PACE AND SEGA ANNOUNCE NEW DEVELOPMENT

PACE Micro Technology and Sega have announced the development of the world’s first digital TV home gateway set-top box to incorporate powerful video game capabilities.
The new device will open Pace’s digital home gateway to Sega’s extensive games portfolio, integrating Sega’s platform into Pace’s digital home gateway. It will be marketed jointly by the two companies to broadcasters and network providers around the world.
The new initiative between one of the world’s leading developers of digital TV technologies and the global games company represents the latest stage in Pace’s strategy to enhance and extend the capabilities of the digital set-top box.
The first step in this strategy is the incorporation of hard disk drive (HDD) technology, similar to that used in personal computers, into the set-top box to create the digital home gateway.
By integrating HDD technologies, Pace are creating opportunities for broadcasters and others to develop a host of additional applications for the home, all accessed through a single device.
The collaboration between Pace and Sega is designed to provide digital TV customers with on-demand access to hundreds of console quality games with 3D graphics, digital sound and full motion video. Available for all major digital TV platforms, including cable, satellite, xDSL and digital terrestrial, the device offers significant revenue and marketing opportunities for digital broadcasters.
It is envisaged that consumers will access the games in either a ‘pay-per-play’ format or ‘hire’ games for a fixed time period. These revenue options are made possible by downloading the games to a HDD, currently 40 Gigabytes, that Pace have incorporated into their digital TV home gateway. In addition to storing material, the HDD also acts as a jukebox, allowing games to be transmitted wirelessly to and played on portable, hand held devices.
The announcement is further evidence of the success of Pace’s home gateway strategy and represents their second commercial application. (CD)