Acorn has released one of the most advanced set-top boxes in the world, the Acorn STB22. Available worldwide, the STB22 has an ATM25 interface, MPEG2 decode capability, a built in web browser and support for JAVA applications. It is the first in the world to combine these features in one unit. Additionally the STB22 is available with an Ethernet Interface making it one of the most versatile products of its type.

The Acorn STB22 is currently being evaluated in the USA, Europe and Asia. The STB and associated technology is also available for license from Acorn. It specifically addresses the increasingly demanding requirements of today's interactive services, including interactive video and audio, online banking and shopping services, web-browsing, gaming, education services and multi-casting.

This digital set-top box is intelligent and purposely built for interactive TV, which means it is designed to handle all forms of online media to an extremely high standard. It is equally suitable for corporate, commercial, educational and domestic markets, where delivery of interactive services across intranets and public networks into offices, homes, shops and public places is becoming ever more important. Acorn sees the STB22 being used for a wide variety of applications from PTT trials to Intranet video based applications in the corporate and vertical markets.

Simon Wyatt, Director of Acorn Online Media, a division of Acorn, said, "The STB22 takes us onto another level in the development of interactive technology. Its features give it a significant edge over its competitors, and we believe our box will be the number one set-top product of choice. Its combination of features, in addition to its low cost/high performance RISC architecture make it pretty hard to beat. We have already had a very positive response to this product, and we expect it to take the market by storm."

The STB22 will be exhibited at CEBIT in March and also at NCTA, NAB and Networld/InterOP.

About Acorn

Acorn Computer Group plc, headquartered in Cambridge, UK, is one of the world's leading developers and suppliers of innovative technology designs and consultancy. Acorn is at the core of some of the world's best digital technology products.

Source: Acorn Computer Group plc