Java^TM Technology Provides the Foundation for DVB's Interactive Digital Television Standard

The DVB-MHP consists of a software specification that will be implemented in set-top boxes, integrated Digital TV receivers, and in Multimedia PCs. The MHP will connect the worlds of broadcast television, Internet computing and telecommunications through these devices and their associated peripherals. Through this agreement, Java technology will be the foundation of the MHP allowing broadcasters and network service providers to create and offer compelling, cross-platform interactive television services.

The Java platform provides an ideal development and deployment platform for this emerging class of interactive services. The Java programming language provides broadcast content developers with a high degree of control and flexibility over the "look and feel" of their applications, enabling them to deliver the most dynamic and compelling interactive television experiences to their audience. In addition, digital television content written in the Java programming language offers security, extensibility, and portability across a diverse array of television receivers, saving developers time and money getting their interactive applications to market.

"By including Java technology in the DVB standard, developers will have a feature-rich, cost-effective and reliable software platform upon which to build the next generation of interactive television services," said DVB Chairman, Theo Peek. "In addition, Sun's open platform philosophy with Java technology has enabled us to quickly converge the interests and offerings from the IT & television industry."

The Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB) is a consortium of over 250 broadcasters, manufacturers, network operators and regulatory bodies in more than 30 countries world wide, committed to designing a global standard for the delivery of digital television. Numerous broadcast services using DVB standards with millions of compliant decoders are now operational in Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Equipment compliant to DVB standards dominates the marketplace and DVB transmissions are on the air in five continents. The DVB System provides a complete solution for digital television and data broadcasting. All DVB systems are based on MPEG-2 video-compression and include the necessary elements to bring digital broadcast services to the home through cable, satellite, and terrestrial broadcast systems.

"Sun is extremely pleased that DVB has chosen Java technology to be the foundation for their interactive digital television standard," said Mike Clary, VP and GM, Consumer & Embedded, Sun Microsystems, Inc. "By selecting Java technology, the digital television industry now has an open platform that will allow them to securely deliver broadcast quality interactive content that will greatly enhance and improve the way viewers enjoy TV."

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- The Network Is The Computer^TM -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to ".com" their businesses. With $12.4 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.