NEC Electronics Introduces Secure Single-Chip MPEG Decoder for Set Top Boxes
Enhanced Security Features Prevent Piracy of Pay Television Broadcasts

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To address the increasing piracy of broadcasts on pay television, NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723) and its subsidiaries in Europe and the United States, NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH and NEC Electronics America, Inc., today introduced a single-chip MPEG decoder (part number µPD61126) with enhanced security features for digital set top boxes (STB). By working closely with conditional access vendors, NEC Electronics has incorporated features specifically designed to prevent illegal reception and copying of pay television broadcasts and information stored in STBs.

The µPD61126 decoder integrates two MIPS32® 4KEc^TM microprocessor cores capable of delivering speeds of up to 286 million instructions per second (MIPS) each. The decoder also offers an improved DDR-SDRAM interface, with speeds up to 333 megahertz (MHz) and memory up to 1 gigabyte (GB). An enhanced graphics engine provides designers with more flexibility to manipulate advanced graphics and data. The combination of these performance-enhancing features enables smooth operation of MHP (Multimedia Home Platform), outstanding speed in interactive MHEG applications (Mulitmedia and Hypermedia Experts Group), and integration of standard on-screen display functions.

An embedded USB 1.1 host interface permits connection to external devices such as cable modems or digital cameras, and direct support for DVB-CI (Digital Video Broadcasting-Common Interface) standards eliminates the need for external routing chips. In addition to these functions, the device has comprehensive power-management functions and a design process optimized for low-power operation. The µPD61126 decoder also enables maximum reuse of hardware and software components from field-proven devices to facilitate speedy migration from legacy devices.

"Piracy of digital broadcasts is a growing and costly issue for producers, content owners and broadcasters of television programming," stated Masao Hirasawa, general manager, Digital AV Systems Division, NEC Electronics Corporation. "The newest addition to our line-up of MPEG decoders provides an affordable single-chip solution designed to significantly limit such illegal activities."

The µPD61126 decoder is supported by a range of software and middleware, including reference designs, evaluation systems and a full suite of high-level application program interfaces (APIs) and wrappers that are compatible among all of NEC Electronics' digital AV devices. API and key middleware applications, including those based on MHEG and MHP protocols, will also be provided.

Pricing and Availability
Samples of the µPD61126 decoder are available today upon request and are priced at US$25. Volume production is scheduled to begin in early 2006. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

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About NEC Electronics Corporation

NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets, system solutions for the mobile handsets, PC peripherals, automotive and digital consumer markets, and multi-market solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics Corporation has 26 subsidiaries worldwide including NEC Electronics America, Inc. (www.am.necel.com) and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH (www.eu.necel.com). Additional information about NEC Electronics worldwide can be found at www.necel.com.

NEC Electronics is either a registered trademark or trademark of NEC Electronics Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. MIPS32® 4KEc^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of MIPS Technologies Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective trademark owners.