PACE Selects ViXS XCode(TM) 3000 Video Processor to Power its Wireless Home Networking System

ViXS Systems Inc., the leading developer of video processing solutions, announced today that XCodeTM 3000 series, the world’s most advanced MPEG4 AVC (MPEG4 Part 10/H.264) Transcoder/Encoder/Decoder System-on-a-Chip (SoC) has been selected by Pace as part of its wireless video technology solution.

The XCode 3000 will perform real-time transcoding of MPEG2 to AVC and real time transrating of MPEG4 AVC to MPEG4 AVC in both HD and SD resolutions, thereby reducing the data rate over the wireless network. To guarantee Quality of Service (QoS), the XCode 3000, with its powerful rate control algorithm, will dynamically transrate the video to have a bit rate that is optimized to the network bandwidth so the video never stops. The chip also performs a mirror transcode, allowing a Pace set-top box server to generate two different output streams of different resolutions and bit-rates to serve two different client devices from a single source.

ViXS Systems enables leading set-top box developers, such as Pace, to develop advanced HD set-top media gateways that truly differentiate with XCodeTM 3000’s advanced real-time High-Definition (HD) transcoding, HD decoding and HD encoding capabilities. The XCodeTM 3000’s real-time HD MPEG2 --> HD MPEG4 AVC transcoding has dramatic bit rate reduction, while retaining original content resolution and video quality. The XCodeTM 3000 HD transcoding/encoding/decoding, dense peripheral integration and powerful multi-processor architecture make it ideal for the next generation of set-top products.

The ViXS XCodeTM Series of ICs have led the way as the first — and currently only — single-chip hardware MPEG/AVC encoder, decoder, transcoder and transcryptor SoC with highly integrated connectivity. The availability of XCodeTM 3000 allows developers the unique opportunity to build products that provide consumers the ability to quickly convert video content, while keeping it secure, for CE devices like PVR, NAS, STB and PMP locally or over a broad spectrum of IP networks. Consumers will also have the ability to manage user-generated video content, to watch TV remotely, to time-shift their favourite TV shows, to distribute video over the internet for place-shifting, and to record multiple TV programs simultaneously.

Sally Daub, President and CEO of ViXS Systems said: “The XCodeTM 3000 series provides our customers with the industry's most advanced video processing solution for the connected home of the future. With Pace’s drive to develop leading edge products, ViXS was able to provide the hardware and software solution to meet their requirements.”

About ViXS Systems, Inc.

ViXS Systems Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company enabling advanced video processing technologies for top-tier Consumer Electronic (CE) and Personal Computer (PC) companies. The company has developed advanced video codecs with unprecedented capabilities for processing, managing, protecting and distributing broadcast-quality video. ViXS supplies IC solutions and full production reference designs to the world's top CE and PC manufacturers, OEMs and ODMs. ViXS XCode™ video processors are deployed worldwide in a variety of designs such as IPTV/cable set-top boxes, multimedia PC boards, digital TVs, PVRs, and Blu-ray and HD DVD products. Unique video technologies developed by ViXS, such as encoding, transcoding and decoding, provide CE and PC manufacturers with the necessary feature differentiators they need to become leaders in their respective markets. An additional ingredient for the success of these products is ViXS’ support of worldwide Conditional Access (CA) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) whereby one product platform can support worldwide coverage. To date, ViXS has issued and filed over 150 patents. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, ViXS is a global company with offices located worldwide. For more information, visit www.vixs.com.