Thomson, Symon Partner IP-based Technologies

Thomson, a leader in video solutions, is working with Symon, a global digital signage solution company, to integrate the value and flexibility of the Thomson Grass Valley MEDIAEDGE3 DS video delivery platform with Symon's TargetVision enterprise-wide digital signage software. A combined solution of the two companies' Internet Protocol (IP)-based technologies will offer complete scalability, supporting all types of infrastructures, from a single site to hundreds of sites across the globe.

Working closely together, both companies will offer customers a powerful combination of the Thomson Grass Valley MEDIAEDGE3 IP server and display system with Symon's TargetVision enterprise-wide digital signage solution. The goal is to assist schools, corporations, and retail organizations to create and narrowcast dynamic content cost-effectively to high-definition (HD) displays or computer desktops located virtually anywhere.

"We are extremely pleased that will be working with Thomson on the many exciting digital signage opportunities that will benefit from our combined solution," said Keith Roller, senior vice president of technology for Symon. "The benefit provided through our relationship with Thomson allows Symon to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide all our customers."

The Symon TargetVision system offers users precisely targeted, totally engaging and completely relevant content that impacts both employee and customer behavior. System components include: Symon Design Studio software for content authoring, management, reporting and scheduling; and Symon Professional Services, a suite of technical engineering and customer service offerings.

"Our MEDIAEDGE3 DS is ... for getting the content precisely where it is needed across networks, which might be in the same building or around the world," said Jeff Rosica, senior vice president of Thomson's broadcast & professional solutions within the systems division. "The key to the commercial success of digital signage is for users to be able to acquire and implement a single, well integrated, seamless end-to end-solution, which is why we are so excited by partnerships such as this."

The Thomson MEDIAEDGE3 is a LAN-based video delivery system using standard TCP/IP networks and displays. The flexible, modular design offers a cost-effective method for distributing video content to multiple PC and set-top box clients including pre-programmed broadcast, live streaming and full-featured interactive video-on-demand.

System components include MEDIAEDGE-LEB60, a real-time MPEG-1/MPEG-2 encoder that instantly rebroadcasts via an internal server; MEDIAEDGE3-SVS3 server software featuring applications for overall content management, server and client configuration; MEDIAEDGE3-SWT3 client software, a Web browser plug-in for PCs connected to the MEDIAEDGE network; and, MEDIAEDGE-STB3, a set-top box for MPEG decoding with a remote-control unit for MEDIAEDGE3 network browsing.

For more information on Thomson products/services, visit www.thomson.net.

For more information on Symon products/services, visit www.symon.com.

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