Press ReleaseSource: Entropic Communications

Entropic Communications' Channel Stacking Switch Technology Tapped by BSkyB and Global Invacom for New Multi-Switch
Thursday November 6, 2008 8:50 am ET
BSkyB to Deploy Global Invacom Multi-switch With Channel Stacking Switch Technology to Cost-Effectively Deliver Entertainment Services to Multi-Dwelling Units

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 6, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Entropic Communications, Inc. (NasdaqGM:ENTR - News), a leading provider of silicon solutions to enable connected home entertainment, announced that BSkyB (Sky) has chosen Global Invacom, one of the largest manufacturers of satellite and cable peripherals in the world, to supply its new four-channel satellite channel router (SCR) incorporating Entropic's Channel Stacking Switch (CSS) technology. This new solution will help Sky address demand from residents in multi-dwelling units (MDUs) for their Sky+ and Sky+HD set-top boxes and multi-room services.

Expanding Satellite Services for Multi-Dwelling Units

Many residential buildings, especially older ones, have limited cable access making it very difficult to cost-effectively address the growing consumer demand from those in such buildings for Sky+ and Sky+ HD, the UK's most popular digital video recorder (DVR) and high-definition (HD) services respectively. Sky's new four-channel SCR is designed specifically to address multi-dwelling units with limited cable access by leveraging the multi-tuner support enabled by Entropic's CSS chipsets. CSS technology is able to support multiple tuners over a single cable. Sky's new multi-switch can support up to two PVRs and a number of future Sky+ and Sky+HD boxes will have SCR technology built in to take advantage of this new multi-tuner support.

``We are very pleased that Global Invacom has successfully incorporated Entropic's CSS technology in our new SCR,'' said Pascal Wharton, head of Sky Homes at BSkyB. ``This technology will help us to cost-effectively expand our coverage for the MDU market and meet the entertainment demands of our customers without costly retrofitting or rewiring.''

With the new multi-switch, Sky can more easily upgrade existing customers to its popular Sky+ and Sky+HD boxes. This capability, supported by CSS technology, will help satisfy the additional demand from MDUs for DVR functionality and increase customer satisfaction.

Flexibility and Scalability

Global Invacom was selected as the OEM of choice to deliver the Sky SCR. The four-channel SCR multi-switch was designed to be flexible and scalable. The SCR can be deployed in dwellings with single cable topographies as well as in dwelling with twin ``shotgun'' cable infrastructures. Further, since the SCR was designed to be cascade-able, allowing multiple switches to be deployed in a series, it can provide programming to any size MDU.

``Entropic's CSS technology has been a key part of the solution that enabled Global Invacom to develop the SCR meeting Sky's requirements in the MDU market,'' said David Fugeman, sales and marketing director at Global Invacom. ``We look forward to continuing our partnership with Entropic and delivering innovative cost-effective products that meet the needs of the PayTV provider community.''

Benefits of Channel Stacking Switch Technology

Entropic's CSS technology significantly reduces both the cost and the cabling complexity of single-family and multi-resident home satellite installations. Unlike traditional satellite installations, which require a unique cable for each tuner from the satellite dish to the set-top box, Entropic's CSS chipsets enable multiple video streams from individual or multiple satellites into the home over a single cable. This simplified cabling architecture allows for the deployment of set-top boxes with multiple tuner capabilities, in multiple rooms without expensive installation or retrofitting. Additionally, CSS technology enables plug and play for set-top box upgrades and lets installers reuse existing cabling to quickly set up a DBS system.

``We are delighted to work with respected leaders like Global Invacom and Sky to enable the delivery of advanced video services to customers,'' said John Graham, vice president of marketing at Entropic. ``As a company, we are focused on delivering solutions for connected home entertainment and our CSS technology creates new markets for operators by bringing satellite television into residential homes and multi-dwelling units with ease.''

Availability

The Sky SCR multi-switch product is available now through its MDU specialist installer network.

About BSkyB

Sky is the UK's leading entertainment and communications company and operates the most comprehensive multi-channel television service in the UK and Ireland. Around 21 million viewers in 8.9 million households enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels and interactive services on Sky Digital.

Sky's aim is to offer customers unparalleled choice in content that best serves the demands of today's viewers. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what they watch and how they watch it.

Over 3.7 million customers use Sky+, Sky's digital video recorder, to record and store their favorite programs to watch them when they want. In May 2006, Sky evolved the television viewing experience yet further with the launch of the high definition television service, Sky HD.

In addition to its digital television service, Sky also provides the UK's largest 3G mobile TV service (Sky Mobile TV) and an on-demand broadband download service (Sky Player).

In July 2006, Sky launched Sky Broadband and Sky Talk, providing great value broadband internet access and home telephony for Sky customers.

About Global Invacom

Global Invacom Limited -- Completing the Picture

Global Invacom Limited is wholly owned by the founders and employees. Our two main areas of leadership are satellite dish signal processing and distribution, and in-home video distribution of video signals.

Satellite signal processing is achieved through our world renowned DBS LNBs and high specification VSAT products and distribution via our world leading IF switching modules. We compliment this with our innovative Fibre based solutions. Additionally we develop bespoke solutions, for leading company's custom applications.

Our in-home distribution solutions are cutting edge with our ongoing commitment to develop state of the art solutions allowing seamless video distribution around the home.

For more information please visit, http://www.globalinvacom.com

Global Invacom PR contact: Samantha.bransgrove@globalinvacom.com

About Entropic Communications

Entropic Communications, Inc. (NasdaqGM:ENTR - News) is a leading fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets systems solutions to enable connected home entertainment. The company's technologies significantly change the way high-definition television-quality video and other multimedia content such as movies, music, games and photos are brought into and delivered throughout the home. For more information, please visit http://www.entropic.com.

The Entropic Communications logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4255

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute ``forward-looking statements.'' Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the advantages and deployment of Entropic's Channel Stacking Switch technology, including its incorporation into BSkyB systems, as well as Entropic's continued collaboration with BSkyB. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Entropic's actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the effects of competition; Entropic's dependence on a limited number of customers and ultimately service providers; Entropic's ability to introduce new and enhanced products on a timely basis; market and customer acceptance of Entropic's products or the features they enable; the risk that the market for high-definition television-quality video and multimedia content delivery solutions may not develop as anticipated; the effect of intellectual property rights claims; risks related to Entropic's international operations; and other factors discussed in the ``Risk Factors'' section of Entropic's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2008. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Entropic is providing this information as of the date of this release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Contact:
          Entropic Communications, Inc.
          Media Contact:
          Susan Huberman, Corporate Communications
            858/768-3711
            susan.huberman@entropic.com
          Investor Contact:
          Debra Hart, Director, Investor Relations
            858/768-3852
            debra.hart@entropic.com

          The Ardell Group
          Media Contact:
          Angela Edgerton
          858/792-2941
          angela@ardellgroup.com

Source: Entropic Communications


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