ActiveVideo and Videon Central Form Partnership: Joint Initiative to Pipe Interactive TV to Millions of Web-Connected CE Devices

San Jose, CA and State College, PA, September 22, 2009 -- ActiveVideo Networks™, the global leader in cloud-based interactive television solutions, and Videon Central, Inc., a leading provider of digital video solutions and Blu-ray Disc (BD) middleware, today announced a joint initiative that is intended to dramatically speed adoption of the next generation of CE video devices.

The two companies announced that they will work together to leverage the combined strengths of Videon Central (Videon) core middleware technologies and ActiveVideo® processing in the network "cloud" to significantly expand the reach and availability of rich, Web-based user experiences that are redefining interactive television (iTV 2.0). ActiveVideo anticipates that a joint solution would be available on Web-connected televisions, BD and DVD players, and other devices in millions of homes by year end, 2010.

The two companies will demonstrate the joint solution at the Intel Developer Forum September 22-24 at Moscone Center West in San Francisco.

"Consumers overwhelmingly buy new video entertainment products based on one factor: how that device can enhance their viewing experience," said Todd Erdley, president and CEO of Videon. "ActiveVideo works seamlessly with our device-based solutions to deliver the greater levels of engagement and increased depth of content that can increase consumers' enjoyment and drive buying decisions."

"Through its work with BD and DVD middleware and its relationships with major silicon and CE equipment manufacturers, Videon Central has established itself as a leader in enabling the highest-quality digital video experiences," said Jeff Miller, president and CEO of ActiveVideo Networks. "By entering into a partnership with them, we can ensure the accelerated availability of solutions that will help to increase adoption of the next generation of CE devices."

Anticipated to be available in more than 5 million homes by the end of 2009, ActiveVideo immerses viewers in an engaging experience that combines Web video, Web 2.0 functionality and traditional television. With ActiveVideo, viewers can navigate a completely interactive environment of both linear and broadband programming including rich interfaces and graphics optimized for TV and remote control navigation; social networking; personal media; niche content; and targeted, actionable advertising. ActiveVideo uses intelligent MPEG streaming to deliver the Web 2.0 experience to a worldwide television audience through both legacy and next generation digital set-top boxes and broadband-connected devices.