RGB Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Midstate Communications Delivers More Programming with RGB Networks

Co-op Telco Avoids Network Rebuild, Expands HD Programming Line-up and Maintains
Picture Quality with RGB’s Broadcast Networks Processor

SUNNYVALE, CA – September 8, 2008 – RGB Networks, the leader in network video processing, today announced that Midstate Communications, a telecommunications carrier serving South Dakota, has deployed RGB’s Broadcast Network Processor (BNP) to deliver more standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) television programming to its video subscribers.

Midstate Communications was founded more than 50 years ago to provide its residential and business customers with local phone service. The cooperative has kept pace with the times and expanded its offerings to include long distance phone service, high-speed internet access and television, which is delivered via a separate hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) network. 

In late 2007, Midstate was completing a digital upgrade of its video headend when the company realized that several of the major broadcast network feeds they received via satellite required considerably more bandwidth to deliver to their subscribers than they had anticipated. This posed a major problem for Midstate as very little bandwidth was available and they also needed to deliver more bandwidth-hungry HD programming. After determining that rebuilding their HFC network to add bandwidth capacity was too costly, and deciding they would not drop popular channels, Midstate settled on transrating as their solution. By carefully adjusting the bit rate of each program, they decided they could deliver all the SD and HD programming while maintaining optimal picture quality.

After evaluating several transrating solutions, Midstate selected RGB’s BNP because of its combination of proven SD and HD transrating performance, ability to preserve picture quality and its affordability. Using the BNP, Midstate is now delivering multiple digital programs in place of a single 6 MHz analog channel, which has improved bandwidth utilization by up to 50 percent. This bandwidth savings has enabled Midstate to deliver more SD and HD programming without sacrificing picture quality.

“We pride ourselves on providing our subscribers with a premium quality television service and thanks to RGB’s Broadcast Network Processor we’re able to deliver more programming and to do so with outstanding picture quality,” said Fay Jandreau, Plant Manager for Midstate Communications. “In addition to its impressive BNP, RGB also pleased us with their exceptional service and support, which helped us tremendously.”

“The success of Midstate Communications is another terrific example of how our solutions can solve telecom carriers’ biggest technical challenges,” said Lou Mastrocola, Vice President of Sales for RGB Networks. “In addition to delivering our proven BNP, we work closely with customers like Midstate to ensure a successful installation and turn-up of service.”

About the Broadcast Network Processor
RGB’s BNP is the industry’s most advanced digital video processing solution, enabling cable operators and other video service providers to deliver highly targeted and personalized video services. Able to simultaneously process more than 500 video streams in its one rack-unit platform, the BNP is the highest density solution for digital video grooming, statistical multiplexing, transrating, digital program insertion (DPI) and digital overlays.

About Midstate Communications
Since 1952, Midstate Communications has been providing Central South Dakota with the most state-of-the-art communication services possible to meet the needs of its customers – and at the best price/value possible.

About RGB Networks
RGB Networks delivers extremely high-density, flexible video processing solutions that enable video service providers to deliver highly targeted and personalized video content at considerably lower costs than conventional solutions. Based on its unique Video Intelligence Architecture™ (VIA), RGB’s VIA product family simplifies management and delivers scalable, multi-function capability in a single, programmable platform, allowing video service providers to leverage existing infrastructure, while building an advanced foundation to meet the needs of the rapidly growing market for personalized video services.

For more information about RGB Networks and its unique video processing solutions, please visit www.rgbnetworks.com.

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Contact:
John Giddings
Mobility Public Relations
(650) 245-2782
jgiddings@mobilitypr.com