Set-top box to provide three-in-one service
Zhejiang Dahua Digital Technology, China's largest cable and internet protocol television (IPTV) set-top box supplier, and European chipmaker STMicroelectronics have released an advanced, three-in-one digital media system designed for the mainland.
Dahua's new single-chip, dual-mode digital set-top box, which began use in Hangzhou province this month, enables consumers to enjoy digital cable television, video-on-demand, interactive games, Voice-over-IP and video phone calls, short messaging service and Web browsing from just one system.
Robert Krysiak, STMicroelectronics vice-president and general manager for Greater China operations, said: 'The co-operation with Dahua is the first volume deployment in China of our latest H.264 single chip which is capable of both MPEG4 and MPEG2 decoding and it will enhance Dahua's position in the rapidly growing new cable and IPTV market.'
An estimated 360 million households in the mainland have television, including 114.7 million cable subscribers. China is expected to become the largest IPTV market over the next few years.
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