New Motorola Module Technology Puts DTV On Standard Televisions; TVs, VCRs and Set-Top Boxes with Motorola's Affordable M-DTV Technology Puts DTV in Front of Consumers

Business Wire, Oct 4, 1999

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 1999--

Consumers will now be able to receive digital television (DTV) and high-definition television (HDTV) broadcasts using affordable digital set-top boxes and DTVs, enabled by Motorola's cost-effective new MCT5100 M-DTV(TM) module.

The first product to integrate all of the functionality required to convert digital TV signals to the existing standard definition format, the M-DTV module is designed to increase the precision and clarity of the picture and enhance the audio of today's televisions.

"Motorola's M-DTV module makes digital television available to consumers, providing higher-quality video and audio at competitive prices that they're willing to pay," said Bob Stokes, Director of Operations, Digital Television Operations, Motorola.

The MCT5100 M-DTV module integrates Motorola's 8-VSB demodulator, the MCT2100, MPEG decoder and controller to implement a complete Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC) digital television. MCT5100 M-DTV accepts analog IF input and features Dolby Digital(R) 5.1 channel audio data output, various video output formats and a serial control port.

"There are more than 20 million analog TVs sold in the U.S. each year, and the M-DTV module will allow manufacturers to leverage their experience in analog TV, as well as offer a digital TV at an attractive price," Stokes said.

Using Motorola's M-DTV module, manufacturers of televisions, VCRs and set-top boxes will be able to design low-cost alternatives to expensive HDTV sets. Currently, a monitor capable of showing a full high-definition picture in 16:9 aspect ratio may cost from $3,000 to $10,000, and set-top boxes that receive DTV broadcasts start at about $700. The M-DTV module was specifically designed to address the cost of the design and production of DTVs and set-top boxes and the development effort to bring a new DTV to market.

Motorola has moved the difficult processing and control of DTV to the module, allowing manufacturers to integrate the module into existing analog TV chassis with minimum changes to the existing design. Once the analog chassis modifications are complete, the M-DTV module can be installed

Samples of the M-DTV module are available to OEM partners beginning in November, and production quantities will be available in early 2000.

About Motorola

As the world's no. 1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector offers multiple DigitalDNA(TM) solutions which enable its customers to create new business opportunities in the consumer, networking and computing, transportation, and wireless communications markets. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $7.3 billion (USD) in l998.

http://sps.motorola.com

Motorola is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1998 were $29.4 (USD) billion.

http://www.motorola.com

Note to Editors: Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories DigitalDNA is a trademark of Motorola Inc.