RedCom High Quality Broadband Video Phone Powered by Digital Media Processor

RedCom's cost-effective, highly versatile broadband videophone leverages Texas Instruments DM642 DSPs to ensure advanced interoperability and flexibility to evolve to future industry standards

Amsterdam, 10 September 2004

RedCom today announced that it has chosen Texas Instruments' (TI) TMS320DM64x generation of digital media processors, based on TI's TMS320C64x DSP core, for its broadband video phone RedCom VP1 The product will be demonstrated at IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) in Amsterdam, Sept. 10-14, in Hall 4 at the TI booth #161.

The RedCom VP1 is one of the first solutions in the market to use the new compression standard H.264, enabling high quality video calls and increased audio call quality over existing broadband networks. Designed to meet the needs of both broadband service providers/ISPs and consumers worldwide, the VP1 offers advanced features such as interoperability with 3G standards, multimedia messaging and access to interactive services. The VP1 is future proofed and preserves code investment, thanks to the flexible, programmable DM64x generation.

"We selected TI as our silicon provider because of the flexibility of its DSP technology," said Rahul Mehra of RedCom. "The outstanding support offered by TI means that we can look forward to evolving our products smoothly as the video broadband market continues to grow."

The dramatic increase in the use of broadband video telephony services expected over the next three years, will drive growth and maintain revenue for operators, with the broadband services market estimated to reach $48 bn by 2009, according to Juniper Research.

"We are delighted that RedCom has selected our DSPs for its videophone solution," said Arnaud Duclap, DSP business development manager for TI's video/imaging solutions in Europe. "As the demand for video telephony grows, it will be increasingly important to offer excellent picture and audio quality, as well as the ability to adapt to changing standards and market requirements. The DM64x generation is specifically designed to enable this."

RedCom's VP1 is an affordable, easy-to-use videophone solution with excellent video quality, interoperability with 3G mobile phones and computers, a picture-in-picture option that allows users to watch TV while making a video call, and the ability to transmit multimedia messages or access interactive services. Thanks to a plug-in wireless option, the videophone can be linked up to any TV set in a wireless broadband-enabled home.

The VP1 also features ANT Limited's Fresco browser software, which provides the user interface for the videophone and is integrated with TI's digital media processors. Providing support for three concurrent video images, a wireless remote microphone in the handset and 802.11 technology, ANT Fresco uses the programmability of the DM64x generation to allow OEMs to quickly and easily integrate a wide range of advanced content technologies such as Microsoft Windows Media Audio/Video Series 9, MPEG4, and H.264 into their consumer electronics products without changing the hardware.

Key advanced features of RedCom's VP1 videophone include:

• High quality 2-way video calls at up to 25 frames per second using a 128Kbps-500Kps broadband connection.

• H.264, H.263, H.261 etc. video standards.

• Support for G.729, G.723, G.711 etc. audio standards.

• Electronic payment card support for secure payment.

• Embedded web browser for setup, address book, caller ID, call log etc.

• Compatibility with 3G standards to enable video calls to 3G mobile phones.

• An option for 802.11 wireless networking.

The competively priced VP1 will be available in Q4 2004 after completion of operator field trials through RedCom's Sales and Marketing partner Fusion Digital Technology.

About ANT Software Limited

ANT plc (www.antplc.com) is a leading provider of digital TV client and consumer electronic software solutions. ANT's unique client solutions allow robust and consistent delivery of digital-media, user interfaces, interactive services and applications to the TV and portable media devices. ANT enables service providers to efficiently create and deploy successful solutions to the market that deliver high value and clear differentiation.

ANT's products are pre-integrated with many industry-leading solutions and are based upon open standards, enabling low-risk, cost-effective roll-out of services, while ensuring flexible client hardware choice with efficient bill of materials. ANT software has been extensively deployed by customers throughout the world including Chunghwa Telecom, Foxconn, France Telecom, Humax, LG/Nortel, Philips, Sagem, Samsung, SaskTel, Telecom Italia and Thomson.

ANT plc's shares are listed on AIM, a London Stock Exchange regulated market, under the ticker ANTP (Reuters: ANTP.L, Bloomberg: ANTP.LN).

About RedCom

RedCom is a UK-based design and development company focused on deploying advanced technologies to consumers. Formed in 2003, RedCom is a team of highly skilled and experienced engineers with a proven track record of world first achievements: the first digital DVB MPEG2 set-top-box, the first integrated set top box with DOCSIS Cable modem, and first dual tuner PVR.

For more information, please visit www.redcom.co.uk.

Trademarks

ANT, the ANT logo, Galio, Fresco and PurePlay are all trademarks or registered trademarks of ANT Software Limited. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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