devices for this enormous digital revolution," said Dr. Michael J. Chen, chairman and CEO of AITech.

AITech International is the world leader in PC/TV video scan conversion technology. Its patented VSPro technology converts VGA signal to NTSC and PAL standards for image/video processing, interactive TV, and other applications. AITech's microelectronics and system-level products are among the most advanced and reliable in the industry.

CONTACT: AITech International

Liz Linn, 510/226-8960

lizl@aitech.com

or

Shotwell Public Relations Inc.

Chris Demers, 408/727-4356

cdemers@compuserve.com