Divitron Picks MontaVista Linux for Digital Video

Annette Oevermann writes “Sunnyvale, Calif., and Turku, Finland, June 17, 2003 MontaVista Software, Inc., the company powering the embedded revolution, and Divitron Inc., which develops and manufactures products for Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial (DVB-T) networks, today announced that MontaVista® Linux® is the chosen operating system for Divitrons AURA, a new portable field test and monitoring receiver for network builders and operators. AURA is a compact, integrated controlling and monitoring device that offers all the basic DVB-T measurements in real-time, and satisfies the demand for high coverage and quality DVB-T broadcasting services.

 
We considered a proprietary OS but the business model and licensing scheme the vendor offered did not meet our needs. Linux gives us access to source code and to the large pool of available Linux programmers, said Matti Lipsanen, CEO of Divitron. MontaVista adds great value to the open source code by providing us with the right tools and tested support packages for our chosen processor, the IBM Set-Top Box (STB) Integrated Controller. We were also very impressed with MontaVista comprehensive support and training. MontaVista Linux gave us a substantial edge in todays highly competitive environment.

 
Some 35 countries worldwide, most of them in Europe, have already made a decision to initiate terrestrial digital TV broadcasts and plan to phase out analog broadcasts after some 5 to 10 years. During the early stage of digital TV introduction, when the construction of terrestrial digital TV broadcasting networks is in progress, Divitron is focused on providing network builders and operators with portable, easy-to-use tools to monitor indoor and mobile reception of the services. After terrestrial digital TV services evolve, the AURA technology may be applied in segments of the transportation and car industries, as well as in consumer products.

 
The AURA represents the next generation of advanced DVB-T devices, said Cees Boshuizen, vice president of sales in Europe, MontaVista Software. MontaVista Linux is a robust, open platform enabling Divitron to bring its innovative products to market quickly and at lower total development costs. MontaVista Software is proud to support Divitron in its development effort.

 
Images of the AURA field test and monitoring receiver are available at
http://www.mvista.com/news/2003/divitron.html

 
Divitron Inc. was founded in 2002 with initial seed funding from the Nokia Early Stage Technology Fund. The origins of Divitron lie in the research and development of Nokia and thus the company continues with the development of technologies that are strategically important to Nokia. In its products, Divitron utilizes technologies from Nokia and IBM.

 
The AURA is based on IBMs Set-Top Box Integrated Controller family, a chip for next-generation digital set-top boxes including multimedia home platforms (MHP), digital terrestrial services, interactive TV, Web browsing and data broadcasting, said Mark Ireland, manager, PowerPC strategy and business development, IBM Microelectronics. The STB, coupled with MontaVista Linux, offers Divitron a scalable development road map for its future products.

About MontaVista Linux

MontaVista Linux Professional Edition 3.0 is the latest version of the companys cutting-edge embedded operating system and development platform. Offering enhanced networking capabilities, increased tools coverage and the latest Linux technology, this newly updated version of the product enables embedded equipment manufacturers to develop a broad range of devices.

 
Availability

The AURA product is currently undergoing final testing and is in trials with customers during the month of June. It will officially launch in September 2003.

 
MontaVista Linux Professional Edition is available as a product subscription through MontaVista Software and its worldwide distribution channels. MontaVista Linux product subscriptions provide developer teams with the MontaVista Linux kernel, deployment components, utilities, development tools, software updates, access to the MontaVista Zone and comprehensive technical support.

About Divitron

Divitron provides portable, ultra-light and integrated solutions to DVB network operators, broadcasters and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service providers worldwide. Divitron Inc. has its origins in Nokia R&D and the company continues to further develop technologies that are strategically important to Nokia. Building on the successful pre-work accomplished in the Nokia laboratory, Divitron focuses on developing Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial (DVB-T) -compliant solutions to ensure high quality DVB service reception, both in in-house and in mobile environments.  Divitron was founded in February 2002 with seed funding from Nokia Early Stage Technology Fund. Divitron is headquartered in Turku, Finland, with software development occurring in Tampere, Finland. For more information, go to http://www.divitron.com.

 
About MontaVista Software

MontaVista Software is a leading global supplier of systems software for intelligent connected devices and associated infrastructure. MontaVista powers the embedded revolution by providing GNU/Linux-based open-source software solutions. Founded in 1999 by real-time operating system (RTOS) pioneer James Ready, MontaVista offers a family of products under the MontaVista Linux umbrella that address broad-based software developer needs encompassing applications ranging from communications infrastructure to consumer electronics. Multiple Editions of MontaVista Linux are available including Professional, Consumer Electronics and Carrier Grade, along with complementary technology products providing powerful Java and graphics development capabilities.

 
Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, in Sunnyvale, Calif., MontaVista Software is a privately held company funded by leading investors such as Alloy Ventures, US Venture Partners, RRE Ventures, WR Hambrecht + Co., IBM, Intel Capital, Sony, Panasonic (Matsushita), Toshiba America and Yamaha Corporation. For more information about MontaVista Software, please visit http://www.mvista.com.

 
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. MontaVista is a registered trademark of MontaVista Software, Inc. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.

 
Contacts:

MontaVista Software

Joe Samagond, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Phone (408) 328-9234, E-mail: jsamagond@mvista.com

Patricia Colby, PR Strategy and Business Development, Pacifico Inc., Phone: (408) 293-8600 ext.340, E-mail: pcolby@pacifico.com

Divitron

Matti Lipsanen, CEO, Phone: (+358) 40 750 3953
E-mail: matti.lipsanen@divitron.com

Liisa Siikanen, Sales & Marketing Manager, Phone: (+358) 207 330 239, E-mail: liisa.siikanen@divitron.com”