ActiveVideo and Videon Central Form Partnership: Joint Initiative to Pipe Interactive TV to Millions of Web-Connected CE Devices

ActiveVideo and Videon Central Form Partnership: Joint Initiative to Pipe Interactive TV to Millions of Web-Connected CE Devices

SAN JOSE, Calif. and STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- ActiveVideo Networks(TM), the global leader in cloud-based interactive television solutions, and Videon Central, Inc., a leading provider of digital video solutions and Blu-ray Disc (BD) middleware, today announced a joint initiative that is intended to dramatically speed adoption of the next generation of CE video devices.

The two companies announced that they will work together to leverage the combined strengths of Videon Central (Videon) core middleware technologies and ActiveVideo processing in the network "cloud" to significantly expand the reach and availability of rich, Web-based user experiences that are redefining interactive television (iTV 2.0). ActiveVideo anticipates that a joint solution would be available on Web-connected televisions, BD and DVD players, and other devices in millions of homes by year end, 2010.

The two companies will demonstrate the joint solution at the Intel Developer Forum September 22-24 at Moscone Center West in San Francisco.

"Consumers overwhelmingly buy new video entertainment products based on one factor: how that device can enhance their viewing experience," said Todd Erdley, president and CEO of Videon. "ActiveVideo works seamlessly with our device-based solutions to deliver the greater levels of engagement and increased depth of content that can increase consumers' enjoyment and drive buying decisions."

"Through its work with BD and DVD middleware and its relationships with major silicon and CE equipment manufacturers, Videon Central has established itself as a leader in enabling the highest-quality digital video experiences," said Jeff Miller, president and CEO of ActiveVideo Networks. "By entering into a partnership with them, we can ensure the accelerated availability of solutions that will help to increase adoption of the next generation of CE devices."

Anticipated to be available in more than 5 million homes by the end of 2009, ActiveVideo immerses viewers in an engaging experience that combines Web video, Web 2.0 functionality and traditional television. With ActiveVideo, viewers can navigate a completely interactive environment of both linear and broadband programming including rich interfaces and graphics optimized for TV and remote control navigation; social networking; personal media; niche content; and targeted, actionable advertising. ActiveVideo uses intelligent MPEG streaming to deliver the Web 2.0 experience to a worldwide television audience through both legacy and next generation digital set-top boxes and broadband-connected devices.

About Videon Central, Inc.

Videon Central is a leading supplier of digital video solutions for the CE market. Videon provides intellectual property, engineering design, system integration, and product qualification services to major semiconductor and original equipment manufacturers. In addition, Videon is an original design manufacturer with experience in the creation of custom products from high-end home theater to in-flight entertainment systems, such as: DVD and Blu-ray Disc players, LCD displays, servers, and audio/video distribution equipment.

   For more information on Videon, please visit www.videon-central.com.    About ActiveVideo Networks   

ActiveVideo Networks is the world leader in cloud-based interactive services that are redefining television (iTV 2.0). The company's network-centric approach simply and inexpensively enables expanded programming, navigation and advertising possibilities, allowing viewers to define and share their TV experiences. ActiveVideo combines Web-based media and targeted, clickable advertisements with the high-quality video, immediate responsiveness and remote control navigation of television for uniform interactivity across all digital and IPTV set-tops, CI+ enabled televisions, and broadband-connected CE devices. ActiveVideo Networks is based in the heart of Silicon Valley, with offices in Los Angeles, Baltimore and Hilversum, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.activevideo.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: ActiveVideo Networks

CONTACT: Paul Schneider, PSPR, Inc., +1-215-702-9784 (office),
+1-215-817-4384 (mobile), pspr@att.net, for ActiveVideo; or Michael Daulerio,
+1-814-235-1111, x395, michael.daulerio@videon-central.com, for Videon
Central

Web Site: http://www.activevideo.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment