Alticast Solutions Integrate with YLE's Existing Digital Broadcast Facility for a Live DVB-MHP Application Broadcast Test

YLE, a major Finnish digital terrestrial broadcaster, has been transmitting DVB-MHP applications since its launch on August 27, 2001, but without MHP-ready set-top box receivers. On October 30th, YLE was successful in both transmitting and receiving a live broadcast of DVB-MHP interactive TV applications using Alticast's solutions for digital head-ends and receivers. This live test was a true reception of a signal broadcast over the air, and not a laboratory evaluation. The MHP broadcast was verified by a secondary reception test in Turku, Finland. The successful test from YLE's broadcast tower using Alticast solutions is just one of many success stories that are reinforcing to the world the validity and strength of the DVB-MHP open standard for interactive TV.

The DVB-MHP applications that were involved in the live broadcast test included a YLE developed interactive sports application, as well as an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and a Superteletext application developed by Sofia Digital – a leading application developer based in Helsinki, Finland. For the management and scheduling of the transmission, Alticast's robust interactive services automation system, AltiSynchro, was smoothly integrated with the existing YLE digital broadcast facility. For the digital reception, a DigitAll World (DAW) DVB-T set-top box (81 Mips, 32MB RAM, 8MB Flash) ported with AltiCaptor, Alticast's DVB-MHP middleware, was utilized. The DAW set-top box was connected to a RF signal from a YLE antenna feed in order to play out the applications on a TV screen.

Alticast continues to prove that their "MHP is Ready" campaign is not just a slogan or a vision; instead, it is a visible and tangible reality that is being embraced today by numerous major broadcasters in the European and Asian markets. In addition to the live broadcast with YLE, Alticast is currently developing and planning for several other DVB-MHP interactive TV deployments throughout the world, which are scheduled for the middle of next year. With the availability of Alticast's comprehensive DVB-MHP solutions, broadcasters are choosing to avoid closed proprietary systems, and gain the advantages of the DVB-MHP open standard, in addition to providing their audiences with an enhanced and desirable TV experience.

About YLE
YLE (www.yle.fi), Finland's national public service broadcasting company, is the first terrestrial broadcaster in the world to broadcast MHP interactive television services. YLE operates five national television channels and thirteen radio channels and services complemented by 25 regional radio programs. There are three digital radio and five digital television channels currently in operation.

About Alticast
Alticast is a pioneer in the field of interactive digital TV software development, providing end-to-end software solutions for the creation, delivery and reception of DVB-MHP interactive television content. Alticast's business areas include technology licenses, data broadcast server solutions, middleware for digital set-top boxes, and authoring tools. A privately owned company, Alticast has R&D facilities in Seoul, South Korea and a marketing center in Austin, Texas, USA, with offices in Beijing, China and Frankfurt, Germany. For more information on Alticast products and services, visit Alticast at www.alticast.com.

Alticast, Inc., 3001 Bee Caves Road, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78746. Tel: 512-225-6665; Fax: 512-225-6770.