Bertelsmann selects nCube in launch of Germany's first major interactive TV trial

"Because Bertelsmann intends to bring about true broadband convergence, we need partners such as nCUBE, who have the scalable technology and experience to make it happen," said Werner Lauff, head of BBG. "We're looking forward to working with nCUBE on what we believe is the final breakthrough of e-commerce and the beginning of real competition for pay-TV services in Europe and around the world."

BBG will employ nCUBE's recently released video server and hypercube computer platform, MediaCUBE 4, in its TV trials. nCUBE's most scalable server to date, the MediaCUBE 4 is able to scale from under 500 Megabits per second (Mbps) to 132 Gigabits per second (Gbps) of sustained video delivery. Up to 256 MediaCUBE 4 units can be connected to operate as a single computer, capable of delivering 44,000 simultaneous, broadcast-quality video streams with no content replication. This allows nCUBE customers to deploy large content libraries using fewer hard disks.

The backbone of the MediaCUBE 4 is the MediaHUB server, a compact computer that contains everything needed for operation as an independent video server, including hard disk drives, output modules and CPU. A single MediaCUBE 4 can deliver 516 Mbps streams and occupies only five standard rack units. One 19" rack can house eight MediaHUBs and provide over 4 Gbps of sustained video delivery.

"We are thrilled to be associated with Bertelsmann in Europe's most aggressive expansion into multimedia services," said Michael J. Pohl, president of nCUBE. "To be chosen by one of the world's great media giants is a resounding confirmation of everything we've been saying about the platform we offer. The most scalable, reliable and economical video server on the market today."

The number of households to be served by the pilot and its duration are not being disclosed at this time.

Bertelsmann Broadband Group GmbH & Co. KG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann AG, was formed in Spring 1999 to develop interactive cable networks. Bertelsmann AG is Europe's largest media company and the fourth-largest media company in the world, with operations in 53 countries and interests in book publishing, music labels, magazines, newspapers, television, film, radio, print media and online services. Bertelsmann's holdings in the U.S. include Random House; Doubleday Direct; BMG Entertainment (Arista Records, RCA Records); Gruner & Jahr USA Publishing (Family Circle, McCall's); barnesandnoble.com (42.%); Offset Paperback Manufacturers; Berryville Graphics; and Springer Verlag (86.5%).