Press Release

June 09, 2009

Ottawa, Canada - Espial, a leading provider of TV software and solutions, announced that Buffalo Inc. has licensed Evo Client middleware as their set-top box (STB) middleware for their recently launched hybrid set-top box providing digital TV and on-demand services. Espial also contributed to the success of Buffalo's STB launch with support, development and integration services. The Buffalo set-top box delivers a bouquet of digital broadcast TV channels from satellite and terrestrial signals. It is also planned that it will provide on-demand and interactive services over IP using open industry standards. For example, for one on-demand service it already deployed Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standards to share pictures, videos and audio media between computers and televisions.

The Buffalo LT-H90DTV set-top box is widely available today in electronics retail stores across Japan. Espial and Buffalo are also cooperating to introduce the set-top box based on the LT-H90DTV to broader distribution channels across Japan. Japan, like many other countries, is rapidly transitioning from analog to digital TV to meet the 2011 regulatory deadline to end analog TV services.

In Japan, TV signals are broadcast free over the air via 2 satellite services (BS and CS) and a digital terrestrial (DT) service. These services adhere to the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) digital video broadcasting standard. To meet Japanese regulatory requirements, digital TV set-top boxes must support up to three (3) broadcast tuners each with their unique channel line-up and integrate with ARIB-based software stacks. The architecture and applications of Evo Client provide the potential of unified broadcast and on-demand services as well as an excellent quality of experience.

"Buffalo's decision to use Evo Client attests to the capability, flexibility and strength of our client middleware to meet Japan's digital and IPTV market requirements," said Yukio Kanemori, Director of Sales, Japan. "It is a privilege for Espial to work with Buffalo to deliver a leading digital TV product to Japanese consumers."

"We selected Evo Client for rich set of applications, high performance architecture, and open interfaces. This simplified integration with our set-top box and supports the extensive requirements for a hybrid IP, satellite and terrestrial set-top box," said Hajime Nakai, Director, Member of the Board, Broadband Solutions Business Division, New Business Division. "Espial and Buffalo will continue to co-operate in the global market partnering to provide a more complete solution to broader channels in the global digital and IP TV market.

About Evo Client (http://www.espial.com/products/evo_client/)

Evo Client is a small footprint, set-top box (STB) middleware that delivers a high-performance user experience for IPTV and hybrid STBs. Out of the box, it offers an advanced suite of TV applications including: Electronic Program Guide (EPG); High-Definition User Interface; Video on Demand (VOD); Pay-Per-View (PPV); Portal; Settings; Digital Video Recorder (DVR); Caller ID; Web Browser; and, Radio TV. It provides a rich, standards-based authoring environment to create customized user interfaces and is easily ported across set-top boxes (STBs). Its porting tool allows operators to maintain an identical user experience and application set across STB brands and models. With its application development environment, operators can rapidly build and customize new user interfaces and applications to deliver new interactive applications and compelling content to consumers.

About Espial (www.espial.com)

Espial provides intelligent and open TV software to service providers in the cable, telecommunications and hospitality industries. It's middleware, video-on-demand and browser solutions provide superior service delivery, advanced service innovation tools and the ability to serve a wide range of market segments - including over-the-top, IPTV, hybrid IP, multi-dwelling unit and enterprise. With over 7 million licenses of its patented software technology in use, Espial is a leading supplier of TV software. Espial is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. For more information please visit the Espial website @ www.espial.com.

About Buffalo Inc.

Buffalo Inc. based in Nagoya, Japan, is a leading global provider of award-winning networking, storage, multimedia and memory solutions for the home and small business environments as well as for system builders and integrators. With almost three decades of networking and computer peripheral experience, Buffalo has proven its commitment to delivering innovative, best-of-breed solutions that have put the company at the forefront of infrastructure technology. For more information about Buffalo Inc and its products, please visit http://buffalo.jp/.

 

Media Contact:

Espial

Kirk Edwardson

Director of Marketing

Kedwardson@espial.com

+1-613-230-4770 x 1145

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