PRESS RELEASE

Cisco Videoscape Enables German Broadcasters to Expand HDTV Services

ARD Installs Cisco State-of-the-Art HD Content Playout Systems at Two Premier Locations in Germany

AMSTERDAM, IBC, September 7, 2012 – The Association of Public Broadcasting Corporations of the Federal Republic of Germany (ARD), a non-profit, joint organization of Germany's regional public-service broadcasters, and one of the world's largest public broadcasters, is working with Cisco to extend its HD programming via satellite for HDTV viewers throughout Germany. Using the Cisco Videoscape^™ TV services delivery platform, including advanced Cisco^® video encoding and content processing technology, ARD has improved the overall video picture quality of  its German HD "direct-to-home" playout systems for satellite digital video broadcasting (DVB-S/S2).

Highlights

• Cisco is providing ARD with the necessary components to uplink video programming in HD format, helping it replace and upgrade technology and streamline operations by lowering costs at the ARD-Starpoint site in Frankfurt, Germany (being the central ARD Operator), and the WDR (West German Broadcasting) site in Langenberg near Cologne, Germany.
• Cisco hardware deployed for this project includes the D9036 multichannel/multiformat encoder, which encodes up to four HDTV programs at the same time, and the Digital Content Manager (DCM), which controls the bitrates and combines the TV services with service related auxiliary data.
• Part of the Cisco Videoscape Origination Suite, the D9036 Modular Encoding Platform is characterized by its scalability and superior video quality. Encoded video signals can be exported in premium quality via ASI streaming data format, or IP. Its wide range of IP functionality enables a smooth migration from ASI- into IP-based platforms and networks.
• The DCM can support full-quality delivery of multiple video signals. It is a key component of the Cisco Videoscape Acquisition Suite, due to its high video quality, flexibility, redundancy and network efficiency.
• Full system integration services and overall project responsibility was provided by Dimetis GmbH, a Cisco Authorized SP Video Partner, as well as the BOSS Broadcast Manager^®  control and monitoring system, which provides reliable and fully protected transmission of audio and video.
• The ARD-Starpoint facility processes the ARD Service, Das Erste, distributes the ARD-Bouquets via satellite, cable and IPTV, carries out the national and international TV and radio service exchange, and manages the common ARD core network platforms.
• The WDR is a constituent member of the ARD and the largest federal ARD broadcaster. In addition to contributing to the output of German national television channel Das Erste, WDR produces the regional television service WDR Fernsehen (formerly known as WDF and West3) and six regional radio networks. WDR also hosts the ARD-radio satellite transponder which delivers eight WDR radio services in addition to an event channel.

Supporting Quotes:

• Stephen Wagner, head of ARD-Starpoint

 "As we strive to provide HDTV viewers in Germany with superior video picture quality and greater reliability, we trust Cisco hardware to help us meet and exceed our goals. With Cisco's expertise, we were able to re-architect our network to more efficiently encode, decode and transmit HD signals to viewers' homes. With this technology in place, we can also execute on our plans to expand HD services throughout our markets, faster."

• Edwin Paalvast, senior vice president, Service Provider Group, Cisco EMEAR

"The Cisco Videoscape encoding and content management technology helps operators add and compact more channels of all types and formats into their network. Our work with ARD to enhance and expand their HD capabilities gives their viewers better quality HD video - with more HDTV choices soon to come."

Supporting Resources:

• About ARD
• About WDR
• About Cisco Videoscape http://www.cisco.com/go/videoscape
• Cisco Service Provider blog: SP360: http://blogs.cisco.com/sp
• Follow Cisco IBC news and activities on Twitter: #CiscoIBC and #Videoscape

Tags/Keywords

Cisco, ARD, ARD-Starpoints, Edwin Paalvast, DCM, Digital Content Manager, Digital Content Manager Origination Suite, HD, HDTV, Stephen Wagner, Videoscape, WRD

RSS Feed for Cisco: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/rss.html

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

#   #   #

PRESS RELEASE

Cisco and NDS Reinvent the TV Experience at IBC 2012

Combined Companies Showcase Next-Generation Videoscape Experiences Delivered to "Any Screen"

SAN JOSE, Calif., and AMSTERDAM, IBC, September 7, 2012 – At IBC this week, Cisco and its newly acquired NDS unit are showcasing next-generation video capabilities combining the power of the network, cloud and client to help service providers and content providers accelerate time to market with new multiscreen video services. Cisco and NDS, together, will continue transforming how operators can deliver live and on-demand video experiences and services for consumers worldwide. Visit Cisco on stand 14.115 in The Connected World, Hall 14, and NDS on stand A71, Hall 1.

Highlights:

• Cisco will highlight next-generation Videoscape capabilities, including advanced solutions for time-shifted TV, the Videoscape Distribution Suite, a new and enhanced content delivery systems portfolio with the latest CDN features such as CDN Federation, new Videoscape-capable set-top boxes and modular converged cable access platform (CCAP) technology.
• On its stand, NDS will demonstrate solutions that are set to greatly enhance the Cisco Videoscape portfolio. NDS will highlight its proven solutions to unify, extend and enhance pay-TV services over managed and unmanaged networks. In addition, NDS will showcase advanced, award winning user interfaces, including customer deployments for leading European pay-TV platforms.

Additional Cisco news at IBC:

• Cisco's ‘Videoscape Distribution Suite' Revolutionizes Video Content Delivery to Multiple Screens
• European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Executes on Streaming Strategy for Major Sports Events with Cisco Videoscape Media Processor
• Cisco Videoscape Enables German Broadcasters to Expand HDTV Services
• SBB-Telemach Group Selects Cisco PDS Set-Top Box Series

Cisco Speakers at IBC:

• Chris Dedicoat, president, European Markets, Cisco: IBC 2012 Leaders' Summit, "The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth?," Thursday, September 6, 1:30-3:45 p.m., Forum, RAI Amsterdam
• Kevin Murray, systems architect, NDS, now part of Cisco: "New Ultra High Resolution Displays and Imaging," Thursday, September 6, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Emerald Room, RAI Amsterdam
•  Nick Thexton, CTO, Cisco Service Provider Video Technology Group: "The Great Connected Television Debate: Will the Internet be the End of Television as We Know It?," Saturday, September 8, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Forum, RAI Amsterdam
•  Ken Morse, VP, Cisco Service Provider Video Technology Group: Connected Consumer Debates: "Debate 3: Connecting the TV," Saturday, September 8, 12:00–1:00 p.m., IBC Connected World Demonstration Area – Hall 14, RAI Amsterdam
• Nick Thexton, CTO, Cisco Service Provider Video Technology Group: "IP Services and Technologies- The Challenges of Multimedia on Multiscreens," Monday, September 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Emerald Room, RAI Amsterdam
• Alex Ashley, Principal Systems Architect, NDS, now part of Cisco: "Next Generation Cable & Wireless Networks: Challenges & Technologies," Monday, September 10, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Emerald Room, RAI Amsterdam

Supporting Quotes:

• Jesper Andersen, senior vice president and general manager, Cisco Service Provider Video Technology Group

"Consumers today expect multi-screen, on-demand TV and video experiences that are intuitive and reliable. With NDS now part of Cisco, we are on a fast track to providing broadcasters, content distributors, and service providers with the necessary solutions to deliver ground-breaking video experiences to any connected device – anywhere and anytime. Together, we are reinventing the TV experience with Videoscape. By integrating Cisco and NDS technologies, we can help operators to further innovate and differentiate their video services and drive new revenue streams, all while protecting existing investments."

• Jason Blackwell, director of service provider strategies at Strategy Analytics

"Interworking cloud, network and client, the modular, open Videoscape platform offers service providers and content providers an agile services platform, and a flexible migration strategy to an all IP environment. The addition of NDS software video platforms and a services-focused business model strengthens and expands the Videoscape platform, providing a complete, well-rounded offering for operators to explore at the show."

Supporting Resources:

• About Cisco Videoscape http://www.cisco.com/go/videoscape
• Cisco Service Provider blog: SP360: http://blogs.cisco.com/sp
• Follow Cisco IBC news and activities on Twitter: #CiscoIBC and #Videoscape

Tags/Keywords

Cisco, CDN, CDN Federation, cloud, Chris Dedicoat, Nick Thexton, ESPN, EBU, IBC, NDS, Serbia Broadband, SBB-Telemach, Jesper Andersen, Videoscape, Videoscape Distribution Suite

RSS Feed for Cisco: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/rss.html

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com.

#   #   #

PRESS RELEASE

European Broadcasting Union Successfully Executes on Streaming Strategy for Major Sports Events with Cisco Videoscape Media Processor

Cisco technology supports international media organization at London 2012 Olympic Games

IBC, Amsterdam, Netherlands: 7 September 2012 – Cisco today announced that Eurovision – the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) business, operations and network arm – deployed Cisco's Media Processor,  part of the Cisco Videoscape™ TV services delivery platform, to bring European viewers thousands of hours of live streamed coverage from the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Cisco® technology formed an integral part of the EBU's live streaming platform, www.eurovisionsports.tv. During the Games, more than 3,000 hours of EBU members' programming from live HD feeds were encoded in multiple bit rates for adaptive streaming on the site.

To support the growing demand for video streaming during the London 2012 Games, Eurovision deployed Cisco's Media Processor, a cornerstone of the Acquisition Suite, and an important part of the Videoscape™ platform.

The Cisco Media Processor family offers multiple streaming options from single- to multi-format, standard definition (SD) to high definition (HD), and streaming to any device; from set-top boxes, IP connected TVs, tablets, smartphones and PCs. It supports streaming to the latest platforms, including iPhone, iPad, feature phones, smartphones, Microsoft Smooth, and Adobe Dynamic streaming.

Cisco's technology enables EBU to quickly adapt the profiles to its broadcasters’ requests and can automatically optimize the resolution, bit rate and metadata of video streams for the user's specific device characteristics and network conditions, helping to ensure a premium video experience over any IP network and on any device.

EBU Network Director Graham Warren said:

"Events such as the Olympic Games generate huge demand from consumers wanting to follow the action live, using whatever device is most convenient. This can represent a significant technological challenge as our systems need to adapt content to each endpoint and IP network to deliver a seamless, high-quality, live service. We have been very satisfied with Cisco's technology and look forward to developing our streaming services further."

Edwin Paalvast, senior vice president, Service Provider Group, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia, Cisco, commented:

"Demand for online video is growing incredibly quickly, with the latest Cisco Visual Networking Index predicting that video will make up as much as 54 per cent of all consumer Internet traffic by 2016. This growth, combined with the sheer variety of devices that will be used to consume video content, will mean that intelligent, adaptable technology platforms will become increasingly vital for the broadcast industry if it is to deliver a high-quality live experience. We look forward to continuing to work with the EBU and to build on the success of our initial deployment in the future."

Supporting Resources:

• Cisco Service Provider:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns341/networking_solutions_service_provider_home.html
• Cisco Videoscape
• http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns1043/networking_solutions_market_segment_solution.html
• Cisco Media Processor: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/video/ps11488/ps11791/ps11806/overview.html
• Cisco Visual Networking Index:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns827/networking_solutions_sub_solution.html#~overview,
• EBU London 2012 Games Coverage:
  http://www3.ebu.ch/cms/en/sites/ebu/contents/frontpage-news/news-2012/european-public-service-broadcas.html

Tags/Keywords:

Cisco, Service Provider, video, VOD, IPTV, ABR, Videoscape, Media Processor, EBU, Eurovision, broadcast, tablet, smartphone, live streaming, multiscreen

RSS Feed for Cisco: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/rss.html

About the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

The EBU serves 74 Members in 56 countries in and around Europe. Services to Members range from legal advice, technical standardization and development to coproduction and exchange of quality European content. The Eurovision and Euroradio networks deliver news, sports, events and music to EBU Members and other media organizations.

For more information about the EBU: www.ebu.ch and www.eurovision.com

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is provided by Cisco Systems International B.V. and Cisco International Limited, wholly owned subsidiaries of Cisco Systems, Inc.

# # #