NTT Electronics Full HD H.264 Codec Selected for the MLB Network — High quality, low-latency live video to be delivered from 30 MLB Ballparks

TOKYO, April 6 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — NTT Electronics Corporation,
headquartered in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward (hereafter, NTT Electronics) is pleased
to announce that its HV9100 Series AVC/H.264 HDTV/SDTV encoders/decoders have
been selected as the codec equipment to be used for HD sports coverage on the
MLB Network, a sports channel operated by Major League Baseball (hereafter,
MLB) in the United States.

The MLB Network was launched by MLB on January 1st, 2009 as a satellite
and cable channel dedicated to 24 hours-7 days a week detailed coverage of MLB
including live coverage of weekly games. To provide this broadcast service and
to satisfy the most ardent baseball fans; the MLB Network is producing all
broadcasts in full high-definition video.

NTT Electronics encoders/decoders are being installed in 30 MLB Ballparks
(29 are located in the United States and one is located in Canada) to ensure
all broadcasts feed to the newly constructed studio center in Secaucus, New
Jersey. The system was developed by CBT Systems (headquartered in San Diego,
California), a company that provides consulting and engineering systems and
services to high-end broadcasters. At the launch of the MLB Network, the
network was made available to 50 million homes, the highest viewing figures
for a network debut in satellite and cable history.

“To provide audiences with high-quality video and audio, MLB Network has
selected the NTT Electronics HV9100 Series, in that this codec offers both
high video quality and low latency at a high rate (40 Mps) and supports the
AVC/H.264 4:2:2 chroma format. This will offer baseball fans the opportunity
to enjoy full HD coverage from every Ballpark, every day,” said Mr. Darrell
Wenhardt, President of CBT Systems.

The HV9100 Series supports both HD (1080i / 720p) and SD (480i / 576i). It
additionally supports, optionally, up to 16 channels of audio input capability
and an IP interface. The HV9100 Series gained a great deal of attention right
after its release in January 2008, and has already been selected by many
broadcasting stations with a broad use ranging from domestic station content
transmissions to contributions or distributions in North America, Europe and
Brazil.

“It’s a great pleasure for us to support the transmission of full HD
coverage from MLB’s Opening Day. The HV9100 Series has already demonstrated
outstanding performance in many sporting events around the globe such as the
Olympics and thus, we feel that the HV9100 Series is ideally suited to the MLB
Network’s need for high quality video,” said Mr. Koichi Masaki, newly
appointed General Manager of the Multimedia Systems Division at NTT
Electronics. “Through the provision of our codec technology, we are delighted
to have the opportunity to contribute to the broadcasting of the spectacular
plays made by the world’s top MLB players and to also allow viewers to have an
in-stadium experience directly from their home television sets.”

    Notes to the Editor
    -- The HV9100 Series will be on display at NAB 2009, the world's largest
       broadcast industry convention to be held in Las Vegas from April 20 to
       23 (booth number: SU11617).
    -- High resolution photo of the HV9100 Series is available upon request.

About MLB Network

The MLB Network was launched by MLB on January 1st, 2009. Delivering High
Definition content across U.S. cable and satellite systems, and delivered to
over 50 million homes, making it the largest network debut in satellite and
cable history. The MLB Network is available on Direct TV and cable systems
including; Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, Charter, Cablevision and Verizon FiOS.
The two main studios — Studio 3, named to honor Babe Ruth, and Studio 42,
named to honor Jackie Robinson — are equipped with highly-advanced video
server based equipment for full HD production and programming.

For more information on the MLB Network, visit http://mlbnetwork.mlb.com

About NTT Electronics Corporation

NTT Electronics is a market leader in the fields of digital video,
photonics and broadband networking. As a member of the NTT Group, one of the
world’s leading telecommunications companies, NTT Electronics develops and
supplies LSI devices and equipment incorporating superior, state-of-the-art
technology for video processing and communications. The company’s video
compression technologies are adopted by many broadcasting stations and are
highly rated in both domestic and overseas markets. Under the slogan of
“Creator of Real High Definition,” the company has been strongly supporting
broadcasting stations to enable the transmission, editing and broadcasting of
high-quality videos.

    For more information, please visit:

http://www.nel-world.com/products/video/index.html

    For Further Information

    Press Office for NTT Electronics Corporation
     Naureen M. Kazi
     Fleishman-Hillard Japan, Inc.
     Tel:   +81-33-524-4621
     Fax:   +81-33-524-4602
     Email: naureen.kazi@fleishman.com

    NTT Electronics Corporation
     Multimedia Systems Division
     Tel:   +81-45-453-3685
     Fax:   +81-45-453-3635
     Email: mm_i@yoko.nel.co.jp

SOURCE NTT Electronics Corporation