Espial Showcases Video-On-Demand Performance Benefits With Intel Solid State
Drivers and the Intel(R) Xeon(R) Processor 5500 Series

Announces Availability of Joint Whitepaper With Intel

OTTAWA , Sept. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - Espial(R) (TSX:ESP), a leader in the delivery of digital TV software, today announced improved performance and power benchmark results for its Espial MediaBase (http://www.espial.com/products/media_base/) video-on-demand products, with Intel Solid State Drives and the Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor 5500 series. Espial continues to extend its leadership in commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) based video-on-demand solutions. The latest results tested with next generation Intel processor and SSD technologies are captured in a new whitepaper written in collaboration with Intel (http://www.intel.com/). The whitepaper (http://www.espial.com/index.php?action=resources,download_asset&form=asset&aid=615) concludes the use of Intel Xeon Processors and Intel Solid State Drives dramatically reduces power consumption and equipment footprint for video-on-demand (VOD) applications. Espial has continued a long-standing relationship with Intel that includes close collaboration on Intel product design, testing and commercialization. This cooperation allows Espial to maintain a laser focus on optimizing its video-on-demand software while leveraging the innovation cycle of Intel and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) servers and storage. Espial MediaBase is a carrier grade, high performance video-on-demand solution that incorporates patented high performance IO and networking technologies, optimized for COTS hardware - ensuring power and cost effective products for its customers.

In the whitepaper, Espial MediaBase was used to benchmark the power, performance and footprint advantage of the now available Intel Xeon processor 5500 series and Intel Solid State Drives. Using COTS servers with Intel components, cable and telco operators can expect to achieve reductions in power consumption and space requirements while achieving high volume of on-demand video streams. The paper notes that service providers can deliver up to 2400 Standard Defintion (SD) streams with 75% less space and power requirements than a typical hard disk solution. This level of performance and reduced power is critical for the next wave of on-demand TV services such as Network Personal Video Recorder, Time-Shift TV, and Remote-Storage Digital Video Recorders that Service Providers are rolling out.

"The Espial MediaBase solution powered by the Intel Xeon processor 5500 series and Intel's solid-state drives offer a compelling opportunity to increase capacity utilization and decrease OpEx spending for on-demand TV services," said Boyd Davis , General Manager of Marketing in Intel's Server Platforms Group.

"This whitepaper highlights how our customers benefit from Intel's investment in processor, storage and networking innovation. It underscores our advantage in using commercial-off-the-shelf servers and rapid incorporation of innovations by Intel, HP and IBM into our Video On Demand solutions. This innovation drives continuous performance improvements in computing, storage and networking while simultaneously reducing energy needs," noted Kirk Edwardson , Director of Marketing, Espial. "We are able to offer significant capex and opex advantages to our customers, the broad scope and pace of which cannot be matched by proprietary hardware based Video On Demand solutions."

About Espial (http://www.espial.com/)

Espial provides scalable and open digital TV software to service providers in the cable, telecommunications and hospitality industries. Its middleware, video-on-demand and browser solutions provide superior service delivery, advanced service innovation tools and the ability to implement flexible business models. Espial serves a range of market segments including IPTV, Cable, hybrid IP, Over-The-Top, multi-dwelling unit and enterprise. With over 7 million subscriber subscribers using Espial's patented solutions, Espial is a leading supplier of TV software. Espial is headquartered in Ottawa , Canada with offices around the world in USA, Europe and Asia. For more information, please call +1.613.230.4770 or visit www.espial.com.

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.

For further information: Inquiries from press or analysts: Kirk Edwardson, Director, Marketing, Espial Group Inc., Email: [email protected], Phone: [phone] x1145