Exset and Mstar design STBs for emerging markets

Exset has announced a close cooperation with MStar to create a semiconductor solution and software platform suited to Exset’s Digital Monetization ecosystem.

This strategic alliance has seen the combining of MStar’s silicon, hardware conditional access and software stack to create a set-top box architecture and reference design in synergy with Exset’s Digital Monetization System (DMS).

In a statement, the companies said: “DMS is Exset’s unique business and technology model that makes pay-TV self-financing without depending exclusively on subscriber fees for revenue. DMS bridges the gap between technology supply and value-add service creation, facilitating digital television platforms that can be monetised in emerging markets where previously virtually impossible. This allows populations to benefit from new information and entertainment services while operators and governments, when partnering with Exset, monetise digital switchover and assist in bringing about social transformation.”

Scot Cuthbertson, Technical Director, MStar Europe, said, “The close cooperation between broadcast technology vendor Exset and MStar’s set-top box R&D team enabled us to design a truly optimised platform. The DMS service combined with hardware conditional access provides an interactive pay-TV solution at a new cost/performance tier in the market. Exset was able to capitalise on MStar’s end-to-end silicon, software and support resources to deliver a highly efficient solution.”

The set-top box reference design and software stack will be supplied to relevant companies for set-top box customisation and manufacture.

Alex Borland, CEO, Exset, said, “The set-top box reference design is essential to the deployment of DMS and we’re really pleased to be partnering with MStar because of the company’s acknowledged expertise in the field. Together we have been able to create a fantastic user experience at a price point that will make people really sit up and listen.”

Exset is a broadcast technology and solutions company founded in 2011. It is based in The Netherlands with offices in the UK, Estonia and India.----------------NOT True!