Drake Selects ViXS XCode(R) 3290 for Scalable Digital Encoder Platform

TORONTO, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ - ViXS Systems Inc, a leading provider of smart network multimedia processor solutions that enable a rich video entertainment experience, announced today that R.L. Drake, a leading cable TV equipment manufacturer with a strong reputation for producing quality products for 65 years, has chosen ViXS XCode(R) 3290 System on a Chip (SOC) for its DrakeDigital(TM) EH24 Encoder solution. This new real-time Encoding System takes advantage of ViXS XCode(R) technology for the broadcast, professional, and cable markets. Thanks to Drake's innovative use of the ViXS encoder, the EH24 system achieves an unprecedented level of price/performance and scalability to deliver high-quality MPEG2 and MPEG4 (H.264) video encoding accompanied with pristine DolbyDigital(TM) AC-3 audio encoding and Closed Captioning.

The exciting DrakeDigital(TM) Encoding System is comprised of one EH24 Encoder Host, and up to six SD or HD Encoder Modules. XCode(R) 3290 used in the DrakeDigital(TM) Encoding system offers Multi-Stream Encoding capability enabling the EH24 system to encode up to 12 analog video inputs when fully populated. The EH24 sets a new standard in design for high density encoding products. Several network operators are already using Drake's Encoding System in a variety of locations, including cable operators for replacing analog channels with MPEG digital versions, US Government locations for digitizing security camera video, and leading hotels for inserting promotional video channels.

XCode(R) 3290 is the first in a series of SOC products from ViXS to address broadcast and professional markets. ViXS encoder / transcoder SOCs for these markets enable high density multi-channel solutions at lowest power consumption per channel. Customers can take advantage of the exceptional output video quality offered by ViXS SOCs including superior quality at low output bit rates. ViXS SOCs for broadcast and professional markets are built on years of production designs in applications using compression technology.

"Thanks to the ViXS XCode(R) technology, our DrakeDigital Encoding System dramatically reduces the cost of converting analog networks to digital, improving bandwidth efficiency by over 90%", said Jeff Huppertz, President and CEO of Drake. "The ViXS XCode(R) 3290 exceeded our dual stream encoding needs while delivering exceptional output video quality."

"Digitization in broadcast, cable, and other professional applications has created an increased demand for high-quality SD and HD encoder systems such as the EH24 system from Drake" said Sally Daub, President and CEO of ViXS Systems Inc. "Drake's selection of ViXS XCode(R) series of products confirms our leadership in providing cutting-edge compression SOCs to these highly demanding markets."

For any inquiries about ViXS please visit www.vixs.com or email [email protected].

    About R.L. Drake
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Headquartered in Ohio, Drake is an American cable TV institution, designing and building innovative end-to-end communications systems and video engineering components for over 65 years. DrakeDigital(TM) headends are used in demanding locations worldwide, from cable systems to the White House Situation Room to Iraq's Green Zone, Disney's cruise ships to US Navy vessels, and even in remote Inuit communities across the Arctic Circle. Drake arms multi-channel service providers with the technical solutions they need to efficiently upgrade their video networks to the latest digital technologies and effectively compete in the residential, enterprise and hospitality environments.

    About ViXS Systems, Inc.
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ViXS Systems Inc. is a leading provider of smart network multimedia processor solutions that enable a rich video entertainment experience. Our professional solutions are comprised of semiconductor devices and related software, that enable equipment manufacturers to encode or transcode video at extremely high quality for a variety of network applications including contribution encoders, distribution encoders, distribution transcoders, and transcryptors extending from the source right to the edge of the network. We capitalize on our core competencies in high performance digital, analog and mixed signal integrated circuit (IC) design and software design, and our ability to combine these from concept to product launch. Our consumer line of products are used in multiple applications within the consumer electronics and personal computing markets, such as set-top boxes, digital televisions (DTV), Blu-ray players, home gateways and personal computers (PC). Our technologies enable seamless multimedia control, conversion and connectivity between all classes and sizes of digital entertainment devices. With our highly integrated architecture and customizable software, our System-on-Chips (SoCs) offer performance and processing solutions that are designed to reduce cost and product development cycles for all our customers. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada with global operations and offices in Europe, Asia and North America, ViXS has filed more than 250 patents worldwide with over 60 patents being issued to date.

SOURCE ViXS Systems Inc.