SigmaDesign - kurz vor break des ATH - 500 Beiträge pro Seite (Seite 3)

[amorphis]

Needham conference
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 01/11/06 04:39 pm
Msg: 91774 of 91806

From what I could hear, these points were made:

1.There were many design wins in 2005, and more companies are coming to Sigma all the time. Sigma provides a complete solution which allows for a fast time to market.

2. Most of the blu-ray companies are using Sigma. They have one win with an HD DVD company and others such as Toshiba may look at them later. They expect DVD players to ship in volume this summer and in more volume this Xmas.

3. They reiterated that their foundry has plenty of capacity.

4. The 8634 chip is in production

5. Products incorporating Blue7 technology will be out by the end of the year. Ultrawideband is the future for wireless streaming video. This technology will be in TV’s, set top boxes, and DMA’s.

In summary, it sounds like things are pretty much on track and there will be many important announcements made as we move through 2006.
Byron

[amorphis]

ach das eine marge von 70% erreicht wird wurde wohl auch gesagt...

[amorphis]

Re: Needham conference
by: handsr_24 01/11/06 08:53 pm
Msg: 91826 of 91846

Byron,
I was there. The presentation was powerful, and Tran did well, contrary to what some people`s impressions were that were listening to the webcast. He does just fine in front of a group like this (this is my 3rd or 4th time hearing him speak) He is a very soft spoken person, careful in what he says, but very credible as far as I am concerned (and I work professionally with CEO`s helping them do exactly the same thing, and I do know the difference between good and bad). The presentation was packed (compared to other past presentation I`ve attended), including the break-out session where Ken did most of the talking. I`m not going to go into a lot of detail myself, because we will all get that from Winter shortly, who I will say again, as I`ve said in the past, is superb. Many people still do not have any idea how unique this situation is with Winter posting on the SIGM message board, spoon feeding us information over and over again that is accurate, insightful, absolutely credible, and spot-on as to what is really going on before anybody else figures it out. The man does not have a devious, deceptive bone in his body. I`ve heard 4 presentations now, read his commentary afterward, and the only question I have is, how the hell can he take such great notes, because it is simply no more or no less than exactly what was presented, almost word for word. Amazing.
Now, here are a few comments:
(1)Tran was asked again about capacity issues in the breakout, and this time he said the foundry assured him said they could deliver "3 times" the current volume in the coming year. By my reckoning, that looks to me like the company is certainly anticipating that sales/revunues could approach $90-100 million this coming year.
(2) There was a chart showing what the company believes will be the ramp-up in unit volume for each of the five product categories for each quarter for the coming year. It goes from around 1 million total in the 1q to close to 4 million total in the 4th Q. Assuming we have at least 50% of each market across the board (I believe it is actually higher in most categories) that says to me the company believes it could be doing upwards of $40 million in the 4Q (4 million units X $20 ASP X 50%= $40 million. That ties in with (1)above, and it sure does indicate the company believes a huge ramp is coming this year. Sure as hell works for me!

[hahel]

@ amorphis.
Guten morgen,
habe eine Frage.
Habe noch 15.000€ cash.
Sollte man jetzt in SIGM nachlegen oder eventuell auf einen Rücksetzer warten??
Danke für deine Meinung.
Grüsse hahel

[amorphis]

[posting]19.670.292 von hahel am 12.01.06 09:03:49[/posting]das problem beim warten auf rücksetzer ist...das es in den letzten 6 monaten nicht wirklich welche gab...würde 15000€ auf 2-3 einzelorders aufteilen!

an große rücksetzer glaube ich z.z. nicht...

[hahel]

@ amorphis.
Gute Idee.
Werde ich so machen.

[amorphis]

so...winters comments zur needham conference (war gestern)...winter war natürlich wie immer persönlich vor ort...

SIGM CEO Thinh Tran gave another solid presentation to 60+ institutional investors yesterday at the Needham Growth Conference in Manhattan and fielded questions from a group of 40+ in the subsequent breakout session. Interestingly enough, SIGM Needham analyst Anton Wahlman gave Hold-rated SIGM the following introduction, “We have with us today a very timely and exciting company, Sigma Designs. Think about IPTV, Blu-Ray and a whole host of other things that you can not possible avoid, even if you try, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that just ended on Sunday and Sigma is just about everything.”

While some of the slides shown at the presentation were identical or similar to those shown at the Roth Capital Conference given back in September, a number were also either new or contained updated information. The following paragraphs summarize new slide information and company comments (Note - The slides from this presentation are immediately available at SIGM’s homepage).

The slide titled “Sigma Designs Highlights” stated that the firm’s employee count has reached over 160 (versus 150 back in September).

The slide titled “Five High Growth Markets” was unchanged, but was accompanied by the following comments of interest: “IPTV is one of Sigma’s most exciting markets right now”; “A lot of firms are using Sigma’s chipsets to integrate digital media functionality inside TVs, including a fairly major one at CES”; “At CES, a lot of big companies were showing their Blu-Ray products using Sigma’s silicon.”

The slide titled “Why Sigma Is Succeeding Right Now” stated that “Microsoft TV is an IPTV driving force and Sigma is their 1st platform” and that “Blu-Ray and HD DVD players are racing to market - competitive solutions currently require 2-3 chips (versus SIGM’s one).” Comments of interest here: “Sigma has the only silicon right now that had been adopted and is being supported by Microsoft”; “Most of the Blu-Ray companies are using Sigma in their deployments this year.” SIGM later added that every Blu-Ray player demonstrated at CES, except one, used SIGM’s silicon.

The slide titled “IPTV Is Coming On Strong” had the following comment of interest: “There are a lot of other deployments that we can not show you yet and some of these will start deploying in volume soon.”

The slide titled “Sigma’s IPTV Momentum” now lists Scientific Atlanta as a key set-top customer (along with Motorola, Philips and UTStarcom) and stated that the SMP8634 was now in production. The comment of interest here: “The Motorola and Scientific Atlanta set-tops, besides going into Microsoft platforms, have designs with Sigma going into other markets.”

The slide titled “High Definition DVD Emerges” stated that “Initial players will launch in first half” and that “Volume shipments expected for 2nd half 2006.” The comment of interest here: “There will be a lot of announcements in the 1Q and 2Q and volumes will start in the summer months.”

The slide titled “Sigma’s Hi Def DVD Momentum” added Philips as a Blu-Ray player win (along with previously announced Pioneer) and noted two additional Blu-Ray and one HD DVD wins. It also stated that SIGM had a “Complete software suite nearing completion (for Blu-Ray players)” and had “Strong position for FVD and other low-cost alternatives.”

The slide titled “Media Centers Will Drive DMAs” stated that “Intel Viiv technology propelling new media centers”, “Major participants from PC and CE industries”, and “Increased volume expected for 2nd half 2006.” Comments of interest here: “According to Intel, Viiv DMA volumes will begin in June”; “We expect this product (DMAs) to be bundled with either a media center PC or with an HDTV.”

The slide titled “Wireless HDTVs Continuing Growth” had the following comment of interest: “LG Electronics had at the CES a 50 inch plasma that used Sigma silicon”; “There are other big companies that are showing products that we aren’t at liberty to disclose right now.”

The slide titled “PMPs Taking Off in Asia“ stated that “Volume coming in now through next year” and had the following comment of interest: “Recently, China has also adopted our PMP designs and we are seeing some fairly significant volumes in China for local use.”

The slide titled “Acquisition of Blue7“ had the following comment of interest: “Blue7 was the first company with a working CMOS solution in UWB. The benefit of this is that it would allow Sigma to integrate this functionality inside our chips once this becomes mainstream.”

The slide titled “UWB Products & Markets” stated that “Windeo chipset…Includes baseband chip and RF front-end chip” and “Future potential for wireless USB products” and had the following comments of interest: “We expect prototypes and sampling of Blue7 chips by March and some small production starting in June”; “The same customer base Sigma is already selling to is also looking at this type of product”; “Sigma expects to have some products using this technology by the end of this year. We plan to use it in DMAs, set-top boxes and HDTVs.”

The slide titled “Market Opportunity Takes Off” had the following comments of interest: “The biggest market is IPTV and the second is hi def DVD.” The market opportunity chart on the slide, loosely measured, provided the following data for SIGM’s target markets in calendar 2006: 1) Quarterly unit totals were roughly 0.8M, 1.3M, 2.1M and 3.5M; 2) Full-year units totaled roughly 7.7M or over 1M greater than the market forecast SIGM provided back in September; 3) Full-year segment units were 1.5M for PMPs (the increase here accounting for the bulk of the total unit rise from September), 0.2M for HDTVs, 1.1M for DMAs, 1.9M for DVDs, and 3.0M for IPTV.

The slide titled “Goals Summary For FY2007” had the following comments of interest “We have a couple of chipsets in design that we will be launching this year to give us another leap versus our competitors.”


In the presentation and breakout Q&A sessions, the following comments were of interest:

1) Regarding a question about SIGM’s VOD project and whether it involved Disney, SIGM stated that they couldn’t comment, but that you would see an announcement soon.”

2) SIGM confirmed that AT&T is now using a SIGM-powered Tatung box for its pre-rollout trial and that this box could have deployment opportunities elsewhere.

3) Regarding competition, SIGM stated that the ST Micro 7109 chip is still coming and that it will need a minimum of six months to develop the software necessary for deployment.

4) Regarding MSTV projects, SIGM stated that those farthest along in development are the ones most sure that they made the right supplier and technology choices.

5) In FY2007, SIGM thinks SMP8634 sales will be divided at least two to one in favor of set-tops versus blue laser players.

6) SIGM stated that they believe the greatest IPTV opportunities over the next one to two years will be in Europe and the U.S.

7) SIGM stated that it was not quite sure about 1Q demand yet (yet being the key word here), but thinks that better visibility will begin in the 2Q.

8) SIGM expects to add 20 to 30 employees this year, mostly in R&D and customer support.

9) SIGM stated that its fab (TMSC) has told it that it can currently supply up to three times SIGM’s current volume, if needed, as things currently stand (such capacity would translate to annual sales of over $100 million for SIGM).

10) SIGM expects to have at least one major telco deployment begin each quarter this year for a total of four to five with probably two of these being in the U.S.


MY COMMENTS

BOTTOM LINE – Every time SIGM presents their story, the investment case that can be made about them strengthens. By market segment, the following highlights this observation:

In IPTV, SIGM is on board with the biggest box makers, the biggest integrators and the biggest customers. SIGM is forecasting five, count ‘em five, major telco deployments starting this year with numerous smaller ones pending and other majors probably set to start in 2007. Remember, the 3 million unit market forecast for this year represents collective STARTING volumes for a bunch of these projects. The really big numbers will likely occur in the second and third years of deployments (which is something that will probably be better understood, projected and discounted by this time next year, if not sooner). Also, not to be underestimated from this presentation was the comment that Motorola and Scientific Atlanta set-tops will be addressing non-MSTV markets (the cable companies would certainly come to mind here).

The other side of IPTV, VOD projects, could be ready for some huge press if, as I believe, a major download service is announced and rolled out by Disney over the next several months. Separately, D-link continues to indicate that they (and its SIGM-powered products) are working with a number of major customers on various video delivery projects.

In DVDs, SIGM looks like they have practically run the table in the soon-to-be-hot blue laser space (even Toshiba, which is rushing to market with an uneconomical 3-chip HD DVD solution, was said to still be a prospective customer). Based on SIGM’s comments and what was shown at CES, it is reasonable to assume that SIGM has gotten Blu-Ray wins with (in addition to Pioneer and Philips) folks like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Sharp and an HD DVD win probably with LG also. On the red laser side, SIGM still offers the best and most economical high definition solution for any price sensitive foreign markets. Thus, any widespread Far Eastern adoption and usage of high definition FVD or EVD players would likely provide a future windfall to SIGM in that space.

In DMAs, SIGM’s product dominance and market share look sustainable over the foreseeable future as this market prepares for a sharp volume ramp associated with a Viiv rollout. Based on SIGM’s comments and also my discussion yesterday with Netgear’s Patrick Lo, the real DMA ramp with Viiv will come with the June rollout of Version 1.5 of the Viiv software which will offer effortless plug and play capability for multiple DMA units tied to a single Viiv PC (the first round of Viiv PCs shipping earlier in 2006 withheld DMA support apparently based on Microsoft and/or Intel’s decision to better finalize the software). Prior to this version, a Viiv PC, like standard predecessors, can have a simpler PC-to-DMA connection (like many D-Link Medialounge users have done) that requires more customer knowledge and effort. In any event, folks like Netgear plan to roll out all of the nifty DMA devices they all recently showed at CES when Version 1.5 is released.

The dominance SIGM has achieved in the three markets above can not be underestimated. First movers in high growth markets not only tend get and maintain the bulk of business going forward, but their stocks tend to get huge valuation premiums to others in the market. This point should be remembered as 2006 progresses and more and more institutional growth and technology investors come to realize just how big a share of these markets SIGM has captured.


In HDTVs, SIGM is making major inroads into the space, albeit quite stealthily so far. Stated wins LG (with a second product now, a 50-inch plasma) and Sharp only scratch the surface, in my opinion. Based on what was shown at CES and the specs and functionality provided, I believe SIGM is in the Hewlett Packard 37-inch SLC3760N LCD, three models from Digitrex (one of China’s largest TV makers), the Acer 37-inch AT3705W-MGW LCD, the Fujitsu 32-inch Myrica Media LCD and possible models to be determined from Pioneer, Viewsonic and Philips (and Sony has used earlier SIGM chips in previous TV products so I’ll be looking for wins there too going forward).

It is notable that there seems to be an increasing case of SIGM getting either a set-top, DMA, DVD or HDTV win with a major firm and subsequently getting wins in one or more of the remaining product segments (this has already apparently happened with at least Acer, Fujitsu, Philips, Sharp and Sony to name a few). In my opinion, such integration of a common hardware solution with a mature software stack across multiple product lines could raise the competitive barriers even further for the Broadcoms and ST Micros of the world as their chips finally start to compete for some of these slots in follow-up products over the next year or two.

In PMPs, SIGM did not have any name brand customers to discuss, but did sharply raise their 2006 market unit forecast and is now identifying China as a major volume opportunity going forward. Indeed, Google searches for portable video players in many Far Eastern regions invariable turn up a plethora of SIGM-powered devices. In a sense, we do not need to be in the next Apple iPod in the U.S. to be successful in this space if we get into several hot versions of Chinese ones.

So what does all this ultimately add up to? The same answer I gave last time – one hell of a stock at some point no matter how you slice the numbers.

By the numbers, though, and I’ve used these numbers before, the segment potentials discussed above continue to suggest to me a 2-3 year sales objective of at least $180 million for SIGM. That would be achievable with a quarterly unit sales run rate, depending on average selling prices at the time, of between 2 and 3 million chips. Assuming a mid-50s gross margin (a reasonable assumption), a 25% expense level (a very conservative assumption in my opinion), a full tax rate of 30% (although SIGM’s tax loss credits will essentially make is first $3-$4/share of pretax profits tax-free), and nominal share count growth, EPS of $1.50 would be attained. While reported EPS at the above revenue level could easily be $0.50 to $1.00 above the $1.50 level, even the $1.50 number and a typical technology growth stock price/earnings (P/E) valuation of 20x-40x gets you a $30 to $60 stock. This stock price range would equate to about 4x-8x revenue at that time, a level comparable to that of other high growth issues. I’ve used other methodologies and ranges over the past year, but I hope you basically get the point here and that is that the stock (even at $16) is maybe just in the 2nd or 3rd inning of a nine inning game.

What about this year? For 2006, I continue to look for $80 million in sales and $0.80 in EPS, although SIGM’s 2006 total market chart suggests that I may have to skew my numbers more toward the 3Q and 4Q at some point. On the other hand, if SIGM does hit my 1Q and 2Q sales numbers, then my 3Q and 4Q projections will probably prove to be too low.

[kojote1]

hast du gut gemacht, ist nämlich eine steile gleichmässige range geworden, da läuft es sich schön nach oben, alles frei, ampel auf grün
ps jeder kann mal schwächeln. ich schäme mich dafür

[goyauno]

Warum schämen????
Ist unser Kapital welches wir bei SIGM investiert haben, nicht hart erarbeitet worden????

Bin mir ziemlich sicher, das wir bis zu den Earnings die 20$ sehen......

mfg goyauno

PS: Hallo Amorphis, sehr gute Arbeit, lass Dich im Thread
VPHM nicht zu sehr ärgern
Sehr gute Entscheidung mit Genta!!!
Bin heute auch bei INSM mit dabei
Danke

[amorphis]

Form 8-K for SIGMA DESIGNS INC

12-Jan-2006

Entry into Material Agreement, Financial Statements and Exhibits


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On January 9, 2006, Sigma Designs, Inc. (Sigma) entered into a first amendment (the Amendment) with Blue7 Communications, a privately-held California corporation (Blue7) and Blue Merger Sub, Inc., a California corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Sigma (Merger Sub) to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 13, 2005 by and between Sigma, Blue7, Merger Sub and, for purposes of Articles IX and XI only, Hung C. Nguyen as the Securityholder Representative (the Merger Agreement).

Pursuant to the Amendment, the definition of Closing Price in the Merger Agreement is amended to mean the average closing sales price of Sigma`s Common Stock as traded on The Nasdaq National Market and reported by The Wall Street Journal, for the ten (10) consecutive market trading days commencing on the twelfth (12th) market trading day prior to December 13, 2005 and ending on (inclusive) the third (3rd) market trading day prior to December 13, 2005. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Closing Price will be used to determine the ratio upon which shares of Blue7 are to be exchanged for shares of Sigma upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Amendment dated January 9, 2006, attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, and incorporated herein by reference. The Merger Agreement was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Sigma`s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2005.

The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, as amended, remains subject to several conditions, including the approval of the transaction by Blue7 shareholders and other customary conditions.



Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

Exhibit Description
Number ------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
2.1 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 9, 2006 by
and between Sigma Designs, Inc., Blue Merger Sub, Inc., and Blue7
Communications

[amorphis]

[posting]19.684.940 von goyauno am 12.01.06 22:29:12[/posting]ärgere mich null...von arroganten usern...die ein problem mit sich selbst und ihrer umwelt haben lasse ich mich nicht ärgern...

gnta...ja denke das passt und wird ein highflyer!wenn ich die ersten 30% im sack habe...lege ich nach!

insm...habe mich heute für gnta...und dann doch gegen insm entschieden...bleibe aber am ball...und auch dort schliesse ich einen kauf nicht aus...

greez

[amorphis]

[posting]19.684.169 von kojote1 am 12.01.06 21:41:46[/posting]nicht schämen!WOFÜR überhaupt?

lieber nachkaufen als schämen... denke die angedeuteten 60$ (von winter) sollte man nicht auf die leichte schulter nehmen!ich sehe sie schon...und noch viel mehr...

[amorphis]

Of the highest interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/13/06 10:16 am
Msg: 91913 of 91923

The coverage below of SIGM at CES shows that they demoed a wireless EM8620L-based PMP and a SMP8634-based IPTV set-top that provided 4 to 16 panels of separate programming on a single screen. Most interesting was the mention of SIGM`s unannounced SMP8644 chip that apparently supports BOTH Blu-Ray and HD DVD (in the same player, I would assume). FYI, I know at least Samsung and LG has previously indicated desire/plans to offer such combo players.

Also shown is the SIGM-powered Philips Blu-Ray player.

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060112/zooma239.htm


A less-than-perfect translation:

[SigmaDesigns and HD corresponding tip/chip demonstration

This year it did not exhibit SigmaDesigns which is known as the hardware decoder tip/chip manufacturer, inside the meeting place, did the exhibition inside the suite of the hotel.

Last year excessively the portable AV player as for that there was the feeling which is taken stocks in portable telephone and iPod and PSP etc. not to become topic. With SigmaDesigns the reference board of the portable machine which uses "EM8620L" was displayed, but this year the wireless LAN was loaded anew. In the future the product of the direction that coming out, instead of stacking the bulk storage like HDD, you can see image by way of the network, you rival, the portable product of this hand, is.

In addition for ISP which loads the dual decoder tip/chip "SMP8634" which corresponds to HD of H.264, VC-1 and MPEG displaying demonstration unit. The demonstration that was done 16 it indicates the animated picture of 4 pictures of animated picture and the size difference which are divided in the television of HD size. The reference board of Blu-ray, you say that I/O of drive is attached with, almost becomes the same constitution as this.

How you use concretely, you say that it is carrier circumstance, but not only looking at HD simply, how it does the animated picture of the GUI picture and the like, with actual application it becomes important. Is, it seems that is the aspect where but when Japanese ARIB every decides and does, including the arrangement of the picture, it combines and condition is harsh, cannot make GUI freely.

In addition Blu-ray and HD DVD etc. also authoring of the next generation media, means to actualize with the fitting of ability of this kind of tip/chip. With the next generation tip/chip "SMP8644", you say that it is the schedule which can support Blu-ray and HD DVD both.

The fact that now it becomes the biggest business with SigmaDesigns is HD correspondence STB, so, in the United States already with carrier main leadership IP based HD transmission, has become the concrete movement. On the one hand, unless in Japan, that every it decides and what it is decided because there is a habit, of not starting moving, it probably becomes the shape which watches over the development of IP and broadcast for a while.

Broadband and as for spread of the HD corresponding television, the Japanese one is advanced from the United States. In addition the equipment and material for HD contents production, the majority is Japan make. Is, but when it becomes concrete application, at all it is regrettable to be possible to be behind completely in the United States.]

[amorphis]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/06/samsung_hdvd_bluray_…

[amorphis]

Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/13/06 10:42 am
Msg: 91917 of 91923

Recap of Digitrex at CES and some nice photos of their SIGM-powered LCD TVs:

http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/press/index.jsp?pressId=11…

Jan 12, 2006 08:00

World`s 1st High-Definition Network LCD TVs with Windows Media Connect Technology Big Hit at CES; Connected Home Takes Center Stage at Industry Show; Digitrex(R) Network TVs Share Limelight

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Jan. 12, 2006 Consumer electronics and home theater equipment supplier ED Digital has unveiled its flagship line of Digitrex(R) HD Network LCD TVs, the world`s first high-definition (HD) network LCD TVs featuring Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) Windows Media Connect capabilities. Three new Digitrex models were on display, for the first time, last week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Digitrex network LCD TVs deliver on the promise of a "connected home," bringing music, movies, home videos and digital pictures from any Windows XP-based PC on the home network together for viewing on one simple-to-use device for enjoyment in any room in the house. Native support for Windows Media Connect allows Digitrex TVs to retrieve content stored on a Windows XP-based PC, including subscription and download content available from PlaysForSure-verified music and video services.

Kick Back, Relax & Enjoy Digital Content on the Living Room TV, Hassle-Free

With wireless 802.11 b/g capability built-in, just a few simple clicks of the included TV remote control allows users sitting in the living room to access and view content from their Windows XP-based PC(s), located in any room. Users can even stream high-definition content that they`ve downloaded from popular movie sites, such as CinemaNow.

Digitrex network TVs feature a built-in mini-computer running Microsoft Windows Media Connect software. Together with Microsoft Windows Media Connect capabilities, users are assured their digital content, including content from PlaysForSure services, will play back, seamlessly, every time. The TV display is easily controlled through a user-friendly interface, embedded into the TV and connected to core Windows Media Connect capabilities. Graphical icons and on-screen drop-down menus make navigation simple.

(con`t in link)

[amorphis]

latest news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 01/13/06 11:45 am
Msg: 91922 of 91923

From the feature story in today`s edition of Investor`s Business Daily:

Chip Stocks Riding Consumer Devices` Surprising Demand

Chip company shares have been on a roll the last three months. They have exceeded most expectations, helped by consumer electronics that proved to be the hit of the holiday season and have strong prospects ahead.

"We`re at the convergence of an awful lot of new products coming out," said Stephen Baker, an analyst for market tracker NPD Group. "There are a lot of growth stories to tell, a lot of new-use stories."

The big growth will continue to come from the hot consumer electronics sector. High-definition TVs and digital video disc players lead the way.
***********************************************

This is consistent with the comments made by Sigma management earlier this week. A lot of growth is on the way for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

We have made it into SA literature:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/13/06 11:58 am
Msg: 91923 of 91923

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/products/customers/G1561A.p…

"Industry-leading technology includes:

• Advanced video compression encoding (MPEG-4 part 10/H.264)
• A full suite of IPTV set-tops - SD, HD, Digital Video Recorder (DVR), multistream and home networking capabilities for the US/NTSC market, as well as the PAL market with integrated DVB-T receiver support
• An open IPTV set-top platform, supporting popular middleware and operating systems, and conditional access/digital rights management
• Decoding of high-definition MPEG-4 part 10/H.264 content using the STMicro 7100 and the Sigma 8634 system-on-chip silicon"


I guess if they mentioned VC-1, which is spec`d into the MSTV platform, they couldn`t keep the ST Micro chip in this piece.

[Mr.Arrogance]

[posting]19.684.940 von goyauno am 12.01.06 22:29:12[/posting]ach so, bevor ich`s vergesse...

[Mr.Arrogance]

[posting]19.684.940 von goyauno am 12.01.06 22:29:12[/posting]Sehr geehrter goyauno,

bedauerlicher Weise ist die von mir gennante (corr.: erwähnte) Erleuchtung offensichtlich nicht bis zu Ihrem grammatikalischen Können vorgedrungen, denn sonst hätten Sie " das" mit " ss" geschrieben.

Gerne immer bei Weiterbildung behilflich,
Mr.Arrogance

[amorphis]

[posting]19.704.827 von Mr.Arrogance am 14.01.06 01:09:07[/posting]welchen zusammenhang hat das ganze? das hier ist der sigm threat...nicht viropharma... wußte gar nicht das du hier vorbeischaust!

[goyauno]

Das kommt davon, wenn man zu voreilig agiert. Da muss ich mir schon an meine eigene Nase fassen. Wenn man im Glasshaus sitzt, sollte man nicht mit Steinen werfen, das ist natürlich schon ein rissen Klopfer.

Es tut mir Leid!

Wollen wir Ihn ( Mr. Arr…) doch willkommen heißen, in amorphis Thread.

Konstruktive Beiträge sind sehr erwünscht und auch nötig!!!

Aber keine persönlichen Anfeindungen, diese sind destruktiv und helfen keinen. Ich möchte hinzufügen, dass ich gutes Geld mit amorphis Beiträge verdient habe.

Letztendlich wollen wir auch nur dass eine, nämlich ein gutes Investment!!!!

[amorphis]

das sigma design ein gutes verhältnis zu microsoft hat...ist uns ja allen bekannt...

auf der CES hat sich bill gates zu seinen plänen zur neuen xbox geäussert...

das ganze ist reine spekulation...aber es wäre gut möglich...das sigm die nötigen chips liefert...zwar ist es theoretisch auch möglich...das die box die ganzen berechnungen selbst ausführt...aber was ich bisher gelesen habe...ist das SEHR rechenaufwendig...und man erinnere sich bitte daran...das sigm mit msft zusammen den "system on a chip" entwickelt hat...(da ist also ein ganzes "system" auf einem einzelnen chip...vergleichbare lösungen der konkurrenz sollen dafür 3!!!! chips benötigen!)



HD-DVD für die Xbox 360
Externes Laufwerk macht Konsole zum HD-DVD-Player

Gerüchte darum gab es bereits, nun ist es offiziell: Microsoft wird ein HD-DVD-Laufwerk für die Xbox 360 anbieten. Dies wurde anlässlich von Bill Gates` Auftaktrede zur Consomer Electronics Show (CES) 2006 von Peter Moore verkündet, dem Leiter von Microsofts Xbox- und Spiele-Abteilung.
ANZEIGE Klicken Sie hier!
Das externe HD-DVD-Laufwerk soll im Laufe des Jahres 2006 zu einem nicht genannten Preis erscheinen, Genaueres wurde noch nicht verraten. Ob künftige Xbox-360-Versionen auch von Hause aus mit einem HD-DVD-Laufwerk bestückt sein werden, ließ Moore offen. Das HD-DVD-Laufwerk dient dazu, hochauflösende HD-DVD-Filme abspielen zu können. Für Spiele scheint es nicht gedacht zu sein, zumindest beschränkte sich Microsoft darauf, nur die Erweiterung der Xbox 360 zum HD-DVD-Player zu bewerben. Mit der Xbox 360 und deren zwei Versionen - eine mit, eine ohne Festplatte - haben Spieleentwickler schon genügend Hardware-Unterschiede zu berücksichtigen.

Microsoft will bis Ende Juni 2006 etwa 4,5 bis 5,5 Millionen Xbox 360 ausgeliefert haben. Um die Liefermenge zu steigern, wurde noch ein dritter Produktionspartner beauftragt. Bis Juni 2006 soll die Zahl der Xbox-360-Spiele auf etwa 50 Stück ansteigen. Von den Xbox-360-Besitzern soll die Hälfte bereits in Xbox Live aktiv sein. Wie groß dabei der Anteil der zahlenden Mitglieder ist, wurde nicht genannt.

Um die Möglichkeiten der Xbox 360 dem CES-Fachpublikum zu präsentieren, traten Bill Gates und Steve Ballmer auf der Bühne in einem Boxkampf in EAs "Fight Night Round 3" gegeneinander an - das wirkte zwar etwas gekünstelt, aber entlockte dem Publikum auf Grund Gates` unbeholfener Box-Nachahmung und Ballmers wüsten Sprüchen einige Lacher. Gates gewann das Match im Spiel, auch wenn Ballmer behauptete, sein Leben lang für diese Chance trainiert zu haben.

[amorphis]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060116/bs_nm/cisco_dc

[goyauno]

16.01.2006 / 12:07
Siemens setzt auf IPTV

SHANGHAI - Der Elektronikkonzern Siemens AG (WKN: 723610) sieht die Zukunft des chinesischen Internetmarktes im Bereich „Fernsehen aus dem Netz”.

Wie das Handelsblatt heute berichtet, setzt Siemens dabei vor allem auf Großereignisse wie die Olympischen Spiele 2008. So will der Konzern bereits in den kommenden Monaten die ersten 5.000 bis 10.000 Haushalte an das Internet Protocol Tv (IPTV)-Netz anschließen, erklärt Norbert Muhrer von der Sparte Siemens Communications. Die Shanghai Media Group wird die Inhalte für IPTV zur Verfügung stellen.


Zu Anfang soll dieser Service umgerechnet rund drei Euro pro Monat kosten. Langfristig hoffen die Netzbetreiber, den sinkenden Umsätzen aus dem traditionellen Telefongeschäft entgegenwirken zu können. Prognosen zufolge sollen bis zum Ende des kommenden Jahres etwa 4,5 Millionen Haushalte in China an das IPTV-Netz angeschlossen sein. Aus dem Verkauf von Equipment, durch das sich Digitalfernsehen auch auf herkömmlichen Geräten empfangen lässt, hoffen die Anbieter bis dahin auf Umsätze in Höhe von etwa 231 Mio. Dollar.


IPTV bezeichnet die digitale Übertragung von Fernsehprogrammen, Filmen, Spielen, Video-on-Demand und Videotelefonie. Zur Nutzung dieses Dienstes benötigt der Kunde aufgrund der hohen Datenübertragungsraten aber einen schnellen Breitbandanschluss. Aktuell soll es neben 360 Millionen Fernsehnutzern in China mittlerweile etwa 25 Millionen Breitband-User geben. (cdr/rem)

[goyauno]

Opera On Your TV

Opera Software is one of the companies I admire the most. Back in the nineties, when the web browser titans were battling for dominance of Internet Explorer versus Netscape Navigator, hardly anyone could notice the alternative from Norway. Experts were saying there was no place for a third, small player on the internet browser market. How times have changed! Now we have Google - backed FireFox that has taken the Microsoft market share by storm, riding the wave of Redmond`s fatal mistakes. FireFox has taken hearts of Microsoft community, promising good security and good features (like tabs, convenient zooming and RSS). In the meantime Opera has been working hard, below many of the big boy`s radars, developing extremely polished web browser and extremely successful strategy.

Opera has been the first to notice and understand the mobile phenomenon. While Microsoft has had troubles delivering a decent browser on their own Windows Mobile platform, Opera offers us a galaxy of choices for almost every mobile device. I used to use Opera on my previous smartphones (SonyEricsson P800 and P900). I have it installed on my 3G Nokia 6680. I`m waiting impatiently for the Windows Mobile 5 version of Opera to put on my i-mate SP5m music phone and on the JasJar Teleputer.

And now it looks like the smart Norwegians have been first to catch the IPTV wave. What draw my attention recently was the press release dated January 5th, 2006 "The Full Web and AJAX on a Chip for TV: The Opera browser is now pre-ported to Sigma`s SMP8630 chipsets". The title itself says it all, but let me explain what the statement means.

I` wont explain here what the Full Web means. You should know TV as well . The important words, however are AJAX and Sigma SMP8630.

AJAX means Asynchronous JavaScript And XML and is the state of the art technology being used to build and deliver Internet applications. The first full AJAX application has been Microsoft Outlook Web Access 2003, however somehow Microsoft has not been able to replicate the technology in other mainstream applications. The second, and extremely successful has been Gmail - Google`s approach to email. Gmail has become extremely popular - as easy as the Web, but fast and responsive as any local application. After its success, Gmail has been followed by a galaxy of other applications, like Google Local and even Microsoft`s Live.COM

Sigma SMP8630 is a chipset. A media processor, a building block for the next generation home entertainment devices. SMP8630 is considered being 6 to 12 months ahead of its competitors. That means most of the next generation set-top-boxes or Blue-Ray DVD players or HDTV (High Definition Television) receivers are built using this chipset. The Opera announcement means these devices will be internet ready. Isn`t it natural being able to use your 50-inch LCD or plasma TV to browse the news or play Google Video On Demand? I just cannot wait to get one of these gadgets and hook to my VDSL line and enjoy the AJAX applications delivered in clarity and style on the Opera browser on the TV. In the meantime, go and download the Opera for your PC. You will feel the difference, I promise!

PS. Glenn - thank you for bringing Sigma to the table, and Piotr, thanks for reminding me about the Opera.

[goyauno]

CES: Der lange Marsch vom PC zum TV

Die Consumer Electronics Show (CES), die vom 5. bis zum 8. Januar in Las Vegas stattfindet, ist nochmals gewachsen. Schon im Vorjahr drohte sie mit rund 2500 Ausstellern auf 150.000 Quadratmetern und über 145.000 Besuchern aus den Nähten zu platzen. Gut 10.000 Quadratmeter größer ist nun die Austellfläche. Über das Las Vegas Convention Center hinaus hat der Veranstalter nun auch das Sands Convention Center und eine Anzahl Hotels mit einbezogen. Dies dürfte zwar das Gedränge etwas mildern, lässt aber wiederum einige logistische Probleme erwarten. Horden von Besuchern, Verkäufern, Konferenzteilnehmern und Journalisten werden wohl den Las Vegas Strip auf und ab hetzen oder ungezählte Stunden auf ein Transportmittel warten – wie zu den besten Zeiten der legendären Computermesse Comdex.

Die Zugkraft der CES ist im 120 Milliarden US-Dollar schweren, sich rapide verändernden US-Markt der Digitalelektronik nicht verwunderlich. Im abgelaufenen Jahr wurden weltweit 300 Millionen Kamera-Handys verkauft, die der enorme Preissturz vergangener Jahre zum Allerweltsgut machte. Bei Flachbildfernsehern halbierten sich 2005 im Schnitt die Preise, während sich ihr Umsatz verdoppelte, rechnet die Marktforschungsfirma Parks Associates vor. Sie brachten allein in den USA rund 18 Milliarden US-Dollar ein und werden 2006 noch einmal um 100 Prozent zulegen, erwartet James Sanduski vom Marktführer Samsung America. Bis 2009 könnten allein LCD-Schirme den US-Markt auf 65 Milliarden schrauben, kalkulieren die Parks-Analysten.

Wie selbstverständlich hält Microsoft-Gründer Bill Gates wieder die Einführungsrede am Messe-Vorabend – diese exklusive Position hat sich die Software-Firma vertraglich angeblich bis 2012 gesichert. Da Gates` Lieblingsthema die Zukunft der Software im allgemeinen und die der eigenen Produkte im besonderen ist, sind wichtige Details zur Medienfähigkeit des kommenden Betriebssystems Vista zu erwarten. Für den Windows-XP-Nachfolger hatten die Redmonder jüngst " halb-offizielle" PC-Hardware-Anforderungen veröffentlicht. Außerdem will Gates auch über Windows Mobile reden. Dies nährt Gerüchte, dass Microsoft ein eigenes Media-Abspielgerät als Konkurrenz zu Apples iPod zeigen wird.

Auch der Rest der Kongressprogramms wird von der Computer-Industrie dominiert. Intel-Chef Paul Otellini und Michael Dell geben sich am ersten Tag die Ehre. Mit Sony-Chef Howard Stringer ist davor auch mal der Leiter eines klassischer Elektronikkonzerns an der Reihe. Spiele-Fans warten sehnlichst darauf, dass der Wahl-Japaner die Playstation 3 zeigt, die im Laufe dieses Frühjahrs kommen soll. Als sicher gilt jedenfalls die Vorstellung eines 82-Zoll-LCD-Fernsehers. Von Paul Otellini werden technische Details zu den Wohnzimmer-PCs Marke VIIV verraten, die mit Fernbedienung und mediengerechter Nutzeroberfläche kommen sollen. Gateway gehört zu den ersten Herstellern, die solche Rechner in Las Vegas zeigen.

Ein interessantes Rededuell steht am Freitag zwischen Terry Semel, dem Vorstand von Yahoo, und Google-Mitgründer Larry Page an. Beide Internet-Dienste haben zuletzt speziell durch ihre Aktivitäten bei der Mediendistribution auf sich aufmerksam gemacht. Googles Deal mit AOL hat dem Suchspezialisten nicht nur ein lukratives Werbegeschäft gesichert, sondern auch dem Konkurrenzdienst MSN einen harten Schlag versetzt. Yahoo schloss vor wenigen Wochen eine Kooperation mit Tivo, dem populärsten Anbieter von Harddisk-Recodern nebst interaktivem TV-Programmführer. Von Yahoos umfangreichem TV-Portal aus können Internet-Nutzer jetzt per Mausklick Sendungen auf beliebigen Kanälen zur Aufnahme auf ihrem Tivo-Gerät programmieren. Diese nahtlose Verknüpfung von Internet-Suche oder -Katalog mit der Wohnzimmer-Elektronik gilt als Modellfall für neue Formen der Mediennutzung, die Inhalte aus dem Internet auf Fernsehern und anderen Plattformen bereitstellen.

Bereits vor Monaten hat Yahoo die Firma Verdisoft übernommen. Bei Verdisoft handelt es sich um eine Gründung von Marco Börries, der schon als 16-jähriges Hamburger Wunderkind mit Staroffice bekannt geworden war und die Rechte an dem Software-Paket später an Sun verkaufte. Börries brennt darauf, der Welt sein Verdisoft-Serverprogramm vorzuführen, mit dem persönliche Einstellungen und Präferenzen vom PC auf jedes andere Gerät automatisch umkodiert werden. Kalender, Adressbuch, E-Mails und alle Web-Daten stehen so dem Nutzer auf Handy, TV- und anderen Digitalgeräten zur Verfügung.

Eine ähnliche Strategie wird auch vom großen Rivalen Google vermutet. Hier rechnen die Beobachter mit der Einführung eines eigenen Endgeräts namens " Google Cube" , in dem sich ein spottbilliger Embedded-Rechner mit hauseigenem Betriebssystem befindet. Dieser Würfel soll den Anschluss für Telefon, TV- und Streaming-Video-Dienste per Internet übernehmen. Google soll bereits mit der Supermarktkette Walmart über den Vertrieb verhandelt haben, gibt aber keinerlei Auskunft zu diesen Spekulationen oder zu Pages Rede am Freitag. Man wird also abwarten müssen. " Die Verbindung zwischen PC und TV ist entscheidend für die Zukunft der Internet-Anbieter," prognostiziert Analyst Richard Doherty von Envisioneering Group. Sie sei allerdings schwer zu meistern.

Fest steht jeoch bereits, dass solche Wunderboxen schon bei anderen Firmen zu sehen sein werden. Leadtek Research, ein Grafik- und Videospezialist aus dem kalifornischen Fremont, stellt ein Settop-Modem vor, das TV-, Telefon- und Videosignale per Internet ins Haus liefert und DVDs abspielt. Die Slingbox von Sling Media, einem Start-up aus San Mateo, wandelt vom PC gespeicherte TV-Sendungen oder Videos zum Versand per Internet um und streamt die Daten auf jedes vernetzte Gerät – vom Notebook bis zum Internet-Handy. Ähnliche Dienste stellt auch Start-up Orb Networks in Aussicht, jedoch ohne eigene Client-Hardware. Der Benutzer installiert nur den kostenlosen Software-Client und abonniert den Gratis-Service, Orbs Server schickt dann die Inhalte vom eigenen PC per Internet oder über den Äther.

Auch Router-Riese Cisco will am Consumer-Geschäft mitverdienen. Die Tochter Linksys tritt außer mit den bekannten Heimnetzlösungen auch mit einem hochauflösenden, netzfähigen DVD-Player an, der von der dänischen Firma Kiss übernommen wurde, sowie mit Service-Leistungen im Bereich VoIP und Video-on-demand. Dazu kommt Ciscos Coup im Kabel-TV-Markt: Bisher ein reiner Lieferant von Unternehmens-Infrastruktur ist Cisco durch den Kauf von Scientific Atlanta im vergangenen November zum größten Hersteller von Kabeldekodern avanciert. Damit gerät der Hersteller jetzt nicht nur in Konkurrenz mit DSL- und Satellitenanbietern, sondern beispielsweise auch mit Commodore. Der Oldtimer im Multimedia-Computing kehrt nach langen Irrwegen zurück auf die CES-Bühne mit einer Media-Center-ähnlichen Settop-Box, einem Kiosk-Medienterminal für den Einzelhandel und einem GPS-Gerät mit eingebautem MP3-Player. (Erich Bonnert) (ssu/c`t)

[amorphis]

SIGM will present again in Feb...
by: WINTER_CFA 01/17/06 02:38 pm
Msg: 92063 of 92069

...at the Roth Capital Conf in California:

http://www.rothcp.com/Presenting%20Co%20DP.html

"A webcast should be available.

[goyauno]

Ich Wette eine Fl. Barolo das wir heute ein SK von über 16,50& haben werden!!!

[goyauno]

Wette leider verloren!!!!!!

Muss nun die Fl. meiner Frau abgeben...

Nun, obwohl die Nasdaq fast 1% verloren hat, hat sich SIGM tapfer gehalten.

TVIA ist heute bei sehr hohen Volumen ausgebrochen, mein Gott was soll man nur machen?????

[sechzgerfan]

Servus amorphis,
auch wenn´s schon viele vor mir getan haben, möchte ich
auch meinen Senf dazugeben und mich für deine Bemühungen und Info´s bedanken. Ich war bis vor kurzem zwar nur stiller
Mitleser, bin aber schon seit längerer Zeit in SIGM investiert und durch dich immer auf dem laufenden. Danke dafür. Kurze Zwischenfrage, die zwar nicht hierhergehört:
Meinst du, dass sich auf dem jetzigen Niveau ein Einstieg bei GNTA noch lohnt? Melde mich dann künftig bzgl. GNTA natürlich im GNTA-Board.
Also nochmal danke.

Gruss
sechzgerfan

[Fruehrentner]

Siemens sieht in China große Wachstumschancen für digitales Fernsehen IPTV

SCHANGHAI (dpa-AFX) - Siemens sieht in China große Wachstumschancen für die Fernsehübertragung über digitale Datennetze (IPTV). `China hat wahrscheinlich eine der höchsten Zuwachsraten, die wir weltweit im Breitband-Bereich sehen`, sagte Siemens-Manager Andreas Müller-Schubert der Nachrichtenagentur AFX am Donnerstag. Er leitet im größten Konzernbereich Communications (Com) die Sparte Fixed Networks Solutions. Der IPTV-Technik (Internet Protocol Television) liegt das Internet Protokoll zugrunde.

Das Geschäftspotenzial für Siemens und andere Hardware-Anbieter werde in China groß sein. Es müsse massiv in die Breitband-Infrastruktur investiert werden, falls die Nachfrage nach IPTV und anderen Breitband-Angeboten den Erwartungen entspreche. `Für das Jahr 2010 prognostizieren wir, dass 10 bis 15 Prozent aller Fernsehzuschauer (weltweit) IPTV-Technik oder ähnliches nutzen werden`, sagte Müller-Schubert. Die weltweiten IPTV-Umsätze könnten bis 2010 auf 17 Milliarden Dollar steigen.

Die Shanghai Telecom Co Ltd hatte den Siemens-Konzern beauftragt, Settop-Boxen und Infrastruktur für ihr IPTV-Gemeinschaftsunternehmen mit der Shanghai Media Group (SMG) zu liefern. Die beiden Gesellschaften gehen davon aus, dass die Olympischen Spiele 2008 in Peking die Nachfrage nach digitalem Fernsehen beflügeln wird. Shanghai Telecom gehört zur in Hongkong notierten China Telecom Group ./FX/sbi/zb

Quelle: dpa-AFX

[amorphis]

[posting]19.777.894 von sechzgerfan am 19.01.06 07:39:11[/posting]ja...halte einen einstieg bei gnta auf jeden fall für sehr lohnenswert auf diesem niveau...sonst würde ich das niveau ja nutzen um auszusteigen...das gilt bei einem aktieninvest...beurteile deine investitionen jeden tag auf neue...bleibst du in einer position investiert...dann ist es auch ein kauf für dich...alles andere wäre ja unlogisch...

gestern war das handelsvolumen atemberaubend...an der nasdaq knapp 20 millionen aktien!der 3 monatsdurchschnitt liegt knapp unter 2,5 millionen am tag!wenn man noch die ganzen handelsplätze wie inet usw. dazuzählt wurden gestern über 25 millionen aktien gehandelt!das ist enorm...und für mich ein signal das da irgendwas im busch ist!was das ist...ich weiß es auch nicht...aber bin positiv gestimmt...würde aktuell anfangen positionen aufzubauen...allerdings setz nicht alles beim 1. mal ein...stückel deine anlagesumme!ich werde nach den 1. 30% kursplus nachlegen...usw...aber das ist schon zu weit gedacht...abwarten was die nächsten tage bringen...

btw...find es nicht schlimm wenn hier im threat zwischendurch mal andere werte diskutiert werden...solange sigm im vordergrund steht...

[amorphis]

[posting]19.780.918 von Fruehrentner am 19.01.06 10:39:01[/posting]wer einen blue-chip kaufen möchte...liegt mit siemens übrigens ganz gut!das simens früh in iptv investiert hatten wir hier schon mehrfach in berichten...wer also nen standartwert sucht...für den könnte 723610 interessant sein...

10-15% aller zuschauer bis 2010 werden also iptv nutzen...ratter ratter wieviele zuschauer sind das wohl?trau mich gar nicht mir auszumalen...wo der kurs einer sigm stehen könnte...wenn das unternehmen eigenständig bleibt!könnte sensationell laufen!

heute siehts ja auch recht gut...glaub die 20$ könnten diesen monat noch erreicht werden!

[amorphis]

sehe ich da eine 17???wer hat noch nicht...wer will nochmal...wer bietet mehr?

[amorphis]

[posting]19.775.895 von goyauno am 18.01.06 22:13:40[/posting]dafür hat deine wette heute ihr ziel bei weitem übertroffen... und wo ist meine flasche?

[Fruehrentner]

@amorphis

Glückwunsch! Mit SIGM hast ja wieder die richtige Nase gehabt.

Leider hab ich SIGM bisher nur auf der Watchlist gehabt.

Wie hoch ist denn eigentlich das KGV 2006 und 2007?

Und welches KZ hast Du auf Sicht der kommenden 6-12 Monate?

[goyauno]

[posting]19.789.537 von amorphis am 19.01.06 19:19:04[/posting]Kennst Du das Ruhrgebiet????, den Gasometer, das Revier,
den Bergbau, die Hütte Haniel, genau da sind wir zuhause, und genau da warten noch 5Fl. trinkgeilen Barolo,leider nur noch fünf....., welche unbediengt ausgetrunken werden wollen....

bist herzlichst dazu eingeladen

Starke Vorstellung heute von SIGM

Habe heute ein paar Gewinne bei GNTA mitgenommen und diese bei TVIA investiert.

[goyauno]

Cisco and SIGM
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 01/19/06 04:01 pm
Msg: 92135 of 92135

Cisco taking steps toward living room
HOME-ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTS ROLLING OUT FOR CROWDED MARKET
By Jessie Seyfer
Mercury News - 1/19/2006

Cisco Systems appears poised to finally make good on its promise to step into the home-entertainment spotlight. And now, products are starting to roll out. A Cisco executive was quoted Wednesday on cnet.com as saying Cisco`s Linksys division plans to announce the creation of a home-entertainment unit in February, and also launch new DVD-like products at the same time. After several recent acquisitions of companies that focus on consumer electronics, analysts expect Cisco to launch several new products in 2006 that build off those companies` strengths as well as Cisco`s expertise in managing Internet data traffic.

Linksys already unveiled the DP-600, a high-definition, networked DVD player earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The player connects wirelessly to the Internet and allows people to play high-definition video, listen to more than 3,000 radio stations and view online stock and weather information. It is expected to be available in the United States later in the year. Cisco (is also in) the set-top box business, acquiring Scientific Atlanta for $6.9 billion last year.

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/13662303.htm

Cisco/Linksys/Scientific Atlanta products will have Sigma inside

[goyauno]

Seit über zwei Wochen keine news, und trotzdem dieser Anstieg......

[amorphis]

[posting]19.792.016 von goyauno am 19.01.06 21:47:30[/posting]na klaro... bin doch ausm pott!gasometer?welches meinste?das neben dem centro?

[amorphis]

Motorola and SIGM
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 01/19/06 04:36 pm
Msg: 92136 of 92136

Motorola has reported is quarterly results. According to the press release, Motorola`s Connected Home Solutions Segment expanded its technology platform to meet the exploding growth in advanced digital video.

As we know, Sigma has partnered with Motorola and will be participating in this exploding growth. According to the press release, Motorola shipped 1.4 million set top boxes during the quarter. Assuming that in future years Motorola ships 6 million set top boxes per year, and assuming conservatively that Sigma wins 20% of this business, this implies annual revenue for Sigma of about $25 million from Motorola.
Byron

[amorphis]

[posting]19.792.608 von goyauno am 19.01.06 22:16:56[/posting]na warte mal was passiert wenn "offizielles" zu hören ist...ich sag ja...tenbagger... für die, die seit nem jahr mit dabei sind...könnte das in den nächsten 24 monaten realität werden...

[goyauno]

Diesen Absatz muß mann sich wirklich genau durchlesen, und das ja nur bei MOT.........

Hammermässig

Der Pott heist BOT , und da sind wir zuhause.

[amorphis]

[posting]19.794.084 von goyauno am 19.01.06 23:41:37[/posting]BOT...dr. pottbrock?

[miristegal]

[posting]19.794.215 von amorphis am 19.01.06 23:59:48[/posting]naja
"und da erschuff der liebe Gott die ..."
ich sehe - nicht nur die mädels
bin nur 60-70 km von euch wech und der karneval -
kölle alaaf.

wünsche euch und mir viel börsenerfolg.

@amorphis
danke für deine tips.
bin mit anderen werten sehr beschäftigt - kann hier nicht viel dazubeitragen.

MFG

[amorphis]

[posting]19.794.417 von miristegal am 20.01.06 00:30:05[/posting]das ist nicht schlimm...darfst ausnahmsweise trotzdem weiter mitlesen...weil mir köln so sympatisch ist und ich gern dort bin...geiles nachtleben und nette leute...das verbinde ich mit köln...

mit welchen werten bist du beschäftigt?wirf mal nen blick auf gnta (oder hast du`s schon?)


ehrlich gesagt wird mir sigm langsam unheimlich...die aktie befindet sich seit fast 9(!!) monaten in einem aufwärtstrend...knapp 147% seit mai...in € gerechnet sogar 160%...das sigma design ein interessanter wert ist...das habe ich am anfang gewusst...aber das der wert so performen wird, das hatte ich eigentlich unter "wunschdenken" im vorfeld eingestuft!

auch das iptv immer mehr das thema der hightech-branche auf der ganzen welt wird (in der kurzen zeit - wir reden mitlerweile von 10-15% aller tv-user, die 2010 iptv nutzen sollen!)...

warum läuft die aktie relativ unabhängig vom gesamtmarkt...und das jetzt seit monaten?

sigma design hat in den letzten 12 monaten bewiesen...das sigm`s chips in den einzelnen bereichen "state of the art" sind...man ist in allen großen projekten dabei...in den usa, europa und im schnell wachsenden asiatischen markt!alleine china bedeutet eine einzigartige chance!man ist der konkurrenz etwa um 9 monate vorraus...neue noch bessere chips wurden schon für die nächsten monate angekündigt...damit bleibt man der konkurrenz weiter auf abstand...aus jetztiger sicht...spricht alles dafür das sigm einen so hohen marktanteil behält und diesen auch ausbauen kann!microsoft lobt sigm in höchsten tönen...cisco kauft eine kleine dänische firma namens kiss...um die "consumer-electronic" märkte neu zu erobern und zufällig steckt sigm in allen kiss produkten...

hm...jetzt fehlt eigentlich nur noch der "iptv-hype" an wallstreet...aber gehe jede wette ein...der kommt noch...ach ja...wenn eine branche in eine allgemeine rally übergeht, sind die marktführer am weitesten mit vorne dabei...was da für steigerungen in den einzelnen aktien möglich sind...das haben vergangene hypes zu genüge gezeigt...ob dann eine bewertung in manchen fällen noch "realistisch" ist...steht nicht zur debatte...denn...das soll der moment sein...wenn wir aussteigen...nur...trotz der kurssteigerungen der letzten monate...ich sehe hier weder überhitzung, weder "blase" noch "hype"...das alles haben wir noch vor uns...und...wer weiß...vielleicht wird sigm ja auch eine der seltenen erscheinungen am aktienmarkt...die über einen sehr langen zeitraum konstant gut laufen...das schaffen nur wenige werte...aber es gibt auch nur wenige die diese aussichten haben... also...

[amorphis]

ach...glaube die heutigen aussagen von mot...anlässlich der quartalszahlen...könnten sich morgen sehr gut auf den kurs auswirken...könnte sein das das heute nur der vorläufer war...

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Best Buy

Nearly Half of HDTV Owners Aren`t Getting the Whole Picture
Thursday January 19, 6:23 pm ET
Best Buy Blue Shirts Help Educate Consumers About Having a True HDTV Experience

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 2006--Driven by falling prices and rising consumer interest in high-definition (HD) programming, Best Buy reported triple-digit growth in flat-panel TV sales in December. The excitement over HDTV is expected to continue into 2006 with customers looking to complete their home theaters in time for the big game and the upcoming Hollywood awards season.

According to a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Data on behalf of Best Buy, home theaters have become mainstream in America, with one in three consumers being interested in the concept of a home entertainment system. However, consumers continue to be confused about the elements of home theater and HDTV - what do they need and how does it all work?

"HD has undeniably become the new benchmark in the home entertainment experience and the driving force behind the popularity of the HDTV`s," said Mike Vitelli, senior vice president of consumer electronics for Best Buy. "While HD can be confusing, Best Buy`s Blue Shirts are prepared to guide customers through the transition, just as they did when the DVD player replaced the VCR or the CD replaced the cassette tape, and help them understand which HDTV and home theater system best fit their lifestyles."

Today`s home theater consists of five important components, including:

1. TV - The HDTV is the centerpiece of the home theater and
is available in a variety of formats to fit customers`
needs - from Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) or plasma flat
panel televisions that can be hung on the wall, to Liquid
Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) and Digital Light Processing
(DLP) and projection televisions that offer exceptional
picture quality at a lower price than flat panel units.
Finding the best television for a customer`s needs depends
on the size and shape of the room, how the home theater
will be used, any existing home theater equipment or
furniture to incorporate, and budget.
-- HDTVs are more affordable than ever; 21 percent of
HDTV owners earn less than $25,000 in annual household
income.(a)

2. Source - While HDTVs are in 14 percent of American homes,
nearly one quarter (23 percent) of HDTV owners do not
subscribe to HD programming.(a) Best Buy Blue Shirts can
help customers subscribe to HD programming packages
through digital satellite or digital cable, or connect via
antenna to receive over-the-air HD content to get the most
out of their HDTVs.

3. Audio - High Definition programming is broadcast in 5.1
surround sound. With a surround sound speaker system, a
consumer is literally in the middle of the High Def
action. Unfortunately, approximately 45 percent of HDTV
owners do not own a surround sound speaker system which
means they are not getting the complete High Def
experience.(a) Best Buy offers a wide variety of
receivers, speakers, and "home theater in a box" systems
to complement any HDTV and bring the true HD experience to
life.

4. Connections - Improper connections can spoil a home
theater experience. Premium cables and connectors deliver
all the sparkle, sizzle and boom of the big screen, and
Blue Shirt home theater specialists are always available
to help consumers distinguish between DVI, HDMI, RGB and
the many other connection options on the market.

5. Installation - A state-of-the-art home theater doesn`t
have to look like a laboratory. Best Buy`s professional
installers can wall mount, connect, program and even hide
any home theater component for a clean, uncluttered, and,
most importantly, an easy-to-use system.

Magnolia Home Theater

In addition to hundreds of brand name home theater products, Best Buy also offers Magnolia Home Theater (MHT) in more than 100 of its stores across the country. These stores-within-stores offer consumers a unique blend of premium home theater brands, comfortable demonstration rooms, in-home consultation and custom design, knowledgeable home theater consultants, and service and installation experts. To locate an MHT store, visit www.magnoliaav.com.

Female Approval Factor

Increased popularity of home theater systems has also had an impact in product design. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), women influence 88 percent of household consumer electronics purchases and account for roughly 50 percent of the spending. Once bulky and obtrusive, home theater systems are now being designed with the female eye in mind. The sleeker design of flat panels is particularly attractive to women, who traditionally make most of the home decor decisions in the family. Additionally, many of the family-oriented uses of home theater, from family movie or gaming nights to photo viewing gatherings, are also appealing to moms.

[amorphis]

UTStarcom and SIGM
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 01/19/06 07:25 pm
Msg: 92138 of 92138

Bharti Tele-Ventures has announced they are partnering with UTStarcom to bring IPTV to India.

http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/jan/jan222.ht…

Forbes Asia recently named Sunil Mittal, Chairman and Group Managing Director of Bharti Tele-Ventures, "Businessman of Note" for 2005.

http://english.cctv.com/program/bizchina/20060104/101556.sht…

In addition to Bharti, other major telecom companies like Reliance Infocomm and VSNL are also planning to offer IPTV services in India. The union minister for communications and information technology Dayanidhi Maran recently said that the government has asked MTNL and BSNL to ride on IPTV.

As we know, UTStarcom is relying on Sigma technology to bring IPTV to China. Now, UTStarcom and Sigma will also be bringing IPTV to another huge market in India.
Byron

[sechzgerfan]

Guten Morgen,
oder soll ich sagen "Gute Nacht Amorphis".
Sag mal, brauchst du eigentlich keinen Schlaf???

Wie ihr sicher vermutet (Nickname) komm ich nicht aus eurer Gegend, aber ich hoffe, dass ihr einen waschechten Bayern auch mitmischen lasst.

Zu SIGM: Wie schon gesagt, bin ich schon ca. 1,5 Jahr "drin" und ähnlich wie du, Amorphis, war ich von Anfang an überzeugt. Ich glaube (und hoffe), dass das letzte knappe Jahr aber erst der Anfang war...nach wie vor ist die Aktie v.a. hierzulande relativ unbekannt, aber wenn sich das mal ändert...........................

Zu GNTA: Hab gestern die Eröffnung in USA abgewartet und entgegen meiner Vermutung haben sie ja recht positiv gestartet. Daraufhin bin ich noch aufgesprungen, doch leider war der weitere Verlauf so, wie ich es eigentlich erwartet hatte nach den vergangenen Tagen. Tja, Pech gehabt...Aber trotzdem seh ich noch erhebliches Potential bei GNTA. Muss aber zugeben, dass ich mich noch nicht so eingelesen habe, wie z. B. in SIGM.
Amorphis, wie siehst du den weiteren Verlauf bei GNTA, denn eigentlich war der gestrige Kursrückgang ja auch ganz gesund, oder?

Grüsse aus Bayern
sechzgerfan

[miristegal]

[posting]19.795.053 von sechzgerfan am 20.01.06 07:39:21[/posting]willkommen und gruss nach bayer zurück , unter einer
voraussetzung . du machst dem kaiser , dem uli und dem
rummpelsitzer klar, das der POJDI in kölle bleiben muss

@amorphis

bin zur zeit stark angagiert:

- NKTR - aus überzeugung v. EXUBERA
- VISG + neulich IDNX (wegen übernahme) aus sturrheit ,weil
ich aus der gurke unbedingt mit PLUS raus will
- MNKD seit 2 wo. -schade , habe nicht gekauft. weiss aber noch zu wenig über die FA.

Grüsse meine verwandten am Haniel.

MFG

PS. habe nur 2-3 std. am tag , mich mit der börse zu beschäftigen. Lebe v. TH. wie DEINE. WE gehört der familie.
sonst muss ich mein geld auch woanders verdienen.

[amorphis]

[posting]19.795.053 von sechzgerfan am 20.01.06 07:39:21[/posting]jepp...sehe den verlauf als sehr gesund an...das was heute gelaufen ist sagt eigentlich alles...trotz des sehr schlechten gesamtmarktes...grün geschlossen...weiterhin hohes volumen...bin weiterhin positiv für diesen wert!

werft mal nen blick auf avii...heftige reaktion heute...in verbindung mit news...unglaubliches volumen bei dem wert!guckt nur mal...bei dem wert bin ich mir fast sicher...das der auf sicht der nächsten woche weiterläuft...

[amorphis]

[posting]19.811.538 von miristegal am 20.01.06 23:01:08[/posting]leben von TH???

[amorphis]

weiterhin sehr gut aussehen tun mologen und intercell...auch das sind kandidaten... aber man kann nicht alles reiten was gas gibt...

@60iger...nö...hab nix gegen bayern...im gegenteil...werd nie vergessen wie die dortmunder in münchen europas krone ergriffen haben...naja...wird wohl was dauern bis das wiederkommt...

[miristegal]

nee
bin selbständig , von daher - wie die meisten kicker es ausdrücken , bis zu 18 std/tach. wech.
NIX gegen FCB , sind sowieso der aus..schild unserer fussball.

klaro , man kann nicht alle reitten. manche aber wollen kein
geld verdienen , aber mit fachkompetenz glänzen
du weisst schon besch.
übrigens: spint mein PC oder ist ein satelit in eimer
egal wo ich bin , geht LAANNGGSSAMM

ach ja - tschuldigung für die gramatick , interp. und duddenn.
das leben ist so kurz. lachen wir mal:BVB hat uns den meier
zurückgegeben und der meiert bei uns wieder. in seiner zeit war der 1FC spitze. hoffe , es gelingt ihm wieder.
hat übrigens BVB auch auf die spitze gebracht


pc spinnt ohne ende s.WE

[amorphis]

[posting]19.812.061 von miristegal am 21.01.06 00:02:39[/posting]selbstständig...aha...darf ich fragen was genau du machst?

jepp...ich weiß bescheid...lol

[miristegal]

[posting]19.812.126 von amorphis am 21.01.06 00:21:17[/posting]doch bin ich -leider - beneide die 7,5 std. leute.
mund aufputzen - feierabend - freizeit!!! ein fremdwort für mich. Übrigens hab in DO auch ein teil meiner familie , die meisten auf dem FH.
Naja rate mal , was ich mache?

würde gerne mehr hier beitragen , aber du schliesst JEDE
lücke die sich auftut und da bin ich meistens zu spät.
Die NACHT ist meine erholung.

MFG

[amorphis]

Beijing Netcom Starts Full IPTV Test
by: WINTER_CFA 01/21/06 09:47 am
Msg: 92185 of 92185

http://www.efytimes.com/fullnews.asp?edid=9676

"Saturday, January 21, 2006: Following an IPTV test in Harbin, Beijing Netcom has begun to issue bidding documents to IPTV equipment manufacturers such as UT Starcom, Siemens, ZTE, Huawei and Shanghai Bell-Alcatel, inviting them to participate in its IPTV test in Beijing area.

Beijing Netcom has said that it faces no technical difficulties in implementing IPTV, but there may still be more delays as a full government policy has not been established for the sector. Beijing Netcom plans to build an IPTV trial network that can hold 50,000 users and support 10,000 online users` use of IPTV applications."


We`re obviously rooting for UTStarcom here, but, IMO, we could also find a win for this through at least Siemens and SB Alcatel (and maybe even the others).

[miristegal]

Press Release Source: Widevine Technologies

Widevine(R) Technologies, Sigma Designs(R) Enter Partnership Agreement
Monday January 23, 10:00 am ET
Sigma Designs` Media Processors Now Widevine Ready: High Definition MPEG-4.10 (H.264), VC-1, WMV9, MPEG-4.2 and MPEG-2

SEATTLE & MILIPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 2006--Widevine Technologies, the world`s most deployed provider of downloadable content protection and digital forensic solutions, and Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing solutions for consumer electronics, today announced they have entered into a partnership agreement.

ADVERTISEMENT
Under the agreement, the patented Widevine Cypher® Virtual SmartCard(TM) is pre-integrated with Sigma Designs` EM8620L and SMP8630 series. This enables telco, cable, satellite, Internet and wireless service providers to offer secure content delivery to consumer devices powered by Sigma Designs` chipsets. The Widevine Digital Media Processor Partner Program enables consumer electronics manufacturers a faster time to market with content protection for video operators around the world.

Widevine Ready and Widevine Secured partners represent the widest range of consumer premises equipment, middleware and VOD vendors for IP video in the world, offering operators the broadest flexibility, choice and control over their IP video business.

"We believe there is significant value in a partnership between Sigma Designs and Widevine," said Ken Lowe, VP of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "Widevine is the largest and most deployed content protection solution in IPTV. Its global customer base and large number of integrated devices will enable Sigma Designs to further expand into the IPTV market powering the most popular types of devices customers want to use."

Sigma Designs` EM8620L digital media processor series currently powers approximately 70% of all IPTV set top boxes, including portable video players and portable media players.

According to Widevine`s CEO Brian Baker, "Consumers increasingly are demanding flexible consumption of content on devices such as personal video recorders, portable media players, home media centers, PCs and digital televisions. Our partnership with Sigma Designs embeds Widevine protection capabilities into the chipsets that drive these devices and moves us rapidly toward being ubiquitous with a large device footprint. This gives operators the studio-mandated protection they need to get premium content and the flexibility to expand their customer`s choices of how they want to consume content -- securely."

Widevine`s open content protection platform offers interoperability with major middleware, VOD and consumer premises equipment; choice and options to deploy a multi-vendor environment; and the flexibility required to swap video distribution equipment while maintaining content protection. In 2005 Widevine`s subscribers exceeded 1.5 million, spread over more than 90 current customers.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Widevine Technologies

Widevine(R) Technologies, Sigma Designs(R) Enter Partnership Agreement
Monday January 23, 10:00 am ET
Sigma Designs` Media Processors Now Widevine Ready: High Definition MPEG-4.10 (H.264), VC-1, WMV9, MPEG-4.2 and MPEG-2

SEATTLE & MILIPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 2006--Widevine Technologies, the world`s most deployed provider of downloadable content protection and digital forensic solutions, and Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing solutions for consumer electronics, today announced they have entered into a partnership agreement.

ADVERTISEMENT
Under the agreement, the patented Widevine Cypher® Virtual SmartCard(TM) is pre-integrated with Sigma Designs` EM8620L and SMP8630 series. This enables telco, cable, satellite, Internet and wireless service providers to offer secure content delivery to consumer devices powered by Sigma Designs` chipsets. The Widevine Digital Media Processor Partner Program enables consumer electronics manufacturers a faster time to market with content protection for video operators around the world.

Widevine Ready and Widevine Secured partners represent the widest range of consumer premises equipment, middleware and VOD vendors for IP video in the world, offering operators the broadest flexibility, choice and control over their IP video business.

"We believe there is significant value in a partnership between Sigma Designs and Widevine," said Ken Lowe, VP of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "Widevine is the largest and most deployed content protection solution in IPTV. Its global customer base and large number of integrated devices will enable Sigma Designs to further expand into the IPTV market powering the most popular types of devices customers want to use."

Sigma Designs` EM8620L digital media processor series currently powers approximately 70% of all IPTV set top boxes, including portable video players and portable media players.

According to Widevine`s CEO Brian Baker, "Consumers increasingly are demanding flexible consumption of content on devices such as personal video recorders, portable media players, home media centers, PCs and digital televisions. Our partnership with Sigma Designs embeds Widevine protection capabilities into the chipsets that drive these devices and moves us rapidly toward being ubiquitous with a large device footprint. This gives operators the studio-mandated protection they need to get premium content and the flexibility to expand their customer`s choices of how they want to consume content -- securely."

Widevine`s open content protection platform offers interoperability with major middleware, VOD and consumer premises equipment; choice and options to deploy a multi-vendor environment; and the flexibility required to swap video distribution equipment while maintaining content protection. In 2005 Widevine`s subscribers exceeded 1.5 million, spread over more than 90 current customers.

[goyauno]

Unglaublich........

Jeder, der das 1x1 beherrscht, und die Presse- mitteilungen der letzten Wochen und Monate gelesen hat, muß doch unweigelich feststellen, welche Perle SIGM ist!!!

Wir werden sehr viel Freude mit Sigma haben, davon bin ich fest überzeugt.

mfg

[kojote1]

bin heute wieder rein in sigma, gefällt mir nun wieder gut was hier so geht, sind wieder am unteren Rand des aufwärtstrends, nun geht´s also wieder ruff und da muss ich halt mal was einsacken

[amorphis]

[posting]19.857.332 von kojote1 am 24.01.06 18:05:43[/posting]wie?

hast du deinen bestand verkauft?ich bleibe bei kaufen und halten...nächsten monat sind die ersten shares steuerfrei...

[amorphis]

I say, "Hmmm":
by: WINTER_CFA 01/24/06 08:32 am
Msg: 92235 of 92238

As we know, our new chip customer Motorola has just agreed to buy Kreatel, a set-top maker that had used SIGM slave chips (with Geode CPUs) several years ago, but had recently turned to TXN DSP chips to get standard def triple decoding in their more recent boxes.

Most telcos have stated that they don`t believe DSPs will cut it for hi def deployments.

Well, Kreatel has just introduced their newest set-top, the IP-STB 1900, a hi def triple codec box:

http://www.kreatel.com/pressreleaser/2006_01_23_Kreatel_IP-S…

"The Kreatel IP-STB 1900 series addresses the consumer desire for high definition television (HDTV) and the operator interest in adding a broad range of services."

"The Kreatel IP-STB 1900 series also contains models with built in hard disk drives for Personal Video Recording (PVR) and hybrid models for combining IPTV with digital broadcasts over cable, satellite or terrestrial networks."

"The newly launched hardware series is integrated with the Kreatel’s set-top software platform, a central part of Kreatel’s product offering that enables easy integration with middleware solutions and applications. As the software platform is the same across all Kreatel hardware models, this new generation, based on a new chipset, can run the same integrated software solution as previously deployed set-top boxes in the operator’s network."


The phrase "based on a new chipset" sure sounds to me like Kreatel has moved to SIGM`s SMP8634. Of course, they could be using a ST Micro chip, but I doubt that very much.

Kreatel`s customer base currently includes at least Telefónica Spain, TeliaSonera Sweden, KPN and Fastweb.

[amorphis]

Hardware & PCs
Microsoft Makes Its Move
By Ronna Abramson
TheStreet.com Staff Reporter
1/24/2006 8:03 AM EST
URL: http://www.thestreet.com/tech/hardware/10263487.html

When Microsoft (MSFT:Nasdaq) invested a cool $1 billion in Comcast (CMCSA:Nasdaq) more than eight years ago, Chairman Bill Gates talked up a grand vision for a world of connected PCs and TVs.

Since then, his company`s tentacles have spread in all directions in hot pursuit, acquiring WebTV, launching the Xbox video-game console and Media Center PC, and creating a new platform called Microsoft TV IPTV, or Internet Protocol TV.

And yet, the digital living room still remains a thing of the future -- an affliction of sorts for Microsoft, given the vast sums it has spent trying to realize that vision.

Though Microsoft has misstepped, other factors have postponed the arrival of the connected home. But because of Microsoft`s ubiquitous PC presence, opportunity is still rife -- if the company can fend off expected competition from Sony (SNE:NYSE ADR) , Apple (AAPL:Nasdaq) , Google and Yahoo! (YHOO:Nasdaq) .
Windows of Opportunity

"There`s an opportunity bigger than Windows ... if they [Microsoft] can make it work," says Steve Perlman, who heads tech and media incubator Rearden.

That`s because the universe of television sets -- an estimated 250 million in the U.S. alone -- is far greater than that of PCs, where Windows dominates, says Perlman.

Perlman and many others in the industry believe that through IPTV, which delivers television programming via broadband networks, Microsoft can gain a position on the TV. What the technology has over cable and satellite is greater programming variety, faster channel changing and easier integration with other devices.

"IPTV is inevitable," says Perlman. "It will become the dominant form of information delivery, just as the Internet is becoming the dominant form of music delivery."

The big question, however, is when. Bandwidth and competition from cable and satellite providers are among the obstacles. Multimedia Research Group estimates that there will be 8.8 million IPTV subscribers in the U.S. by 2009, out of 28 million DSL subscribers.

Microsoft began peddling its IPTV software for set-top boxes in 2004 and signed up primarily telephone companies for trials in 2005. This year AT&T (T:NYSE) and Verizon (VZ:NYSE) plan to roll it out commercially, Gates said earlier at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held earlier this month in Las Vegas.

Adoption of IPTV is catching on in places such as Hong Kong, where a majority of consumers weren`t getting cable or satellite before IPTV came in, says Media Research Group senior analyst Bob Larribeau.

By contrast, the U.S. is a saturated paid TV market, with about 80% of households subscribing to satellite or cable, he says. Cable companies aren`t flocking to Microsoft`s IPTV service because they`re afraid of Microsoft strong-arming the user experience as it`s done on the PC, and they want as much as of the tens of billions of dollars they spent on their current networks as possible.

AT&T and Verizon, however, are jumping on the bandwagon, looking for new revenue to supplant their maturing wireline businesses. "The DSL guys have all the motivation in the world to innovate because telephony is being absolutely destroyed by Internet phones and cell phones," Perlman says. "It`s do-or-die for them at this point."

Cost and easier connectivity to other devices than cable or satellite TV will be major factors in wooing consumers to IPTV, says analyst Kurt Scherf of research firm Parks Associates.

"Microsoft`s advantage is it sits on 90%-plus of computers," Scherf says. "Bring in the game-console platform, and all of a sudden you get a network where the PC talks to the set-top box and the console." In addition to competition in the IPTV arena from Siemens (SI:NYSE ADR) , as well as smaller pure-plays such as SeaChange International (SEAC:Nasdaq) , industry observers say other tech bigwigs are poised to enter the fray.
Jobs Action

"If there`s one guy who is going to try to put everything together ... Steve and his team have one of the unique opportunities," Tim Bajarin, president of tech consultancy Creative Strategies, said of Apple CEO Steve Jobs at a recent digital living room conference.

"Look at the Front Row interface they created -- you can see digital living room written all over it," he added, referring to Apple`s interface for viewing digital media.

And then, of course, there`s Apple`s huge success with music and recent deals to sell video content from NBC Universal at its iTunes music store.

Similarly, Sony is in a unique position to take over the digital living room, given its position in the consumer-electronics space, the success of its PlayStation video-game console and its music and movie businesses.

And finally there`s Internet search leader Google, which announced also at CES that it will begin allowing consumers to buy videos from major content partners through its Web site.

Before IPTV, Microsoft`s rolled out the Media Center version of its Windows OS to connect TV and PCs. But Media Center PCs have gotten off to a slow start in part because they were bundled with a preinstalled TV tuner, which increased their cost, Scherf says.

Microsoft recently announced that 6.5 million Media Center PCs have shipped in three years, with 5.5 million of those shipping in just the past year.

"The important thing to understand about that is that the majority of those units are not going into the living room," adds Gartner media analyst Van Baker. He estimates that fewer than 10% of Media Center PCs are connected to a TV set. And adds that they`re still a "pretty tiny" portion of overall PC sales.

The problem: PCs simply aren`t stable enough to take over the role of the beloved TV. "If you`re in the middle of your favorite TV show and you get the blue screen of death, you`re going to go crazy," Baker says.

Despite that, Microsoft is still aiming to bring television to the PC, with announcements last week about connecting DirecTV (DTV:NYSE) video onto Windows Media Center PCs.

Playing Games

Another piece of the puzzle is Microsoft`s Xbox 360 video-game console, which can function as a media extender between the PC and television. Microsoft has spent billions to develop Xbox, which is widely viewed as more than just a way to get into the lucrative and growing video game-software market.

"If you start to dig into the functionality of that [video game] box you can turn it into a DVR, you can play games on it," says Ken Papagan, of home-video tracking firm Rentrak. "It really becomes a Trojan horse into the home that could bypass the network operators."

And analysts agree that Microsoft`s new Xbox 360 console connects nicely to Media Center PCs.

"If you want to download movies ... and stream them from the PC to the television, the Xbox is a great high-definition media adapter," Gartner`s Baker says. Trouble is, the average consumer is not willing to do the tinkering to make that work, he says.

Xbox is not a "mainstream product; it`s a niche product," Baker adds. "But it`s a healthy niche, and it`s a growing niche."

"Xbox first and foremost is a gaming platform," says Ed Graczyk, director of marketing and communications for Microsoft TV. "As great as it is, chances are my grandmother will never have an Xbox."

She may not have a PC either, and therefore is unlikely to be a candidate for Microsoft`s Media Center PCs. But, Graczyk adds, "she does have a TV."

This explains why Microsoft is reaching in so many directions in its quest to gain a spot in the living room.

[Prime555]

[Prime555]

[amorphis]

und was heißt das?

[kojote1]

ich habe der Bewertung nicht mehr getraut, doch nun hat sie ihren Test bestanden, ich habe etwas Kohle vergeudet, mit anderen Werten, und nun sind wir ja wieder in einem Boot

[amorphis]

du hast der bewertung nicht getraut?was heißt das???stimmt das was zu erwarten ist...ist die bewertung derzeit eindeutig saugünstig...

[goyauno]

Ich hab noch was.....zwecks Bewertung

FBR Conf Notes/Comments - 1
by: WINTER_CFA 06/03/05 11:28 am
Msg: 83718 of 92242

PRESENTATION - Ken Lowe, VP of Marketing/IR, gave another solid presentation yesterday at the Friedman, Billings & Ramsey Growth Conference in NYC with his updated review of the company’s fundamentals, strengths and prospects. Having seen a score of SIGM presentations over the past five years, I must say that this one was punctuated by more energy and optimism than I’ve ever seen before. A quote early in the presentation was “SIGM has had tremendous success engaging with the largest companies in each of its five market segments.”

Most of the slides Ken showed were either identical or very similar to those used (and still available for viewing at SIGM’s home page) at the Needham Growth Conference held back in January. Exceptions to this, as reviewed below, were the charts reviewing SIGM’s general chip families and five business segments.

The slide titled “Sigma’s Media Processor Chipsets” divided the firm’s core offerings into three distinct groups with the 8500 series being the low cost standard-def solution, the 8620 series being the midrange high-def market entry solution and the 8630 being the high performance solution. The latter series was described as having ground-breaking security and a transistor count of 40 million.

The slide reviewing SIGM’s IPTV business listed telco market opportunities as being “SBC, KT (Korea Telecom), Softbank, ChinaTel and (“many”) Others” and non-telcos ones (“which will hit in the 2H of this year”) as being “DaveTV plus 2 Others.” As recently discussed in SIGM’s 1Q conference call, these two others are said to be major consumer brand providers that already have some form of service offering with substantial content. SIGM estimates the CY2006 market for this business to be 3 million units and expects it to double in the following year. Key customers mentioned were “LG Electronics, Wegener, Samsung, UTStarcom, Amino, plus 2 Others.” SIGM stated that it hopes to be able to announce the two others customers “in the 2H of this year.” Regarding its competitive position, SIGM estimates its current market share to be at least 70% and said that it hopes to hold on to at least 50% of this market as it moves to a mainstream one. Regarding expected contribution to results, SIGM expects a revenue ramp starting in the 2H of its current year.

The slide reviewing SIGM’s digital media adapter (DMA) business listed market opportunities as being created by several events. First, prior difficulties associated with installing and using many of these boxes are expected to end soon as most become universal plug and play devices. Second, the addition of big-name marketing in the 2H of this year is going to add market education to the above factor. SIGM estimates the CY2006 market for this business to be over 1 million units. Key customers mentioned were “Sharp, Onkyo, Kiss Technology, Sony, Denon, IO Data, D-Link, Pinnacle, and Viewsonic” and added that it expects to announce 3 more customers of this level in the 2H of this year. Regarding its competitive position, SIGM estimates its current market share to be 80%. Regarding expected contribution to results, SIGM expects a revenue ramp starting in the 2H of its current year.

[kojote1]

es war ein sehr guter Zeitpunkt einzusteigen, sieht nach einem neuen Anlauf auf ATH aus,weiter so

[amorphis]

IPTV continues to build steam:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/25/06 06:14 pm
Msg: 92269 of 92269

1) "Denmark`s TDC Chooses Alcatel for Global IPTV and Triple Play Deployment"

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060125/daw039.html?.v=40

"Alcatel is a leader in the fast-growing triple play market and is currently involved in more than 30 triple play projects worldwide."

Also:

http://www.telecomweb.com/news/1138217474.htm

"So far, TDC has not disclosed details of where it will get its set-top boxes."

We may not know which box will get this deal, but I have a pretty good idea of what will be inside it.

2) "Microsoft: LatAm to see IPTV services offered in 2006"

http://www.bnamericas.com/story.jsp?sector=2¬icia=342399&…

"US IT giant Microsoft is working with the major telcos in the region on IPTV projects varying from research and development, to trials and proof of concept, Cortrim said."

"This year, we will see early adopters develop projects all across Latin America, with Brazil and Argentina being the most advanced," said Cortrim."

"Microsoft has recently signed with one major telco in the region for IPTV services, but cannot disclose the name of the client at the moment," Cortrim said."

"Alcatel`s Brazilian unit will be responsible for the hardware, such as customer premises set-top boxes, while Microsoft`s Brazilian unit will deliver the server infrastructure and data hosting."

See #1 above for set-top opinion here also.

3) "KOREA: Minister calls for early IP-TV launch"

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=37847

As SIGM remains well positioned for any deployment at Korea Telecom, any pickup here is an obvious positive.

[amorphis]

SIGM`s PMP win list also grows:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/26/06 01:42 pm
Msg: 92284 of 92291

New wins in this space:

1) Sigmatek PMP-300 (nice looking unit):

http://www.sigmatekcomputer.com/products.php?lang=se&p=pmp30…

2) Infinity Industrial MP-8012:

http://www.hk-infinity.com/sdp/199248/4/pd-1089464/1846592-5…

3) Qrisma MP0200:

http://www.qrisma.com/products_mp0200.html

4) Future Corporation SK-1001:

http://www.future.sicily.it/elettronica/lettorimp4/lettorimp…

5) Magic Vision Magicgate:

http://www.e-magicvision.com/pdDetail.html?PDid=63&reurl=re

6) IT168 Meeto P10:

http://publish.it168.com/2006/0120/20060120014601.shtml?posi…


In the PMP space, I now have SIGM in over 65 different makers` boxes. Most of these might be no-name brands to us, but these are the ones that are flooding the Far Eastern markets (and Europe to a lessor degree) where the downloading of portable video continues to gain mass popularity.

[amorphis]

Re: SIGM`s PMP win list also grows:
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 01/26/06 02:22 pm
Msg: 92286 of 92291

Let`s keep in mind SIGM`s comments at the recent Needham conference where the slide titled “PMPs Taking Off in Asia" stated that “Volume coming in now through next year” and had the following comment of interest: “Recently, China has also adopted our PMP designs and we are seeing some fairly significant volumes in China for local use.”

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=91868

[amorphis]

EM8620L DMA use spreads:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/26/06 11:59 am
Msg: 92278 of 92291

Confirmed or almost certain wins here:

1) ASUS (part of Asustek, Taiwan`s largest PC/board maker with annual sales of over $10B) offers the AS862 DMA with a DVD player included:

http://www.kensei-news.com/cetc/publish/residentail_systems/…
http://www.mpcclub.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&si…

2) PC giant Lenovo offers the E3000, a box with SIGM`s specs written all over it:

http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/PC-to-TV-converter/a/900…

The firm`s tough-to-translate website...

http://appserver.lenovo.com/product/channel/product_detail.a…

...mentions the use of an "advanced hardware decoder chip which supports 1080i movies"

This is a SIGM win for sure, IMO.

3) Hisense, another major Chinese player, offers a new unnamed DMA:

http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/PC-to-TV-converter/a/900…

Can`t find this one on the firm`s websites yet, but the specs (wireless, Linux-based, WMV etc) strongly suggest SIGM.

4) Here are 2 more new ones which use SIGM:

The Neodigits X3620:

http://www.neodigits.com/body/product/X3620/feature.asp
http://www.neodigits.com/esupport/index.php?_a=knowledgebase… _i=190&nav=+%26gt%3B+%3Ca+href%3D%27index.php%3F_a%3Dknowledgebase%26_j%3Dsubcat %26_i%3D22%27%3EHelios+X3620+HD+Ready+Multi-media+DVD+Player%3C%2Fa%3E

The Pixel Magic HD Mediabox:

http://www.pixelmagicsystems.com/products/media_players/hd_m…
http://www.pixelmagicforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=846


By my count, I now have over 50 different box makers actively using EM862xL chips in either DMAs or DVD players.

[amorphis]

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtm…

dürfte sich gut auswirken....

[amorphis]

Disney`s Moviebeam is reloading:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/27/06 12:00 pm
Msg: 92299 of 92299

They are looking for a number of people:

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/Company-Profiles/M/MovieBeam-Inc_53…

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs/CA/Burbank/Engineering-Archite… =Asi3c4z5Cgw1G95bsVUOsPCxQ6IX

"This individual will be directing and providing direct review of the contracted efforts of large and small organizations performing to contracts on the MovieBeam STB."

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs/CA/Burbank/Manufacturing-Opera… =AmgL4fW0FL7ZiElezPg9MkaxQ6IX

"Must have 5 to 7 years experience with video compression formats for broadcast and digital media platforms such as: JPEG, MPEG, VC1, H.261, DV, and other video compression and decompression techniques"


If you go the the Moviebeam site...

http://www.moviebeam.com/index.jsp

... you will see the following:

"We`re currently updating and expanding the best on-demand movie service in America.

We look forward to bringing you news about new MovieBeam features and services very soon.

To keep updated on our progress and to find out when MovieBeam will be available in your area, please enter your email address below."



The only questions in my mind on Moviebeam relate to when it rolls out and which SIGM-powered set-top design it uses.

[amorphis]

IPTV win very likely here:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/27/06 11:18 am
Msg: 92298 of 92300

"Amaru Gets Into IPTV"

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=87690&WT.svl…

"Amaru Inc. (Pink Sheets:AMRU - News), through its Singapore-based subsidiary M2B World Pte. Ltd. and its Hollywood-based company M2B World Inc., together with its technology partner Zentek Technology Singapore (Zentek), announced the launch of a Global IPTV service that will offer consumers 40 channels of video on-demand (VOD) content delivered to their television screens via a broadband connection. Reflecting the brand`s continuing promise to offer the latest in entertainment delivery solutions, it has also announced that it expects to roll-out the first of 10,000 units of its set-top boxes in June of 2006 as well, jointly aimed at US and Singaporean consumers. While all of the content for the Global IPTV service will be exclusively provided by M2B World, on the technology side the company is partnering Zentek Technology Singapore (Zentek) for the design of the set-top boxes and for technical service support to customers on a worldwide basis. Zentek is a subsidiary of Zentek Technology Group, a Japan-listed company, and is an integrated solutions provider for digital TV, IPTV, wireless broadband, mobile phone and car entertainment devices."


FYI, Zentek gets its IP-set-tops via ZenTcom, a joint venture with SIGM customer Celrun (prev known as Tcom&DTVRo):

http://www.zentek.com/product_digitaltv_ipstb.htm
http://celrunweb.nanuminet.co.kr/eng/inves/subsidiary.asp
http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=87365

Most of the STBs here use one SIGM chip or another.

[amorphis]

"Amazon Goes to the Video"
by: WINTER_CFA 01/27/06 02:20 pm
Msg: 92308 of 92319

http://www.thestreet.com/_googlen/tech/internet/10264720.htm… cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA

"Amazon.com...is planning to expand its digital offerings this year with a service that will marry digital downloads and DVD sales, according to Variety."

"Amazon is considering several options for its service, including one that would allow people to download a digital copy of a film for free and then apply that charge toward a credit for a DVD purchase. Another idea is to allow someone to view a movie on their computer while they are waiting for a DVD that they`ve purchased to arrive, Variety says."

"Amazon`s plans for digital media will be of interest to investors when the company reports earnings on Feb. 2."

This website mentions an April launch:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1497


IMO, this could be an ideal fit for an established DMA supplier such as D-Link.

[kiska]

[posting]19.921.489 von amorphis am 28.01.06 00:47:59[/posting]Moin amorphis,

leistest hier im Thread sehr gute Arbeit. Konnte mir nich die gesamten 1080 Postings durchlesen, aber Respekt!

Könntest Du mir mal eine kurze Zusammenfassung der Fakten geben und Deine Einschätzung zu den Zukunftsaussichten von Sigma geben.

Hoffe wir begegnen uns noch öfters im anderen Thread.

kiska

Unabhängig davon stelle ich nachher mal ein Chartbild ohne Wertung rein.

[kiska]

[kiska]

Nur auf die Schnelle, ist m.E. noch Luft.

[amorphis]

[posting]19.921.938 von kiska am 28.01.06 05:46:26[/posting]ich werde dir dieses we auf jeden fall noch ausführlich auf deine frage antworten....kein problem!hab nur leider grade andere wichtige dinge um die ich mich kümmern muss...und weiß nicht wie lang sich das noch in die länge ziehen wird.

ganz kurz zu sigma design...

sigma design ist absoluter marktführer in einem gerade neu entstehenden markt...und wenn ich jetzt schreibe das das marktvolumen gigantisch ist...und ebenfalls das wachstum in den nächsten jahren gigantisch sein wird...dann übertreibe ich in keinster weise!mit den chips, welche diese firma herstellt, ist man dabei in mehreren wachstumsmärkten vorne bzw. ganz vorne mit dabei...

das reicht von DMA`s (guck mal auf http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/67954) bis hin zu mobile-media-playern und IPTV (das wird ganz groß!!!)

warum iptv und der bereich der dma`s so gewinnbringend für sigm werden...auch hier nur ganz kurz...aktuelle schätzungen gehen von über 200 millionen haushalten weltweit aus...welche iptv nutzen werden...und das bis 2010!um iptv zu empfangen benötigt man eine settop box...die nötigen chips dafür...

(und es sind derzeit die einzigen, die den anforderungen von microsoft gerecht werden (zusammen mit deren "iptv-software" reibungslos laufen), was einer der schlüssel für den erfolg sigma design`s ist, da microsoft sich einen ganz großen batzen des multi-milliardenmarktes bereits gesichert hat - und wer msft kennt weiß...welche marktmacht diese ausüben können!)

...liefert sigma design...mit derzeit über 70% marktanteil!

wettbewerber sind zum beispiel eine stm,cnxt,etc...umso erstaunlicher der marktanteil sigma design`s...vgl die bewertung einer stm mit den "läppischen" knapp 350 millionen $ einer sigma design!

auch in meinem kurzen fazit möchte ich sicher nicht den wert sigma design pushen...ich gebe dir meine persönliche einschätzung zur aktie...

wer zu diesen kursen anfängt positionen aufzubauen...der kann eigentlich nicht verlieren. eigentlich schliesse ich ein verlustszenario zu 100% aus...sigm ist meine 2. größte position...und du könntest jetzt vielleicht denken..."ok-wer seit 6€ dabei ist, der hat leicht reden"...aber es ist eine einschätzung...die sich in den letzten 12 monaten durch unzählige berichte, artikel und studien sowie diskussionen mit us-aktionären gebildet hat...

sigm ist eine chance von mehr als 500% vom jetztigen niveau...ich hab schon oft das wort "tenbagger" für sigm verwendet...dabei gehe ich allerdings von meinem einstiegsniveau aus!

guck dir eine ovti an...diese firma hat damals vom aufkommenden digicam-boom profitiert...deren chips waren in vielen kameras...was die aktie in den jahren (vor allem) 2002-2004 gemacht hat...siehst du selbst...


man...jetzt ist die antwort doch länger geworden als eingeplant...hoffe ich hab dir für den einstieg geholfen!

greez

[amorphis]

More on SIGM-powered TVs:
by: WINTER_CFA 01/30/06 09:57 am
Msg: 92329 of 92330

Digitrex now lists their 3 SIGM-powered Hi Def Network TVs on their US website (for newcomers, see post #80170 for mention of this win):

http://www.digitrexusa.com/PFS.php

Another recent comment about them:

http://www.hometheatermag.com/news/012806digitrex/

Still waiting to hear more about products from Acer (AT3705W-MGW), HP (SLC3760N), Fujitsu (Myrica Media TV) and possibly Philips, all of which are likely SIGM-powered, IMO.

[Fruehrentner]

@amorphis,

vielen Dank für deine ausführliche Zusammenfassung aus #1084!

Super Arbeit und Hilfe für jeden, der an SIGMA D. interessiert ist!

[MCMB]

@amorphis

auch von mir ein Dankeschön für die Zusammenfassung. Bin seit 8€ dabei dein Bericht hat mich in meiner Entscheidung nochmal bestätigt. Vor allem hast du nicht hochgestochen mit Zahlen rumgeworfen sondern mit einfachen Worten die Chancen die dieser Wert hat erklärt.

[amorphis]

#1086/87...no prob ihr zwo...

mcmb...wildes-hochgestochenes-jonglieren mit zahlen ist auch nicht gerade mein leibgericht...

[goyauno]

Hi, Amorphis,
kannst Du Dir ein Reim daraus machen, warum seit ein paar Tagen die 50tsd zu 15,42$ bei ASK nicht bedient werden????

Oder sehe ich da was falsch?

Danke.

[goyauno]

Sorry, ich meine natürlich aus dem BID!

[kiska]

Hi amorphis,

hab mich gestern mit einem Freund, der seit längerer Zeit in der Aktie ist, über Sigma unterhalten.
In Europa ist die Infrastruktur so gut ausgebaut, dass IPTV
hier nicht der grosse Renner werden dürfte. Die Märkte dürften demnach Amerkia, Afrika und Asien sein. Stimmt das so in etwa?

Gruß

kiska

[hahel]

Guten abend.
Finde es wirklich grandios wie Sigma seit Tagen um die
16$ pendelt.
Hoffe, dass hält sich bis zum Quartalsbericht so.
Und dann darf der Kurs ruhig eine "Schippe" zulegen.
Bis dann, Grüße an alle Investierten, besonders an Amorphis

[hahel]

@ kiska.
Ich antworte einmal (meine Einschätzung), obwohl amorphis alles über SIGMA kennt und super Infos in den Thread stellt. Ohne Ihn wäre ich nicht dabei.
Sehe das auch so, Europa wird eventuell nicht der Renner werden. Aber USA und Asien bieten meiner Meinung nach ein bedeutend höheres Potential an Nutzern. Daher sehe ich das nicht besonders kritisch.

[amorphis]

[posting]19.980.862 von kiska am 31.01.06 20:10:29[/posting]In Europa ist die Infrastruktur so gut ausgebaut, dass IPTV
hier nicht der grosse Renner werden dürfte.


wie meinst du das?

soweit ich weiß geht die telekom mit t-online bald ihrem ersten projekt nach...europa wird nicht zu unterschätzen sein...asien und die usa sind zunächste aber mal der renner...that`s right...

[hahel]

@ amorphis,
wollte damit sagen ,dass Europa in der Projektierung etwas hinterherhinkt. War doch eigentlich immer so. Alles Gute (McDoof, Coke, etc.)aus den USA braucht seine Zeit bis es in "Good old Europe" angekommen ist. Asien ist deutlich schneller in der Umsetzung. Keine politisch relevanten Verfahren wenn es als gut erachtet wird. Siehe Google, haben sich auch mit den Chinesen arrangiert, ob das gut ist, das ist eine andere Frage. Sofort das beste.
Schau doch mal BRD/DDR, im Westen wurde noch in schmuddeligen gelben Zellen mit Münzen telefoniert, da waren im Osten pronto magentafarbene Zellen mit Kartenzahlung etc. eingerichtet. In Asien herrscht m.E. ein erheblicher Nachholbedarf. Die Menschen lechzen nach Technik und Kommunikation (wer es sich leisten kann und politisch korrekt nicht auffällt). Aber der erste Chinese steht unter den Top 10 der Milliardäre. Wenn Asien nicht vergisst auf die Unter-/Mittelschicht zu achten, die Umwelt nicht aus den Augen zu verliert, ist das ein Potential was gewaltig ist. Die Frage ist nur wo Europas Wirtschaft dann bleibt.

[Fruehrentner]

@amorphis,

sorry, kurzes off-topic: bist du eigentlich noch in PDLI?

Was ist dein Kursziel in US Dollar auf Sicht der kommenden 6-12 Monate?

[amorphis]

[posting]19.983.547 von hahel am 31.01.06 22:07:57[/posting]In Europa ist die Infrastruktur so gut ausgebaut, dass IPTV
hier nicht der grosse Renner werden dürfte.

nochmal der satz....

"so gut ausgebaut"


????

[amorphis]

[posting]19.983.882 von Fruehrentner am 31.01.06 22:21:21[/posting]ja halte pdli weiter...bin da schon seit 11 oder 12€ dabei...hab meinen einsatz mitlerweile aus pdli gezogen der rest bleibt wohl länger dabei!bis jahresende halte ich kurse von 40-50$ für möglich!

[hahel]

@amorphis,
hatte mich verbessert. Nicht das die Infrastruktur in Europa gut ausgebaut ist in bezug auf IPTV, sondern das es in Europa eigentlich immer lange dauert bis etwas umgesetzt wird. Zu wenig unternehmerisches Risiko, jahrelange politische Diskussionen, Amerika und Asien simd in dieserer Hinsicht einfach schneller. Natürlich oftmals zu Lasten der normalen Arbeitnehmerschaft. Jedesmal verspüre ich fast körperliche Schmerzen wenn Entwicklungen in Deutschland und Europa verschlafen werden. Auf Dauer macht es sich für das Land welches die Neuerungen annimmt positiv bemwerkbar, immer unter Berücksichtigung des durchschnittlichen Arbeitnehmers, denn der ist ist welcher Steuern in die Staatskase spült. Nun aber genug geschwafel, meine Götttergatttin kommt gleich nach Hause und es bahnt es eine Krise an wenn ich dann noch am Pc sitze. Grüße aus Bocholt und gute Nacht.

[goyauno]

update on project lightspeed
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 01/31/06 04:54 pm
Msg: 92355 of 92355

AT&T confirmed today that it is on track to scale Project Lightspeed service starting in mid-2006, reaching 21 markets by year`s end. Project Lightspeed is AT&T`s next-generation network deployment to bring integrated, IP-based video, Internet access and communications services to customers, including a first-of-its-kind video entertainment service. AT&T began a controlled market launch of the service in December 2005. Customers are seeing bandwidth speeds of at least 20-25 megabits per second, which will deliver four streams of high-quality video - including one HD stream.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060131/20060131005857.html?.v=1

At the recent Needham investment conference, SIGM confirmed that AT&T is now using a SIGM-powered Tatung box for its pre-rollout trial and that this box could have deployment opportunities elsewhere.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=91869

AT&T will eventually be using set top boxes from Motorola and Scientific Atlanta which will also use SIGM chips. At the recent Needham investment conference, the slide titled “IPTV Is Coming On Strong” had the following comment of interest: “There are a lot of other deployments that we can not show you yet and some of these will start deploying in volume soon.”

The slide titled “Sigma’s IPTV Momentum” now lists Scientific Atlanta as a key set-top customer (along with Motorola, Philips and UTStarcom) and stated that the SMP8634 was now in production. The comment of interest here: “The Motorola and Scientific Atlanta set-tops, besides going into Microsoft platforms, have designs with Sigma going into other markets.”

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=91867

[kiska]

[posting]19.983.096 von amorphis am 31.01.06 21:51:04[/posting]Amorphis und Hahel, danke Euch für die Antworten. Meine Frage sollte nicht negativ bewertet werden. Wachstums- und bevölkerungsmäßig ist Europa ja zur Zeit nicht der große Motor. Zukunftstechnik wird aus unserem Blickwinkel ja meist negativ gesehen. Vor zwanzig Jahren haben auch die meisten Leute übers Internet gelächelt und waren der Meinung, dass das nur eine Technik für einen elitären Kreis wäre.

Ich hab mir mal die Charttechnik angeschaut und die sieht kurzfristig nicht sehr schlecht aus.

kiska

[amorphis]

sigm könnte heute wieder über 17$ schließen...

What AT&T said/showed yesterday:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/01/06 11:03 am
Msg: 92372 of 92379

The replay can be found at the firm`s website (www.sbc.com) and the slides used (all 169 pages of them) can be found here:

http://library.corporate-ir.net/library/11/113/113088/items/… df

The slides about Lightspeed are on pages 96 through 113. Page 112 shows the features of the scaled launch that is "on target for Mid-2006."

Comments of interest from the presentation (found about 2.5 hours into the replay):

“We’re seeing speeds of at least 20-25 megabits per second, even more in shorter loop lengths, sufficient to provide 4 streams of high quality video including one high definition screen, high speed Internet access and, in the future, voice over IP service. In addition, pair bonding and compression improvements will give us the ability to offer multiple high definition streams, which we expect to deliver in mid to late 2007.”

“We expect to pass roughly 3 million homes by the end of the year, ramp quickly to 9 million by the end of 2007 and 18 million by the end of 2008.”

“We are meeting key milestones.”

“Customers can watch 4 simultaneous video streams and can channel surf without leaving the program they are watching.”

“Obtaining content is not an issue.”

“We will scale the service to 20 markets by year end.”

“At this point, any challenges we meet are being measured in days and weeks, not months.”

“We’re through the pressure stage of unexpected surprises.”



Thus, the AT&T Lightspeed project is seemingly ready to go for this year (contrary to ongoing skepticism by many sell-side analysts and industry pundits alike) and SIGM looks to be the only chip for now that will power deployment-volume boxes from Motorola (the respective chip and set-top solutions apparently specified for version 1.1 of Microsoft`s IPTV system).

What this one project will ultimately contribute to SIGM`s sales this year is still dependent on a number of factors, but I`m feeling better and better about my $80 million sales and $0.80 EPS estimates for the period. Remember, a number of other large Microsoft IPTV projects are closely watching this one`s progress and many of these are looking to follow with their own rollouts in short order.

[goyauno]

Institutional buying
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/02/06 09:50 am
Msg: 92400 of 92413

Q4 institutional filings are due Feb. 15 and are now starting to trickle in. I see that in Q4 the California Public Employees pension fund doubled its position in SIGM with a 40,000 share buy.

http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/Holdings.asp?FormType=institutiona… ed=SIGM

Buying by institutions like this will keep this stock moving.
Byron

[goyauno]

THE GURU`S CORNER

Rising stars
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Last Update: 12:43 PM ET Feb. 2, 2006
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SIGM16.05, -0.55, -3.3%) , for example. After having vacillated back and forth for several years, Sigma has finally broken out across multi-year highs going back more than a decade and is trading at its highest level since 1993.
One reason why I`m impressed is that the advance has not gotten ahead of itself. The up-channel has been steep (about 45 degrees in the last three months) but steady, with the stock making orderly pullbacks to its moving averages before making higher highs.

Projecting out four to six weeks along the middle of the rising channel, the target would be 21-22, which is also the all-time high going back to the late 1980s. A break of that level would lead to my next target towards the top of the channel around 30.

Obvious major support exists at the multi-year highs that were recently taken out in the 13 zone. Any pullback to there, especially on low volume, would be an opportunity to add to positions, although a break below 13 on strong volume would be a warning sign.

[amorphis]

More from Amaru/Zentek:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/02/06 03:51 pm
Msg: 92417 of 92418

As mentioned in post #92298, SIGM is very likely the decoder solution in this project and this official PR talks larger numbers:

http://www.m2bworld.com/corporate/press/2701200601.pdf

"Amaru Inc and its M2B World subsidiaries target to ship 250,000 set-top boxes worldwide within this year. The set-top box is pre bundled with a monthly subscription for the 40 channels of content. Consumers will be able to order online and from local retail channels. Further details of the subscription plan and content line-up will be released by the end of February together with preview screenings to the media."

Now we`re talking about one year sales of roughly $5 million for SIGM if this larger number of units is shipped.

[amorphis]

Netflix is reloading on VOD...
by: WINTER_CFA 02/02/06 08:47 am
Msg: 92398 of 92418

...if these job postings from them are any indication of future plans:

http://jobs.netflix.com/DetailFlix.asp?flix1147
http://jobs.netflix.com/DetailFlix.asp?flix1168
http://jobs.netflix.com/DetailFlix.asp?flix1164

"Department: Electronic Delivery Service"

"Knowledge in video compression formats such as: WMV-9, VC-1 WMA, WMA-Pro, MPEG2, H.264, 5.1 audio technologies and other video/audio compression technologies."

"Interfacing with middleware and device driver components within a Linux-based environment."

"5+ years of developing software for Consumer Electronics products or Embedded Systems with limited CPU and RAM resources."

SIGM inferred back in the fall, via some descriptive comments, that NFLX was a VOD win for them. If this service, previously delayed largely due to studio permission issues (in NFLX`s own words), is launched by them later this year, this could certainly add to SIGM`s 2H numbers.

[amorphis]

Re: winter, if you would be so kind as t
by: WINTER_CFA 02/02/06 09:17 am
Msg: 92399 of 92418

SIGM cited work by TDG Research back in September showing average North American IPTV subscribers having 2.7 TVs each and thus needing 2.7 decoders (i.e. chips).

My current guess is that SIGM will sell the SMP8634 for about $25 in volume.

Homes passed equals total addressable market. Comments by some in the industry indicate that a conservative take rate from this would be at least 10%. Many others think it will be 20% or more, however, and Verizon hit this number in just 3 months with the first town to use its Fios TV service:

http://www.verizon-media.com/iweb/news/20060106.shtml

[amorphis]

Re: Sigma Rising Star
by: jm15670
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/02/06 07:55 pm
Msg: 92418 of 92418

Harry Boxer mentioned SIGM on Winning on Wall Street tonigh. Harry says SIGMA will be a steady Eddy for now but thinks it will eventually spike to 35-40 where he will get out.

[amorphis]

http://www.forbes.com/investmentnewsletters/2006/02/01/cisco…

aus dem forbes magazine...

That`s the consensus, but I think Silicon Valley is wrong. What Silicon Valley misses is the premise of my EZchip choice from the beginning, namely widespread deployment of broadband and high-definition everywhere. Silicon Valley is building for a world of television and data, but the world is moving toward life after television, where video is just another form of data on the network. Every node in the enterprise and metro is going to have to switch at ten gigabits per second to handle the sea change in the network from narrowband voice and slow-data applications to various forms of full-motion video. It`s this change that will create large markets for Broadcom, Sigma Designs (nasdaq: SIGM - news - people ), Texas Instruments (nyse: TXN - news - people ), Corning (nyse: GLW - news - people ) and much of the rest of our list. It will also create volume markets for ten-gig NPUs.

[kojote1]

wäre mal wieder an der Zeit für ein deutliches Zeichen
am Freitag steigen sie am liebsten und das gaaaaaaaaaanz hoch

[amorphis]

jepp mein lieber kojote...deine rufe wurden erhört...sigm probt den aufstand nach oben...

so...winter greift heute das thema deutschland auf...ich habs also doch richtig mitbekommen...iptv in europa wird auch einiges für sigm abwerfen...das wird jetzt auch drüben diskutiert....

hier winters post...

DT might be big for SIGM:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/03/06 08:33 am
Msg: 92421 of 92441

Deutsche Telekom is just months away from rolling out its impressive 50Mb/s fiber optic network:

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=88136&WT.svl…

"Deutsche Telekom will connect the first 10 cities in Germany to the new, hyper-fast broadband network in the middle of this year...The Group will then offer initial services in the course of the year"

"Based on the high-definition television standard"

"The high-speed network will enable IPTV services, for example, television on the Internet. Initial field trials involving television companies have already been successfully completed. "There can be no doubt for me that television will be a key element of our triple-play services. We will offer a broad range of free-of-charge and relevant TV channels. This includes movies on demand", said Raizner."

"Exclusive content, such as the games of the German Bundesliga, will play a central role. That is why Deutsche Telekom acquired the IP rights (live transmission and post production) for the new three seasons of the first and second Bundesliga divisions from the German soccer association at the end of last year. This makes it possible for Deutsche Telekom to offer its customers a full soccer package, as do other providers, except that this will be available on demand. This means fans will be able to see "their" team`s game, anytime they want. As the German soccer association will make one game per game day available in HDTV quality, the new fiber-optic network will be able to show its advantages to the full, said Raizner. The goal is furthermore to offer customers a large range of around 100 free and pay TV stations via our high-speed network in the second half of 2006."

As we know, DT has signed up with MSFT:

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,122466,00.asp


This could, IMO, be yet another significent sales generator for SIGM as 2006 progresses with the only questrion being whose SIGM-powered set-top will be used.

[amorphis]

Re: Disney`s Moviebeam is reloading:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/03/06 11:51 am
Msg: 92438 of 92441

The following are excerpts from a Bloomberg article from earlier this morning (no URL is available) regarding Disney`s Moviebeam project:

"Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Walt Disney Co. raised almost $53million in a private sale of MovieBeam stock to reinvigorate the digital video-rental service it suspended last year. Disney, the No. 2 U.S. media company, sold preferred shares to 15 investors including Cisco Systems Inc., Intel Corp., Mayfield Fund and Norwest Venture Partners, according to a Jan. 19 notice filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission."

"MovieBeam`s Web site says the company is currently updating and expanding the best on-demand movie service in America."

"Interest in video-on-demand has increased in part because of Disney`s decision last year to make some of its ABC network`s top-rated television programs, including Desperate Housewives and Lost, available through Apple Computer Inc.`s iPod player. ABC also invested in MovieBeam`s share sale."


The financing at this point suggests to me that Moviebeam is poised to further build out infrastructure and/or acquire set-top inventory.

[Binford-Power]

Hi amorphis,

zum Glück hab ich Sigma behalten!

Dies hier hast Du schon gepostet oder? bei http://www.marketwatch.com

By Harry Boxer, The Technical Trader
Last Update: 12:43 PM ET Feb. 2, 2006

Legendary trader Jesse Livermore once said, "Buy high and sell higher!" I couldn`t agree more. No use looking to catch a falling knife. Rather, catch a rising star!

Like Sigma Designs for example. After having vacillated back and forth for several years, Sigma has finally broken out across multi-year highs going back more than a decade and is trading at its highest level since 1993.

One reason why I`m impressed is that the advance has not gotten ahead of itself. The up-channel has been steep (about 45 degrees in the last three months) but steady, with the stock making orderly pullbacks to its moving averages before making higher highs.

Projecting out four to six weeks along the middle of the rising channel, the target would be 21-22, which is also the all-time high going back to the late 1980s. A break of that level would lead to my next target towards the top of the channel around 30.

Obvious major support exists at the multi-year highs that were recently taken out in the 13 zone. Any pullback to there, especially on low volume, would be an opportunity to add to positions, although a break below 13 on strong volume would be a warning sign.

[TradiVolki]

Hallo,

kann mir einer erklären, was da die letzte halbe Stunde an der Nasdaq mit unserem Wert los war? Der ist ja regelrecht in die Knie gegangen (bei einem sehr hohen Volumen) und dann langsam wieder nach oben.

[amorphis]

[posting]20.037.242 von TradiVolki am 03.02.06 22:24:54[/posting]Looks like a mistake to me
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/03/06 05:06 pm
Msg: 92466 of 92477

I can`t tell for sure what happend right before the close but to me it looks like a mistake. I`m reminded of what happened in Tokyo a couple of months ago. The brokerage arm of Mizuho bank put in sell orders for 610,000 shares of a stock at one yen instead of one share at 610,000 yen. The blunder cost Mizuho at least $224 million, and probably more. Ouch!

http://www.rte.ie/business/2005/1209/japan.html

[kojote1]

schon misteriös gewesen, aber wir haben ja im kleinen Plus geschlossen, und so sehe ich den aufwärtstrend bestätigt. Solche Tage muss man einfach überstehen,vielleicht findet man ja noch mehr raus

[miristegal]

ich glaube , dies gehört auch hier

#6937 von prof19 Benutzerinfo Nachricht an Benutzer Beiträge des Benutzers ausblenden 05.02.06 23:08:56 Beitrag Nr.: 20.056.340
Dieses Posting: versenden | melden | drucken | Antwort schreiben
einen Beitrag nach unten
Telefónica kauft Online-Senderechte für RTL-Kanäle

Hamburg (dpa) - Die Telekom-Konzerne rüsten sich für das Internet- Fernsehen. Die spanische Telefónica hat sich die Online- Übertragungsrechte für die RTL-Senderfamilie gesichert. Der Telekom- Konzern und die Gruppe, zu der neben RTL auch Vox, Super RTL und RTL II gehören, hätten einen «Kabeleinspeisevertrag zur Weiterverwendung über DSL» abgeschlossen, bestätigen RTL-Manager dem «Spiegel».

Der Start sei für das zweite Halbjahr 2006 geplant. Telefónica bezahle RTL eine Gebühr für jeden IPTV nutzenden DSL-Kunden. RTL verhandele zudem mit weiteren Anbietern, darunter der Telekom, schreibt das Nachrichtenmagazin. Auch ProSiebenSat.1, ARD und ZDF bestätigen Gespräche mit mehreren großen Telekommunikationsfirmen.

Mit den schnellen DSL-Verbindungen kann Fernsehen auch über das Internet ohne Qualitätseinbußen digital verbreitet werden. IPTV (Internet-Protocoll-TV) gilt als kommender Wachstumsmarkt als Teil so genannter «Tripple-Play»-Angebote, die auch schnelle Online-Zugänge und Internet-Telefonie umfassen. Die Deutsche Telekom sicherte sich vor einigen Wochen die Rechte für Internet-Übertragungen von Bundesliga-Spielen. Da sie allerdings keine Sendelizenz hat, wird sie sich um Partner bemühen müssen.

Die Wirtschaftszeitung «Euro am Sonntag» berichtete unter Berufung auf Firmenkreise, die Telekom führe erste Gespräche mit dem Medienunternehmen EM.TV, dessen Tochter Plazamedia die technische Produktion der Fußball-Übertragungen übernehmen könnte. Plazamedia produziert Sportsendungen für den Bezahlsender Premiere, unter anderem Übertragungen der Champions League. Premiere hatte die Pay- TV-Rechte für die nächste Bundesliga-Saison an ein Konsortium von Kabelnetzbetreibern mit dem Namen Arena verloren. Dem «Euro am Sonntag» zufolge treffen sich Vertreter von Arena und der Deutschen Fußball-Liga (DFL) Mitte Februar zu einem klärenden Gespräch. Arena erreicht bisher unter anderem nicht die erforderte Abdeckung von 40 Prozent der deutschen Haushalte.

---------------------------------------------

mein KOMMENTAR:

Internet und Fernsehen werden zukünftig stärker und schneller miteinander verschmelzen, als dies bisher öffentlich wahrgenommen wurde. Langfristig ist das Internet die Kommunikationsmaschine No 1, egal ob es nun um den Abruf von Nachrichten, das Anschauen von Spielfirmen und Sportsendungen, oder das Telefonieren geht.

Mit der zunehmenden Miniaturisierung (zB i-pod und noch vielseitigere Geräte) muss man auch das mobile Internet in diese Überlegungen mit einbeziehen.

Grüße, Prof19


prof ich hoffe, du hast nix gegen das reinstellen. bin in SIGM investiert und meine , das schnelle übermittlung v. infos für alle v. vorteil ist

MFG

[amorphis]

Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/06/06 03:39 pm
Msg: 92500 of 92501

1) Lung Hwa, a Taiwanese OEM of size and a SIGM set-top chip customer in prior
years, is now offering 2 new set-top models using SIGM`s EM8622L triple-codec chip (the "8623" used in the specs below are clearly typos):

http://www.lunghwa.com.tw/s179.html
http://www.lunghwa.com.tw/s279.html

Interesting to see the 8622 coupled with a PowerPC chip.

2) Celrun, a SIGM chip customer, is selling a majority stake of its CelrunTV division to Hanaro, a large Korean telecom player. Hanaro plans to pump up this business to compete against Korea Telecom in the IPTV space:

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200602/200602060…

As we found out last year, the CelrunTV box is powered by a SIGM EM8622L:

http://www.zentcom.jp/news/20051005_celrun_tv.pdf

3) The following Multichannel article covers last`s week AT&T meeting and Lightspeed review:

http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=nocclamp&doc_id…

Most of the article was not new to me, but this comment was:

"In fact, lab work into HD and digital-video recorders is giving AT&T enough confidence to raise its video-penetration expectations from 25% to 30% by 2010, Stankey said."

If that rate could be approached sooner in some of the initial roll-out markets set for 2006 and 2007, my numbers assumed there for SIGM would prove to be too low.

[amorphis]

Cisco invests in Disney`s MovieBeam spinoff
Mon Feb 6, 2006 3:50 PM ET

NEW YORK, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday it has made an investment in MovieBeam Inc., the on-demand movie service that Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) spun off in January.

Cisco, Disney and several venture capital firms including Intel Corp.`s (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Intel Capital, Mayfield Fund, Norwest Venture Partners and Vantage Point Venture Partners invested $48.5 million in MovieBeam, according to MovieBeam spokeswoman Michelle Cox.

A Cisco spokeswoman declined to provide details of the company`s interest in MovieBeam.

Cisco entered the digital video market with its acquisition of Danish firm KiSS Technology A/S, which makes a networked DVD player. It also is spending $6.9 billion to acquire cable set-top box maker Scientific-Atlanta Inc. (SFA.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

Disney remains the chief investor in the company, said MovieBeam spokeswoman Michelle Cox, but she declined to say how much money the other companies invested.

Disney launched MovieBeam in 2003 in three test markets -- Spokane, Washington; Jacksonville, Florida; and Salt Lake City, Utah -- and suspended the service last year amid plans to upgrade the technology and launch it as a bigger service.

MovieBeam sold a television set-top box preloaded with 100 movies, and delivered 10 new movies a week, Cox said. Customers paid $8.99 a month to subscribe to the service, plus rental fees between $1.99 and $3.99 per movie, she said.

Cox declined to say when and where the company would restart the service.

Cisco shares edged down 21 cents, or about 1 percent, to $17.94 on Nasdaq shortly before the close. Disney rose 2 cents, or 0.08 percent, to $25.03 on the New York Stock Exchange.

[goyauno]

Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/06/06 03:39 pm
Msg: 92500 of 92510

1) Lung Hwa, a Taiwanese OEM of size and a SIGM set-top chip customer in prior
years, is now offering 2 new set-top models using SIGM`s EM8622L triple-codec chip (the "8623" used in the specs below are clearly typos):

http://www.lunghwa.com.tw/s179.html
http://www.lunghwa.com.tw/s279.html

Interesting to see the 8622 coupled with a PowerPC chip.

2) Celrun, a SIGM chip customer, is selling a majority stake of its CelrunTV division to Hanaro, a large Korean telecom player. Hanaro plans to pump up this business to compete against Korea Telecom in the IPTV space:

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200602/200602060…

As we found out last year, the CelrunTV box is powered by a SIGM EM8622L:

http://www.zentcom.jp/news/20051005_celrun_tv.pdf

3) The following Multichannel article covers last`s week AT&T meeting and Lightspeed review:

http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=nocclamp&doc_id…

Most of the article was not new to me, but this comment was:

"In fact, lab work into HD and digital-video recorders is giving AT&T enough confidence to raise its video-penetration expectations from 25% to 30% by 2010, Stankey said."

If that rate could be approached sooner in some of the initial roll-out markets set for 2006 and 2007, my numbers assumed there for SIGM would prove to be too low.

[amorphis]

Winning on Wall Street
by: azaria2whistler 02/06/06 10:17 pm
Msg: 92507 of 92529

Mark Mandel on "Winning on Wall Street" talked about SIGMA on his radio show tonight and indicated that this stock is getting ready to go much higher and when it does, he wouldn`t be suprised with a 5 point pop in a day!! A very bullish chart and pattern leading to an explosive move!! WOW !!
He talked about a bearish engulfing pattern followed by both a positive hammer and then a positive up day - fasten your seat belts for the zoom!!

[goyauno]

Bernstein discovers SIGM:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/08/06 11:07 am
Msg: 92536 of 92537

Sanford Bernstein, a highly respected NY sell-side research firm, put out a piece yesterday titled: "The Small (Cap) World: MobileTV is Coming; Who Will Ride Nokia and Qualcomm`s Coattails?" Here are the some of the excerpts of interest:

"We have identified over 103 companies that are participating in the emerging mobile TV opportunity. Of these, only 18 were small cap public companies with a significant focus on mobile TV. Most of the rest are private companies – some of these, such as chip makers DiBCom and Siano, show significant future potential and could issue IPOs – and others are obvious large cap technology players like Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung and Harris. Of the 18 small cap candidates, 10 were included in our quant database – of these, only EMS Technologies and Sigma Designs screened as first quintile based on its historical quarterly results."

"TTPCom (TTC.L) has partnered to provide DVB-H middleware, with Broadcast International and Sigma Designs pitching differentiated video CODEC software."

"We have selected five companies across the value chain as having particularly attractive position or screening particularly well on our quantitative metrics: Microtune, TTPCom, Broadcast International, Sigma Designs and EMS Technologies. We note that we do not cover these companies, and as such issue neither formal recommendations or provide forecasts."

"Sigma Designs (SIGM) – Sigma Designs (Exhibit 10) specializes in digital media processing solutions for consumer products, offering high quality decoding of MPEG-4 H.264, VC-1, WMV9, and MPEG-2. As a one-stop shop for advanced decoding and streaming video tech, the company also partners with industry leaders, such as Motorola, Philips and Microsoft. As a market leader in video CODEC technology, Sigma is well positioned to play for DVB-H devices as well."


More and more will "discover" SIGM as 2006 progresses.

[amorphis]

more Cisco news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/08/06 01:49 pm
Msg: 92540 of 92554

"Following the acquisition of Scientific-Atlanta, we believe Cisco should be able to participate in two new service provider-based growth cycles -- HDTV set-tops in the U.S. and IPTV in the U.S. and internationally -- both of which should lead to top-line upside," J.P. Morgan Chase analyst Ehud Gelblum writes in a research report. Gelblum has a buy rating on the stock.

http://www.thestreet.com/_googlen/tech/networking/10266725.h… m_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA

The close of the Scientific-Atlanta acquisition comes as Cisco prepares to launch a series of new products in the consumer electronics market. Initially, these products will be based on technology acquired from Scientific-Atlanta and from Kiss Technologies, a European start-up Cisco acquired last year.

Cisco introduced at least one new home entertainment product, the Kiss DP-600, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last month. Right now the networked DVD player is available only in Europe, but a comparable product is expected to be released in the United States later this year, according to Charles Giancarlo, Cisco`s chief technology officer.

http://news.com.com/Cisco+preps+for+Scientific-Atlanta+integ… 036483.html?tag=nefd.top

Cisco products such as Sci Atl set top boxes and Kiss DVD players have Sigma inside. Cisco has annual sales of around $25 billion so they have no interest in small markets. They don`t enter a market unless they can do significant amounts of business. As Sigma management have been saying, the customers they are now doing business with are 10 times the size of the ones they used to do business with, and sales to these customers can be 10 times greater than what sales used to be.
Byron

[amorphis]

Latest IPTV news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/09/06 10:54 am
Msg: 92575 of 92576

KPN has announced that in the second quarter of this year it will launch its IPTV television service.

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_i… name=KPN`s+multi-platform+deal+for+Endemol+shows

KPN is a Kreatel customer. Those in the know believe that Kreatel is now using Sigma`s 8634 chip in its set top boxes.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=92235

As IPTV ramps up around the world, so will sales of SIGM 8620 and 8630 chips. A very nice day today here in the great Pacific Northwest and I`m taking the rest of the day off.
Byron

[amorphis]

Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/09/06 11:42 am
Msg: 92576 of 92576

"Small Gadget, Big Market"

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-small-gadget-big-market-/2006…

"The frenetic digital television market for China offers a long list of budding digital gadget makers a lot of opportunities, making some of them coming into their own."

"By the end of 2005, Coship Electronics sold 790,000 set-top boxes inside the country, occupying 40 percent of the domestic market. The company exported last year as much as 2.6 million sets to other countries, accounting for 4.6 percent of the international market.

Coship Electronics has been taking the first place in China`s set-top box market for consecutive five years in terms of sales."

"Coship Electronics` set-top boxes have been widely accepted in Shenzhen, other cities, and even foreign countries."

"Now it is the biggest producer and exporter of set-top boxes in China."

"For now as HDTV and IPTV markets growing fast, HDTV and IPTV-oriented set-top boxes have become new profitable outlets of Coship Electronics."

"Coship, who has the largest production base in set-top box field in China, is granted as the Hi-tech company by ShenZhen government, and has been certified by ISO9000, FCC, CE, and UL."

"Coship is building a new industrialized production base with 10 million annually production capability in ShenZhen and DongGuan."


As previously discovered, 3 of the 5 IPTV set-tops offered by Coship on its Chinese homepage use SIGM chips (i.e. CIPS101B, CIPS101AB and Anysight120).

Obviously, there is a lot of potential here for SIGM going forward.

[Fruehrentner]

Was war denn da kurz vor Handelsschluss an der NASDAQ noch los mit SIGM!!??

Eine gigantische Umsatzspitze im intradaychart!

http://aktien.onvista.de/charts.html?ID_OSI=87483&MONTHS=0&I…

[Papierhecht]

es steht ein steiler ausbruch nach oben bevor? vielleicht koennten die optimisten mich mal erhellen, wie es zu diesem nicht so ganz moderaten absturz nach unten kam?

danke, lg

hecht

[formentum]

erklär ich dir, die Börsenkurse steigen und fallen....
nein da wurden die letzten Handelstage gigantische Blöcke verkauft, Fonds stiegen ein und der Gesamtmarkt ist auch nicht in guter Stimmung.Schau auf Yahoo unter Sigma und wirst erkennen welch gigantischen Umsatz und Ertagssteigungen zu erwarten sind.

[amorphis]

My two cents:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/10/06 02:16 pm
Msg: 92631 of 92661

Nothing`s going on, at least nothing bad that I`m aware of.

Word has it that some SIGM holders took the lackluster UTSI 2006 OVERALL guidance the wrong way, vis-a-vis SIGM, notwithstanding the fact that every IPTV-related comment they made last night on their conf call was bullish.

Plus, the stock had a nice 3 month run and was looking tired at $16.

Plus, many small caps and semi stocks are getting hit right now.

Plus, our unofficial news blackout continues.

Plus, the firm has been so busy of late they have been hard to communicate with - so no hand holding there.

Plus, the stock took out its 50 day moving average when it fell under $15.30 and some of the aggressive money automatically sells when a stock does that.


Net/net, I`m as bullish as ever and eagerly awaiting the release of a lot of pending news and the next conf call (prob on 3/14).

[amorphis]

Institutional buying
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/10/06 11:03 am
Msg: 92594 of 92662

Q4 institutional filings are due on Feb. 15. Early filings continue to trickle in. Goldman Sachs was among those taking new positions in SIGM in Q4.

http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/Holdings.asp?FormType=institutiona… ed=SIGM

The stock has pulled back a bit from its recent highs. I think there is an increasing level of interest in this stock by institutional investors and if they see an opportunity to pick up some cheap shares they will be buying.
Byron

[amorphis]

meine persönliche einschätzung...nach den steigenden kursen in den wochen zuvor...ist das jetzt eine normale korrektur!wir gehen auf die nächsten quartalszahlen zu...und ich denke davor wollen noch einige was vom kuchen abhaben!das kurse nicht nur nach oben laufen können wissen wir bereits...und das andere vielleicht kalte füsse bekommen könnten so nen monat vor den zahlen und gewinne mitnehmen...jepp auch das ist eine möglichkeit...sehe das aber alles nicht tragisch...ich weiß was da dieses jahr in mache ist...wie die anderen die regelmäßig hier dabei sind auch....also...überlegt euch was ihr macht...ich bleibe sigm treu...und wer nicht dabei ist...kauft sich aktuell ein!

[amorphis]

Microsoft portable media player
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/11/06 12:59 pm
Msg: 92703 of 92707

Bill Gates says that Microsoft is interested in a portable device that would play videos as well as music.

Gates looked around the room and continued: "We are talking with partners about how we, working with those partners, can make even better music players. We`ve got some in the market today. I`d say in total they have about 20 percent market share, which is lower than we like, and so we`re seeing where we can come together to make a device that`s less expensive and connects in better ways, does photos and videos in better ways."

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/259114_msftgates10ww.…

This is still a ways off but given the close partnership between SIGM and MSFT there could be some business for SIGM here at some point.
Byron

[amorphis]

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/8274.asp


IPTV: A Future Just Around the Corner?
February 13, 2006
By Fawn Fitter

How far is internet protocol television (IPTV) from becoming a marketing reality? Find out what speakers at last week`s Network Ventures event had to say.

Imagine a world where a single network carries phone calls, internet traffic and television. Where viewers can click through a commercial to call the advertiser for more information or make a purchase on the spot. Where a single back-end database stores data about what a user has recently browsed for, which shows what they`ve watched and whom they`ve called. Where you can use that database to sell ad space across individual computer screens, TV sets and mobile phones for the last word in targeted messaging.

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) -- television delivered via a fully converged broadband network -- will strive to make this marketing nirvana possible. And according to participants at Network Ventures 2006, a Dow Jones VentureWire event held February 8 and 9 in San Jose, California, it`s already on its way.

Although the two-day conference focused on opportunities for technology start-ups to find success in emerging networking markets, the ramifications for the interactive marketing industry are clear. True convergence, with its potential for creating a single, fully searchable ecosystem of information about consumers` interests, needs and habits, is about to change advertising forever.

"The potential to make media purchases by zip code across television, internet and mobile phones is just two years away," said Russell Zack, chief operating officer of Cauldron Systems, which makes software that allows service providers to track and control their customers` network use more precisely. "The fully addressable home will be a huge marketing opportunity."

Some participants questioned whether consumers will be as quick to adopt IPTV in the U.S. -- where cable and satellite are well-established -- as they will in Asia and Europe. However, according to analyst Michael Howard of Infonetics Research, the technology is already taking off. By the end of this year, 1.2 million people in the U.S. will subscribe to IPTV. Within three years, 54 million people worldwide will have IPTV, 13 million of them in North America, he predicted; by 2015, it will be ubiquitous.

The potential market for IPTV is in the hundreds of millions-- every broadband subscriber and every mobile phone owner in the world. Cable providers, with their package deals that include broadcast television, video on demand and high-speed internet access via cable modem, are closer to achieving IPTV than telephone companies. As a result, the telcos are under enormous pressure to roll it out to keep their customers from being poached by cable, particularly once voice-over-IP technology becomes practical on a wide scale. AT&T and Verizon are already testing IPTV in small markets, and customers are adopting it in great enough numbers to justify further expansion, said Peter Barrett, CTO and general manager of engineering for Microsoft`s TV division, in the conference-opening keynote discussion.

There are still barriers to successful wide deployment of IPTV, said Howard. High-definition video requires far more bandwidth than voice or data, and current networks lack the capacity to carry multiple video streams without quality issues. "If everyone turns on the same program at once, it fails," he said. However, new video compression codecs have emerged that provide higher quality video at lower network speeds, which will let service providers get more mileage out of existing infrastructure even as they race to upgrade from copper to fiber.

Barrett said he believes IPTV`s value proposition over satellite and cable will be search. By combining robust search technologies with digital video recording, video on demand, channel guides and other navigational tools, users will be able to select among a potentially limitless number of channels and create fully customized programming. For example, IPTV will allow users to find out what movies their neighbors recommend, search for programs that are especially popular among other people who read the same blogs they do or see what the people on their IM buddy lists are watching.

Consumers will experience that as a fun and convenient feature set, adding value to the familiar television-watching experience. Marketers, though, will be able to use search data to target specific users in ways never before possible: putting ads next to or within content, customizing ads based on the programming viewers seek out and creating new demographic segments based on a combination of viewing and searching behavior.

"There`s no question, it will come," said Shawn Carolan, managing director of Menlo Ventures, a venture capital firm that`s investing heavily in digital media. Noting that Google generates a 25 percent clickthrough rate from the ads it serves to its Gmail users based on keywords in their emails, he asserted, "Well-targeted advertising becomes content." Given the choice between paying a premium to avoid ads or watching an ad to keep the cost of content lower, he added, "Wouldn`t you want a tailored ad?"

Barrett put it more succinctly, "Search [on television] will change ads. It will be an entirely new way for advertising to work."

[amorphis]

ein weiter contract für sigm...

UTSI lands a Chinese contract:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/13/06 09:12 am
Msg: 92716 of 92716

"UTStarcom Announces Contracts With China Telecom to Deploy RollingStream End-to-End IPTV Solution in Two Cities in the Fujian Province"

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060213/sfm142.html?.v=19

ALAMEDA, Calif., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UTStarcom, Inc. (Nasdaq: UTSI - News), a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, today announced contracts with China Telecom to deploy its RollingStream(TM) end-to-end IPTV solution in two cities in the Fujian Province in southern China.

In Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian Province with nearly six million residents, the initial deployment has a capacity of 12,000 concurrent media streams, covering the major metropolitan areas of the city. Initially it plans to offer users 70 channels of live broadcast television with "time-shifting" capabilities and approximately 3,000 hours of video-on-demand. The operator is targeting 50,000 users by the end of 2006.

In Quanzhou, a coastal city with approximately 6.5 million residents, the initial deployment is planned to support 37,000 concurrent media streams and covers the city`s main districts and initially offers users 70 channels of live broadcast television with "time-shifting" capabilities and approximately 5,000 hours of video-on-demand. The operator is targeting 80,000 users by the end of 2006.



This is SIGM and it ain`t small potatoes.

Just the kickstart we need.

[amorphis]

BT Group announces next-generation TV deal with Endemol
02.13.2006, 05:20 AM


LONDON (AFX) - BT Group PLC has announced a deal with leading TV production company Endemol NV -- the company behind the Big Brother programmes -- to license programming and develop cutting-edge interactive content for its next-generation TV offering.

Endemol will work with BT to deliver its distinctive and high-quality programming and compelling interactive content, tailor-made for BT`s next- generation TV service. The two companies intend to build on Endemol`s experience at the forefront of developing interactive TV formats.

The agreement builds on the content deals already announced with some of the worlds biggest entertainment companies including BBC Worldwide, Paramount and Warner Music Group, factual powerhouse National Geographic Channel and with kids` TV programming leaders HIT Entertainment and Nelvana.

BT will unveil further big name deals this year as it builds to a launch of the pioneering service in Autumn 2006.

Customers of the service will be able to choose from a huge range of on-demand film, music and television programming as well as a groundbreaking interactive and communications service, all available through their TV sets.

The service will be a world-first, combining access to digital-terrestrial channels through the aerial with broadband-powered video on demand. This unique combination, delivered on a software platform powered by Microsoft Corp and through a set-top box made by leading manufacturer Philips, will allow customers choice, control and convenience. Unlike other services, there will be no mandatory monthly subscriptions.

[e-mail]

ml/slm

[amorphis]

Re: earnings
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/13/06 02:56 pm
Msg: 92737 of 92745

No, not til mid-March. Last year was March 15 and it will be about the same time this year. Next week SIGM will be at another investment conference. Hopefully they will re-afirm guidance and put a stop to all these jitters.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=92063+

[amorphis]

Cable vs. IPTV
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/13/06 03:06 pm
Msg: 92738 of 92746

Cable`s rates up, market share down, FCC report says

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said cable rates were too high. ``Consumers are feeling the pain and paying the cost and not liking it,`` Copps said during a hearing. He added that the FCC doesn`t fully understand the reasons for the cable rate increases.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said technology that commissioners saw during a two-day visit to Texas could offer more competition and lower prices. Texas last year made it easier for phone companies to offer video by bypassing the slow process of winning local franchises. Instead, one franchise covers the whole state. Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. have begun offering TV service. Martin said the commission should remove barriers to new video providers.

The commission met in Keller, near Fort Worth, the first town to receive Verizon TV service. The commission heard from a local television viewer, state and local officials and executives from phone and cable companies about competition in the industry. About one-fifth of Verizon`s Keller customers subscribe to the TV service, according to company spokesman William Kula. The FCC members saw a demonstration of a similar technology from AT&T. The company, formerly known as SBC, began offering TV in its hometown of San Antonio in December.

AT&T was one of the first companies to take advantage of a recent Texas law and get a statewide franchise for video service. That let the company avoid the time-consuming task of getting approval from every town where it wants to offer video service.

Congress is also considering the franchising issue. Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Gordon Smith, R-Ore., have introduced legislation to speed up the franchising process for new market players by easing barriers that have drawn protests from phone companies.

AT&T and New York-based Verizon see video as critical to their plans for competing with cable companies in offering TV, Internet and phone service to consumers.

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/13843140.htm

As we all know, TV from AT&T and Verizon will be powered by SIGM media processors.
Byron

[amorphis]

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=…

[miristegal]

[posting]20.190.066 von amorphis am 13.02.06 22:19:39[/posting]hi amorphis.
verfolge zur zeit ,bei meiner knappen zeit zu viele werte. SIGM habe ich kläglich vernachlässig - dito VPHM.
da ich in beiden komfortablen plus habe . kümmere ich mich
um NKTR (da bin ich dick inv.) verfolge gnta mit einem auge
und PEIX hat mir schon mal freude bescherrt.bei dieser
angelegeheit bin ich auf ADM aufmerksam. schau mal den chart an. es sind maisspezis.ein momemtum bei d. amis
morgen will ich engültig meine leiche mlnm los werden und in SIGM umtauschen (deine meinung ist mir wichtig).
ich halte langfristig mehr v. SIGM als v. viro und vor allen
risikoärmer.

MFG

[amorphis]

[posting]20.190.695 von miristegal am 13.02.06 23:16:27[/posting]byron hat heute in erwägung gezogen...das die jüngsten kursverluste evtl ein vorbote für ein dismiss der nächsten quartalszahlen sind...was aber nichts an der hammer aussicht auf jahressicht ändern würde...

zummal...ist das wirklich der grund...???

ich weiß nicht...sämtliche news deuten da auf was anderes hin...auch die institutionellen haben eingekauft...(was nichts heißen muss!)...die aktie ist gut gelaufen in den letzten wochen und monaten...da ist eine konsolidierung nicht verboten...hm...verfehlen die?nein ich glaube nicht...aber ausschliessen kann man nix...aber ich glaub es nicht...

ich halte sigm weiter in voller stückzahl...glaub vergiss sie einfach weiter...mit einem kauf würde ich solange warten...bis entweder das letzte hoch durchbrochen wurde..(bei guten zahlen sehr wahrscheinlich)...oder es zu einem deutlichen tagesverlust (nat. falls bodenbildung erfolgt...also mit intraday stärke...so das man merkt das käufer in den markt strömen!das hatten wir im letzten jahr schonmal!) kommt...warum auch immer...so würde ich die strategie fahren...ich glaube aber eher ans positive szenario...egal was byron glaubt!

mal btui angesehen?

mologen gefällt mir auch soppa...ich glaube sogar ich steige diese woche noch dort ein!

gut in fahrt ist auf meiner wl noch ymi....auch nicht zu verachten... man achte auf den volumenspike zuletzt...



PEIX...habe ich auf auf meiner wl...laufen mir grad weg...

[amorphis]

[posting]20.190.695 von miristegal am 13.02.06 23:16:27[/posting]zu adm...ich springe nicht mehr auf den rohstoffe-zug auf...den habe ich gnadenlos verpasst... ne...echt nicht...und wenns noch 100 jahre so weiterläuft und mir die rohstoffaktien um die ohren fliegen...alles andere...ja...es gibt sooooo viele gute techs...die günstig sind und einge rosige zukunft haben...wenn man gedult mitbring und nicht jedes zucken panisch verkauft...solche werte kaufe ich weiter... aber mit rohstoffen kenn ich mich null aus...was weiß ich wie sich der maispreis entwickeln wird...du meintest doch mais oder?

[amorphis]

[posting]20.191.263 von amorphis am 14.02.06 01:20:40[/posting]ich weiß aber das bis 2010 schon 200 millionen nutzer weltweit (manche studien gehen sogar von mehr aus...!) iptv nutzen werden...das prügeln die großen firmen die dahinterstecken zur not auf die konsumentenköpfe...


sigm hat auf der letzten präsentation doch gesagt das anteil bei iptv (also bei den chips in den boxen) derzeit bei knapp 80% (wers genau wissen...so sehr viele postings zurück liegt das ganze nicht erwähnt...aber suchen...keine lust mehr... ) liegt....alle dicken projekte sind in sigm hand...tendenz steigend!die fette partnerschaft mit msft....die ganz auf sigm vertrauen (ist da sonst noch ein chip??????)....die hohen margen....all das stimmt mich auf jahressicht positiv...ob kurzfristig nicht delle in den chart kommt...das wage ich nicht zu prognostizieren...aber insgesamt sollte sich die aktie stark verhalten....und das mindestens bis 2010...

[amorphis]

sorry für die tippfehler...bin müde...

[amorphis]

das ist auch so in etwa meine kurzfristsicht...

by: piratespu 02/13/06 04:49 pm
Msg: 92753 of 92758

For the first time in quite some time, SIGM provided specific guidance for the upcoming quarter. I find it hard to believe that they would do so unless they had a high degree of confidence in their ability to meet the quarter. The whole sector has been getting hit. Nervous money exiting.

[amorphis]

Re: earnings
by: azaria2whistler 02/13/06 06:45 pm
Msg: 92757 of 92758

If they were going to miss then they would have announced it like last time. They were so ticked off about giving guidance and trying to meet a set target that they stopped doing it. When they gave guidance last time they must have already made the numbers in coming sales. Who knows what is going to happen but the forward momentum is not going to stop. The only thing I can surmize is that big money has initiated the driving down of the stock and letting momentum take over to a low point where they can pick up significant shares a lot cheaper. The very fact that the latest options packages given to the management are at 9.80 / share indicates this thing is going a lot higher fairly soon.

[amorphis]

Re: byron
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/13/06 07:03 pm
Msg: 92758 of 92758

SIGM has had misses before where there was no warning, so based on the history I don’t think you can necessarily assume that there will be a warning in the event of a miss this time. Something else to keep in mind is that historically this company hasn’t been able to forecast what their quarterly sales will be, which is why they weren’t giving out any guidance in conference calls prior to the most recent one. Common sense would suggest that they wouldn’t have have resumed giving guidance and then said they were going to have 20% sales growth unless they were confident they could do it, but the history of this company missing their quarterly numbers does create some doubts. Of course it’s still entirely possible that all we have been seeing with SIGM for the last 10 days is just some profit taking in a very jittery market. Yes, the stock is down from its recent peak at $17, but then again it wasn’t all that long ago that it was under $10. When a stock runs from under $10 to over $17 in a market that’s flat to down, a pullback isn’t that big of a surprise. But the timing of the start of the pullback 3 days after the end of the quarter is suspicious. The longer that the stock goes on dropping every day the more suspicious you get.

Having said all of the above I would just like to say once again that I continue to like the long term outlook and I continue to maintain my Buy rating. IPTV is now rolling out across the globe powered by Sigma media processors. Next generation DVD’s are now rolling off the assembly lines with Sigma media processors. Intel’s Viiv initiative is about to result in huge sales of DMA’s with Sigma media processors. People that are knowledgeable about the stock have been saying that long term it can go to $30-$60 and there’s no reason to think that this has changed. I`m personally up about 100% in this stock and if I had any significant doubts I would just cash in my chips, but long term I still believe the stock can go a lot further.
Byron

[amorphis]

AT&T Article Update
by: opennovell
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/13/06 09:39 pm
Msg: 92762 of 92786

Excerpts from article below. Over $4B investment by AT&T. Expect 3m homes to have IPTV in 2006 and 18m by 2008. $400m put in partnership with MSFT and $1B with Alcatel for equipment.

This is just one of the many opportunites. I believe the VZ numbers were a bit larger and thats just domestic sales potential.Likely less than 1/4 of worldwide market

Hell, even if the pot was split with others like Broadcom, STM, etc, there is enough there for all to grow nicely. Fortunately, SIGMs growth should be exponential in comparison.
---------------------------

AT&T is spending between $ 4. 2 billion and $ 4. 8 billion to upgrade and ready its network for IPTV.

In November 2004, it struck a $ 400 million partnership with Microsoft to develop IPTV software. It also made a $ 1. billion deal with Alcatel, the French telecommunications equipment-maker, to put togeth er the necessary equipment.

That’s quite an investment. But telecommunications companies facing competition from cell phone, cable and other companies are trying to move into new areas to compensate for their declining landline telephone business.

If all goes as scheduled, AT&T plans to have IPTV in as many as 3 million homes this year, with the goal of reaching 18 million homes by 2008. Despite speculation about delays, including problems with Microsoft’s software, AT&T said it is on track, beginning with a test run in San Antonio in December.

“We’ve been pretty true to the schedule,” said Jeff Weber, AT&T’s vice president of product and strategy. “There are things we work through every day, but no delays and no slips in the path we’re on.”




http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Business/145740/


Open

[amorphis]

deutlich nach oben gegangen...

Holdings Summary



SIGM
Sigma Designs, Inc. NASDAQ
Institutional Holdings
Company Details

Total Shares Out Standing (millions): 22
Market Capitalization ($ millions): $311
Institutional Ownership: 40.4%
Price (as of 2/13/2006) 14.37


Ownership Analysis # Of Holders Shares
Total Shares Held: 56 8,740,858
New Positions: 13 2,154,437
Increased Positions: 30 3,320,635
Decreased Positions: 17 840,671
Holders With Activity: 47 4,161,306
Sold Out Positions: 8 195,751

[amorphis]

die verbindung sigm-csco besteht...das wissen wir alle...kann eigtl nur bedeuten...das dies ein weiteres projekt ist...in welchem sigm technik verwendet wird!

greez

MovieBeam offers digital film distribution

By Joshua Chaffin in New York
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Posted: 12:07 AM EST (05:07 London)

Walt Disney, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) will seek to challenge Netflix, Blockbuster (NYSE:BBI) and cable video-on-demand services with the expansion on Tuesday of their entrance into the $10bn US film rental market.

The service, known as MovieBeam, will launch in 29 markets representing nearly half of US homes, and offers the latest example of how the film industry is trying to harness digital technology to change its traditional distribution model.

http://us.ft.com/ftsuperpage/superpage.php?news_id=fto021420… r_id=yahoofinance

[amorphis]

winter glaubt auch an ein starkes quarter...na denn...

und...seiner meinung nach stimmt das was ich im posting zuvor zur walt disney geschichte gesagt habe...

Back in the office:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/14/06 10:52 am
Msg: 92801 of 92805

Moviebeam is SIGM-powered. There is no doubt at all about this in my mind, but no linkable proof...yet. Just stories like this:

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/02/14/1370568.htm

"The MovieBeam player features a...200 MHz central processing unit (CPU)."

"MovieBeam supports advanced audio and video formats, including Windows Media(TM) 9/VC-1 and Dolby Digital 5.1(TM)."

That`s the clock speed of an EM8620L series chip and no other SOC in the world does hi-def VC-1 at that speed.


This box can be ordered now through mulitple sites:

http://www.moviebeam.com/opencms/opencms/Pages/AboutUs/Press…

"The MovieBeam service is currently available in 29 metropolitan areas across the United States, with our datacasting signal currently passing approximately 42 million homes

Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Houston
Jacksonville
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Memphis
Minneapolis / St. Paul
Nashville
New York City
Orlando
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Portland (Oregon)
Salt Lake City
San Antonio
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle-Tacoma
St. Louis
Tampa
Washington D.C.

MovieBeam can be ordered online at www.moviebeam.com or by calling 1-800-MOVIEBEAM. It is also sold at national consumer electronics retailers such as Best Buy, Circuit City and Sears, at regional stores in MovieBeam markets, and by e-tailers such as Amazon.com."

e.g.:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat82000050024…


Obviously, a bunch of these boxes have already been built. This is one of many things that lead me to believe that SIGM had a strong 4Q and will guide to an even stronger 1Q.

CSCO knew exactly what they were buying when they bought Kiss.

[miristegal]

[posting]20.191.263 von amorphis am 14.02.06 01:20:40[/posting]vergesse es ADM . habe auch nicht vor reinzugehen.
die machen auch ethanol. wollte nur sagen , das die amis
momentan auf alternative energiequellen scharf sind.
PEIX habe ich aus dem bauch heraus gekauft und schon zig mal den finger aufm verkaufknopf hatte.

VIELEN DANK für deine einschätzung. hat mir sehr geholfen.
habe meine absicht doch durchgezogen. mlnm > sigm und bin
happy , diese etscheidung getroffen zu haben.

MFG

[amorphis]

Re: Back in the office/MovieBeam
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/14/06 04:10 pm
Msg: 92829 of 92840

Winter, great info, thanks for posting. Here is info from today`s LA Times on the subject of MovieBeam:

MovieBeam Chief Executive Tres Izzard said the service would target the 30 million avid movie fans who rent four or more movies a month. It seeks to entice these film buffs with features they can`t get through other on-demand services, such as high-definition movies and films from Disney, Miramax Studios and Touchstone Pictures available for rental on the same day they`re released on DVD.

The service offers hit movies from all major studios but one, Sony Pictures.

A Sony executive said Sony Pictures was in discussions with MovieBeam, but the two sides had not reached a distribution deal yet.

Analyst Gerry Kaufhold of market researcher In-Stat in Scottsdale, Ariz., said high-definition movies would be appealing for the estimated 15 million American households that, by the end of this year, would own a high-definition television but wouldn`t receive HD programming from their cable or satellite provider.

"Even if only 10% of those people decide MovieBeam`s a good idea, that puts them over 1 million boxes sold," Kaufhold said. "They don`t have to be wildly successful to wind up with a sustainable business."

Other analysts remain skeptical of MovieBeam`s prospects. The movie fans it targets already have myriad ways to get hit movies.

And other experiments with video on demand, such as MovieLink and CinemaNow, have failed to catch on with customers. Adams Media Research estimates that Internet movie rental services reaped only $17 million in revenue last year.

"The short-term prospects are good with this small niche of people that are already using video on demand and want the convenience, and with the early-adopter types that at least take a look at every new technology that comes out," said Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research, an entertainment industry consulting firm. "They`ve got a built-in small core audience. After that, it becomes a marketing battle."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-moviebeam14feb14,1,801… adlines-business

Based on your information and analysis it looks like the recent selloff in SIGM was just profit taking in a jittery market and the Q4 numbers are going to be ok. I still have 1 question, though. Anyone who is interested can now go into any retail outlet and buy the MovieBeam box, open it up, and see what media processor is in there. So why can`t SIGM put out a press release about this and why don`t they?
Byron

[amorphis]

more about MovieBeam
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/14/06 04:25 pm
Msg: 92832 of 92840

MovieBeam, which is backed by Cisco Systems and Intel, hopes that making new titles from Disney, Miramax and Touchstone available the same day they are released in DVD format will give it an advantage over other movie providers, such as Los Gatos-based Netflix or Comcast.

``It`s a model that every studio is looking at,`` said Richard Doherty, an analyst with Envisioneering Group.

"I haven`t seen anything coming out of the movie distribution service that is this compelling,`` said Ben Bajarin, an analyst with Creative Strategies. ``There is an opportunity for them to really grow the service and establish themselves as a way to deliver top quality movies.``

MovieBeam will also provide some titles in high definition, allowing viewers to sidestep the confusing battle over competing formats -- Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD -- for the next-generation high-definition DVDs. ``You just rent the movie and it`s there,`` Bajarin said.

Backers believe potential customers of MovieBeam are busy families who don`t have the time to plan weekend entertainment by ordering a movie in advance through the subscription service Netflix, or arrange their lives around TV schedules, said Matthew Howard, a partner with Norwest Venture Partners. MovieBeam is the natural evolution in home entertainment, he said. ``We are not subscription-based,`` Howard said. ``You pay as you go. The consumer likes that.``

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/13869106.htm

[amorphis]

56% of Americans know what IPTV is Posted by ZDNet Research @ 2:10 pm


Despite limited availability in the United States, 56% of all adults say they have heard of Internet television, Harris Interactive said. 17% of the respondents said they would cancel their existing TV service for IPTV, while 67% said they would keep their existing cable or satellite service and give Internet TV a trial run. Only 7% said they would add IPTV to their existing service. 25% of adults said they were quite interested in IPTV for use on their TVs, and 20% expressed interest in adopting its use on their computers. Less than 4% said they were interested in viewing IPTV on a cellular phone. 12% of adults were ready to sign up for IPTV immediately for the PC, and 18% said they would try it right away if it was available for the PC, and could be sent to the TV using a set-top box. Almost 60% said they would wait to see how others liked it.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/ITFacts/?p=10173

[goyauno]

Re: UTSI`s Set-tops in Japan
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/15/06 02:49 pm
Msg: 92873 of 92877

UTStarcom Selects Sigma Designs` Media Processor Technology for mVision End-to-End TVoIP Solution

http://www.sigmadesigns.com/news/press_releases/050523.htm

By the way, you made a good point in your previous post today about MovieBeam being designed to be used with HDTV and I recommended your post.
Byron

[amorphis]

ress Release Source: KVH Industries, Inc.

KVH and Microsoft Introduce Affordable High-speed Internet and MSN TV Service for Boats
Thursday February 16, 7:30 am ET
KVH Developing Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV Service for Internet Access aboard Vessels Cruising in U.S. Waters

MIDDLETOWN, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2006--"On the boat" doesn`t have to mean "out of touch" ever again as affordable, high-speed Internet access and MSN® TV service on boats will soon be a reality thanks to KVH Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI - News), and Microsoft Corporation`s (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) MSN TV division. KVH`s Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV service, a customized version of the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player, will provide in-motion access to web browsing, Microsoft® Windows Media® player, MSN Mail and MSN Messenger, digital photo viewing, MSN Video, and MSN Radio. A wireless keyboard offers complete control of the system while broadband EVDO data services, with data rates ranging from 400 Kbps to 2.4 Mbps, and a marinized, amplified antenna for extended range provide two-way, mobile connections. The result will be the first in-motion product to offer mariners easy-to-use, high-speed Internet access on the television screens already installed on boats. KVH`s Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV service will also include WiFi output to provide Internet connectivity to any WiFi-enabled laptop or other product.

ADVERTISEMENT
"Today`s consumers expect to be able to stay connected while they`re on the go in their vessels," said Sam Klepper, general manager for the MSN TV division at Microsoft. "With the availability of MSN TV service on KVH`s Mobile Internet Receiver, consumers will now be able to communicate, access information, and enjoy digital entertainment where their travels take them."

"There is clearly a demand in the marine industry for mobile access to live media ranging from satellite TV to broadband Internet," said Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH`s president and chief executive officer. "High-speed, mobile Internet access will enable mariners to access a huge array of valuable resources, including online charts, weather reports, Coast Guard updates, and information about local marinas or the local fishing spots. Plus, e-mail and instant messaging will permit everyone onboard to stay in touch with family, friends, and co-workers on shore. The color TV screens already found on most boats longer than 25 feet provide an excellent platform not only for live satellite TV and gaming, but also for an integrated Internet solution. KVH looks forward to working with Microsoft on the Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV service that will leverage these screens and MSN TV technology to offer boaters an affordable, reliable source of two-way, in-motion Internet access."

Boat owners and passengers will be able to enjoy in-motion connections to a variety of MSN communication, information and entertainment services. The high-speed connection, offered by an EVDO (Evolution Data Optimized) data modem that KVH is integrating into the Mobile Internet Receiver, will leverage existing broadband data services offered by several major cellular companies. Connection speeds for EVDO service are similar to residential DSL broadband service, with a maximum speed of 2.4 Mbps and typical speeds of 400 Kbps to 700 Kbps. A marinized, amplified antenna will provide extended range for vessels cruising farther offshore. When EVDO is unavailable, the system will automatically switch to standard 1xRTT data service, which is available in most cellular coverage areas. 1xRTT has a maximum upload and download speed of 144 Kbps, and typical speeds of 50 Kbps to 80 Kbps.

By using EVDO services for connectivity along with built-in WiFi output, the vessel is turned into a floating, mobile hot spot. As a result, boaters will be able to surf the web while relaxing on deck or anywhere onboard using WiFi-enabled laptop computers, PDAs and other devices using an Internet browser, e-mail application or instant messaging tool. For boaters traveling outside the range of EVDO service, KVH also offers a full line of TracPhone® satellite communication systems that deliver satellite-based broadband Internet service from Inmarsat virtually worldwide.

The hardware and service are expected to be available for purchase in mid-2006. Pricing for the Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV service will be announced at a later date.

Additional details regarding KVH`s mobile Internet solutions are available online at http://www.kvh.com/kvhinternet/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.kvh.com/kvhinternet/.

Note to Editors: High-resolution, press-ready images of KVH`s mobile Internet solutions are available for download and editorial use at http://press.kvh.com.

About MSN TV

Based in Mountain View, CA, MSN TV is a product group within Microsoft`s MSN division that develops easy-to-use technology services for people to get connected and stay connected to the people around them. By connecting to a television and existing phone line or broadband connection, MSN TV service subscribers can surf the web, send and receive e-mail, create instant messages, view digital photos and enjoy streaming media using world-class MSN services such as MSN Messenger and MSN Search.

Formerly WebTV®, MSN TV service was acquired by Microsoft in 1997 and renamed in July 2001 to better reflect the natural synergies between the WebTV service and the vast array of Microsoft and MSN resources. In October 2004, MSN TV unveiled the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player. More information on MSN TV and the MSN TV service offerings can be found at http://www.msntv.com.

About MSN and Windows Live

MSN attracts more than 440 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live(TM), a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the web. MSN and Windows Live will be offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on November 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. MSN is located on the web at http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.

About KVH Industries, Inc.

Middletown, RI-based KVH Industries, Inc., is a leading provider of in-motion satellite TV and communication systems, having designed, manufactured, and sold more than 100,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on boats, RVs, trucks, buses, and automobiles. Winner of the prestigious General Motors Innovative Design Award, CES Innovation Award, 21 National Marine Electronics Association "Best Product" awards, and a finalist for the Automotive News PACE Award, KVH`s mission is to connect mobile customers with the same digital television entertainment, communications, and Internet services that they enjoy in their home and offices. Complete information about KVH`s mobile satellite TV, communications, and Internet systems is available at http://www.kvh.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, for example, the functionality, characteristics, quality and performance of the proposed products and technology; anticipated innovation and product development; and customer preferences, requirements and expectations. The actual results could differ. Factors that may cause such differences include, among others, the degree of consumer acceptance of mobile Internet services, as well as those risk factors discussed in the parties` most recent quarterly reports filed with the SEC. The parties assume no obligation to update their forward-looking statements to reflect new information or developments.

Microsoft, MSN, Windows Media, WebTV and Windows Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

KVH and TracPhone are registered trademarks of KVH Industries in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

[amorphis]

Blu-Ray/HD DVD news update:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/16/06 08:40 am
Msg: 92885 of 92885

"HD DVD and Blu-ray delayed again, as AACS is pushed back "

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060214-6182.html

"Remember all of the positioning about which next-generation optical format would hit the market first? Forget about it. It now appears that both formats will hit the market at the same time, because delays in the security specification that they both share have left everyone—device manufacturers, movie studios, and the leaders of the respective formats—in a holding pattern. The final specification of the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) has been delayed again, meaning that the final specifications needed to produce HD DVD and Blu-ray products still sits off in the undetermined future.

According to a report at Heise online, the members of the AACS licensing authority could not agree on a final specification last week. The hold up must infuriate HD DVD backers, because the last sticking point apparently only applies to the Blu-ray specific BD+ anti-piracy measure. BD+ is part of Blu-ray`s "we have more protection than you" approach to appeasing the studios.

When Blu-ray announced their additional protection measures in August of last year, it was largely thought that the extra lockdown was there to woo content owners, especially FOX. BD+ is a dynamic encryption scheme that allows for changing encryption schemes midstream. Should the encryption be cracked, the Blu-ray Disc group can update the encryption scheme and put it on all new discs, thus preventing a single crack from opening up the entire BD spec for the duration of its lifetime. The lack of a dynamic encryption model is what made DeCSS so disastrous in the industry`s eyes: once CSS was cracked, all DVDs from then on were crackable. AACS attempts to deal with this problem, but Blu-ray`s members believed that additional protection was necessary.

This particular delay could push the Spring 2006 launches of HD DVD and Blu-ray back by a month or more. HD DVD drives were going to hit US stores in March, while Blu-ray players where expected as early as April."


Interestingly enough, since all but one of SIGM`s blue laser wins are with Blu-Ray products, a delay such as this that evens the introduction dates of these two formats is a dintinct net/net positive for SIGM, IMO.

[amorphis]

http://www.forbes.com/video/?video_url=http://www.forbes.com…

[amorphis]

Institutional buying/Russell 2000
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/16/06 10:58 am
Msg: 92892 of 92893

Most of the Q4 filings are now in and some heavyweight investors moved into SIGM during the quarter. Federated, the big mutual fund family with $20 billion under management, took an initial position of over 500,000 shares. Wells Fargo took an initial position with a buy of over 600,000 shares. Citigroup tripled their position with a buy of nearly 300,000 shares. Obviously these heavyweight investors are very bullish on the outlook for SIGM.

Keep in mind that around mid-year, SIGM will be added to the Russell 2000 small cap index, which will give the stock additional visibility on Wall Street and will also result in buying by index funds.
Byron

[TradiVolki]

Hi, weiss jemand wann Zahlen kommen?

[amorphis]

[posting]20.245.908 von TradiVolki am 16.02.06 22:11:03[/posting]mitte märz...greez

[kiska]

[posting]20.247.772 von amorphis am 17.02.06 05:22:34[/posting]Moins amorphis,

gut geschlafen?

[amorphis]

[posting]20.247.791 von kiska am 17.02.06 06:05:45[/posting] aber sicher...quasi wie`n stein...

[amorphis]

Roth Capital

Conf Link pdf format

http://www.rothcp.com/2006%20DP%20Conference%20Web%20Site/RO… 2-15-06.pdf

Time Tue Feb 21st, 2006 8:30am PST

[amorphis]

Harry Boxer on Winning on Wall street
by: azaria2whistler 02/16/06 11:30 pm
Msg: 92911 of 92913

Harry gave a great informative comment about Sigma tonight. Bullish stock with major with a minor consolidation until the earnings report in March. Institutional investors are starting to come into the stock. Within the next 6 months you`ll be looking at the stock in the 20`s.

anmerkung der redaktion...in the high 20`s...

[amorphis]

Widevine news:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/21/06 08:18 am
Msg: 92975 of 92981

You can see it all coming together:

"Widevine(R) Enters HD-DVD and Blu-ray Copy Protection Market"

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060221/20060221005435.html?.v=1

Widevine Cypher(R) now enables retail availability of consumer electronics devices for IP video


SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2006--Widevine® Technologies, the most deployed provider of comprehensive downloadable content protection and digital forensics for video operators, today announced digital copy protection for high definition DVD-based content delivery formats Blu-ray and HD-DVD.
ADVERTISEMENT


The introduction of Widevine Cypher® for high-definition DVD players extends the patented Cypher Virtual SmartCard(TM) to provide advanced copy protection on these new devices. This enables IPTV service operators to license and acquire premium content for extended service delivery to a wide variety of retail available, IPTV-enabled high definition consumer electronics devices.

"Widevine`s expansion into the high definition DVD market represents the first downloadable conditional access (DCAS) and digital rights management (DRM) solution which opens direct retail availability to Widevine secured operators," said Glenn Morten, Chief Technology Officer at Widevine. "It further enables telco, cable, satellite and broadband service operators to extend their service domains and deliver entertainment using new business models -- including online enabled DVDs, low-cost streamed content delivery, sell through and managed copy generation."

According to Widevine CEO Brian Baker, "The U.S. DVD market has grown to over $18B per year, with more than 80 percent of households now owning DVD players. Widevine`s strategy is to expand content protection to a wide range of networked video-enabled consumer electronics devices, regardless of platform, operating system, chipset or technology. This will significantly reduce capital expenditures and increase revenue opportunities for operators who have been asking for premium content delivery to retail available IPTV-enabled devices."

Widevine Cypher for high-definition DVD players is expected to protect devices available at retail in summer 2006 and extend Widevine`s PC content protection to include Blu-ray and HD-DVD devices that run on Microsoft`s (Nasdaq:msft - News) new Vista operating system, available later in the year.

This follows Widevine`s recent partnership announcement with Sigma Designs to embed Widevine protection capabilities into their digital media processors. Sigma Designs` processors drive approximately 70 percent of all IPTV set top boxes and consumer products including Blu-ray players, DVD players, digital media adapters and portable media players.

[amorphis]

Re: winter, quick question
by: WINTER_CFA 02/21/06 09:00 am
Msg: 92978 of 92981

A quick reply (since the day is getting busy fast):

Notwithstanding a lack of PRs to date, SIGM has enough blockbuster PRs waiting for release to fill a truck. While the timing remains indeterminate for most, these would/could include:

BT/Philips
SBC/Motorola/SFA
VZ/Motorola
Euro telcos
China IPTV news
Other Far East IPTV news
CSCO news
NTGR DMA
Other DMAs
TVs - many
Blu-Ray players - several
DIS Moviebeam

Most outside this board know still little about the above.

[amorphis]

Apple - Worth keeping an eye on:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/23/06 08:40 am
Msg: 93099 of 93103

"Analyst sees new Macs, Pro apps, full-length video at special event"

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1547

"Rounding out his predictions, the analyst also thinks there is a "greater than 50 percent chance" that Apple will roll out the first full length feature films that will be available for download from the company`s iTunes Music Store. He also sees Apple reaching the 1 billion iTunes downloads milestone by the time the Feb. 28th event rolls around.

While Wu also vouches knowledge of an ongoing development at Apple to produce a widescreen video iPod, he believes the device is not yet ready for prime time.

"Keep in mind the current video iPod has only been out since October and continues to be a top seller, the least seasonally impacted out of the iPod family," the analyst wrote. "Areas we would like to see the video iPod improve are its video battery life and more robust TV connectivity."

Despite his predictions, Wu is sure to point out that Apple chief executive Steve Jobs could have some unanticipated surprises tucked up the sleeve of his black turtleneck and "may make an announcement that no one anticipated."

"We will not attempt to guess what it is and let Steve surprise us," he added."


I wouldn`t be surprised if SIGM and Apple are working together in some capacity, although
on exactly what remains to be seen.

[amorphis]

A great Lightspeed article:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/23/06 08:18 am
Msg: 93095 of 93103

"AT&T Preps for IPTV - Microsoft TV resides on boxes"

http://www.tvtechnology.com/features/news/2006.02.22-n_at_T_…

Of most interest:

"It is precisely what we wanted it to be in terms of easy to use, simple, pretty intuitive for customers," said Jeff Weber, vice president of product and strategy at AT&T."

"Fundamentally, all the advantages are really enabled by the fact that all of the services are delivered over this two-way broadband network," he said. "Because it`s a two-way network, you can do a lot of the so-called heavy lifting on servers."
In a broadcast environment the "heavy lifting" has to be done in the set-top box.
This speaks to the basic difference between IPTV and the QAM system that has dominated cable and satellite TV to date. With QAM, all channels are sent into the home, where the set-top box or boxes decide which channel to watch.
If 250 channels are being broadcast into your home, Graczyk said, "the set-top ignores the 249 you`re not watching and displays the one you are. But those extra 249 take up a huge amount of bandwidth."
With IPTV, each set-top box in the home sends a request to a server located at the service provider, and the server sends back just the channel requested. Regardless of the number of channels available, even if many are HD, the amount of capacity into the home need only be enough to handle one channel per set-top box plus enough for data and voice.
"Twenty to 25 megabytes is in the ballpark as far as a couple TVs and the phone, Internet service, a couple of hi-def channels," said Charlie Guyer, spokesman for Alcatel, the French system integrator for Lightspeed, as well as the provider of critical hardware such as the edge servers."

"Graczyk said that the ability to use existing copper wiring into homes served is only one of the advantages of IPTV. Another is that the channel switching is done in software on the server rather than in the set-top box.
"Channel tuning time for the consumer is significantly faster than in digital broadcast," he said. "So cable and satellite take one to two seconds to tune a channel; we do it in about 300 milliseconds."
In a demonstration on Microsoft`s Redmond, Wash. campus, Graczyk showed a Major League Baseball application where the viewer can watch and listen to one game occupying most of the screen, with three smaller pictures of games taking place at the same time.
When the viewer switches to another game, the two pictures switch places with a DVE-ish move. And though the viewer is watching video from four games at once, they are combined upstream on the network and sent to the viewer as a single channel."

"With cable TV, "the challenge is, any time the software on the set-top box changes, it has to go through this big, long, expensive certification process with Motorola that`s called `Acadia,`" Graczyk said.
"With IPTV we don`t have that restriction, in fact we can roll out these incremental updates very easily," he said."

"Guyer said the newness of IPTV has required his company and other partners in AT&T`s project to learn and invent as they`ve gone along. He said of the 30-plus IPTV projects Alcatel is leading or participating in around the world, AT&T is the largest.
"Lightspeed is the one that`s under the microscope and everyone is using this as the barometer as far as the future of IPTV," he said. "

"One of the biggest questions he`s seen the network`s builder ask is if it will scale. "Will it support 18 million people? That`s been a challenge but I think it`s being addressed very well. AT&T is hitting all its milestones."
AT&T`s Weber echoes that optimism.
"We`re in the middle of massive network build, in the middle of, in our case, a complete system build, a new suite of systems that we`re implementing, obviously a pretty complicated new technology around


I had to register (for free) to get this one, so you might have to also to access it via the URL (but I`ll post the whole thing). Of highest interest were the comments regarding Linksys and D-link:

"The next generation of TV - Internet TV is coming to your living room."

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/money/homepage/article_…

Wednesday, February 22, 2006
By TAMARA CHUANG
The Orange County Register


Local lacrosse fans no longer need to travel hundreds of miles just to watch a game. The sport now has its own "TV" channel.
Feel like watching the entire series of "Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre," an old Chinese show? Tune in to the Asia Movie Channel.
National Lampoon junkie? Yup, there`s one for you, too - the National Lampoon Network.
These obscure channels aren`t on your satellite or cable TV lineup. They are part of the budding Internet Protocol TV industry, or IPTV, and can only be watched over a broadband Internet connection.
There are hundreds of these "channels" online, but many are limited to a computer. That is all changing. Companies such as Irvine`s Interactive Television Networks are attempting to take IPTV mainstream. The Irvine startup sells a $100 box that plugs into a home`s Internet line and the TV so people can watch the shows and more in the living room.
"The quality of broadband and the number of people who have it is increasing exponentially," said Charles Prast, its chief executive. "We felt that we should create a device to piggyback on that."
The technology is here, though the industry is still working out issues such as digital rights and business models. Telephone companies are upgrading their networks so they can offer a TV lineup on par with those of cable companies. Others are assembling a network of Internet shows and videos. Some charge by the month or by the title but keep a large mix of shows free and on demand so viewers can watch when they want.
"Everyone from large movie studios to small is very excited at getting something on the Internet. Small providers are interested because they don`t have to go through cable companies. For large companies, it`s a way to offer their library without (having) limited broadcasts," said Jim Funk, vice president of marketing for Akimbo Systems, an IPTV provider with more than 100 channels. "I think that the solutions for making it consumer friendly so people can just buy it and make it work, that`s coming as well."
There are already dozens of independent IPTV channels catering to unique audiences - people who love flying (Skyworks TV), hugging trees (EarthTalk Today) or tasting tangy sauces (BBQ TV). The two-way Internet connection makes it easy for sites to upload videos and create their own channels. Rocketboom, an online video blog based in New York City, will send its daily feed to your TV - a channel that is part of Akimbo`s $9.99 monthly service.
"The economics of our servers is that it doesn`t cost us much to put up a video. It doesn`t have to get a lot of usage to be worthwhile. Obviously, we want to put up video that is more popular. It`s not like a traditional broadcast channel that you can`t afford to put on when it`s not popular," Funk said.
Advertisers are worried, and cable companies should be, said Brian Dolan, editor of FierceIPTV newsletter.
"It`s going to change the whole paradigm of advertising by opening up new ways to do it. Everything you do from changing the channel to preview, it`s recorded by the service carrier so they can send back commercials that pique your interest," Dolan said. "Satellite TV`s struggle hasn`t posed a serious threat to cable, but I think IPTV will."

The idea of IPTV is to give consumers access to TV shows broadcast around the world or to a video archive of old TV shows, sporting events and movies. City council meetings, school plays and even church sermons could have their own channels. It could even become home for critically acclaimed TV shows that get cut by the major networks after one or two airings.
At least in theory.
"You have to draw the line with what`s possible theoretically and what`s possible with reality," said Michael Cai, director of broadband and gaming for market researcher Parks Associates. "With IPTV, a lot of things are possible, but will (companies) do it? Traditionally, most of the service providers have this walled-garden approach. Will they introduce third-party content providers and let them ride for free?"
According to Parks` research, the budding industry had a half-million subscribers last year. That number is expected to almost triple this year to 1.3 million and grow to 9.5 million by 2010 - still a nascent market.
"Technology is always ahead of service, and service is always ahead of consumers. It`s going to take a while for service providers to test out solutions and find a valid business model," Cai said.
Everyone is taking a different approach.
Telephone companies, like Verizon and AT&T, are upgrading their networks so broadband service will be fast enough for video. Verizon this month launched its first TV service in California over the same fiber-optic lines that deliver broadband Internet to the home. Its FiOS TV service includes the major networks, the usual cable TV offerings and dozens of on-demand movies.
A number of local networking companies are building boxes for at-home viewing. Irvine`s Linksys last year acquired a Danish maker of set-top boxes with Internet access. Linksys hints at something even greater.
"We`re working with all the content providers," said Karen Sohl, a Linksys spokesperson. "It`ll be like watching Fox or ESPN, but more of an experience where you can select the experience you want. Some free, some rental, some purchased. We`re looking at products coming out in the later half of the year."
Rival D-Link Systems, a home-networking company in Fountain Valley, also is working on boxes and plans to hit sell them to providers, like the telephone companies.
Even as IPTV is breaking out, Time Warner is playing with its own on-demand offerings. The cable company now has about 50 free on-demand channels, including Memorial Care, a channel from Memorial Care hospital with information on health issues; LATV, a Latin channel; and S`Cool, featuring local high schools and arts programs. For $9.95 a month, customers can subscribe to Howard Stern on demand.
"Why should consumers care if it`s satellite TV, cable TV or IPTV?" said Cai, of Parks Associates. "Content is really what matters. From a consumer`s perspective, the only thing that IPTV can offer is flexibility. IPTV will probably enable consumers to be more in control."
Today, there aren`t 500 IPTV channels, but Atlanta`s dave.tv, which caters to PC users but plans to launch a box later this year, has 100.
"Consumers at the end of the day will have an endless amount of content," said Ken Lipscomb, dave.tv`s chairman and founder. "We`re getting right now probably five to 10 publishing requests a day from new channels. One was for illegal street racing. Where are you going to watch that stuff?"

[amorphis]

The following is an excerpt from MSN feature columnist Jim Jubak`s article today:

"The home-entertainment gateway. Who is going to control how entertainment media, from music to movies, gets into the home? This is a big deal for the cable companies and for the phone companies. Cisco Systems (CSCO, news, msgs), a name that most investors don`t associate with home entertainment, has made the most interesting moves in the sector recently. The company`s acquisition of cable-box maker Scientific-Atlanta (SFA, news, msgs) puts Cisco right in the middle of efforts by the cable and phone companies to roll out video on demand and video over the Internet.But if you combine the video processing power of Scientific-Atlanta`s set-top boxes with the home networking products of the company`s Linksys, you start to get a home entertainment business that isn`t dependent on any specific pipeline into the home. If you still think that Cisco Systems doesn`t have ambitions in this space, I suggest you look at the July purchase of KiSS Technology of Denmark, a maker of DVD players and recorders that can be connected to the Internet. The game certainly isn`t over, but Cisco suddenly looks like a major player." (About 23% of company revenues now come from the Advanced Technology division that includes Linksys and Scientific-Atlanta.)

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/P145490.asp

IMO it is only a matter of time until Jubak and others dig a little deeper and discover Sigma Designs. We are in the right place at the right time.

[amorphis]

Microsoft, Sigma, and IPTV
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/25/06 11:25 am
Msg: 93163 of 93164

The IPTV World Forum in London next month is set to become the largest event of its type in the world, as network operators and equipment suppliers gather together to see the latest developments and technology arriving into this exploding new marketplace.

Just a few weeks after new research predicted Western Europe would lead the worldwide IPTV market to the end of the decade, with nearly 13m households becoming customers by 2010, the IPTV World Forum (www.iptv-forum.com) will feature ten major operators in a special showcase area, additional operators involved in the conference sessions and nearly 80 exhibition stands - more than double the previous year.

"We are only a few weeks into the year and yet already it seems that 2006 is lift-off year for IPTV," said organiser Ian Johnson.

"We are expecting several significant announcements to be made during the Forum and there is a constant demand - from all over the world - to either take part our just to visit to be a part of the action."

Operators represented consist of T-Online, Belgacom, Bell Canada, Fastweb, France Telecom, HomeChoice, Iceland Telecom, KPN, Magnet Networks, Microsoft TV, Telekom Austria, and Telus. Leading vendors will be exhibiting.

"We see 2006 as the year IPTV deployments start to take off," said Elena Branet, senior marketing manager for the Microsoft TV Division.

http://press.xtvworld.com/article9807.html

As we all know, Sigma is a key partner for Microsoft in the IPTV space.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/sep05/09-08Sig…

[amorphis]

video will be killer app for Cisco
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/25/06 11:13 am
Msg: 93162 of 93164

RBC Capital Markets analyst Mark Sue maintained an "overweight rating" on Cisco Systems citing the company’s “strong progress in broadening its end-to-end product portfolio.”

The analyst predicted “video will be the killer application for telcos” and said Cisco is well-poised to take advantage. “Cisco’s main focus now for internet-protocol television will be to deliver value to its customers via Scientific-Atlanta’s video products combined with the other existing pieces of its IPTV portfolio," the analyst said.

With what the analyst called Cisco’s “dominate position” in IP, and Scientific-Atlanta’s video components and the Linksys business segment’s connected home, “Cisco may have a comprehensive video offering enabling it to win IPTV deals with carriers like Fastweb in Europe, Surewest in North America and HK Broadband in Asia,” he said.

http://www.forbes.com/markets/bonds/2006/02/24/cisco-systems…

Since Linksys and Scientific Atlanta products have Sigma inside, Cisco wins in the IPTV space are also wins for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

The SIGM-powered Acer LCD is here:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/25/06 09:50 pm
Msg: 93165 of 93165

This model, first previewed here...

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&action=m&board=… =4687185&mid=86898
http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&action=m&board=… =4687185&mid=86904

...get some new press:

http://www.golem.de/0602/43605.html

Partial TRANSLATION:

[Acer presented a new LCD television with 37-Zoll-Format (94 cm screen diagonal) with the At3705w-mgw. The 16:9-Panel dissolves 1920 x of 1080 pixels. Besides a Media so mentioned gateway is inserted in the new Acer television. The Linux system with WLAN (54 MBit/s) and nearly Ethernet connection plays beside MP3, MPEG2 and MPEG4 also WMV9 and come prematurely-connects over a card reader also still pictures from digital cameras.

The card reader swallows CompactFlash, Multimedia Cards, MEMORY stick (pro) and SD maps. The Linux based Media gateway plays the audio formats MP3, WMA in the formats 7, 8 and 9 as well as WAV. In the video range with dissolution of standard there is MPEG1, 2 and 4, DivX, XViD, WMV9 and Quicktime. Dissolutions of hp become with the formats MPEG2 (to 1080i), MPEG4 (720p) and WMV9 (720p) supports.

The new At3705w-mgw should be available immediately for 2.599, - euro and with a two-year suburb warranty is delivered.]

If this product gains wide acceptance, I imagine Acer is certainly in position to ship a lot of them.

[amorphis]

A great CSCO interview:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/24/06 08:03 am
Msg: 93126 of 93165

The firm`s plans and success in the consumer space will be tightly coupled to SIGM`s, IMO:

"Cisco`s acquisition guru speaks out"

http://news.com.com/Ciscos+acquisition+guru+speaks+out/2008-…

Cisco Systems, best known for switches and routers that shuttle IP traffic throughout corporate networks and the Internet, is also known as a prolific acquirer of companies.

For more than 20 years, it has successfully used acquisitions, both large and small, to enter new markets and round out its product portfolios. With more than 100 purchases under its belt, the company shows no signs of slowing down as it prepares to take its biggest leap yet into the consumer electronics and home entertainment markets.

Dan Scheinman, Cisco`s senior vice president of Corporate Development, is responsible for 370 Cisco employees--40 of whom exclusively scope out hot acquisitions and investments. He considers one of his signature moments as Cisco`s acquisition guru to be the $500 million purchase of Linksys, the cornerstone of Cisco`s consumer business. He considers another to be the $6.9 billion acquisition of Scientific-Atlanta, maker of cable set-top boxes, which is expected to close later this month.

CNET News.com sat down with the man behind Cisco`s aggressive acquisition strategy to talk about what`s ahead for the company.

Q: There`s been a lot of talk recently about Cisco`s plans to enter the consumer electronics market. Can you explain the strategy?
Scheinman: We think that at a very, very high level there`s a disruption occurring in the networking and film industries. First, service providers are rushing to build more bandwidth into their networks, because they need to deliver services in order to compete with each other. Cable has to compete with satellite, and the telephone companies have to compete with cable. So, globally you see a rush to extend higher bandwidth pipes into consumers` homes.

The second part of this is that you`re also seeing the content companies looking for new distribution channels. There`s been slowing growth in DVD and box office sales. Content providers want to be able to reach consumers directly, which is a real evolution for the content companies.

The third thing is you`re also seeing the rise of the empowered consumer with new devices in the home. Consumers want the ability to get the content they want, where they want it, on any device they want it on. This is a real change.

We think these three things will lead to a lot of opportunity for new devices and big opportunities for improving the network. And we think we have strengths both in making devices and developing technology for the network.

Recently, Cisco joined Disney and Intel in investing in the relaunch of video-on-demand service MovieBeam. How exactly does a service like MovieBeam fit into Cisco`s consumer and entertainment strategy?
Scheinman: We`re trying to make sure that consumers are able to watch TV where they want, when they want, on the device they want, and over the network they choose. That`s our vision. Today, if you want to watch a movie, you physically have to go get the DVD to be able to do that. There aren`t a lot of legal ways to be able to get recently released movies and watch it on the big screen you want. MovieBeam allows us to connect content to the big screen. And this is the first time that Hollywood is really opening this level of content digitally to be connected to TVs. So, it looked very exciting for us.

So what is Cisco`s involvement with MovieBeam? Is this just an investment or does Cisco have more of a strategic relationship with it?
Scheinman: We also have a relationship on the device level. Today, the MovieBeam box is a home-grown device. Now, it will be branded Cisco. But ultimately we hope that MovieBeam will be a service that resides on a Cisco box. At the end of the day, Disney and MovieBeam don`t really care about making hardware. They are hopeful that we`ll do that.

The key for us is that we get access to recently released, first quality movies. And this is one of the only ways to get access to newly released movies legally without buying or renting the physical DVD.

Today, the service is delivered over spectrum via the airwaves. But if the service is successful and expands, we see it migrating to an Internet service. We think we can really add value here. So, we`re very excited to be a partner with Disney as it launches the service. And we`re excited to be partners with Intel and the other investors.

Cisco is getting ready to close the $6.9 billion acquisition of Scientific-Atlanta in the next few weeks. Can you explain the thought behind that purchase?
Scheinman: Linksys already gave us a gateway into the home through a retail channel, but Scientific-Atlanta gave us a new sales channel into the home through a service provider. Scientific-Atlanta also gave us video expertise. We`ve been saying for a long time that data, voice and video would ride over one network. We looked at our offering and said, "What are we missing? Video."

So we began to look at what our options were in video. Scientific-Atlanta is a leader, and it became the clear choice for us.

Did you guys ever think of TiVo?
Scheinman: We look at everything. But we can`t comment on public companies.

Now that Cisco has Scientific-Atlanta, which gives you a cable set-top box and DVR, and you have Kiss Technologies, which gives you a consumer electronics device in the home, what`s next? What is the next hole in the portfolio that needs to be filled?
Scheinman: It`s going to be interesting for us is to see where the future takes us. One of the things that we`ve got to do is scale Scientific-Atlanta to enter the telco TV business in Europe. That`s very important for us. I think you`re going to see us expanding our European presence. Kiss helps a lot because they were based in Denmark, and they already have hundreds of thousands of users of their device in Europe. That`s No. 1. No. 2 depends on what happens in the industry. If telco TV takes off, there`s going to be a lot of demand for a lot of new stuff.

Whether we move tomorrow or we wait a little bit to see how the market breaks out, it`s going to depend. I would say that the thing that I`m really encouraged by is the speed at which all parties are moving. We see cable moving incredibly rapidly to build triple- and quadruple-play services. The phone companies are also moving at light speed. The same kind of thing is going on in Europe. But I think we have a little bit of time to figure out and make sure we know where the gaps are so we can make the right decisions.

As Cisco moves into the consumer market, will the company do more partnerships and investments like the MovieBeam deal or more acquisitions like Kiss or Scientific-Atlanta?
Scheinman: If we are successful, there are going to be some things that you`ll see. No. 1 is, you`ll see us partner with the content industry. And I mean that very broadly, so it could mean a deal with someone like Comcast for example, which has a lot of its own content.

No. 2 is we`d like to be able to work very closely with the service providers to be able to offer differentiated offerings. You`re going to see us get engaged with trying to help our service provider partners deliver new services to their customers.

No. 3 is, you will see us be aggressive and make acquisitions in terms of what`s next. There are no obvious large targets today, but I think there`s a lot in the start-up world that looks exciting to us. And you may also see us develop partnerships in Europe that will help Scientific-Atlanta scale its business there.

How much of your team`s time is spent looking at acquisitions in the consumer part of the business and how much is spent looking for deals in other parts of Cisco`s business?
Scheinman: I would say that right now we are spending about a third of our time either looking at investments, acquisitions or partnerships in the consumer or service provider space.

What about the other two-thirds?
Scheinman: There`s a lot going on in the enterprise with the virtualizations of the data center. We`re also looking at our existing businesses and how they can grow. And there`s the small and medium business market, which we call commercial. That is very exciting, too.

[amorphis]

Microsoft`s Origami:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/27/06 08:27 am
Msg: 93183 of 93189

"Microsoft`s Origami project"

http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/24/microsofts-origami-projec…

"So today Microsoft officially flipped the switch on the buzz machine for their Origami Project -- an atypical viral marketing manuveur for a company whose products are usually known about years ahead of time. Scoble says its a device, the Internet`s lighting up with rumors -- is it the Xbox portable? Well, we dunno, but as usual got our hands on some pictures. And as usual we can`t guarantee they`re the real deal, though we are pretty confident in their source. So, let`s go over it: these were sent to us detailing it as a Microsoft portable media player, which wouldn`t be too far off from what Jobs and BusinessWeek both prophesied Microsoft doing (despite being pretty broadly denied from within).

Now, here`s the tricky part with these pictures -- what`s with the keyboard and stylus? Because the last time we checked, their Portable Media Center (PMC) OS didn`t have (known) support for touchscreen and keyboard input. So is this some new portable OS platform running on CE.net? Or perhaps it`s just a fat little Pocket PC device with some media software? Or something totally different -- could Microsoft beat Apple to the punch with the first serious touchscreen portable media device? Or maybe, just maybe, it`s that ultramobile lifestyle PC Microsoft was talking about recently. Kinda seems like no matter what the answer, we`re all gonna be pretty surprised (for better or worse) come announcement day, March 2nd, being that Microsoft`s "not in the hardware biz." (No, peripherals don`t count.) But hell, we can`t even tell you for sure if these photos are legit, so here we are."

There is even a provocative website that is 100% cool and 0% data:

http://www.origamiproject.com/1/


I would have preferred this be called the Sigmagomi. In truth, other than some distant noises last year regarding SIGM`s possible involvement in a MSFT portable device, I have no clue as to whether or not SIGM is involved with this.

We won`t have to wait long, however, to hear more about this device.

[amorphis]

The M5000U hits Japan:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/27/06 08:42 am
Msg: 93185 of 93190

http://newtech.aurum3.com/content/view/87/18/

"TVix from Korea has unveiled the HD-M5000U in Japan after being a success locally. TViX HD can playback high definition video (up to 1920x1080i) and still images.

The Sigma Design EM8621 chipset supports full HD videos for a fantastic movie experience.

Pre-recorded HDTV programs from a digital TV set-top box or personal digital video contents taken by a HDV camcorder can be played back with TViX HD on a high definition display. The TViX HD features a DVI connector and component, which matches the high resolution of HD level video contents.

The M5000 supports Microsoft`s WMV9, MPEG 1/2/4, DivX and XviD while audio support includes WMA, MP3, AAC, OGG, AC3 and DTS. Photo formats supported are JPEG, BMP, GIF and PNG. What’s even better is the DVI port and Ethernet port that allows network connectivity for greater robustness.

With two USB2.0 host ports, you can attach additional external USB hard drives to further extend the storage capacity or transfer files from another USB device such as a thumb drive. You can also playback files from a digital camera, USB flash driver, USB flash card reader, or a MP3 player."


IMO, the Japanese market should like this award winning SIGM-powered product very much.

[amorphis]

More color on Moviebeam:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/27/06 11:18 am
Msg: 93202 of 93204

"MovieBeam HDTV Service Hits Retail Shelves"

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6311044.html

Of particular interest:

"We are the first video-on-demand service ever to get day-and-date content rights from a major Hollywood studio"

"For the rollout, MovieBeam is distributing its service through Best Buy, CompUSA, Sears and a handful of regional chains, in addition to its own Web site. The company is also talking with both Circuit City and Amazon.com to carry the product."

"Retailers earn an undisclosed commission, which MovieBeam calls “a bounty,” for signing up customers to the service. MovieBeam boxes are shipped to each purchaser two to four days after signing up. This allows the company to download 100 movies on each unit`s hard drive, complete with the most recent week`s lineup, to simplify setup and enhance the user experience"

"On sales floors, MovieBeam is supporting the system with a special kiosk equipped with a player and LCD screen. Also, a number of accounts are placing the player in home theater vignettes, Crabill said. MovieBeam is working on a program that will allow retailers to use the HDTV content on the hard drives for demos to sell HD sets, he added."

"To promote the service, the company is advertising in various newspapers and magazines as well as on the Web. The service will also be featured in an upcoming Best Buy circular"

"Linksys hopes the product will be the starting point in a new family of in-home entertainment networking products planned for later in the year."

[amorphis]

die news sind da...man muss nur suchen...

VZ CFO-Strong Customer Response to FiOS
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/27/06 01:37 pm
Msg: 93207 of 93210

Verizon CFO Reports Strong Customer Response to FiOS

At an investors` conference in Florida this morning, Verizon CFO Doreen Toben said that the company "continues to see a strong and growing customer response" to fiber-optic-based FiOS video product offerings. Toben said that customer take-rates for FiOS services are "well on plan." She noted that deployment costs are declining and that the next-generation fiber network platform is driving innovation for new FiOS TV offerings.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060227/nym148.html?.v=34

Verizon`s FiOS video system will use SIGM SMP8634-powered set top boxes from Motorola (et al).

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=87631

[amorphis]

SIGM`s European sales about to increase
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/27/06 03:47 pm
Msg: 93214 of 93221

Cisco announced this morning that they have completed their acquisition of Scientific Atlanta, a leading global provider of set-top boxes.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060227/20060227005405.html?.v=1

Historically Scientific Atlanta did very little business in Europe. Cisco is on record as saying they plan to begin marketing the company`s products there. Quoting remarks from a Cisco executive, "One of the things that we`ve got to do is scale Scientific-Atlanta to enter the telco TV business in Europe. That`s very important for us. I think you`re going to see us expanding our European presence."

http://news.com.com/Ciscos+acquisition+guru+speaks+out+-+pag… 499-2.html?tag=st.num

As we all know, Scientific-Atlanta`s most advanced set top boxes have Sigma inside:

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 12, 2005— Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM) announced it will be demonstrating its SMP8634 media processor at the IBC 2005 (International Broadcast Conference) in Amsterdam September 9-13, with Scientific-Atlanta`s (NYSE:SFA) advanced IPTV set-top box, product mix to address telco opportunities on a worldwide basis. The demonstration of the new class of system-on-chip (SOC) based set-top box platforms will be shown at the Scientific-Atlanta stand (Stand 1.471).

As a part of an overall thrust to deliver next generation video services on a worldwide basis, the telco industry is preparing to deploy advanced Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) solutions that provide an exciting new user experience. This increased performance comes in part from a new generation of media processor chips which supports advanced video decoding and display options. Next-generation IPTV solutions will enable customers to conveniently access a broader array of TV programming, video-on-demand, interactive applications and other advanced features. The platform being demonstrated at IBC, based on Sigma`s SMP8634 media processor, should deliver an unprecedented level of performance that includes multiple streams of high-definition video in all major formats, along with content security.

"Sigma has long been a pioneer in the IPTV industry and is thrilled to be working with a world leader such as Scientific-Atlanta," said Ken Lowe, VP of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "As the excitement around our SMP8634 continues to grow, more and more companies like Scientific-Atlanta will reap the benefits of solid performance and technological prowess."

http://www10.edacafe.com/nbc/articles/view_article.php?secti… 204974

Increased sales in Europe by Scientific-Atlanta mean increased sales for SIGM.
Byron

[Buddah]

Hi amorphis
ist Samsung auch Kunde von Sigma?
die haben heute ihre Umsatzprognose angehoben...
Gruss B.

[amorphis]

hi...jepp auch samsung ist kunde...

Sony DMA - March 4:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/28/06 07:52 am
Msg: 93229 of 93238

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060228/sony1.htm

TRANSLATION:

SONY announced the 28th and sale day of new model " VGP-MR200 " of network media player " room link " who corresponds to the playback of the 1080i were decided on March 4th. As for price at open price, as for direct sales price 24,800 Yen.

The video which is inside the VAIO and the DLNA corresponding server product / the audiophile the network media player who is reproducible. It was made the " next few days sale " when announcing January 6th, but sale day decided on March 4th.

Besides the fact that it corresponds to the playback of the 1080i, corresponding to the DTCP-IP transmission of the digital broadcast which was videotaped with the VAIO / playback is a special feature. The decoder tip/chip with " the EM8620L " of the Sigma Designs, corresponds to the playback of the MPEG-1/2, the WMV and the DivX. The WMV native playback does, supports also the playback of the Windows Media DRM10.

The audio file corresponds to the ATRAC3, the ATRAC3plus, the WAV, the MP3 and the WMA. The still picture supports the JPEG/GIF/PNG/TIFF/BMP. Other than the Ethernet terminal, it builds in the radio LAN of IEEE 802.11b/g correspondence. The output terminal the D3 terminal and S image, the composite, equips optical digital voice response and analog voice response. As for external size 215×145.5×33.5mm (width x depth x height), as for weight 800g.

[amorphis]

Samsung Blu-Ray - May 23:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/28/06 07:54 am
Msg: 93230 of 93239

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060228/bd.htm

(selected) TRANSLATION:

[on May 23rd, the Samsung sells BD-ROM player " BD-P1000 ". You sell at the store of the Best Buy and the Circuit City et cetera.]


Sony and Pioneer to follow.

Gotta run.

[amorphis]

AT&T - big revenue growth from IPTV
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/28/06 10:46 am
Msg: 93242 of 93260

Today`s edition of Investor`s Business Daily features an interview with Richard Lindner, CFO of AT&T (formerly SBC). Some excerpts:

IBD: Can AT&T now sell itself as an innovator?
Lindner: We are going through an evolution where our revenue growth is coming from broadband, on the consumer side, and in the future from video and IPTV... With the rollout of IPTV we`re clearly in the forefront. That product is moving along well. And the results we`re having in market trials has encouraged us. We`re going to generate some substantial revenue growth (from IPTV).

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=17… 0227

Since AT&T`s IPTV product will be powered by set top boxes with Sigma inside, substantial revenue growth from IPTV for AT&T means substantial revenue growth for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

BT IPTV on target for August launch:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/28/06 12:57 pm
Msg: 93257 of 93260

"BT planning bigger spend for broadband TV"

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=busine… 02-28T173127Z_01_L28718616_RTRUKOC_0_UK-SUMMIT-BT-TV.xml&archived=False

"PARIS (Reuters) - BT Group (BT.L: Quote, Profile, Research), the country`s dominant fixed-line telecoms operator, is planning to spend considerably more money developing a broadband television service before it launches later this year, a senior executive said on Tuesday.

"We have spent tens of millions of pounds on it and we will spend more tens of millions of pounds," said Ian Livingston, chief executive of BT Retail, the company`s consumer arm, which accounts for about 45 percent of group revenues.

The company, which is looking at new revenue streams to counter a decline in its traditional calls business, has never provided a specific investment figure for the service.

BT`s TV effort will combine the popular Freeview digital platform with selected TV programming and films available on demand and delivered over a high-speed Internet connection on Microsoft`s (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) software platform over a set-top box made by Philips (PHG.AS: Quote, Profile, Research).

The service is slated to launch in August."

etc.


Still waiting to hear more about this SIGM-powered Philips set-top. If BT is launching in August, production will generate 2Q sales for SIGM.

[amorphis]

Of the highest interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 02/28/06 01:08 pm
Msg: 93258 of 93260

I just got back from a Merrill Lynch Telecom Forum where I had a small group meeting this morning with AT&T IR SVP Rich Dietz.

He confirmed to me that they have received MSTV Version 1.1 from Microsoft and that it is being tested in their labs. This is key because this is the full-function version that supports HDTV, DVR, PIP (etc) and the one which specs the SIGM-powered MOT (and only this) set-top.

Also, he stated that AT&T would be having sell-side analysts down to their Alcatel integration lab in May to show them a working Lightspeed set-up (i.e. typical layout, quality, components, functionality).

Maybe by THEN, the SIGM presence will be more widely realized.

Another interesting comment by Dietz was that integration of SOCs into TVs could increase AT&T`s previously stated target of passing 18M homes by 2008.


I also went to meetings with Alcatel and Verizon, but didn`t learn anything new there.

[amorphis]

set top box news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 02/28/06 01:53 pm
Msg: 93261 of 93288

There`s an interesting article on page B1 of today`s Wall St. Journal about the Cisco acquisition of Scientific Atlanta. Some excerpts:

"We think consumers want to view video content where they want, on the device they want, over the network they choose," says Dan Scheinman, Cisco`s senior vice president of corporate development.

The $6.9 billion acquisition of Scientific-Atlanta, which closed yesterday, is now set to redefine Cisco. For years, Cisco`s main business has been to churn out the routers and switches that form the backbone of corporate-technology networks. But growth has slowed for Cisco in its core businesses. Cisco now has big ambitions to get into consumers` living rooms.

Scientific-Atlanta`s core set-top box business, which has around a 45% share of the total set-top box market, is also projected to expand. According to research firm ABI Research, 55 million set-top boxes shipped world-wide in 2005, and that is projected to increase to 85 million by 2011.
**********************************************

A reasonable assumption is that 70 million set top boxes will be shipped in 2007. SIGM`s stated goal is a 50% market share, and with wins with Scientific Atlanta, Motorola, Philips, UTStarcom, and others, they appear well on their way to achieving this goal. If 35 million set top boxes are shipped in 2007 with SIGM inside, this would mean upwards of $1 billion in sales for SIGM in 2007.
Byron

[amorphis]

http://www.sigmadesigns.com/news/events.htm

[amorphis]

nette seite zum thema iptv...

http://www.iptv-news.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Item…

[amorphis]

Sigma Mention
by: gmi1982 03/02/06 10:57 am
Msg: 93327 of 93329

Widevine® Showcases Content Protection Innovations at IPTV World Forum, London. I`d wager every STB has a Sigma chip in it....

Seattle, WA, Feb. 27, 2006 –Widevine® Technologies, the most deployed provider of comprehensive downloadable content protection and digital forensics for video operators, will showcase content protection innovations at IPTV World Forum, London, 6th-8th March.

Exhibiting in Booth 60, Widevine will feature its entry into the HD-DVD and Blu-ray high-definition content protection market, its partnerships with leading consumer device video processor manufacturers and the newly announced application level encryption which enables operators to reduce capital and operational expenditures.

Also at the IPTV World Forum:

Matt Cannard, Widevine’s vice president of marketing, will speak on the role of content protection in IP video delivery, highlighting European operator deployment successes, on Tuesday, 7th March.

Dom Stasi, TVN Entertainment’s chief technology officer will highlight Widevine Mensor™ watermarking technology in his presentation, “Digital Watermarking: Increased Peace of Mind,” on Wednesday, 8th March.

Magnet Networks and Industria will showcase Widevine Cypher content protection as part of its demonstration in the IPTV operator showcase.

Widevine will highlight its integration with a range of video products including set-top boxes, middleware platforms and video servers including systems from leading technology partners Amino, Entone, Kreatel, Thomson, Wegener, i3, Motorola, Sigma Designs and TVN.
About Widevine Technologies, Inc.
Widevine is the most widely deployed provider of content security solutions for IP video operators worldwide. Widevine enables telco, cable, satellite and broadband service operators to generate new revenue opportunities through the secure distribution, identification and tracking of digital content.

Utilizing a combination of hardware and software-based encryption, Cypher persistently encrypts both digital broadcast and video-on-demand (VOD) content, regardless of video infrastructure, network protocols or compression technologies. An innovator in the industry, Widevine invented the downloadable, software-based Cypher Virtual SmartCard™ client which today protects more IP video set-top boxes and devices in the industry than any other vendor. Widevine Virtual SmartCard clients quickly and affordably enable operators to combat piracy on set-top boxes, personal video recorders and other devices within the home. Widevine Secured operators are guaranteed to encrypt studio and broadcaster content, across any video distribution network and on any Widevine Secured device.

Widevine is a privately held corporation headquartered in Seattle, WA, funded by Charter Ventures, Constellation Ventures, PaceSetter Capital Group, Phoenix Capital Partners, and VantagePoint Venture Partners and Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd (DNP).

For more information see Widevine Technologies at www.widevine.com or visit Booth 60 at IPTV World Forum, Olympia, London.

Contact:

Barbara Leavitt
Widevine Technologies
Director of Marketing
Tel: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
[e-mail]


All trade names, trademarks, and/or service marks appearing herein are owned by their respective holders.

[amorphis]

Latest IPTV news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/02/06 10:51 am
Msg: 93325 of 93329

Virginia close to expanding TV competition
By The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia legislators have passed a bill that would allow telephone companies to get a statewide license to sell TV programming rather than applying for local franchises across the state.

The measure, if signed by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, would make Virginia the second state after Texas to pass a law smoothing the way for new competition in the market despite fierce opposition from traditional cable companies. Under a compromise brokered with help from the Kaine administration, Verizon or any other new TV provider would be required to expand their coverage to specific levels in local franchise areas, to prevent them from cherry-picking the best markets.

The bill, passed Monday in the House of Delegates and last week in the Senate, is a boost for Verizon Communications Inc. in its bid to roll out subscription TV service over the high-speed fiber-optic network the phone company is installing. Verizon is the dominant provider of local phone service in Virginia.

Verizon and AT&T Inc. (formerly SBC Communications) have been pushing hard at the federal and state level to ease local franchising requirements.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/APWires/tech/D8G31J5G0.html

Verizon`s IPTV product will be based on Sigma SMP8634-powered set top boxes from Motorola and others.
Byron

[amorphis]

IPTV to boom
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/06/06 09:48 am
Msg: 93431 of 93438

370m homes worldwide will have broadband access by 2010, and IPTV revenues in Europe could top $2bn by 2009, according to figures released on the first morning of the IPTV Forum being held in London this week.
http://www.avinteractive.co.uk/News.View.aspx?ContentID=1941" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">
http://www.avinteractive.co.uk/News.View.aspx?ContentID=1941

IPTV continues to look like a huge winner for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

Re: great news for SIGM!
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/06/06 09:52 am
Msg: 93432 of 93438

AT&T chairman and chief executive Ed Whitacre said in a statement that one factor increasing the attractiveness of BellSouth’s region was “fiber optics deeply deployed in the service area.” The two companies will accelerate the use of fiber to aid IPTV rollouts, Whitacre predicted.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articl…

This deal is a winner for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

DVICO at CeBit later this week
by: heyanyonehome 03/06/06 11:59 am
Msg: 93439 of 93440

http://www.tvix.co.kr/eng/boards/PressRelease.aspx?act=RD&it…

Note: Sigma is in at least the TViX HD M-5000U with an 8621 chip.

[amorphis]

WEGENER News
by: heyanyonehome 03/06/06 12:32 pm
Msg: 93440 of 93440

WEGENER and Verimatrix Partner to Integrate User Specific Forensic Watermarking for IPTV

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060306/20060306005124.html?.v=1</…

The integrated WEGENER and Verimatrix solution will deploy to several IPTV networks across the United States during 2006.

[amorphis]

Moviebeam - Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/06/06 01:40 pm
Msg: 93441 of 93455

"On the beam for film fans"

http://www.nydailynews.com/business/story/397034p-336538c.ht…

"Starting this week, MovieBeam, a just launched video-on-demand service, will beam print, radio and Internet ads in the city and across the country - declaring itself the convenient alternative to the "hassles" of video stores, MovieBeam execs told the Daily News...The service launched quietly in 29 markets across the country, including New York, about a month ago. But now, with displays up at stores like Best Buy, Sears and CompUSA, MovieBeam is turning up the volume on its sales pitch."

"Experts say MovieBeam will have an especially tough time convincing movie fans to fork over $200 bucks to install another box in their living room when their cable company already offers a comparable video-on-demand service... MovieBeam execs claim they don`t need to win over everyone to be successful. Their target audience are the 30 million Americans who rent four flicks or more a month."

"They hope to stand out by offering some titles in high definition. And MovieBeam will get some movies faster than its rivals...Disney has agreed to release its movies on the box as soon as they are available on DVD. That means MovieBeam customers will have access to "The Chronicles of Narnia" on April 4, the same day the disc hits stores. It could take at least another month after that for cable companies to offer that title."


My Best Buy ad from this past Sunday had a very nice Moviebeam ad on page 4.

[amorphis]

My 2 cents on the T/BLS deal:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/06/06 01:55 pm
Msg: 93442 of 93455

The conf call held this morning echoed the PR statement that referred to a faster and more economical deployment of "next generation IP television networks" as a result of the merger, but provided no specifics of value beyond that.

Given the greater deployment of fiber already by BLS (relative to AT&T), it stands to reason that any IPTV effort in the southeast will now occur faster than previously planned.

Faster would be, of course, better for SIGM due to its technology lead over STM and BRCM.

[amorphis]

Re: Moviebeam - Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/06/06 03:08 pm
Msg: 93445 of 93455

It has been confirmed to me with 100% certainty that SIGM is in the Moviebeam box, albeit not with proof that I can link to yet.

[amorphis]

http://reports.finance.yahoo.com/w0?r=36545478:2

[amorphis]

India - Another huge opportunity:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/07/06 08:21 am
Msg: 93462 of 93470

"RCoVL to roll out IPTV by year-end"

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id…

"Both Reliance Communication Ventures Ltd (RCoVL) chairman Anil Ambani and Microsoft officials confirmed the development separately on Monday. “IPTV will be launched in 2006,” Mr Ambani said at a media conference on the future thrust and initiatives of RCoVL, the holding company for Reliance Infocomm, Reliance Telecom and Reliance Communication Infrastructure Ltd. “The network is ready for deployment and trials are on,” said Pradeep Kumar Yadav, senior engagement manager who heads Microsoft’s IPTV initiative in India said. “We already have the last mile, we only need the last metre,” Mr Ambani said about the telecom operator’s extensive fibre network."

"The IPTV will offer video-on-demand, live channels and gaming. Users require a set-top box to access it on their televisions. “AT&T in the US, British Telecom in UK and Bell Canada are also working IPTV and I’m glad to say Reliance in the same stage of deployment as they are,” Mr Yadav said."

Pursuant to the above:
SIGM has AT&T;
SIGM has BT;
Bell Canada is also a likely win, IMO.

If RCoVL system offers similar functionality to the ones above, SIGM definitely has the pole position for set-tops for it.

India`s IPTV market could easily dwarf that of most other countries in short order.

[amorphis]

page one
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/07/06 11:54 am
Msg: 93471 of 93473

Page one story in the Wall St. Journal Today with the title, "For Cable Giants, AT&T Deal Is One More Reason to Worry". According to the article, AT&T already had the most aggressive plans for pushing into the TV and broadband markets. Adding BellSouth`s customers would lift AT&T`s annual sales to $120 billion in 22 states, giving the company cash and scale to pursue its strategy nationwide. Good news for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc.

ISSI`s Flash Card Reader Controller Selected by Sigma Design for Portable Media Player Reference Design
Wednesday March 8, 6:00 am ET

SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Integrated Silicon Solution Inc. (Nasdaq: ISSI - News), today announced that Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, has selected ISSI`s storage media hub Flash card reader device for their portable media player (PMP) reference design. This new portable media player adds Flash card reader functionality to the PMP and allows pictures, movies, or music to be played from different Flash cards, in addition to the built-in hard disk drive.

ISSI`s storage media hub Flash card reader controller, the IC1100B, complies with the USB1.1 Full Speed specification and supports standard PC card ATA and true IDE Host / ATAPI device interfaces. Flash media cards in all formats including SmartMedia, Security Digital, Multimedia Card, CompactFlash, Memory Stick, Micro Drive and IDE hard disk drives are all supported by this device. Integrated with a Turbo 52 CPU core, 32Kbyte internal Flash, 4K SRAM, and ICSI in-house parallel port master/slave interface, the IC1100B provides the a flexible solution for adding Flash card reader functionality to any IDE or USB hosts.

"ISSI`s IC1100B controller adds extra features to our PMP reference design. The Flash card reader gives end users the capability of using any of their Flash cards and allows the contents on the Flash cards to be viewed or played on the PMP without using a computer," said Ken Lowe, VP of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs, Inc.

"We`re excited to be part of another Sigma Designs reference design. The flexibility and robustness of our card reader controller design is ideal for any streaming media applications and Sigma Designs` PMP reference design is a very good example of these applications," said David Chow, vice president of product marketing for ISSI. "These same benefits also apply to other applications including DVD players, multi-function printers, HDTVs, projection TVs, projectors and other streaming media consumer applications."

For pricing and product information on ISSI Flash card controllers, please contact Kenny Chu, ASSP product marketing and applications manager, at 858-822-9499.

About Sigma Designs

Sigma Designs specializes in silicon-based media processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players. The company`s award-winning REALmagic® Video Streaming Technology is used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company`s web site at www.sigmadesigns.com.

About ISSI

ISSI is a fabless semiconductor company that designs and markets high performance integrated circuits for the following key markets: (i) digital consumer electronics, (ii) networking, (iii) mobile communications and (iv) automotive electronics. The Company`s primary products are high speed and low power SRAM and low and medium density DRAM. The Company also designs and markets EEPROM, wireless chipsets, SmartCards and is developing selected non-memory products focused on its key markets. ISSI is headquartered in Silicon Valley with worldwide offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Korea and Taiwan. Visit our web site at www.issi.com.


Source: Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc.

[amorphis]

Streamload cuts deal with D-Link

http://news.yahoo.com/s/sddt/20060307/lo_sddt/streamloadcuts…

Streamload (News), a San Diego-based provider of online digital media services, announced Tuesday that it has formed a joint marketing partnership with end-to-end networking solutions provider, D-Link to provide 25 GB of free online storage to D-Link MediaLounge Player customers.

The partnership will focus on D-Link`s MediaLounge line of products and Streamload`s online media center, Streamload MediaMax. The combined solution allows people to have access to their photos, videos and music anywhere, anytime via their PCs.


"There is an increasing desire among digital device users to access and enjoy their personal media content from their PCs throughout their homes," said Steve Iverson, president and CEO of Streamload. "A cross-marketing partnership of this kind has a natural synergy because Streamload MediaMax and D-Link MediaLounge make this a reality for media users."


"Having an online place to store, organize, and access files from our best selling MediaLounge wireless media players is a great value to our customers with large amounts of digital videos and music," said Keith Karlsen, executive vice president, D-Link. "Streamload MediaMax is an excellent free add-on service for our MediaLounge customers."


The D-Link MediaLounge line enables users to stream their media content from any PC in the home to their television and home stereo system via their home networks. Through this marketing partnership, Streamload will offer D-Link MediaLounge customers 25 GB of free online storage, as well as full access to all six of Streamload MediaMax`s media management applications. Additionally, Streamload will promote D-Link`s network hardware and in-home media player solutions to more than 3 million of its online media center users.

Note: Sigma is in D-Link`s MediaLounge.

[amorphis]

WSJ`s Mossberg reviews Moviebeam:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/08/06 09:04 am
Msg: 93491 of 93491

"A New Way to Avoid the Video Store"

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114178579786392161-rS… ItUfE_20070308.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

"We`ve been testing MovieBeam, and we generally like it. But it has some drawbacks -- most notably its limited selection, which is nowhere near as large as a video store or Netflix, and omits many movies that are newly available on DVD."

"MovieBeam is a smart solution for users who don`t like the hassles of renting DVDs, and don`t want to fool with their computers for downloading movies."

Product`s limited selection, one of Mossberg`s main concerns, will be less of an issue when Moviebeam starts to get video from broadband internet connections later this year.

FYI - This article was also in the hard copy WSJ today.

[amorphis]

PMP
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/08/06 11:16 am
Msg: 93501 of 93507

With today`s PMP news, I think it`s a good idea to go back and review comments made by SIGM at the Needham conference earlier this year. SIGM had a slide titled "PMPs Taking Off in Asia" which indicated that “Volume is coming in now through next year” and had the following comment of interest: “Recently, China has also adopted our PMP designs and we are seeing some fairly significant volumes in China for local use.”

We should get an update on what is happening in the PMP space later this month in the earnings conference call. Everything I see indicates that PMP sales will mean significant revenues for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

53 million IPTV subscribers by 2009
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/08/06 11:43 am
Msg: 93507 of 93507

Infonetics Research is predicting that there will be 53 million IPTV subscribers by 2009.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/ITFacts/?p=10343

If this is correct and the number of IPTV subscribers starts increasing by 10 or 15 million a year, this means several hundred million dollars per year in sales for SIGM in the IPTV space.
Byron

[amorphis]

FiOS
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/08/06 12:45 pm
Msg: 93513 of 93521

Page 1 story in today`s Wall St. Journal about how Verizon is faring with its FiOS initiative. As with any large scale project there have been some hurdles, with the main one being the fact that current laws generally require Verizon to seek permission from every community where it wants to offer TV service. However, the company says it is now securing permissions at a steady clip, including in markets in Florida, Virginia and elsewhere. Also, in a handful of states it has or expects to get blanket permission to sell television service anywhere in the state.

So far, Verizon has brought fiber to more than three million homes, and it expects to add another three million households by the end of this year, making a total of 6 million potential customers for FiOS TV service using a Sigma powered set top box, with more to come in later years.

According to the Wall St. Journal, FiOS could eventually require an investment by Verizon of up to $20 billion. They`ve already spent a good portion of that, so they`re going to have to do whatever it takes to get people to sign up for the service in order to get some return on their investment.
Byron

[amorphis]

so langsam sollte man seine shares eingesammelt haben...

IPTV to Reach Critical Mass This Year
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/10/06 03:47 pm
Msg: 93593 of 93607

At least four major telecommunications carriers will be offering services on Microsoft`s IPTV platform to hundreds of thousands of users by the end of the year, a Microsoft executive predicted on Friday.

Currently, AT&T, Verizon Communications, and Swisscom have commercial deployments of IPTV services on Microsoft`s software, said Elena Branet, senior marketing manager for EMEA for Microsoft TV at the CeBIT technology show.

According to Ed Graczyk, director of marketing and communications for Microsoft TV, the number of commercial users of IPTV services from those carriers and BT Group PLC--which also will have a commercial deployment by the end of 2006--should scale up considerably by the end of 2006. "The second half of the year is when deployments will really take off," he said.

A worldwide forecast for IPTV subscribers by digital consumer market research firm The Diffusion Group seem to match Microsoft`s optimism for IPTV subscribers. The group predicts that by 2007, subscribers for IPTV will hit 8.9 million worldwide; by 2010, the number of IPTV subscribers should climb to 37.8 million worldwide.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,125049,00.asp

If IPTV subscriber growth starts increasing by 10 million per year, this means several hundred million dollars in annual revenues for SIGM. It`s obvious that the news blackout we`ve been in for the past several months is hurting the stock price, and volume has dropped way off. The earnings conference call is in about 10 days. I expect volume and price to move higher based on news released during the call.
Byron

[amorphis]

I want my IPTV
Julian Clover reports from the IPTV World Forum in London


It’s the talking point of the moment; the rollout of IPTV services across Europe. Hardly a day goes by without another announcement coming from technology companies that are trying to build a reputation on the supply of alternative technologies. The conference hall at Olympia, which years earlier had hosted the burgeoning UK cable conference, was now full for the IPTV World Forum (March 6-8).

In a session that featured a panel of established IPTV operators Paolo Agostinelli, Chief Marketing Officer, Fastweb told delegates of the difficulties his company had experienced in securing content. He called for Italy’s broadcasters to base their commercial agreements more on a revenue share than a flat commercial rate. “Remuneration should be in accordance with the number of customers,” he said. Fastweb has in the past few days launched a new personal TV service that allows subscribers to view programmes broadcast over the past three days. Similar services are being provided not just by IPTV operators, but also cable operators, notably Telewest and NTL in the UK. Therefore by the time that a full bundle of triple play or even quad play is on offer, the average consumer will not be able to distinguish between the two.

“There is no one formula that is right; it’s local,” said Scott Alcott, COO Fixed Line Services, Belgacom in one of the best deliveries I’ve seen in a long while. As an incumbent telco in what Alcott describes as “The old dinosaur business” he says it is important to attack once in a while. “If you are facing competition from people who are getting 90% into your business, what you do is different in France, or in Belgium, or in Germany”. Belgacom launched its IPTV service in June and by September the company had attracted 35,000 customers in Belgium’s highly cabled market. The local solution in the Low Countries was after “30 years of football on cable to simulcast all seven games”. Belgian football fanatics take note.

Roger Lynch, Chairman and CEO, Video Networks Ltd has been a regular on the conference circuit since before decimalisation. The strategy of creating its own brands Scamp, Movies Now and BMX has paid off. The video-on-demand channels sit side by side with the regular linear channels and when Cartoon Network recently launched its own VOD service the main channel also benefited.

Lynch outlined plans for a Web over TV service that would provide access to public services in some of the more deprived parts of the UK, the rollout of a second set-top box, and even high definition television. However, what Lynch didn’t say was almost as interesting as what he did. There was no mention of the latest funding round or of the anticipated purchase by BSkyB, which already offers its services on the platform,under its Sky by Wire brand. Executives as wise as Lynch don’t go around asking for cash in the middle of PowerPoints, and even if someone had of asked the question, he would have been unfair to expect an answer. But as Kingston Communications begins to wind down its service, having pioneered IPTV in the UK, one can surely expect a few more arrows in the backs of the early pioneers.

[amorphis]

Holy DMA monopoly, Batman:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/11/06 02:33 pm
Msg: 93609 of 93614

"IDF Spring 2006: Digital Media Adapters"

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/2242/idf_spring_2006

"Also on display at the Intel Developer Forum was a strong showing of Viiv enabled Digital Media Adapters (DMA). In fact, there`s probably more Viiv branded adapters being showcased than both Portable Media Players and concept Ultra Mobile PCs combined. I guess the DMA space has finally started to mature and is now becoming a key component in the "Digital Home" with slicker form factors and improved user-interfaces. Vendors on display: BenQ, Linksys, D-Link, SMC, Gigabyte, DigiOn, Aigo, and others."

See names/photos in link also.

What`s inside:

Gigabyte (possibly SIGM - no specs yet)
SMC (not SIGM - low end audio box)
Ben Q (not SIGM - low end box)
Mitac (SIGM)
Linksys (SIGM)
DigiOn (SIGM)
Aigo (possibly SIGM - they already use SIGM in a PMP)
ICube (SIGM)
Acer (SIGM)
Netgear (SIGM)
D-link (SIGM)

Not mentioned here are SIGM-powered DMAs from IO Data, Sony, Sharp, Viewsonic and, I suspect, Lenovo.

Intel is looking for Viiv PCs to have a stronger ramp than Centrino did.

Version 1.5, the DMA-enabling one, is still set, as far as I know, for June.

With any decent level of DMA attachment here, the potential for SIGM in 2H06 and 2007 is off the scale.

[amorphis]

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060313/20060313005165.html?.v=1

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs, Inc. to Hold Fourth Quarter and Year-End Conference Call
Monday March 13, 6:30 am ET

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer appliances, announced today that the Company will be discussing fourth quarter and year-end results during a conference call on Tuesday, March 21, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.

[amorphis]

http://www.althos.com/IPTVMagazine_2005_11_RevD.pdf

[amorphis]

A very significant comment here:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/13/06 09:55 am
Msg: 93628 of 93646

"Telcos Pledge IPTV Box Interoperability"

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6315188.html?disp…

"AT&T, BellSouth, Verizon, and CEA are pledging that their various set-top or other IPTV interface devices will be interoperable.

In essence, that means that a box that works on a Verizon system could work on an AT&T system. It also means that others could make boxes that work with the systems.

AT&T is aiming to go the IPTV route with its LightSpeed video service, and is also planning to merger with BellSouth if the government powers that be OK the deal, as they are expected to do.

Verizon is going the TV route with its fiber video service, though it`s set-top is IP-based, as is VOD functionality, and it could develop IPTV services going forward.

At CEA`s "Entertainment Technology Policy Summit" March 15 in Washington, the companies plan to unveil "principles to ensure the preservation of commercial availability of devices connecting to internet protocol (IP) enabled video service provider networks," which also means a retail market for the devices."


IMO, this is great news since it plays to SIGM`s strengths (i.e. spec`d into MSTV already, good design breadth across various form factors already, and a stable and relatively easy-to-use software stack).

Every signpost out there is pointing more and more toward SIGM.

[amorphis]

Items of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/13/06 01:35 pm
Msg: 93648 of 93649

1) The EM8620L-powered D-Link DSM-520 now seems to be available in the UK as suggested by local press. Here are two:

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/personal-computer-world/news… es-definition-media
http://www.hdtvuk.tv/2006/03/dlink_reveals_d.html

2) DaveTV is offering complete NCAA coverage:

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=1129…

Might help sell some SIGM-powered XPORT set-tops.

3) Another good article about IPTV adoption rates (substitute "businesswire" for "xxxxx" in the following URL):

http://home.xxxxx.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId… 060313005761&newsLang=en

"Eighteen percent of early adopters, who now subscribe to cable or satellite television, said they "probably" or "definitely" would switch to get IPTV television services from their telephone company provider. If given a 10 percent savings offering on an IPTV package, an additional 34 percent of the remaining non-committed early adopters said they "probably" or "definitely" would switch."

"Worldwide IPTV service revenue is expected to skyrocket to more than $44 billion in 2009, according to Infonetics Research. Global IPTV subscribers are projected to top 53 million in 2009."


Here is a much better link for the IPTV adoption article:

http://communications.usa.siemens.com/about/newsandevents/si…

[amorphis]

D-Link news:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/14/06 09:47 am
Msg: 93660 of 93684

"Nero Recode CE Software to Be Bundled and Shipped with D-Link(R) Family of MediaLounge(TM) Wireless Media Players"

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060314/20060314005218.html?.v=1

"GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2006--Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announces that Nero Recode CE software will be bundled and shipped with the D-Link family of MediaLounge Wireless Media Players. Nero Recode CE converts source content in various formats to the Nero Digital MPEG-4 / H.264 AVC format, allowing D-Link MediaLounge Wireless Media Players to quickly and easily create and play back a wider array of entertainment content streamed from PCs on the home network without losing video or audio quality."


Can`t hurt sales. There are a lot of Nero fans out there.

[amorphis]

Personal Video Recorder
KORTRIJK, BELGIUM/ATLANTA, GA USA – Following its selection as the exclusive supplier of personal video recorders (PVR) for Telewest in the UK, Scientific Atlanta, a Cisco company, announced today that Telewest has fully launched its TVDrive service using the Explorer® 8300DVB™ HD PVR.

The Scientific Atlanta® HD PVR is the first HDTV-capable cable receiver in the UK, supporting Telewest’s launch of HDTV content on its Teleport video-on-demand service, which provides access to a huge library of TV and movie content via the remote control. In addition to being the first PVR in the UK, the Explorer 8300DVB HD PVR is Scientific Atlanta`s first-ever PVR with three video tuners, giving Telewest’s customers unprecedented flexibility and control to record two programs whilst watching a third. The box also incorporates a DOCSIS® tuner for high-speed data access.

“Our TVDrive combines high definition programming with PVR capabilities to provide our customers with the ultimate TV experience,” said Eric Tveter, president and chief operating officer at Telewest. “The exceptional teamwork between Telewest and Scientific Atlanta Europe enabled us to meet an aggressive launch plan.”

Telewest is employing best-in-class software and security components from a team of leading DTV technology companies. The PVR user application has been designed and developed by Telewest and runs on middleware provided by SeaChange (formerly Liberate Technologies). Conditional access security is provided by Nagravision. Overall client software integration services have been provided by Scientific Atlanta Europe.

“In every system where we have helped launch HD PVR service, it has become a ‘must have’ for consumers for home entertainment,” said George Stromeyer, vice president and managing director at Scientific Atlanta Europe. “HD PVR is also becoming a ‘must have’ for cable operators as competition intensifies from satellite and other service providers, and operators seek additional revenue opportunities.”

[goyauno]

Hi amorphis, mein Gott, wars´t Du wieder fleißig!!!!

Bin wieder da, denke Du könntest ein klein wenig unterstützung gebrauchen, werde jetzt aber viel lesen müssen.

Bis später

[amorphis]

hallo...noch mehr lesestoff für dich...


Changhong IPTV Wins Monetary Support From MII
March 15, 2006
Changhong`s IPTV terminal equipment development and manufacturing programs have won RMB1 million in support from the Ministry of Information Industry (MII).

MII says IPTV is a key area in which China needs to develop, and therefore it is offering preferential policies and funding to businesses within this sector. This is the largest sum of funds ever offered by MII to a Chinese enterprise.

In cooperation with China Telecom, Changhong is aiming at transforming 400 million television users in China into potential broadband users through the use of IPTV.

IPTV uses a two-way digital broadcast signal that is sent through a switched telephone or cable network by way of a broadband connection, along with a set top box programmed with software that can handle viewer requests to access media sources. A television is connected to the set top box that handles the task of decoding the IP video and converts it into standard television signals. The Switched Video Service (SVS) system allows viewers to access broadcast network channels, subscription services, and movies on demand.

[amorphis]

was schreiben die???400 millionen user allein in china???

[amorphis]

Viiv news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Buy 03/14/06 03:31 pm
Msg: 93689 of 93696

Today`s edition of Investor`s Business Daily has coverage of Intel`s Viiv initiative. Intel is working with MTV and other content providers. Some excerpts from the article:

Intel has started to make its big push to market Viiv (rhymes with five), a word the company says it created to designate "vibrancy and vividness in home entertainment experiences."

MTV and Intel will, in fact, roll out a joint campaign to market Viiv and the possibilities it brings to MTV fans. So says Jason Hirschhorn, chief digital officer for MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom. Intel is similarly at the table with other big names in entertainment, including Napster, (NAPS) TiVo, (TIVO) Yahoo (YHOO) and Walt Disney. (DIS)

Hewlett-Packard, (HPQ) Sony (SNE) and others already have released Viiv-powered PCs. Any device that has Viiv technology inside — PCs, handhelds, DVD players, digital music players — will be so identified with a Viiv label.

PC makers and chip companies have been talking for years about connecting all home electronic products and letting them work with each other. Intel says Viiv delivers on this goal. "We believe Viiv will change what you expect from home entertainment," Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini said in a speech at January`s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. "The most important thing we`ve been doing in the last couple of years is working with the content industry to get premium content" ready for Viiv PCs.

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=17… 0313

Many purchasers of Viiv PC`s will also by buying DMA`s with Sigma inside. I see this giving a significant boost to SIGM sales in the second half of the year.
Byron

[amorphis]

http://www.vnunet.com/articles/print/2151948


TV war as access hits 100Mbits/sec

Operators boost speeds with aim of selling content to counter drop telephony revenues
Clive Akass, Personal Computer World 14 Mar 2006

Cable giant NTL is field testing a 100Mbits/sec home link in the opening shot of a new battle for dominance of next-generation networks. But BT countered with news that exchanges covering 99.6 per cent of the country will be upgraded to provide links of up to 8Mbits/sec from 31 March.
BT is also testing ADSL2+ offering speeds up to 20Mbits/sec, something rivals are already providing at some exchanges. But the real battle is less over who can offer the fastest speeds (see here) and more about who is going to make what money from the system.
Telcos face a vicious circle. Faster broadband speeds mean more use of video and a huge increase in bandwidth demand. This will require massive new investment – BT alone is spending £10b on its 21st Century Network (21CN). Yet revenues from traditional voice calls fell 15 per cent last year as people and businesses switched to VoIP (Voice over IP).
So how are telcos going to make their money? One way is to charge more for bandwidth, either as per MB charges or by subsuming them into the price of a video download.
Another way is for the telcos to sell content themselves. Both BT and NTL plan to offer IPTV services (TV delivered using the Internet Protocol) and they are far from alone. Some see this as wishful thinking: how can BT compete with the likes of Sky and the BBC?
Mac Taylor, chief executive of the Moriana consultancy, told a Netevents forum last month that telcos can make money from IPTV if they offer content not available on existing TV or episodes of popular series not yet shown in Europe.
Other speakers pointed out that IPTV can generate money from advertising targeted at individual users or groups and from the fact that viewers can interact speedily with adverts.
There were also signs of an industry reacting against the likes of Google and Yahoo, which are getting ready to offer video-on-demand and stand accused of creaming off revenues from other people’s services.
Rob Keil, VP of infrastructure provider Hammerhead, said: ‘Google and Yahoo don’t want to pay anything more than they do now [for content delivery], which is nothing.’ He predicted that telcos would demand a premium for delivering video of the same quality they themselves provided.
But, as Taylor pointed out, telcos face competition from a host of smaller providers. IPTV could go the way of radio, which has at least 10,000 stations streaming over the web.
The BBC is even encouraging ‘people’s TV’ by making content available for non-commercial use: you can edit footage to create your own programs.

[amorphis]

WSJ Article
by: gmi1982 03/15/06 07:51 am
Msg: 93702 of 93703

See the cover of the Personal Journal today. A good article "A DVD Format War Breaks Out" is spread across a couple pages. Few key points:

- Toshiba launches first player with HD-DVD at $499

- Samsung player launches Blu-Ray player May 23 at $999

- Sony expected to announce details of 2 Blu-Ray players tomorrow.

- Sony expects 16 Blu-Ray titles by June.

- HD-DVD still has few studios lined up

- The first Sony Blu-Ray machine is likely to be the Playstation 3

- LG, a long-time supporter of Blu-Ray, licensed HD-DVD last month from Toshiba....LG deciding whether to bring out separate players or hybrid devices that support both formats.

Article also discusses Toshiba and Sony plans for notebook computers.

regards,

[amorphis]

upgrading to strong buy
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/15/06 09:55 am
Msg: 93706 of 93723

Roth analyst Jay Srivatsa is out today with a new report on SIGM. Some excerpts:

SIGM To Meet or Beat Q4:06 Guidance and Guide Sequentially Higher For Q1:07

SIGM poised to meet or beat Q4:06 guidance. SIGM reports Q4:06 earnings on Tuesday March 21
AMC. The Company had guided to 20% sequential revenue growth from Q3:06 revenues of $8.50 million. We are looking for $10.30 million and $0.02 EPS. We believe the Company continued to enjoy strong sales into the digital media adapter and portable media players in Q4:06 and began modest shipments into several IPTV deployments. As such, the Company could report revenues in the range of $10.20 - $10.50 million and could likely meet or beat guidance.

We expect an upbeat conference call highlighting the ramp up of several IPTV deployments and progress in engagements with Digital Media Adapters (DMA), FVD/EVD, Blu-Ray, HD-DVD and HDTV OEMs. Over the past year, we believe SIGM has been working with several IPTV OEMs and service providers. We note that IPTV contracts have a longer design cycle than DMA and DVD player products. As such, we could expect to hear several engagements that the Company has been working for the past six months coming to fruition. We note SIGM is currently involved in IPTV efforts of AT&T, China Telecom, China Netcom and British Telecom among others and we expect several more to come to light in the next few months.

IPTV gaining momentum in several geographies. Several headend vendors, set-top providers, chip suppliers, VOD and middleware suppliers are in various stages of launching their IPTV solutions, in our view. In addition to AT&T and British Telecom, Telecom Italia, T-Online, Deutche Telekom, Reliance Infocomm, Swisscom and other service providers have adopted Microsoft`s IPTV platform. We believe Sigma Designs` partnership with Microsoft could lead to design wins at several of these service providers.

At the Intel Developer Forum earlier this month, several DMA vendors using SIGM chips showcased their products. We believe many of these products could ramp in 2H:CY06 as Intel`s Viiv products begin to rollout.

Given the momentum and visibility into several IPTV deployments, we believe SIGM could provide guidance reflecting 10%-15% sequential growth for FYQ1:07. Going into a seasonally soft quarter, we believe DMA IC sales could decline, offset in part by IPTV set top box IC sales. As such, we could expect guidance in the range of $11.5 million - $12 million. We have modeled for revenues of $11.6 million and EPS of $0.03.

We reiterate our Buy rating on the SIGM with 12 month price target of $18.00.
**********************************************

I`m upgrading my rating on SIGM to strong buy with a 12-18 month price target of $30.
Byron

[amorphis]

Nice IPTV article in today`s IBD:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/15/06 10:26 am
Msg: 93709 of 93724

"Internet Television Companies Look For Beachhead Overseas"

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=17…

Excerpts:

"DaveTV, a new Internet television service, is based in Atlanta. But the company hopes to get its big break in Vietnam, Japan and other offshore locales.

It`s not that the company is overlooking the U.S. market — DaveTV looks to do business with domestic TV networks, telephone companies and music labels. But with Internet television, the offshore market appears most ripe right now."

"DaveTV, which started in January, currently has 100 channels and 10,000 hours of viewable content. It recently launched in Vietnam, a country with a virtually nonexistent cable infrastructure but about 9.2 million Internet users."

"And IPTV content is growing fast. DaveTV is adding about 3,000 hours of programming a month and has contracts for 150,000 hours total.

The content is highly eclectic. There are comedy channels, a swimming channel, a barbecue channel, and channels for movies and concerts. You won`t find much of the standard TV fare, but that`s coming, says Rex Wong, the company`s chief executive.

"We are talking to all the studios," Wong said. "We`ll announce a major network deal and a major music label in the next month or so."

"According to London-based research firm Point Topic, there were 1.5 million subscribers to IPTV six months ago, up from 1 million in the previous six months. And Point Topic was only counting people who got their TV through DSL.

Of the 97.1 million DSL connections worldwide, just 1.5% have IPTV, the firm says. But that number grows when you include a high-speed Internet video delivery service from Verizon Communications. (VZ)

The service — called FiOS, or fiber-optic service — is much faster than DSL because Verizon uses fiber-optic cable connected straight to the home. That means it`s great for delivering TV and other video.

But it`s a huge and expensive undertaking for Verizon, and FiOS is only available in a few cities. The new AT&T, (T) which recently merged with SBC and now looks to buy BellSouth, (BLS) also is pushing in this direction. "None of this will be happening too quickly over the next two years," said Ben Mendelson, president of the Interactive Television Alliance."


It will be quick enough to launch SIGM to a new level.

[amorphis]

In2TV: the DMA demand catalyst
by: WINTER_CFA 03/15/06 11:04 am
Msg: 93714 of 93724

"AOL and Warner Bros. Launch In2TV - The First Broadband Television Network"

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060315/20060315005478.html?.v=1

"AOL and Warner Bros. are saying "Welcome Back" to thousands of classic TV shows with the launch of In2TV, the first broadband television network, on AOL.com. The network offers the largest collection of free on-demand TV shows on the Web, including full episodes of favorite Warner Bros. programs from the past 40 years such as Welcome Back, Kotter, Chico & The Man, Alice, Growing Pains, Sisters, Kung Fu, Lois & Clark and many others, along with interactive features and viral videos that enable audiences to experience and interact with television programming in an entirely new way."

"All of the episodes can also be found through the new AOL® Video Search, and can be viewed full-screen with Windows Media streaming technology as well as in the new AOL® Hi-Q(TM) video format, which can deliver DVD-quality videos directly to consumers quickly and efficiently."



You WILL want to watch these shows on your TV, not your PC.

I imagine there will be several ways to do this (e.g. Viiv PC-to-DMA, broadband-to-DMA, broadband-to-TV) and MOST of the solutions for each way will involve SIGM.


It is truly astounding to me just how big a player SIGM will be in next-gen video products.

[amorphis]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060315/nyw100.html?.v=47


Press Release Source: Verizon

Verizon`s New High-Fiber `Diet` for 24 Additional New Jersey Communities: Blazing-Fast Data, Crystal-Clear Voice and Video Capability
Wednesday March 15, 12:15 pm ET
Verizon Expands Its Industry-Leading Fiber-to-the-Premises Network in New Jersey; Company`s Transformational Technology to Benefit Residential and Business Customers, Boost Economic Development

NEWARK, N.J., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon is bringing to 24 additional New Jersey communities one of the most significant advancements in telecommunications technology in the past 100 years.

The company today announced it is building a fiber-optic network that will deliver faster data speeds, crystal-clear voice -- and also has the capability to offer a full suite of video services in the future - to residence and business customers in the following locations: Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Livingston and Verona in Essex County; Bogota in Bergen County; Middlesex in Middlesex County; Allenhurst, Avon, Bradley Beach, Deal, Freehold Township, Howell Township, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Ocean Township and Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County; Mt. Olive and Roxbury in Morris County; and Branchburg, Bridgewater, Green Brook and Raritan in Somerset County.

[amorphis]

Last month Cisco completed an even more ambitious deal: the $7 billion acquisition of 55-year-old Scientific Atlanta, one of the two companies (along with Motorola) that sell the TV set-top boxes that cable companies place in consumers` homes. Behind the deals are a big ambition: Chambers doesn`t simply want to join the race for the digital home of the 21st century, he wants to own the racetrack—all the ways in which data flow into, out of and around the home. With its recent acquisitions, most analysts think Cisco is well positioned. "They are the only company that can come in on top of technology like cable boxes and routers that is already inside homes," says high-tech analyst Rob Enderle. "Everyone else has to build from scratch."

[amorphis]

Wegener gets an order:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/16/06 07:54 am
Msg: 93768 of 93770

"WEGENER Receives IPTV Set Top Order From Auroras Entertainment"

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060316/clth003.html?.v=43

"DULUTH, Ga., March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wegener Corporation (Nasdaq: WGNR - News), a leading provider of television, audio and data distribution networks worldwide, today announced it has received an order from Auroras Entertainment for WEGENER IPTV set top units. The order comes as a part of a previously announced licensing arrangement where WEGENER will license its COMPEL network control system to Auroras for their network.
ADVERTISEMENT


"Auroras is dedicated to ensuring that smaller broadband service providers can offer advanced television entertainment services," said Mike Kazmier, President and Chief Technology Officer at Auroras. "Providing reliable, reasonably priced, MPEG-4 compatible IPTV set tops is an important part of our business strategy and WEGENER`s offering provides these key features in a flexible package."

"We look forward to supporting Auroras` launch of a full suite of IPTV services nationwide," quoted Ned Mountain, President of WEGENER. "They have a well planned and managed approach to aggregate and distribute IPTV content to telecom operators."

WEGENER`s streaming media decoder, SMD-515, supports MPEG-4/h.264 and MPEG-2 video decoding. The IP set top fully supports both SD and HD video, optional PVR and rapid integration of 3rd party applications.

The order was booked in WEGENER`s third quarter of fiscal 2006."


Probably not a lot of units, but every little bit helps.

[amorphis]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2006-03-15…

[amorphis]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060316/nyth096.html?.v=48" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060316/nyth096.html?.v=48

JPI Picks Verizon FiOS Fiber-Optic Services for Key Multifamily Properties
Thursday March 16, 10:07 am ET
Verizon to Run Fiber-Optic Lines to Each Unit at Four Multifamily Communities, Offering Best Connection Speeds and Services


RESTON, Va., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Residents of four multifamily communities in Massachusetts, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland developed by Irving, Texas-based JPI will enjoy the best in broadband communications from Verizon via fiber optic-cables that will deliver a bundle of FiOS Internet and TV services to each apartment.

The communities are: Dedham Station, a 300-unit, three-building development in Dedham, Mass.; the Jefferson at Inigo`s Crossing, a 473-unit high-rise in North Bethesda, Md.; Jefferson at Sullivan Place, a 498-apartment development in Fairfax County, Va.; and The Byron, an eight-story, mixed-use project, including 90 residential condominiums, in Falls Church, Va. They will be among the first new-construction multifamily customers in the country to have Verizon`s FiOS bundle of calling, high-speed internet and video services.

"Every JPI community provides a comprehensive package of the best possible services and technologies," said Henry Pye, assistant vice president at JPI Partners LLC. "That includes Verizon`s revolutionary fiber-to-the-premises distribution network and its ultramodern FiOS services."

[amorphis]

über den ganzen ärger mit vphm fast die news von sigm übersehen...das sind hammer news!!!!

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs

Sigma Media Processors Power New MovieBeam Players
Friday March 17, 6:30 am ET
Pixel-Perfect High-Definition Decoding Provides Movie Lovers With an Outstanding In-Home Entertainment Experience

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, and MovieBeam, Inc. today announced that the new MovieBeam player is powered by Sigma`s EM8622 media processor, providing top quality audio/video output demanded by this breakthrough movies-on-demand service. MovieBeam recently launched its service in 29 major metropolitan areas across the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, reaching nearly half of all U.S. households.

ADVERTISEMENT
"MovieBeam is committed to improving the movie-rental experience, and we do that by delivering a `video store in a box.` We put the most popular movies -- including every new release from virtually every Hollywood studio -- on the MovieBeam player, connected to a customer`s television, with 100 movies always instantly available and up to 10 new titles automatically delivered each week," said Ira Dworkin, VP of engineering for MovieBeam, Inc. "Sigma`s media processors provide us the flexibility needed to ensure our customers consistently experience the best in quality movie-viewing."

The MovieBeam movies-on-demand service provides customers with stellar video quality for an outstanding in-home entertainment experience. Key features include playback of high-definition (HD) movies and upconversion of standard-definition movies when connected to an HDTV via HDMI, full playback control (pause, stop, fast-forward, rewind), and an intuitive interactive user interface featuring robust sort functionality. Powering these features, Sigma`s system-on-chip media processor features a 200 Mhz central processing unit (CPU), high-definition video and audio decoding in all major formats including Windows Media(TM) 9/VC-1, a full complement of audio/video outputs, graphics acceleration, and support for a host of system peripherals including IDE (for hard drives), Ethernet, and Infrared (for remote control).

"Sigma is now leading the industry in state-of-the-art media processors for consumer electronics," said Ken Lowe, VP of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs, Inc. "We offer multiple generations of system-on-chip products that support all major codecs in high definition -- including VC-1 and H.264, as well as a host of system peripherals and advanced content protection systems. We are thrilled to be working with MovieBeam, whose innovative movies-on-demand service demands the full range of capabilities offered by our chipsets."

About the EM8620L Media Processor

The EM8620L media processor from Sigma Designs provides a complete single-chip solution for next generation IP video and connected media players, featuring high definition Windows Media Video 9 support. The EM8620L offers a wide range of media processing functions for video decoding, audio decoding, and graphics processing based on REALmagic® HD technology, for the highest quality image possible on high definition displays. For single-chip systems, it features an on-chip RISC processor, PCI-bus, IDE controller and additional peripheral ports for supporting other subsystems.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the anticipated benefits of the proposed acquisition with Blue7, the consummation of the Blue7 acquisition and the timing of any financial charges resulting from the acquisition. Actual results could vary from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the ability to effectively integrate an acquired business and technologies, worldwide economic conditions, consumer reaction to the new products and services being offered, alternative offerings by competitors, and the ability of the parties to work together successfully to achieve the anticipated benefits of the proposed acquisition.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) specializes in silicon-based media processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players. The company`s award-winning REALmagic® Video Streaming Technology is used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company`s web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/.

About MovieBeam, Inc.

MovieBeam, Inc. is a leader in digital entertainment that is changing the way people rent movies. The MovieBeam movies-on-demand service provides instant access to an ever-changing lineup of new releases and popular favorites from virtually every major Hollywood studio, including select movies in HD -- always 100 to choose from, with up to 10 new movies automatically delivered digitally each week using over-the-air datacasting technology. The MovieBeam service is available in 29 major metropolitan areas across the U.S., and the MovieBeam System is sold by leading consumer electronics retailers and e-tailers. MovieBeam, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Burbank, Calif. More information is available at www.moviebeam.com.

REALmagic and Sigma Designs are registered trademarks of Sigma Designs. All other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

[amorphis]

und noch eine...

Press Release Source: Tatung Company

Tatung Launches New Digital STB2000 Set-Top Box Series Based on Sigma Designs` SMP8634 Media Processor
Friday March 17, 6:30 am ET

TAIPEI, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2006--Tatung launched its new high-definition, digital set-top boxes with success at the 2006 Cebit in Hannover. These latest set-top boxes (STBs) deliver full high-definition video, up to 1080i resolution, while simultaneously supporting streams encoded under MPEG-2, VC-1 and H.264 (also known as MPEG-4 Part 10) compression. The Tatung STB2000 STB series are based on Sigma Designs` (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) SMP8634 media processor. In addition to traditional outputs such as component and composite, Tatung`s new STBs also provide HDMI interface, which enhances the consumer entertainment experience. Currently many other telco companies have adopted Tatung`s STB2000 series set-top boxes for their IPTV services.

ADVERTISEMENT
The newly launched STB2000 hybrid functions not only as an interactive IPTV but also provides a digital TV tuner capability. The tuner capability will be supported under DVB-T standards in the first quarter of 2006, and later provide ATSC, DVB-C and DVB-S2. The STB2000 home networking feature can support mainstream products, such as Home PNA 3.0 and Home Plug.

"Tatung has already been in the advanced, digital set-top box market for six straight years," said W.Y. Lin, executive vice president of Tatung. "The STB2000 series is the most complete solution in the market, and its advanced features and quality can satisfy requirements for nearly all customer demand within the next five years. Sigma`s SMP8634 media processor streamlines a myriad of capabilities and features into a solid, single-chip, system-on-chip solution. Moreover, the price point for the new STB is also attractive to telco and service providers. We are seeing a strong demand for this product in 2006, and service providers have progressively marketed the Interactive TV service. The STB2000 series will be the best platform and solution."

Most major middleware suppliers are developing support for Tatung`s new STB2000. At the 2005 IBC show, Microsoft made a public statement that its IPTV middleware was set to support the STB2000 series. Tatung`s digital set-top box will support American, European and Asian TV standards. In the meantime, Tatung will utilize its plants across the globe (in Taiwan, China, Thailand, Czech and Mexico) to meet customer demand and provide prompt service.

About Sigma Designs` SMP8634 Media Processor

Sigma`s SMP8634 media processor integrates a complete complement of next-generation capabilities for a single-chip system-on-chip (SOC) solution with powerful multimedia processing, robust content security system, and a full complement of peripherals. Its advanced decoder engines support video decoding of H.264 (MPEG-4 part 10), Windows Media® Video 9 (Microsoft`s implementation of VC-1, the proposed SMPTE standard), MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 (part 2) with multiple streams, up to the equivalent of two high-definition video streams. High-performance graphics acceleration, multi-standard audio decoding, advanced display processing capabilities, and HDMI/HDCP output round out its multimedia core. Powerful content security is ensured through a dedicated secure processor, flash memory, and a range of digital rights management (DRM) engines for high-speed payload decryption. The SMP8634`s 300-MIPS host CPU, 3.2 GB/second unified memory controller, Ethernet 10/100 controller, dual USB 2.0 controller, and IDE controller provide for a single-chip solution for most set-top boxes and consumer players.

About Tatung

Established in 1918, Tatung Company currently owns 43 main subsidiary companies and reached $7.5 billion USD in sales in 2004 (including invested companies). Its main products include computers, consumer electronics, home appliances, telecommunication products, wires and cables, and heavy industrial products.

Since 1997, Tatung IPTV BU has also been at the forefront of research and sales/business development of digital home solutions such as IP-based set top boxes, DMR (Digital Media Recorder), MCPC, PDP/LCD TV, etc. We are prepared to launch new products into the market in the first quarter of 2006.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) specializes in silicon-based media processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players. The company`s award-winning REALmagic® Video Streaming Technology is used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company`s web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/.

[amorphis]

Warner sees next-gen DVD sales strong at year-end
Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:00 PM ET

By Sue Zeidler

LOS ANGELES, March 16 (Reuters) - Warner Home Video on Thursday said it expects motion picture industry sales of next-generation DVDs to reach as much as $750 million in the last quarter of this year, which will include their first holiday sales season.
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"From October to December, we expect at least $250 million to possibly as much as $750 million in sales industrywide," said Steve Nickerson, senior vice president of market management for Warner Home Video, which plans to release its first three titles on April 18 in HD DVD format, championed by Toshiba Corp (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research).

Warner Home Video is a unit of Time Warner Inc (TWX.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

HD DVD is one of two competing formats hoping to breath new life into the slowing home video market. The rival format is Blu-ray, created by a group led by Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research).

Both Blu-ray and HD DVD offer more capacity than current DVDs, but the groups` failure to reach a unified front has paved the way for a costly battle in the $24 billion home video market, like the VHS/Betamax war of 25 years ago that caused widespread customer confusion.

Nickerson said Warner Home Video was forecasting industry-wide sales of next-generation DVDs of $35 million to $40 million in April to September, as electronics makers and studios begin to release the next-generation DVD players and movies.

In disclosing Warner`s forecast for the fourth quarter, Nickerson attributed the wide range to uncertainty regarding home penetration of Sony`s PlayStation 3, which is expected to launch in November with a Blu-ray drive, and Microsoft Corp`s (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Xbox game console, which he said is expected eventually to have an HD DVD add-on drive.

"This is a new format and we`re using a lot of new technologies. We wanted to make sure that with all of these new things that the product is right," he said.

Earlier this week, Sony said it would delay the release of its new PlayStation 3 console until early November because development of some of the technology was behind schedule.

The PS3 launch date had been the subject of heavy speculation as expectations are high for the machine, which is also expected to give a huge boost to the install base of the Blu-ray technology.

Despite the PS3 delay, industry insiders believe the first stand-alone Blu-ray players will still come to market around May, with Hollywood rolling out titles accordingly.

Nickerson said Warner was targeting late June and early July for its first Blu-ray titles and saw no delays in other Blu-ray products as a result of the Sony PS3 delay.

"There`s nothing we`ve calculated from a business model that has been changed because of the Sony announcement," said Nickerson.

The first three Warner titles on HD DVD will be released on April 18, including "Million Dollar Baby," The Last Samurai," and "The Phantom of the Opera," he said.

Korea`s LG Electronics Inc. <066570.K> this week also announced plans to launch a next-generation DVD player that will bridge the yawning gap between the two competing formats by playing both HD DVD and Blu-ray.
© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

[amorphis]

Re: No News
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/17/06 02:24 pm
Msg: 93820 of 93827

SFA is using SIGM`s 8634 chip.

http://www10.edacafe.com/nbc/articles/view_article.php?secti… 204974

Earnings for last quarter and guidance for this quarter will be released Tuesday AMC and people are waiting to see the numbers. I expect to see buyers coming in to SIGM on Wednesday.
Byron

[goyauno]

hi amophis, nicht den Kopf hängen lassen wegen VPHM!!!

Bei Sigma werden wir uns nächste Woche warm anziehen, freue mich schon riesig auf die CC, und die News!!!

Kurse um $15 gehören der Vergangenheit an..., es sei den, SIGM wird im Hebst gesplittet!

Schönes Wochendende

goyauno

[goyauno]

Earnings füe heute angesagt

[Binford-Power]

Hi!

+8%

[miristegal]

Microsoft and Sigma
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/21/06 11:54 am
Msg: 93996 of 94015

Deutsche Telekom will use Microsoft`s software to deliver television and video-on-demand over its upgraded Internet Protocol network starting this summer, the two companies said on Tuesday.

The move marks the biggest European contract Microsoft TV has signed, and the second largest after one with AT&T in the United States.

"It is a very large deal for us and brings the overall number of contracts to 13," said Microsoft TV`s marketing manager Christine Heckart.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articl…

Microsoft said it expects most of the 13 customer operators it has contracts with so far to end trials and move to commercial IP TV offerings in the second half of 2006, triggered by an upgrade of the Microsoft TV software as well as cheap IP TV set top boxes based on one chip. (Sigma`s 8634)

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/sep05/09-08Si

gmaIBCPR.mspx

[miristegal]

AH 14,67 dol.
könnte ein sachkundige die zahlen deuten?



Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results
Tuesday March 21, 4:05 pm ET

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2006--Sigma Designs®, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processors for consumer appliances, announced results for its fourth fiscal quarter and year ended January 31, 2006.

ADVERTISEMENT
[0]
Net revenues for the fourth quarter were $10.5 million up 24% from $8.5 million for the previous quarter and up 33% from $7.9 million reported for the same period last year. Sigma reported a net profit of $490,000 or $0.02 per basic and diluted share in the fourth quarter. This compares to a net profit of $1.9 million, or $0.09 per basic share and $0.08 per diluted share, for the previous quarter, and net loss of $17,000 or $0.00 per basic and diluted share during the same period one year ago. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to increased sales into IPTV set-top boxes and portable media players, and the decrease in the fourth quarter net profit was primarily attributable to a one-time investment gain of $1.5 million recorded in third quarter.

For the year ended January 31, 2006, net revenues were $33.3 million, up 6% from $31.4 million reported for fiscal 2005. Sigma reported net income of $1.9 million which included total investment gain of $2.5 million, or $0.09 per basic share and $0.08 per diluted share in fiscal 2006 as compared to net income of $1.8 million or $0.09 per basic share and $0.08 per diluted share in fiscal 2005.

"We are pleased to report our second sequential increase in revenue along with another profitable quarter. We are also pleased with the range of accomplishments and overall profitability we achieved for fiscal 2006. We completed our fiscal year with two solid quarters of growth and a leading market position in the emerging IPTV set-top box market, as well as a solid position in the next generation high definition DVD market. We have maintained our technology leadership position with the launch of the SMP-8634, the first secure media processor with dual high-definition decoding for both H.264 and VC-1. Looking forward, we see strong top-line growth for our coming fiscal year," said Thinh Tran, chairman and chief executive officer, Sigma Designs.

Recent business developments include:

* Announced jointly that MovieBeam`s new set-top boxes are powered by Sigma`s EM8622 media processor, providing top quality audio/video output demanded by the new breakthrough movies-on-demand service. MovieBeam just recently launched its MovieBeam System in 29 major metropolitan areas across the United States, reaching nearly half of all U.S. households.
* Announced that the company will work with Pioneer Corporation on the joint development of a full-featured Blu-ray DVD player using Sigma Designs` SMP8630 family of media processors. Pioneer intends to be the first company to offer a high-quality, Blu-ray DVD player that contains all the key features expected from a high quality consumer product.
* Announced the acquisition of Blue7 Communications, a privately held San Jose-based company focused on the development of advanced wireless technologies, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) semiconductor products. The addition of a wireless division will broaden the company`s technology portfolio and enable greater levels of media processor integration.
* Announced that Sigma`s Blue7 Communications subsidiary, demonstrated its second generation Windeo® RF device and introduced its patent-pending Intelligent Array RadioTM (IAR) technology that integrates three radios on a single chip. The Windeo chipset is based on the WiMedia UWB common radio platform, an all-CMOS UWB solution with RF and baseband chips, and is targeted for digital entertainment systems.
* Announced jointly that Sigma is working in partnership with Widevine Technologies, to pre-integrate the patented Widevine Cypher® Virtual SmartCard(TM) with Sigma Designs` EM8620 and SMP830 series media processors.
* Announced that Tatung launched its new high-definition, digital set-top boxes that are based on Sigma`s SMP8634 media processor.

The conference call relating to fourth quarter and year-end results will take place following this announcement at 5:00 PM EDT today, March 21. The dial-in number is 800-901-5231 (international callers dial 617-786-2961) and the passcode is 18129965. Investors will have the opportunity to listen live to the conference call via the Internet through www.sigmadesigns.com/investors/overview or over CCBN`s Investor Distribution Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call through CCBN`s individual investor center at www.fulldisclosure.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in CCBN`s Individual Investor Network. Institutional investors can access the call via CCBN`s password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com). To listen to the live call, please go to the Web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call by dialing into 1-888-286-8010 (international callers dial 617-801-6888) and use passcode 76263294. The audio replay will be available for one week after the call. For further information, please see the link on our website at www.sigmadesigns.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

[miristegal]

[posting]20.898.509 von miristegal am 21.03.06 22:35:06[/posting]keiner da
so wie es meinem ÜP entnommen habe , hat SIGM die anal ysten
erwartungen um 2 cent verfehlt. die umsätze waren im rahmen
der erwartungen. der ausblick soll nach meinungen
welcher YB user fehlen .

[miristegal]

[posting]20.899.106 von miristegal am 21.03.06 23:11:22[/posting]AP
Aftermarket Movers: Sigma Down on 4Q Miss
Tuesday March 21, 5:20 pm ET
Sigma Loses Out, Chaparral Wins on Earnings Results in After-Hours Trading

NEW YORK (AP) -- Less-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings weighed on shares of Sigma Designs Inc. in aftermarket electronic trading Tuesday, though the company swung to a profit after a loss a year ago and posted revenue slightly above consensus estimates.

[goyauno]

CC
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/21/06 06:16 pm
Msg: 94128 of 94136

Highlights from the CC:

1. The guidance for last quarter was for 20% revenue growth and actual growth was 24%. The new guidance for this quarter is again 20%. I view this as a figure they are sure they can hit and actual growth will most likely again be higher.

2. In the DVD space they now have a total of 6 blu ray customers and 1 hd dvd. They look for good sales here in this year’s Christmas season. OEM’s such as LG have been talking about dual format players as a solution to the format war. SIGM’s 8634 chip will do the job in the dual format machines that are being planned now, and they have a new product in development that will work in the next generation of DVD players.

3. In the DMA space SIGM continues to dominate. They expect a revenue ramp in the second half of the year as MSFT and Intel/Viiv initiatives impact the market.

4. In the IPTV space MSFT has announced contracts with 13 large telcos. So far SIGM has 11 of these as customers. There is no solution other than SIGM for MSFT that is available at this time. For at least the next several months anyone starting up will be buying from SIGM. They confirmed SFA, MOT, Philips, and Tatung as set top box customers and pretty much confirmed Kiss/Cisco without coming right out and saying so.

5. The competition is still trying to catch up with Sigma. Not there yet.

6. On the topic of gross margins, SIGM has been saying for quite some time that GM’s will move toward 50% as they start high volume shipments. Last quarter they began granting high volume pricing discounts and the movement downward of gross margins that they have been talking about for a long time began. All of their products now have high volume customers.

7. Blue 7’s first product will be sampling this summer. They expect revenues to start to come in during Q4.

8. They are continuing to hire in order to be able to meet growing demand.

9. They have operating leverage and expect operating income to increase as volume continues to increase.

10. Regarding capacity at their foundry, Taiwan Semiconductor, they are ok for at least this year.

In summary, revenue continues to grow at 20%+ per quarter and they continue to add top tier customers all the time. There could be some short term weakness in the stock due to GM concerns, why I’m not altogether sure since SIGM has been saying for quite a while now that GM’s would come down as volume went up. As sales volume continues to ramp up and operating income also starts to ramp up I still feel the stock can reach $30 over the next 12-18 months.
Byron

[amorphis]

hey...war die letzten tage ans bett gefesselt...leider krank...aber...sigm hat zwar um 2 cents die erwartungen verfehlt...aber...die fetten monate kommen JETZT erst in 2006...jetzt fängt erst alles so langsam an!denkt daran!alles wird gut...

[goyauno]

21.03.2006
Deutsche Telekom - Zusammenarbeit mit Microsoft

BONN - Die Deutsche Telekom AG (WKN: 555750) wird künftig im Bereich Internet-TV-Services mit dem US-amerikanischen Softwarekonzern Microsoft Corp (Nasdaq: MSFT, WKN: 870747) zusammenarbeiten.

Die Deutsche Telekom (DTAG) ist aktuell im Begriff, ihr nationales High-Speed-Netz auszuweiten, um TV- und interaktive Services über das Internet anzubieten, kurz IPTV. Die DTAG wird dazu Microsofts IPTV Edition Software Plattform nutzen. Ziel der DTAG sei es, bis zum Ende des Jahres 2007 eine Millionen Kunden für diesen Service, der über das VDSL-Netz angeboten wird, gewinnen zu können. VDSL überträgt Daten mit einer Geschwindigkeit von bis zu 50 MB pro Sekunde, während herkömmliche DSL-Netz lediglich Datenübertragungsraten von zwei bis sechs MB pro Sekunde erreichen.


Bis Mitte 2006 soll der Dienst zunächst in zehn Städten angeboten werden, unter anderem in Berlin, Hamburg, Köln und München. Microsofts CEO Steve Ballmer zufolge ist das Abkommen mit der Deutschen Telekom der bisher größte IPTV-Vertrag in Europa und der zweitgrößte weltweit. Ballmer hofft auf eine Revolution im Bereich des TV-Entertainments in Deutschland. (cdr/ami)

[Onkel_Tuca]

Schaue der aktien schon lange zu und nun habe ich mal ne order rein gestellt ! hoffe die geht noch durch bevor die amis eröffnen...
Ist ja nen ganz schoener abschlag zu gestern. Ist denke ich nicht gerechtfertigt.
mfg Onkel

[amorphis]

latest news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/22/06 09:52 am
Msg: 94236 of 94266

Roth is out with a new report this morning. They reiterate their “Buy” rating and $18 price target. Some excerpts:

Sigma Designs reported $10.5 million in revenues and EPS of $0.02 for FYQ4:06.
The revenues easily beat Street consensus and our numbers. We had modeled for $10.3 million in revenues and $0.02 EPS and Street consensus was $10.37 million and $0.04 respectively. Gross margins came in at 59.9%, 880 bps lower sequentially, largely due to lower ASP for volume IPTV orders. Operating expenses were higher sequentially due to slight increase in SG&A related costs.

The balance sheet grew stronger, in our view.
Net cash was $26.36 million (cash/share at $1.15), an increase of $1.89 million from previous quarter. Inventories came in at $3.83 million, a sequential increase of $0.84 million. Inventory turns grew to 4.4x from 3.6x in the previous quarter. DSO`s dropped by 5 days to 43 days from 48 days in the previous quarter.

In our earnings preview note on March 14, we had mentioned that the Company could beat Q4:06
guidance of 20% and report revenues of $10.2 - $10.5 million. We had further stated that Company could guide to sequentially higher revenues in Q1:07. SIGM provided guidance of 20% sequential growth putting Q1:07 revenues at $12.59 million. The Company further indicated meaningful top line growth to continue in FY:07. We had modeled for revenues of $11.61 million and EPS of $0.03. Street consensus was $11.94 million and $0.04 respectively. Gross margins are expected to trend down to 50% range by end of 1H:FY07 and operating expenses to increase by $600K in Q1:07 due to added headcount from Blue7 acquisition.

Sigma in five major set top boxes and 11 telco deployments with Microsoft.
We believe SIGM continues to benefit from its strong relationship with Microsoft. We note Microsoft has been selected by 13 large telcos. SIGM stated that they are designed into 11 of these 13 telcos. Thus far, SIGM has announced designed wins only AT&T, British Telecom and Deutsche Telekom. The Company also confirmed that they are designed into five Microsoft IPTV set top box suppliers namely Tatung, Scientific Atlanta, Motorola, Philips, and Cisco/Kiss Technology. With the SMP8634 in full production, we believe this puts SIGM further ahead of its competitors – Broadcom and ST Microelectronics.

SIGM confirmed that they are designed into set top box for Deutsche Telekom IPTV service.
In our note on March 21, we had stated that SIGM with its relationship with Microsoft has won the contract at Deutsche Telekom. We note SIGM is also engaged with several non-Microsoft IPTV telco deployments as well. The telco IPTV opportunities represent the biggest growth opportunity for SIGM, in our view.

[amorphis]

latest news part 2
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/22/06 09:52 am
Msg: 94237 of 94272

Company is engaged with six Blu Ray DVD recorder OEMs, two of whom are Pioneer and Philips, and one top tier HD-DVD OEM. Three other Blu Ray OEMs we believe to be SIGM customers are Sony, LG Electronics and Panasonic. We expect volume shipments to these OEMs to begin in 2H:CY06. In addition to the recent launch by MovieBeam, the Company expects a revenue ramp in the second half of the year from Digital Media Adapters stemming from Intel`s Viiv initiative and Portable Media Players.

Gross Margins projected to drop to 50% faster than expected.
Given the strength in the IPTV markets, SIGM foresees sequential drop in gross margins as the Company aggressively pursues high volume IPTV design wins. While the Company had indicated previously that margins could drop as the volume ramps, the current guidance calling for drop to 50% by end of 1H:FY07 was faster than we had anticipated (we had modeled for ~50% margins in FY:08). However, we note that most semiconductor companies operate in the 45% - 55% gross margin range and typically, with the ramp of high volume customers comes volume pricing discounts which in turn lowers gross margins. Through cost reductions and forward pricing contracts with its fab partner, we believe SIGM could stabilize its gross margin at ~50% levels in 2H:07 and FY:08.

Raising Q1:07 revenue estimates. Given the 20% sequential guidance for Q1:07, we are raising our Q1:07 revenues but lowering our gross margins to 55.1% and increasing operating expenses by $600K to reflect the additional headcount. Share count also rises by 1 million shares due to the acquisition of Blue7. With the changes, our Q1:07 revenues and EPS numbers goes to $12.59 million and $0.02 from $11.61 million and $0.03, respectively. Our FY:07 revenues remains unchanged at $72.91 million while EPS goes to $0.32 from $0.46, respectively. FY:08 revenues and EPS stays unchanged at $102.5 million and $0.60.

We continue to view Sigma Designs as a Company with strong long term potential.
Despite the projected drop in gross margins, we believe the Company has good operating leverage as volume of shipments continues to increase. While there could be some weakness in the stock due to gross margin concerns, we believe the fundamentals of the business remain intact. The early momentum SIGM has in several nascent but growth markets namely - IPTV, DVD recorder, DMA and HDTV and its strong relationships with service providers, software vendors and set top box OEMs, lends support to our investment thesis.

With our revised numbers, trading at 26.5x FY:08 earnings, we believe SIGM remains undervalued. Pegging a 30x multiple, our price target for SIGM remains unchanged at $18.
We reiterate our Buy rating on SIGM with 12 month price target of $18.
***********************************************
My view is that $18 is a reasonable price target based on earnings for the current fiscal year and $30 is reasonable based on earnings for next year.
Byron

[amorphis]

DJ Sigma Designs Dn; 4Q Gross Margins Drop Sharply


By Erica Owen
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Shares of Sigma Designs Inc. (SIGM) dropped 13% Wednesday after the company posted gross margins in the fourth quarter that were below Wall Street`s expectations, noting lower prices for volume orders.

"In contrast to the premium margin the company has enjoyed in the past, we have had to negotiate substantially more aggressive pricing to compete with this high-volume business," said Sigma Chief Executive Thinh Tran in the company`s fourth-quarter earnings conference call late Tuesday. "Our fourth-quarter gross margin reflects this aggressiveness (and will) in future quarters."

Fourth-quarter gross margin was 60%, down from 69% in its third-quarter. For the year, gross margin fell to 65% from 70% in the prior year.

Sigma, Milpitas, Calif., makes silicon-based media processors for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high-definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players.

Shares of Sigma fell 12% in recent trading, down $1.91 to $13.96 on volume of 2.2 million, nearly four times its average volume of 538,285.

The stock has been trading down since in January 2006`s all-time high of $17.05 - which stemmed from an 8 month climb from its year-low of $6.31, marked on May 13.


(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

March 22, 2006 11:13 ET (16:13 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.- - 11 13 AM EST 03-22-06

[ostod]

Der Amorphis

hat im Moment Pech,

da wollte die Aktie nach oben abhauen und dann -peng-
Der Profit war einfach nicht genug.
Aber so ist es halt, irrsinnig viele Meldungen wer alles
Sigma ins Programm nimmt, aber die Firma hat noch nie
mitgeteilt was dabei rüber kommt- schade-
und dann immer dieses totale ausharren bis zum letzten,
um 10 Millionen Umsatz bekannt zu geben, braucht diese Firma 9o Tage, andere sind da in 30-40 Tagen raus damit.
Nun hoffen wir, daß das erste Quartal nen Schub bringt,
die letzte Chance für unseren Amorphis, vielleicht
ist ja die niedrige Ausgangposition von seiten des Profits
ein Gewinn, aber erst mal muß gebüßt werden.

[amorphis]

[posting]20.911.339 von ostod am 22.03.06 17:33:51[/posting]tja...pech hat jeder mal...

was die aussichten von sigm anbelangt...da mache ich mir keine gedanken...du?

[amorphis]

Sigma Designs "outperform," target price raised

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 8:05:50 AM ET
Robert W. Baird

NEW YORK, March 22 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Robert W Baird maintain their "outperform" rating on Sigma Designs Inc (SIGM.NAS), while reducing their estimates for the company. The target price has been raised from $18 to $21.

In a research note published this morning, the analysts mention that the company has been generating consistent revenue growth due to an increase in volumes, despite seasonality. Sigma Designs is likely to achieve or exceed the revenue expectations for 2006, the analysts say. The company’s near-term margins and volumes are expected to continue to be driven by IP set-top boxes and the emerging mobile video player segment, Robert W Baird adds. The EPS estimate for FY07 has been reduced from $0.65 to $0.55 to reflect low gross margin assumptions.

[ostod]

kann ich noch nicht sagen,
muß ich mal bei den Investor Reläschen -Typen anfragen.
Für Profite ist dort aber keiner zuständig, so war es bisher.

Also paß mal auf, ob die Gurke jetzt nicht in den Abwärtstrend kommt, und vergiß den verletzten zu spielen, denk an dein Geld, du bist im Gewinn, spar dir den
starken Mann, wenns gegen dich läuft, Propheten sterben
meist eines unnatürlichen Todes, denk an dich, du mußt
dich jetzt selbst führen, nicht die anderen.
Du weißt selbst, daß du jederzeit wieder auf den Zug aufspringen kannst, sogar mit viel mehr Shares unter Umständen.
Für die Börse bist du nicht schuldig,
aber besser ist es man setzt sein Recht mit der Börse um.
Also machs beste für dich draus.
Die Wege an der Börse sind halt länger als man oft denkt.

[amorphis]

[posting]20.911.903 von ostod am 22.03.06 17:59:55[/posting]danke für deine meinung...hab schon verstanden was du mir sagen willst!

[MCMB]

Hallo Amorphis,

leider bin ich dem Wirtschaftsenglisch nicht so mächtig dass ich alles was jetzt passiert verstehen kann. Was ist jetzt genau passiert. Hat Sigma nur die Erwartungen der Analysten nicht erreicht oder warum geht es so tief runter. Bin zu 8 Dollar eingestiegen und bin mir jetzt etwas unschlüssig was ich machen soll...

Vielen Dank

[amorphis]

hab jetzt leider nur für eine kurze antwort zeit...aktuell kämpft sigm mit dem aufwärtstrend...welcher seit einem jahr besteht...ich weiß nicht wie du zu deinem invest stehst...wenn du seit 8$ dabei bist...hast du einem schönen gewinn...den gilt es zu sichern...auf der anderen seite...sollte das buisness von sigm erst in diesem jahr so richtig ans rollen kommen...und ich denke das noch deutlich mehr drin ist...aber sicher ist natürlich nichts...und so haben wir beide das gleiche problem momentan...

[ostod]

MCMB

du mußt mit einem Rückfall bis 12 Dollar rechnen.
wenns richtig toll kommt 9,5

Das heißt nicht, daß das kommt, aber daß die Aussicht besteht. Es wäre nichts falsch oder ungewöhnlich, wenn das einträfe, die technische Situation sieht nicht gut aus,
ganz verloren ist sie noch nicht, aber viel fehlt auch nicht.
Mal sehen wie der Tag ausgeht.

[MCMB]

Auch wenn ich nicht jede deiner Nachrichten gelesen habe, bin ich ebenso der überzeugung dass wir noch viel großes von Sigma zu erwarten haben. Was für mich stellt sich mehr die Frage jetzt raus und zu einem anderen Zeitpunkt wieder rein. In der Vergangenheit hab ich meist so reagiert und mich geärgert weils so gut wie immer nach so einem Absturz nach oben ging und ich dann teilweise viel teurer wieder eingestiegen bin. Ist mir z.B. bei Hurray passiert. Vielleicht hast du ja die Tage mal Zeit zu schreiben wie du vermutest dass es weitergeht. Ich versteh ehrlich gesagt auch nicht genau was jetzt passiert ist. Hat Sigma nur die Erwartungen der Analysten verpasst oder was ist passiert dass wir aktuell mit 15% im Minus sind.

[miristegal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.914.873 von MCMB am 22.03.06 20:49:37

vom gestern - da WO hatte umstellungspause.

AP
Sigma Shares Sink on Margin Concerns
Wednesday March 22, 11:42 am ET
Sigma Designs Inc. Shares Sink on Concerns About Gross Margin Decline and More Competition

NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of Sigma Designs Inc. tumbled on Wednesday after the company missed fourth-quarter expectations and said gross margins could decline faster than analysts had expected.

Shares of Sigma Designs, which have traded between $6.31 and $17.05 over the last year, were down $1.91 at $13.96 in late-morning trading on the Nasdaq.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Milpitas, Calif.-based developer of multimedia chips and cards said Tuesday it earned $490,000, or 2 cents per share, up from a loss of $17,000, or break-even last year. Analysts expected the company to earn 4 cents per share. Revenue for the quarter was $10.5 million, topping expectations for $10.4 million in revenue.

Analysts' primary concern, however, seemed to be projections for a more rapid deterioration in gross margins than analysts had anticipated.

"Gross Margins are expected to continue their downward trend, approaching the 50 percent range within the next two quarters as pricing pressures persist due to increased volumes to its larger customers," Pacific Growth analyst Erik Rasmussen wrote. "Offsetting this, management believes that it will be able to initiate certain cost cutting measures, but was unable to highlight any specific programs during its earnings call with investors. Additionally, management highlighted for the first time the increased competition from major players such as Broadcom Corp. and STMicroelectronics N.V., which could affect its growth opportunities going forward."

Baird analyst Tristan Gerra, who has an "Outperform" rating on the stock, seemed unbothered by gross margin projections. He raised his price target to $21 from $18, and said the company appears to be on track to meet or beat revenue expectations for 2006.

"Sigma Designs posted strong revenue growth in the January quarter, slightly exceeding its 20 percent growth guidance, and guiding again for 20 percent growth in the April quarter, which is usually seasonally weak. Our stance on the light gross margin showing (down to 59.9 percent from 68.6 percent, below expectations), is indicative, in our view, of a faster-than-expected ramp in volume applications such as IP (Internet Protocol) set-top boxes. We emphasize this is a positive outcome as our concern near-term for Sigma was whether the company could sustain a double-digit revenue ramp for more than a quarter in a row," Gerra wrote.

Shares of Sigma Designs, which have traded between $6.31 and $17.05 over the last year, were down $1.16, or 10.14 percent, at $14.26 in morning trading on the Nasdaq.

[miristegal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.914.873 von MCMB am 22.03.06 20:49:37

Quelle www.wall-street-allerts.com

SIGM traded down over 14% on Wednesday in heavy trading, after releasing Q4 earnings that weren’t well-received by the Street. Investors and analysts fretted over the company’s gross margins and increased competition. For Q4, the company announced earnings of 2 cents per share on revenues of $10.5 million dollars, compared to analyst expectations of 4 cents per share of earnings on revenues of $10.4 million dollars. Analysts are worried that the company’s gross margins will continue to drop, and that they didn’t hear any plan from the company to increase their margins. SIGM closed at $13.55 on Wednesday, and traded over 5 million shares on the session.

eine kurze zusammenfassung

[amorphis]

4Q Conf Call Notes/Comments
by: WINTER_CFA 03/22/06 02:49 pm
Msg: 94355 of 94418

These are the new or significant statements made by SIGM on this week’s conference call:

The fourth quarter revenue increase was primarily attributable to increased sales of IPTV set top boxes and portable media players. The gross margin decrease was due primarily to lower prices given for volume orders.

EM8500 (sales) increased during the quarter substantially and the SMP8634 increased substantially. The EM8620 series did not have a substantial increase from the previous quarter.

There were a lot of (4Q) startup costs (in the cost of goods line) that won’t be occurring again. SIGM had to expedite a lot of parts. SIGM will also do basic things like improving yield and other things that will reduce costs. SIGM is also negotiating higher volume discounts with its foundry. All that is in place. SIGM also has newer generation products in design right now that use smaller geometries that can be phased in with deployed chips.

SIGM sees strong top line growth as it moves into its new fiscal year. Based on current visibility, SIGM expects to achieve approximately 20% revenue growth in its first quarter and anticipates continued growth throughout this fiscal year.

In contrast to the premium margins the company has enjoyed in the past, SIGM has had to negotiate substantially more aggressive pricing to compete for this high volume business. SIGM’s fourth quarter gross margin reflects this aggressiveness as it will in future quarters. SIGM therefore estimates gross margins will trend toward 50% by the end of the first half. It's possible to get near that in the first quarter or it could take until the second quarter. The gross margin will depend a lot on product mix.

If SIGM ends up with 50% to 65% of the IPTV business in 2006, that would generate another $30 to $35 million in revenue. That would end up doubling the company during the year if things play out. SIGM sees reasonably substantive increases in revenue happening throughout the year

SIGM sees unit volume building up and sees ASPs fairly level. The mix of the chips is going to keep ASPs fairly close to $20, maybe slightly above $20.

Regarding the IPTV space, to SIGM’s knowledge, it remains the first and today only available silicon solution for MSTV-based IPTV solutions, though a second source is planned. SIGM’s chipset is still the only one that Microsoft has successfully ported the MSTV experience to, so a great deal of the telco projects that are being rolled this year are based on SIGM’s solutions at this point. Anybody that is going to ship systems beyond a Celeron model over the next several months is going to have it based on a SIGM chip. It is SIGM’s understanding that ST Micro’s chip is fairly close to its type of chip although they're still working on the commercialization aspect, software and other elements of it. SIGM also understands that Broadcom is also getting close, but that they're still struggling a little bit.

Regarding a very recent Microsoft quote about now having 13 large telco IPTV contracts signed, SIGM stated that there were two on the list that we weren't using SIGM solutions at this time. Some are deploying Celeron-based systems early, but they're just trials. Therefore, SIGM can't necessarily claim all of them, but certainly the vast majority SIGM is involved with.

As SIGM has indicated before, it is the silicon behind many of the set top boxes being readied for deployment starting with Motorola for AT&T and Phillips for British Telecom. SIGM is continuing to work with a major telco in Europe that will move into full launch during the second quarter. SIGM is also continuing to work with another major telco in North America that also intends to roll out systems in the second quarter.

Regarding SIGM’s previously mentioned 5 MSTV set-top design wins, SIGM stated that Cisco and Tatung would be good guesses as the remaining two (along with Motorola, Scientific Atlanta, and Philips). Tatung has a wide range of targets for its set-tops. They're dealing with Microsoft TV as a low-cost set top box there. They're going after a pretty wide range of telcos with that. They'll be doing their own spin-off versions as well. They intend on being a big supplier in Asia. They are one of the few companies that can really offer the kinds of high volume, low-cost worldwide service capabilities that a lot of the Asian telcos are looking for.

SIGM is working with a number of service providers that are launching independent services for both television and movie download. Other services in this category should begin to appear in the second half of this year. SIGM believes that, as a group, these IPTV deployments have begun to bolster its revenue growth and will be a serious component of its revenue stream in the first fiscal quarter. SIGM maintains its target of capturing over 50% of the telco IPTV volume as it ramps into a mainstream market during 2006.

Regarding high definition players, SIGM believes that the fundamental market shift toward these players will begin to occur at this year's holiday season. SIGM has engaged with two new Blu-Ray vendors, again seeking Sigma out to satisfy the demand for a unique combination of features, bringing the total Blu-Ray player engagement to six. Although SIGM will begin to ship some units into this segment during the first half of this year, substantive shipments will not begin until the second half. As before, SIGM believes that this market segment has long-term potential to fuel its top line growth. SIGM stated that the SMP8634 can power a dual HD DVD/Blu-Ray player. Commensurate with talk about new standards for the next generation of players, SIGM has a new product design that will take care of second generation requirements.

Digital media adapters appear to be heading toward a volume ramp in the second half of this year as a result of Intel's Viiv and as Microsoft media extender programs kick into high gear. SIGM continues to dominate this segment and expects to announce additional design wins this year.

Regarding portable media devices, SIGM continues to see top line contributions from two primary segments. First, the portable video player segment in China, which offers a gadget-oriented appeal to the youth market. Second, the portable hard drive segment in Korea, which offers media portability through a loadable USB player.

Regarding HDTVs, SIGM is continuing its gradual penetration of the HDTV space through design wins in wireless LCD-TV. SIGM continues to maintain a long-term focus on eventually gaining more flat panel design wins and expects more announcements later this year.

[amorphis]

Comments on Notes/Comments
by: WINTER_CFA 03/22/06 02:51 pm
Msg: 94359 of 94418

It was the best of times. It was the worst of time. Not really. Although SIGM is taking a stock price breather today as some fret over the firm’s reported and forecasted gross margin declines, the fundamental story has never been stronger and the pot of gold at journey’s end has never been larger.

The hard evidence that SIGM is heading for the big leagues has begun to arrive as the firm has just posted its first double-digit million dollar sales quarter as a chip firm and unit sales have risen above a half million for the first time. This is the breakout quarter we have long waited for since it not only shows a definitive acceleration in sequential and year-over-year sales growth, but also lends credibility to future quarterly and annual forecasts. Company guidance for another 20% sequential sales gain for its 1Q, a quarter almost 60% completed already and one usually having only modest growth, reinforces this observation. Moreover, SIGM continues to opine that the REALLY GOOD growth will start in its 2Q and 2H.

The move to a higher level for SIGM, however, has also precipitated something that was also inevitable and somewhat anticipated: gross margin contraction. No doubt about it, the drop to 59% in the 4Q was much sharper than expected, as was guidance toward 50% over the next several quarters. A less-than-stellar explanation of these drops on last night’s conference call exacerbated the negative surprise.

As I see it, there are several factors to consider regarding SIGM’s 4Q gross margin drop: 1) The possibly substantial mix shift toward EM8500 series business in the 4Q (likely to UTStarcom and Far Eastern PMP makers) probably had a noticeable impact on the gross margin; 2) Profitability of SMP8634 chip sales in the 4Q were likely hit by ramp costs as well as immediate volume discounts to one or more top-tier customers; 3) SIGM stated that they had to expedite shipment of “a lot of parts” in the 4Q. This is not cheap to do and could have added significantly to SIGM’s cost of goods line in the period. Collectively, these factors made for a “perfect storm” type cost hit in a contracted timeframe.

Going forward, SIGM believes that its gross margin will fall to 50% within several quarters. I have several reasons to question this forecast, not the least being the company’s own inability to adequately telegraph or explain the reported 4Q drop (thus the need for a good company CFO becomes more apparent). Other reasons include: 1) A mix shift back toward more profitable EM8620 series chips could occur going forward; 2) SMP8634 ramp costs will lesson; 3) SMP8634 customer volume discounts are already in place to a degree; 4) Volume discounts with SIGM’s foundry are being pursued; 5) Costs to expedite chip shipments will likely stabilize, if not decrease; 6) Geometry shrinks and other cost controls measures will be implemented over the course of the year.

Net/net, I think SIGM’s gross margin will move to 50% over time, but with a much more gradual slope than many, including the company, may expect. Consequently, I project a 57%-58% gross margin for SIGM in its 1Q, with a steady decline to 52%-53% by the 4Q.

Moving on to SIGM’s business segments, the developments here are all resoundingly bullish:

In the IPTV space, SIGM has plain and simply taken the lead and I don’t see how they are going to lose it. They are designed into almost every major set-top maker addressing the MSTV platform (Thomson seems to be a notable exception as it plows along with its more expensive, less capable Celeron-based solution). They will be, at least for now, the chip used in 11 of Microsoft’s 13 signed global telco projects (and all but confirmed a win with Deutsche Telecom for its very significant mid-2006 IPTV rollout). They are working more tightly with Microsoft than anyone to develop next generation chips for next generation solutions. They are being increasingly bid by major players in many of the non-Microsoft projects beyond China (where they remain extremely well positioned and unit potentials remain huge). Their two main chip competitors, ST Micro and Broadcom, continue to struggle to bring deployable solutions to the market (their respective absences at the recent London IPTV World Forum were GLARING). Finally, they are apparently going to price aggressively to win and keep business going forward (make no mistake about it - if SIGM is selling chips to the likes of Motorola and Cisco at volume discount prices, these are a result of long-term high volume supply agreements that probably span one to two years).

If IPTV set-top units in SIGM’s targeted space amount to the previously forecasted 3 million (note – units here, not subscribers) for 2006, I think SIGM gets a huge slice of this (perhaps 70% to 80% and maybe more). Beyond 2006, even the most conservative estimates have market units doubling in 2007 and doubling again in 2008. Given the points listed above, I have no reason to believe at this point that SIGM will get anything less than 50% of all units through 2008 (which probably nets them at least $120 million in sales by that year). For 2007, $50M-$60M is probably a good starting number to use for SIGM.

In the high definition player space, SIGM has now racked up six top-tier Blu-Ray wins in a business space that probably has no more than 10 such suppliers and more engagements could certainly be forthcoming. Consequently, when volumes ramp, SIGM will likely make hay here. Importantly, SIGM also stated that its SMP8634 chip can support dual-format players, a product design that several makers have begun to embrace. Moreover, it sounds like SIGM will be first to market for second generation designs in this space. Blue laser-related sales should rise nicely for SIGM in this business as we move into the 2H and should be augmented by a number of red laser designs that remain poised for better overseas sales. Much more significant volumes could await SIGM in 2007 and 2008, however, as the standards battle get resolved one way or another, prices drop, and much more content becomes available (a January 2006 market forecast by LG Electronics showed blue laser units rising to 7M and 21M for 2007 and 2008, respectively). Even a moderate share win by SIGM in this space, perhaps 10%, could propel this business to a $100M one for SIGM by 2008. For 2007, $30M-$40M is probably a good starting number to use for SIGM.

In the digital media adapter space, SIGM had little to add to previous comments on the call except to say that DMAs are still expected to have a volume ramp in the second half of the year driven largely by new Viiv PCs. Not mentioned, but equally important to demand creation, will be more and more VOD announcements like that recently made by AOL with its “In2TV” service whereby TV content can be perused and then streamed/downloaded for viewing. This should essentially be a monopoly market for SIGM, at least though 2006, as it maintains that no one out there of size is using anything but a SIGM solution. The bottom line here is that if the DMA business does grow to even just one million annualized units over some upcoming timeframe, SIGM probably makes almost $20M in sales from it in that period. If market usage explodes, however, SIGM could easily rake in $50M-$60M in this space by next year. A key factor here remains whether or not (and to what degree) DMAs get bundled with sales of PCs and HDTVs.

SIGM had little new to add regarding either its PMD or HDTV businesses. The former continues to do well for them in several Far Eastern markets, while the latter continues to stealthily garner more top-tier design wins and waits, like the DMA market, for better technology and content models to drive user demand.

All things above considered, I still get to about $78M in sales for SIGM this year, a slight revision to my previous $80M estimate with a slight shift of some sales to the 2H. My previous EPS estimate of $0.80 is now clearly too high, however, given my new gross margin assumptions and the inclusion of quarterly operating expenses for the recently acquired Blue7 (the latter shaving $0.10 off of my number by itself). My new EPS for this year thus drops to $0.50. On a quarterly basis, my numbers for sales are $13.0M, $16.0M, $21.0M, and $28.0M, respectively, and my EPS numbers are $0.03, $0.07, $0.14, and $0.26. While I have yet to formally generate numbers for next year, it would seem that $120M in sales and $1.00 in EPS would be reasonable starting points given current thoughts on SIGM’s five business segments.

My ongoing definition of SIGM (i.e. a fabless chip firm increasingly well positioned in a number of high-growth markets) has led me to perpetuately project a fair valuation price/earnings (P/E) range of 20x to 40x current year EPS for the stock commensurate with increasing institutional investor interest as the news flow for SIGM improves and sales and profits rise. Such a valuation range remained consistent with that of other well positioned technology issues over the past several business cycles. Thus, it was assumed that over the ensuing quarters, the stock market would increasingly discount SIGM’s previous calendar 2006 estimate which, when based on the P/E range above, would create current year upside potential of between $16 to $32.

In my opinion, the time has come to aim for a higher valuation than this since SIGM has moved beyond “well positioned” to “industry leader.” We can do this two ways. First, as previously discussed in an article I titled “The Mechanics of a Mega-Bagger”, breakout stock performers tend to move toward very high price/sales and price/earnings levels once reported results and the stock’s price have started their moves. Figures of 5x and 50x annualized sales and EPS levels, respectively, one year out have been typically seen for comparable issues. In SIGM’s case, its 4Q sales projections of $28M and $0.26 ($0.18 if SIGM paid full taxes), respectively, would, when annualized, suggest possible intermediate stock price moves to roughly $24 and 36. The second method would be to use the 20x to 40x P/E valuation objective on next year’s preliminary EPS estimate of $1.00 (thus calculating a $20 to $40 target). The bottom line once again is that SIGM is growing into a bigger company and its stock price goal is much higher than its current market price any way you slice it.

As repeatedly stated before, I remain significantly invested in SIGM and continue to firmly believe that investor patience will ultimately be handsomely rewarded on this stock.

[amorphis]

Getting refocused - MOT in India:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/22/06 10:19 pm
Msg: 94414 of 94419

A follow-up to an earlier post I made on this subject:

"Motorola may supply IPTV set-tops to Reliance"

http://www.keralaonline.com/news/newsdisplay.php?newsid=572

This says it all:

"This set-top model has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft and AT&T, said a senior official with Microsoft, who said the ultimate demand from Reliance Infocomm could be for between three million and 5 million set-top boxes."

That is the SIGM-based model. There is no doubt about it.

Assuming MOT gets the win here, 3M-5M units means $60M-$100M in sales to SIGM, even with a HUGE chip price discount. Only a 50% market share for SIGM if a good second source emerges? Fine, that's still $30M-$50M.

1 of 11.

Just the MSTV platform.


I don't care what SIGM's gross margin is next Q.

No, I can't always accurately predict SIGM's results Q to Q.

As hands_24 said very well several posts ago, I and the large number I speak to are in SIGM for a multi-year play with a huge payoff.

In my opinion, there is little speculation present when a strategic objective is based on extensive fundamental knowledge that ultimately leads to a highly likely, if not almost CERTAIN, set of conclusions.

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.920.095 von amorphis am 23.03.06 13:05:41

kleiner hinweis....gmi ist ein user...der...was die sigm-technik betrifft...so ziemlich das beste hintergrundwissen von allen hat...



SIGM: Growth Stock or Speculation?
by: gmi1982 03/23/06 07:42 am
Msg: 94423 of 94423

DPB and Chart,

I consider speculative plays those in which you can lose all of your money. Terms like "penny stock" come to mind. Sigma Designs is not a speculative play - it's a growth stock with corresponding risks. People that truly understand the nature of the technology here will "win". This is not your basic MPEG1 or MPEG2 decoder. The infrastructure to build an end-to-end IP-based, broadcast or networked HD solution is the MOST complicated service ever implemented by Telcos and service providers. No one ever seems to give Sigma credit for the intangibles - network knowledge, deployment experience, etc.

Diversification is an area where I concur. I was in a xDSL company that was one time worth 150x the current value. Talk about being undiversified...... For stocks, however, I believe the fewer the better. If you get to know the companies inside and out, your long-term rate of returns will be much higherwith a chance for home runs. Besides, no one can really follow more than a handful of stocks well.

Bottom line for me, diversification means: real estate, stocks (3 or 4), collectibles, and cash.

Happy investing,

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.920.849 von amorphis am 23.03.06 14:02:05

wer schon immer mehr über winter wissen wollte...

here u are....

chart:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/23/06 08:13 am
Msg: 94424 of 94424

With all due respect to you and Graham and Dodd (I read their book too), I disagree. Many I know in my line of business have gotten wealthy by disagreeing with it.

And there's no need to be condescending.

I've been professionally analyzing and investing in stocks, and tech stocks in particular, for 25 years.

I invest on reward vs risk.

The better the ratio, the more I invest.

SIGM is the most uniquely positioned firm I have seen in those 25 years. I know where they are very likely going to end up based on extensive investigation and discovery.

Certain? Well, nothing in life is certain.


On a separate note, the part of me that is a technician appreciates your technical comments on this board.

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.921.121 von amorphis am 23.03.06 14:23:58

KT's IPTV service is nearing:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/23/06 09:36 am
Msg: 94432 of 94467

"Broadband operator keen to offer IPTV service, advance into overseas markets"

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2006/03/24/2…

"KT hopes to commercialize the technically-ready IPTV service."

"With the nation's telecom industry eyeing broadcast, KT expects to begin Web-based television services."

"A viewer needs broadband connection and a set-top box to enjoy the service."

"KT has completed all preparations to get the IPTV service off the ground."

"The launch of IPTV, however, has been delayed for over a year due to a power struggle between the Ministry of Information and Communication and the Korean Broadcasting Commission to bring IPTV under their respective control."

"Legal frameworks should precede any expansion of Web-based television services, but KT expects regulatory issues to be resolved in the first half of this year, and be able to commercialize the service in the latter half."



As formally announced back in 2004, the KT system will use a SIGM-powered set-top from LG Electronics.

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.921.121 von amorphis am 23.03.06 14:23:58

Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/23/06 10:04 am
Msg: 94441 of 94467

Interview with Oregan, one of SIGM's software partners:

http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20060323PR202.html

"Oregan Networks expects DLNA certification, Viiv PCs and CEA-2014 ratification to soon bring some level of standardization to the digital home entertainment market."

"In the telco market, Oregan has forged supply contracts to the behemoths of the industry, such as NTT and a number of undisclosed European and Asian carriers. Now, that the telco TV market is starting to happen, the number of related opportunities in the pipeline is immense and it is our belief that the long-term leadership in the metropolitan IPTV will be defined in 2006-2007."

More from this interview tomorrow.

[amorphis]

Re: Competitor Activity
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/23/06 11:19 am
Msg: 94457 of 94468

Some things to keep in mind:

1. SIGM is now the industry leader in media processors, which puts them in a commanding position. In technology, most of the money is made by the industry leader. In PC processors, most of the money that has been made has been made by Intel. In routers and switches, most of the money that has been made has been made by Cisco. Customers want to do business with the leader who is first to market with the best technology.

2. SIGM is getting a very high share of the business right now because BRCM and STM don’t have competitive solutions available yet. Eventually these solutions will come to market, but SIGM has now established itself in the marketplace and is the technology leader. Customers don’t want to have to be dependant on just one supplier. They want to have 2 so that if something happens to one, they have another available. Once BRCM and STM come to market with products, SIGM’s market share will drop from where it is now to 50-60 percent. Everyone already knows this is going to happen. If BRCM tries to undercut SIGM on price in order to gain market share, they can take more of the business for a while, but not all of it. Customers don’t want to be dependant on just one supplier.

3. Look at the number of stock options BRCM has outstanding. How long do you think they would be willing to sell at a loss, putting downward pressure on earnings and the stock price? Once they stop selling at a loss, as the industy leader and the company with the best technology, SIGM would regain market share pretty quickly. Since BRCM can’t gain a permanent advantage with a price war, I think it’s questionable that they would try this tactic.
Byron

[miristegal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.925.562 von amorphis am 23.03.06 18:45:00

amorphis

gut das du wieder gesund und voller einsatz da bist.

SIGM - liest sich alles sehr gut.

was mir nicht gefällt , das sigm die konkurrenz broadcom und
STM , für das "schlechtes ergebniss" erwähnt hat

wäre es vielleicht sinnvoll , wenn alle hier beteiligten sigm - anleger und interessierte , sich über die konkurrenz austauschen?

wer kennt sie? was machen sie ? ist doch nicht verkehrt , oder?

war vor jahren in Transmeta invest. mann war das ein lobby.

ok. ist mit sigm nicht zu vergleichen.

MFG

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.930.181 von miristegal am 23.03.06 23:44:11

Re: Winter: plz more on
by: WINTER_CFA 03/24/06 01:09 pm
Msg: 94533 of 94539

Actually, I'm still chewing on the gross margin issue, in terms of both understanding the exact mechanics of the 4Q drop and the factors to consider in projecting future levels.

Of this much I'm sure, lower gross margins going forward, generally speaking, will be directly correlated with surging sales levels (i.e. the stronger any given quarterly surge is, the more GM pressure will occur as a result of greater and more widespread volume discounts).

This is an extremely good and necessary thing for SIGM as it grows into a much bigger firm with a much bigger market capitalization.

More on this subject as thoughts further develop.

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.930.181 von miristegal am 23.03.06 23:44:11

http://networks.silicon.com/webwatch/0,39024667,39157532,00.…

[amorphis]

This is interesting:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/24/06 01:54 pm
Msg: 94534 of 94540

The following meeting occurred in mid-March:

http://www.mediaplayer.eetchina.com/ART_8800410076_2200001_3…

Translated excerpts:

[PMP solution developer Cenrtal Bank Technology recently held briefings the other day in Shenzhen to dozens of digital broadcast equipment manufacturers for portable multimedia solutions based on Sigma Design as well as the Intel portable multimedia solutions.]

[In the briefing, the developers focused on technology companies based on the Sigma Design em8510 platform vehicle multimedia entertainment center solution. This programme using Sigma Design operating speed of up to 400MHz processors and 20G/40G em8510 capacity hard disks, support MPEG-1 (VCD), MPEG-2 (SVCD/DVD), MPEG-4 ASP, DivX and Xvid video broadcast, using uCLinux operating system. Samsung may Matching / Taiwan Sheng / Sharp / Friends reached / Yuan's Color LCD too.]

[These problems plague gradually resolved, the market will undoubtedly contribute to the promotion of PMP in greater development. Central Bank to technology, for example, the general manager of the company Dr three remaining optimistic estimate, in 2006 the Central Bank Technology PMP hongkong volume is expected to reach 500,000 pieces of (500K), a new high.]


Not sure how to read some of this less-than-perfect translation, especially that regarding a 400MHz SIGM CPU speed and the mention of Samsung and Sharp, but the volume number at the end seemed clear enough for just this one (apparently) developer.

Anyone fluent in simple Chinese on the board today?

[amorphis]

This is more interesting:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/24/06 02:10 pm
Msg: 94537 of 94540

"Intel, Partners Refine Viiv Strategy"

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1942273,00.asp

"MovieBeam, on the other hand, said it is already crafting plans to bring its service from a set-top box to a peripheral device that would work directly with the Intel platform."

"What consumers have today is an internet video experience that's experienced in front of a…PC" from only about two feet away, Otellini said. "What consumers really want—what they tell us they want—is a big screen [which can be seen from afar and operated via a remote control] in the living room or in the bedroom."

"The vision is to enable customers to have access to their content, both personal – photos, home videos – and premium – movies, music – at anytime, anywhere and on any device in and around the home," said Intel spokesperson Kari Skoog."



IMO, the "peripheral device" mentioned above, at least the one for home use, will be a digital media adapter.

[amorphis]

http://www.digitimes.com/mobos/a20060320PR207.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">
http://www.digitimes.com/mobos/a20060320PR207.html

[amorphis]

http://news.com.com/2061-10791_3-6053144.html

[amorphis]

Looks like we have a Philips DMA win:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/24/06 02:39 pm
Msg: 94539 of 94540

Philips introduced a DMA, the SLM5500, at Cebit last September, but provided little other info about it at the time:

http://www.press.ce.philips.com/apps/c_dir/e3379701.nsf/alle… 5705A004DD9A2/$File/Press%20Release%20Wireless%20adapters.pdf

Two online comments I found are now clearly saying that this box is EM8620L-powered:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nslu2-general/message/3405?vis…

"For playback definitely devices based on the SIGMA chipset (typically 8620) are the nicest to have, as they will have High Definition video and also support WMA and WMV playback (adjacent to mpeg2 and mpeg4 (the latter being used by divx and xvid).

The zensonic, mentioned in another post, uses this chipset, and there are various other devices (often based upon syabas software). Another option (also using the Sigma hardware) is the Philips SLM5500. This has been announced last sept at IFA, but is not available in the shops yet (but I expect it to arrive there in a month or so). The SLM5500 definitely supports WPA."

http://www.streamiumcafe.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&N… 05

"He also was so kind to send me some pics of the inside. The main chips seems to be:

Sigma Designs EM8620L-LF Medie Processor"


This win makes a lot of sense as Philips is going with another SIGM chip (the SMP8634) in its MSTV set-top design AND its Blu-Ray player (and supposedly has shown a SIGM-powered LCD TV product as well).


Relatedly, Philips did reveal its MSTV set-top, the DiT9710, at that same show:

http://www.press.ce.philips.com/apps/c_dir/e3379701.nsf/0/74… 76004848CD/$File/IP%20TV%20White%20Paper.pdf

We now see this unit being shown in articles mentioning Philips' set-top win for BT's IPTV system:

http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/general/general/bts_vision_for_…


Cross-platform chip usage with all of its development synergies and other economies of scale. That is the ticket that will make it even harder for the Broadcoms and ST Micros of the world to compete against SIGM - once their chips are eventually ready for deployment, of course.

[amorphis]

BT and Hollywood talk film streaming


By Tony Glover Technology Editor
26 March 2006

BT is in advanced talks with several Hollywood studios to give its internet customers access to a comprehensive film library this autumn. It has already signed a deal with Paramount.

In an exclusive interview with The Business, Dan Marks, the chief executive of BT TV Services, said: “The film service is designed to provide BT customers with a choice of hundreds of films and we intend to provide a comprehensive library of classic films in addition to the latest blockbusters. We are in talks with film studios.”

The films will be streamed to ordinary televisions through a Philips set-top box provided by BT. Customers will be charged on a pay-per-view basis.

The service will have to ­compete not only with illicit ­internet download services but also with legitimate services such as the Universal film download system announced last week in the UK and billed as “the world’s first download-to-own film service”.

Universal plans to offer new films at midnight on the date of their DVD release and allow customers to own them in digital format to watch on a PC or handheld device while the DVD disc is being shipped in the post. The films will be the customer’s to own and cost £9.99 (E14.50, $17.90) to £19.99.

But although BT has not revealed the pricing of its films, they are likely to cost less and the film will be streamed to the customer’s set-top box for one viewing only. When watching entertainment such as films or TV, viewers will be able to browse related internet sites to shop for associated good and services.

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.952.867 von amorphis am 26.03.06 20:02:27

Hallo amorphis,

unterstütze Dich einmal hier mit einem Chart.

kiska

[amorphis]

also...an die 12$ als rückschlag glaube ich nicht mehr...sigm hat schon wieder den weg nach oben eingeschlagen...wir stehen aktuell bei 14,2$...nachdem der markt die rückläufigen margen abgestraft hat am tag der zahlen...so sollte man sich jetzt wieder auf das besinnen...was in den nächsten monaten vor uns liegt!bis zu meinem kz für 2006 ist es noch ein weiter weg...aber das jahr ist ja noch lang...

[amorphis]

Re: Russell 2000 info
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/27/06 09:33 am
Msg: 94574 of 94576

You won’t see much of a pop in SIGM when it gets added to the Russell 2000 around the middle of this year. The reason is that the hedge funds all know it is going to be added so they buy in advance of this happening, then sell their shares to the index funds. This means that the impact of being added happens gradually months before the reconstitution of the index.

Hopefully the hedge funds will be buying this week. Some other institutional managers may decide to sell this week because they don’t want SIGM, which is now down for Q1, to be in their portfolios at quarter end. If there is any further weakness in the stock this week, that will probably be the reason. Keep in mind that many of these managers will buy the stock back in Q2, especially since it’s very likely that there will be another big jump in sales reported after the SIGM’s next quarter ends April 30. Also we might see buying rather than selling this week anyway, simply because there’s now an opportunity to get into a great stock at a discounted price.
Byron

[amorphis]

http://news.tmcnet.com/news/2006/03/23/1485171.htm

[March 23, 2006]

Phone companies hear call of TV over phone lines

By PETER SVENSSON AP Technology Writer
The Associated Press

At the telecommunications conference here this week, a visitor could be forgiven for thinking he missed a turn and walked into the wrong trade show, a more glamorous one that dealt with entertainment rather than the plain old telephone system.


Every other booth at TelecomNEXT, which ended Thursday, had some demonstration of how phone companies can deliver video programming. A visit by the chief executive of The Walt Disney Co. underlined that for the companies here, the future of "telephone" is spelled "television."

"IPTV has gotten the imagination of a lot of service providers," said Robert Balsamo of equipment provider Calix Networks Inc.

IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, is the main way phone companies are getting into video delivery. The technology overcomes one of the disadvantages of phone lines -- they can carry only a few channels, compared with hundreds for cable.

An IPTV set-top box sends messages up the phone line, telling the delivery system which channels to send back down. That way, the system only needs to deliver the few channels you're actually watching.

Although this can result in a delay while switching channels, Microsoft (News - Alert) Corp., a major supplier of IPTV software, said its latest version overcomes much of it.

Once channel switching and other technical hurdles, like the susceptibility of phone lines to interference, are overcome, most viewers won't be able to tell if they're watching TV from a modern cable system or IPTV.

IPTV does have some technical advantages, but they're rather small and won't matter to most consumers, according to Ted Henderson, a Stifel Nicolaus analyst.

But Henderson also believes IPTV doesn't really need a technical advantage to compete with cable. Convenience matters a lot to consumers, and being able to get wireline phone service, wireless phone service, broadband Internet and television from one company, the so-called quadruple play, is sure to appeal to them, he said.

Verizon (News - Alert) Communications Corp. said this week it has signed up 30 percent of available households in Keller, Texas, just six months after launching its TV service there. That figure will be "daunting" to cable companies, Henderson said, noting that a typical cable penetration rate is 50 percent, and about 20 percent of households have satellite TV.

It isn't entirely clear, however, that telephone companies can repeat elsewhere the successes of Keller, an affluent, newly built suburb of Dallas.

Furthermore, Verizon is not even using IPTV, but taking the much more costly route of drawing fiber optics into customers' homes, bypassing the bottleneck of the phone lines. That means it can use technology more similar to cable and also provide Internet service at very high speeds.

AT&T (News - Alert) Inc., the country's largest telephone company by number of subscribers, has been testing IPTV in a few households in San Antonio and plans to roll it out in more markets this summer.

Cable companies are countering by partnering with Sprint (News - Alert) Nextel Corp. to add wireless service, complementing the telephone services they've been rolling out for their own quadruple play.

Besides the technological hurdles of TV service, the phone companies have a legal obstacle.

Cable service is provided under deals with county and city governments. It's time-consuming for the phone companies to negotiate their own deals at the local level -- Verizon has noted that even if it obtained one local franchise a day, it still would take years to provide video to all its customers.

That slow process has been short-circuited by new laws in Texas and Indiana that allow applicants to obtain video franchises from the state rather than local commissions. Virginia has approved a similar law, but it has yet to go into effect, and the phone companies are hoping for more such laws.

The franchise battle is toughest for the big telephone companies, who have to deal with thousands of local governments.

But the charge into IPTV is actually being led by smaller telephone companies, many of them serving rural areas. Apart from having just a few franchises to obtain, they have smaller systems that can more easily adopt new technologies.

Calix, a Petaluma, Calif., company that supplies mainly smaller phone companies with broadband and IPTV equipment, estimates that its customers have about 100,000 TV subscribers in the United States. Most of them are on IPTV, while the rest provide service over fiber similar to Verizon's.

One Calix customer is the Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc. It has 53,000 phone lines in rural central and western Oklahoma. It started providing IPTV in July 2004 and now has 5,300 TV customers.

Pioneer got into IPTV because it noticed that people were using landlines less in this era of cell phones, said spokesman Scott Ulsaker.

"This allows us to extend the lives of our copper lines," he said.

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.972.400 von amorphis am 28.03.06 12:44:59

http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-1/114353679469… ll=5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-1/114353679469… ll=5

[amorphis]

Re: Sigma's next challenge - 3) ...Yes!
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/28/06 01:24 pm
Msg: 94623 of 94641

In response to a question from the Pacific Growth analyst during last weeks's conference call, SIGM management stated that a Blue7 wireless product would start sampling this summer and there would be revenues in Q4.

The question of smaller geometries also came up today. Reviewing my notes I see that the Wedbush Morgan analyst asked about this and SIGM management stated that they have new products in development that will use smaller geometries. I assume this will be 90nm, although I suppose it's possible that it will be 65nm.
Byron

[amorphis]

DMA commentary:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/28/06 03:24 pm
Msg: 94629 of 94641

"Why the media centre PC is destined for the home office"

http://cnet.com.au/desktops/pcs/0,39029439,40061467,00.htm

"The forthcoming update to Intel's Viiv will see the media centre PC move from the living room to the home office. Asher Moses explains why."

"Thus far, every play to bring the PC into the living room has revolved around plonking an entire machine down in the lounge, right next to your existing home theatre equipment. In our opinion, this method was doomed from the outset."

"This is where the genius of Viiv comes in. Shortly, Intel will release a range of "digital media adapters", which connect to your existing home theatre components (e.g. your TV, stereo system, etc) and can stream content wirelessly from any Viiv-certified PC. Bingo!"

"The existence of digital media adapters will totally remove the need to have a media centre PC taking up space in your living room, unless you're one of the few users that finds it practical to do anything other than passively soak up multimedia content whilst relaxing on the couch."

[amorphis]

More on DMAs:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/28/06 03:32 pm
Msg: 94631 of 94641

"Rush of suppliers boosts output, pares prices"

http://www.computerproducts.globalsources.com/gsol/I/PC-to-T… 0073358.htm

"Despite increasing competition, many DMA makers in Taiwan project 100 percent output growth. Prices to fall by 10 percent."

"Sustained promotion by leading IT companies such as Microsoft and HP is increasing buyer awareness for DMAs. Enticed by the line's prospects, Taiwan makers offering DMAs have increased to 16. They are CyberTAN Technology Inc., Mitac Technology Corp., D-Link Corp., Alpha Networks Inc., AboCom Systems Inc., Repotec Co. Ltd, Planet Technology Corp., BenQ Corp., 2001 Technology Inc., Webpro Technologies Inc., Tatung Co., SMC Networks Inc., Lite-On Technology Corp., Surecom Technology Corp., Universal Scientific Industrial Co. Ltd (USI) and Winstron Corp. Many of these companies released DMAs in Q4 2004 and H1 2005."

"CyberTAN, D-Link, Alpha Networks, SMC and AboCom are among the leading suppliers. CyberTAN is the first and, so far, only Taiwan supplier to have passed the inter-operating test conducted by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) in Q3 2005."

"In-Stat/MDR forecasts shipments of DMAs and digital media receivers to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 87 percent from 2004 through 2008. Some Taiwan suppliers posted 100 percent to 200 percent output growth in 2005, and similar increases are expected in 2006."

Con't in link.

Amazing.

Almost ALL of this is SIGM-powered.

D-Link/Alpha Networks is us.
CyberTAN is almost certainly us.
Mitac is us.
AboCom is us.
Repotec is us.
Planet Technology is us.
BenQ - low-end stuff so far, not sure.
2001 Technology is us.
Webpro - not sure
Tatung is us.
SMC - low-end, not us.
Lite-On - big SIGM designer, probably.
Surecom - probably.
Universal - not sure.
Winstron - If they mean Wiston (aka Acer) - that's us.

Ready to rock in this segment.

[amorphis]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/28/iptv_solving_home_wi…

[amorphis]

tippe neben panasonic auch auf die playstation 3 in welcher sigm stecken könnte...sony hat schon produkte mit sigm aktuell am markt...warum nicht dann auch sigm für die playstation verwenden???die frage sollte sich jeder stellen...

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.994.631 von amorphis am 29.03.06 17:17:18

Panasonic to roll out Blu-ray player in September
Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:28 PM ET

By Sue Zeidler

LOS ANGELES, March 28 (Reuters) - Panasonic said on Tuesday it will start selling a Blu-ray high-definition disc player in September for under $1,500 and sees up to 5 million of these new DVD players sold industry-wide in their first year.

"We think adoption will be strong, based on broad support. For the first 12 months, we expect 4 million to 5 million units to be sold beginning in May and across all platforms, including standalones, computers and gaming systems," said Reid Sullivan, vice president merchandising, Panasonic's entertainment group.

Sullivan said Panasonic sees no need to develop a player to support both Blu-ray and the rival format known as HD DVD, despite a raging war between the two standards and a move to make a dual player for both formats by LG Electronics Inc. <066570.K>.

"Unfortunately, there is some confusion between the two but based on the wide support for Blu-ray in the industry, we expect the (growth) curve to be quite steep. We recognize that its best to have one format," said Sullivan.

The arrival of Panasonic's Blu-ray player will coincide around the debut of its new 103-inch flat screen TV, estimated to cost around $10,000.

Panasonic is a division of Panasonic Corp. of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (6252.T: Quote, Profile, Research)

"We're introducing technologies that will all tie in together to propel Blu-ray. The flat panel or plasma TV is the engine pulling the train," said Sullivan.

Panasonic's Blu-ray player will compete against other Blu-ray players from Samsung Corp. <000830.K>, Pioneer Corp. (6773.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) as well as players supporting rival HD DVD, championed by Toshiba Corp. (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research).

The battle between the two formats has divided Hollywood and the computer industry and is being likened to the Betamax/VHS war of over 25 years ago, which led to customer confusion and widespread company losses.

While more Hollywood studios and electronics makers have sided with the Blu-ray camp, led by Sony, last fall Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) revived HD DVD when it said would support Toshiba's technology.

Microsoft is expected to introduce an external HD DVD drive that will turn the Xbox 360 into a high-definition DVD player.

Sony's much-anticipated PlayStation 3 game console will support Blu-ray and is expected to boost the install base for that format, although Sony recently delayed the debut of PS3 until early November.

Toshiba last week said it may delay the launch of its HD DVD player from March to mid-April.

By offering discs with far more capacity than current DVDs, the groups hope to breath new life into the $24 billion home video market.
© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

[amorphis]

AT&T IPTV arrives in Anaheim
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/29/06 10:25 am
Msg: 94650 of 94650

Anaheim Calls on FCC to Reduce Regulations and Increase Competition in Video Franchising

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2006--Mayor Curt Pringle, on behalf of the City of Anaheim, filed comments today with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) encouraging federal reforms that increase competition in the cable and video service marketplace and encourage new delivery methods. The FCC is soliciting comments to help the commission implement changes to the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984.

Anaheim has had a franchise agreement with various cable service providers since 1979. In order to increase competition and provide greater options to residents, the City recently reached an agreement with AT&T for the delivery of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) to Anaheim residents. Following are highlights from Mayor Pringle's comments. The full text of the comments will be available at www.anaheim.net.

Anaheim is supportive of maintaining open market competition in which any franchise fee is eliminated for consumers and a variety of service providers have an opportunity to earn customer support.

Anaheim city leaders believe that government should not determine whether residents receive video content through established cable providers, increasingly competitive satellite television, or new concepts like Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), or future technologies like Wi-Fi delivery of video content.

By eliminating franchise fees and impediments, Anaheim leaders believe there will be equitable competition amongst the variety of video service providers. In this way, and without local government interference, the various systems compete in price, quality and quantity, and consumers decide which service provider they prefer.

Pringle invited FCC commissioners to visit Anaheim and see a local community that is able to deliver top-quality video service without a franchise fee, giving its residents real choice in the marketplace.

ABOUT ANAHEIM -- Founded in 1857, the City of Anaheim is one of the nation's premier municipalities and California's 10th most populous city. As the oldest city in Orange County, Anaheim covers 50 square miles, with more than 345,000 residents.
**********************************************

IPTV from AT&T, powered by Sigma Designs 8634 silicon, continues to spread across the country.
Byron

[amorphis]

FYI: A new BUY rec:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/30/06 08:09 am
Msg: 94678 of 94733

Analyst Anton Wahlman, who recently left Needham to join up-and-comer Think Equity, has just put out a BUY on SIGM with a $17 target.

Interesting to note that this is the first name (and only so far) he reinstituted coverage on, especially given his recent HOLD rating on the stock at Needham.

[amorphis]

A Conf of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/30/06 09:55 am
Msg: 94684 of 94733

Regarding the May Conf in asia on SIGM's homepage, this session looks like something I'd really like to hear:

"The IPTV Puzzle: Putting It Together
Monday, 15 May | 14:00 – 15:30"

http://www.iec.org/events/2006/iptv/conference/io_1.html

With:

"Yves Gourvennec
Director, Strategic Accounts
Sigma Designs

Mr. Gourvennec is the director of Strategic Accounts at Sigma Designs, where he is involved in IPTV deployments worldwide. He was previously the product marketing manager at National Semiconductor for GeodeT products. Mr. Gourvennec has been involved in IP STB designs for the past seven years, and pioneered the connected devices world with National Semiconductor Geode - Thinh Clients, WebPADs, IP STB. He holds a master's degree in international studies form ESC Toulouse in France and an M.B.A. and master's in computer science from Arizona State University."

"Thinh Clients" - very amusing.

Maybe a webcast link can be found to this.

[amorphis]

Cisco Systems "buy," target price raised

Thursday, March 30, 2006 9:08:17 AM ET
Banc of America

NEW YORK, March 30 (newratings.com) - Analyst Tim Long of Banc of America Securities reiterates his "buy" rating on Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.NAS). The target price has been raised from $22 to $25.

In a research note published this morning, the analyst mentions that the visibility into the company's earnings is improving. Cisco Systems has significant revenue opportunities on account of its association with Scientific Atlanta and increased routing/switch spending, the analyst says. The company is poised to benefit from the growing IPTV market, Banc of America Securities adds.

wenn der markt für csco wächst...und die möglichkeiten für csco "significant" sind...dann sind sie es umso mehr für sigm...sfa nutzt die chips von sigma design!yep!ich bleibe dabei...sigm wird noch "die" story...

[amorphis]

China Netcom Said to Launch IPTV

BEIJING, Mar 30, 2006--China Netcom, the largest fixed-line telecom carrier of the country, will debut IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) on May 17, the World Telecommunication Day, according to sources.

The first IPTV license in China was granted to Shanghai Media Group (SMG for short). SMG has already signed a contract with China Telecom, the country's biggest fixed-line telecom carrier, according to which they will popularize the commercial use of IPTV in over 20 cities in China

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/30/1520419.htm

Note that SIGM is currently involved in IPTV efforts of China Telecom and China Netcom.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&action=m&board=… =4687185&mid=93706

[amorphis]

Re: ques on competition & buyout potent
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/30/06 01:47 pm
Msg: 94718 of 94733

Being first to market has become very important for SIGM. For example, Philips, the huge European electronics company, is now using SIGM chips in its set top boxes, its blu ray DVD players, its DMA’s, and in an LCD TV as well. Cross-platform chip usage with all of its development synergies and other economies of scale will make it even harder for the Broadcoms and ST Micros of the world to compete against SIGM - once their chips are eventually ready for deployment.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=94539+

SIGM’s goal, which they stated in last weeks earnings conference call in response to a question from the RBC analyst, is to have a 50-65% market share in IPTV set top boxes. Although BRCM and STM will be coming to market with products later this year it looks to me with the lead SIGM has established that they will be able to achieve this market share goal.

SIGM stated on a conference call a year or two ago that they might be bought out, so this is a definite possibility. SIGM management gets a lot of their compensation in the form of stock options. So far I haven’t seen any shares sold by management since the last earnings release. This either means that they think the stock will be higher later on and they are waiting to sell or they think they will be bought out and are waiting for that.
Byron

[amorphis]

TViX coverage:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/30/06 03:49 pm
Msg: 94729 of 94733

"TViX M5000U Media Streamer to Include Add-On High Definition TV Tuner?"

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/2330/tvix_m5000u_media

"The DViCO Korean website has a very interesting collection of pictures showing a new add-on HD tuner that will pair up with their recently released TViX M5000U media streaming device. If released to the public, this would be the first media streamer (at least to our knowledge) capable of performing audio/video streaming, live TV, PVR and NAS storage all from a single device without the need for a HTPC running 24x7 or the limitations of a TiVo.

Unfortunately, using a Korean to English Web translation tool didn’t yield much additional information on the HD Tuner add-on itself or when it would be available. However, it does appear that the add-on tuner has a single Multi I/O port on the rear of the device for receiving either an Over the Air HD transmissions and/or an unencrypted QAM256 signal, which would enable it to pull content from a digital cable connection similar to the DViCO FusionHDTV5 USB we reviewed back in December.

Adding a HD Tuner to a media streamer would be a new twist and could create some interesting options for users that want a simple way to watch and record HD content without the need for a HTPC or other set top boxes. Add a BitTorrent client to this device and you could probably cut the cord from your cable or satellite operator.

Background on the TViX M5000U:
The TViX M5000U High Definition media server (MSRP $349.00) is the most recent addition to the product lineup released earlier this year. The M5000U contains the Sigma Design EM8621 chip and is capable of playing a wide range of audio and video files supporting high definition resolutions up to 1920 x 1080i. The device has space for an internal PATA hard drive but also supports streaming media directly from a PC or NAS making this a great device for distributing audio and video around the home. The M5000U is also among the latest generation of devices capable of playing full DVD IFO/ISO files with complete menu control."


Interesting.

This product is all over the place on Far Eastern and European product searches.

[amorphis]

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060331/japan_next_generation_dvd.htm…

TOKYO (AP) -- Toshiba began selling the first players using the next-generation HD DVD video format Friday, beating the rival Blu-ray disc format to market in a high-stakes competition to deliver theater-quality movies to living rooms.

Japanese electronics maker Toshiba Corp. said its HD-XA1, priced at about 110,000 yen ($936) is the world's first commercially available HD DVD player. The product, which has no recording function, is being promised for the United States in April at about $799.

[amorphis]

Project Lightspeed news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 03/31/06 10:50 am
Msg: 94740 of 94742

AT&T going after Comcast's cable market
TALKS ONGOING IN SAN JOSE
By Jessie Seyfer
Mercury News

AT&T has been negotiating with several cities over the past year -- including San Jose -- to install its fledgling TV service, Project Lightspeed. At a press conference Wednesday in Sacramento, company officials said AT&T is pushing for a new law that would require only statewide franchises. AT&T officials hope a bill in the works by state Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, D-Los Angeles, will allow the company to strike statewide franchise agreements instead of local ones.

``One of the things that Californians have been lacking is a choice in their television provider,'' said Ken McNeely, president of AT&T's California operations. ``That is something that has been the result of a regulatory mechanism that's been in place since the 1960s. That's something that we are excited might be changing.'' AT&T hopes to invest $1 billion in California to upgrade phone lines and install fiber-optic wires to bring the Lightspeed service over the next three years. McNeely said a statewide franchise would speed the outlay of Project Lightspeed to consumers, yet would still grant local communities a 5 percent cut of revenues, as well as community-based channels. Increased competition for television would bring down prices for consumers, McNeely said.

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/14230847.htm

AT&T's Project Lightspeed will be powered by 8634 chips from SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

SIGM DECLARES BANKRUPTCY!!!

wie witzig die amis doch sind...als ich die überschrift gelesen habe bin ich fast umgekippt...
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Sell 04/01/06 12:01 am
Msg: 94751 of 94752

April Fool.

But seriously, folks, Banc of America is out with a new report on Cisco with important implications for SIGM. Some excerpts from the Banc of America report:

We recently held meetings with Bob McIntyre, former chief technology officer of Scientific-Atlanta [which was acquired by Cisco in February], and Paul Bosco, vice president, video/IPTV and cable initiatives at Cisco. Our takeaways from the two days were positive, as we believe Cisco's position in video is unmatched, and the potential revenue opportunity via Scientific-Atlanta and increased routing/switch spending is significant.

Deal activity is strong. We believe Cisco is currently involved in about 20 requests for proposal in the IPTV arena, many in Europe. We believe the combination of Cisco's relationships and network capabilities with Scientific-Atlanta's video expertise positions them well for success.

SFA's original deal [with AT&T] for video equipment was valued at $200 million, but we believe it could be much higher. Using conservative assumptions, we see AT&T Lightspeed as a $1 billion-or-more opportunity over the next three to five years including set-top boxes. A reinvigorated video strategy at BellSouth could also emerge after the acquisition. [Earlier this month AT&T agreed to acquire BellSouth in a transaction expected to close in 12 months.]

We believe that the Cisco-Scientific-Atlanta integration is running smoothly. Most energy seems to be focused on IPTV, the converged IP network in cable, and home-networking opportunities. Our view of revenue synergies is higher than when the deal closed.
************************************************

Many, probably most, of the set top boxes sold by Cisco-Scientific-Atlanta will be powered by silicon from Sigma Designs. SIGM's total revenue, from all sources, in the fiscal year that recently ended, was $33 million. It's increasingly clear that SIGM revenues from IPTV set top box sales are going to run into many hundreds of millions of dollars.
Byron

[amorphis]

In today's WSJ:
by: WINTER_CFA 03/31/06 01:50 pm
Msg: 94743 of 94752

In my first free moment today, I'm posting (no link) the WSJ article in today's issue (Pg A11 at the top) that greatly involves SIGM:

"U.S. TV Maker Wins a Shelf At Best Buy"

Electronics retailer Best Buy Co. is set to start selling flat-panel television sets from computer giant Hewlett-Packard Co., marking the return, after more than a decade, of TVs from a major U.S. company to a national retailer's shelves.

H-P says components are being sourced from several suppliers and the sets assembled in Asia; still the deal marks a new approach to television marketing from a U.S. manufacturer. U.S. high-tech companies have struggled to win broad acceptance in consumer electronics. H-P, Dell Inc., Gateway Inc. and Intel Corp. all have stumbled through consumer-electronics pushes as purchasers have stubbornly stuck with big-name, mostly Asian brands.

H-P and Best Buy plan to take a fresh tack in addressing the $16.6 billion market for televisions in the U.S. Rather than taking on traditional TV makers Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. directly, the two companies hope to pioneer technology for receiving video and other streamed content straight from the Internet onto flat-panel TVs via wireless networks -- something Sony and Samsung sets don't now do. The technology, unveiled in a single H-P model earlier this year, is expected to become standard on future H-P television sets.

U.S. companies have been trying to rewrite the business model for consumer electronics, which has been dominated for four decades by large, Asia-based suppliers. H-P and others are trying to marry cheap, off-the-shelf components and advanced software to create hits like Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod. Meanwhile, the Asian consumer giants are making huge investments in their own chips and manufacturing facilities. In the case of flat-panel TVs, a product dominated by Asian companies, it can cost upwards of $1 billion to build a state-of-the-art factory.

Following the opportunistic U.S. model, H-P, Apple and Eastman Kodak Co. are selling consumer devices with advanced features at prices similar to -- or less than -- their Asian rivals. For instance, H-P's "wobulation" software -- which doubles the perceived resolution by wobbling a projected image -- is currently used in H-P's rear-projection TV models, without increasing hardware costs.

But the software driving H-P and Best Buy's alliance is its MediaSmart technology, due this summer. It will allow H-P's television sets to receive video, music and photos directly from a PC or the Internet, in addition to broadcast, cable and satellite sources. H-P already has agreements with content providers, including CinemaNow Inc., which distributes movies and other content online; Real Networks Inc.'s Rhapsody music service; and Snapfish, H-P's digital photo site.

People familiar with the situation say Best Buy will start selling three of H-P's standard flat-panel television sets, without MediaSmart, beginning April 23. The retailer also will start promoting online television services -- known as IPTV, or "Internet protocol TV." H-P televisions equipped with MediaSmart technology and wireless Internet adapters inside will become available at Best Buy this summer.

"What we're creating uses our [information-technology] heritage to integrate wireless networking into the TV," says Jan-Luc Blakborn, director of H-P's digital-entertainment business. "The TV becomes your window to the world." He declined to comment on the Best Buy relationship but said: "We have a great national partner who thinks very much like us."

Best Buy, based in Richfield, Minn., is the largest seller of TVs in North America. Yesterday the retailer credited strong television sales, in part, for a 13% jump in fourth-quarter profit to $644 million, on a 16% sales increase, to $10.7 billion. Darren Jackson, Best Buy's chief financial officer, told investors yesterday that it expects a more than 10% drop in flat-panel TV prices this year on top of the 20% drop experienced last year. "This will be the first year when flat-panel [sets] truly becomes accessible to a broad group" of consumers, he said.

Eventually, as part of their alliance, Best Buy and H-P expect jointly to offer downloads of movies and music, as well as household services such as remote-control of lighting and air-conditioning, Mr. Blakborn said. "Companies that can make it easier for customers to acquire content and move it around the house are going to put themselves in the best possible position," says Kevin Winneroski, Best Buy director of television merchandising. Currently, Best Buy gets an estimated 25% of revenue from sales of CDs, videogames and DVDs -- a business potentially threatened by Internet-delivered entertainment.

For H-P, the deal could more than triple its television revenue, industry analysts and executives say. They see the deal generating up to $200 million in TV sales for H-P next year, compared with about $30 million in total TV sales for H-P last year. That would still be small potatoes relative to H-P's $86.7 billion in revenue last year.

But H-P executives see the TV deal as an important foray into the much bigger consumer-electronics marketplace. Until now, the Palo Alto, Calif., computer company has sold its televisions through small, regional retailers and the Internet. It now sells eight models, including three LCD, two plasma-screen and three rear-projection sets.

"H-P spent the last couple of years slowly building that business and applying technology to create a strong convergent-technology story," says Stephen Baker, a vice-president with retail market researcher NPD Group, of Port Washington, N.Y. None of the major Asian TV makers now sell sets here with built-in IPTV connections, he says. H-P "is looking to be on the cutting edge," he says.


The set they are describing in the 3rd paragraph is the SIGM-powered SLC3760N.

"is expected to become standard on future H-P television sets"

"will become available at Best Buy this summer"


Enough said.

[amorphis]

Speaking of SIGM-powered TVs...
by: WINTER_CFA 03/31/06 02:01 pm
Msg: 94745 of 94752

"Acer AT3705MGW (Media Gateway)"

http://smh.com.au/news/hardware/acer-at3705mgw-media-gateway… 26565.html

"Media centres. Who needs them? The AT3705MGW is a 94cm (37-inch) LCD television with a built-in media gateway that can receive music, photo and video streaming directly from your Windows PC (2000 or XP).

Normally, you can buy a separate product for this purpose, but having it all integrated means one less remote to deal with and you're freeing up an AV input.

The Acer has an Ethernet port to connect to your PC directly or through a broadband router. You can also use Wireless-G to connect to a Wi-Fi-enabled router or computer wirelessly.

The TV is also endowed with two tuners: one analogue and the other digital. This means you don't need a separate set top box for picking up terrestrial digital TV signals, but while the screen is 1080i High Definition, the DTV tuner is only a regular 576p receiver so you don't realise its full resolution watching TV.

There's a multi-format memory card reader (CF, MS Pro, SD/MMS) located on the front for playing back pretty much the same kind of files you would stream from your PC. Setting up the media gateway portion of the TV requires a bit of computing and networking knowledge and isn't for the faint of heart.

It first requires the installation of an eConsole media server software on your PC, which feeds the digital files to the TV. Firewalls are an issue (Harrison Ford, do you take help desk requests?), and if you don't want to disable it, you'll need to learn about port forwarding quick smart.

The wireless only supports WEP security, though Acer recommends using MAC address filtering instead. If it all sounds a bit confusing you'd better find someone in the know before attempting any of it.

If you want to stream HD content, you'll need an Ethernet cable (100Mbps), as the Wireless-G bandwidth isn't enough for anything more than standard definition. DivX, XViD, WMV9 and Quicktime files are all supported as are the MPEG formats. It's tough to beat for value and there's a surfeit of inputs and outputs (I counted 12).

Great for multimedia fanatics."



Awareness of these products should build nicely as 2006 progresses.

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.041.835 von amorphis am 01.04.06 16:58:15

kein wunder das sigma design sich relativ schnell wieder erholt hat...2006 wird ein gutes jahr....

[amorphis]

wie von mir vermutet-die institutions haben den "makel" gesunkene margen nicht zum verkaufen genutzt...es wurden neue positionen aufgebaut...hab bei sigm zudem noch nie eine quote von über 40% an investierten institutionellen gesehen...sehe das eindeutig positiv das sigm gekauft wird!sollte auch das coverage in der nächsten zeit erhöhen!

http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/Holdings.asp?mode=&kind=&timeframe…

[amorphis]

Sony LCD TV's
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/01/06 11:08 am
Msg: 94759 of 94783

The Monday edition of Investor's Business Daily will feature an article of interest to SIGM shareholders regardging Sony LCD TV's. Some excerpts:

Sony's LCD Decision Leads Its Comeback, As Its TV Sales Surge

When flat-panel television sales started to take off over a year ago, perennial TV sales leader Sony (SNE) fell far behind the competition.

But the Japanese consumer electronics giant has staged a stunning return to the top, thanks to its investments in large LCD TVs.

Sony's ramp-up of its digital TV business comes at a key time. High-definition TV sales, especially LCD and plasma, are accelerating and poised to enter the mainstream consumer market.

Sony offered six LCD TV models last year and expects to have many more models this holiday season, according to Randy Waynick, senior vice president of the Sony Electronics home products division.

"You're going to see a much stronger, more dramatic presence from Sony in the category because the business is growing," he said. "You'll see far more screens and large screen sizes from Sony this year."

A healthy TV business helps Sony's other product lines, including high-definition camcorders and the coming Blu-ray Disc players, set to debut this summer. Blu-ray is one of two types of high-def digital video disc players vying for this next-generation market.

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=17…

Sigma silicon is already in Sony products such as DVD players. Those in the know are also expecting to see SIGM in Sony TV's as well: "In HDTVs, SIGM is making major inroads into the space, albeit quite stealthily so far. Stated wins LG (with a second product now, a 50-inch plasma) and Sharp only scratch the surface, in my opinion. Based on what was shown at CES and the specs and functionality provided, I believe SIGM is in the Hewlett Packard 37-inch SLC3760N LCD, three models from Digitrex (one of China’s largest TV makers), the Acer 37-inch AT3705W-MGW LCD, the Fujitsu 32-inch Myrica Media LCD and possible models to be determined from Pioneer, Viewsonic and Philips (and Sony has used earlier SIGM chips in previous TV products so I’ll be looking for wins there too going forward). It is notable that there seems to be an increasing case of SIGM getting either a set-top, DMA, DVD or HDTV win with a major firm and subsequently getting wins in one or more of the remaining product segments (this has already apparently happened with at least Acer, Fujitsu, Philips, Sharp and Sony to name a few). In my opinion, such integration of a common hardware solution with a mature software stack across multiple product lines could raise the competitive barriers even further for the Broadcoms and ST Micros of the world as their chips finally start to compete for some of these slots in follow-up products over the next year or two."

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=91871

[amorphis]

IPTV news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/03/06 09:38 am
Msg: 94792 of 94799

Telcos beefing up their DSL infrastructures and using bandwidth-efficient video codecs to add IPTV, a killer application for ubiquitous broadband penetration. A key prerequisite to their success will be the delivery of multiple HDTV streams to channel-hungry US consumers. This in turn requires next-generation STBs that can support today's MPEG-2 codec and more advanced codecs such as H.264 and VC-1 that increase bandwidth efficiency.

http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800412864_590626_cd9e491b200604_…

Set top boxes that meets these requirements are now entering the marketplace powered by Sigma Designs.
Byron

[amorphis]

BT getting ready to launch IPTV
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/03/06 10:10 am
Msg: 94793 of 94799

BT is poised to announce a series of content deals that will allow customers of its broadband TV service, which will be launched this year, to call up live footage of their favourite bands and access a host of films. The company has also poached Karl Bistany, the man who advised Uefa on the sale of television rights to Euro 2008, to lead its push into on-demand sports programmes.

Over the coming weeks BT will reveal a string of content deals as it adds more services to BT Vision, which is due to launch in the autumn. It has already signed up Paramount, Warner Music, the BBC and Endemol to provide programmes and on-demand content for the service, which will also enable customers to watch all the Freeview channels using a Philips-made intelligent set-top box. The set-top box, which has 80 hours of storage capability, can be programmed to surf the internet looking for content that suits the viewer's interests, such as cookery or gardening shows. These searches could be used to give advertisers a better understanding of what interests viewers. BT also hopes to offer the chance to upload their own television programmes, rather like TV podcasts.

BT's chief executive, Ben Verwaayen, made increasing take-up of broadband services a central plank of his strategy when he joined the company four years ago. Mr Verwaayen believes it is the ability to adapt existing television programmes and allow customers to create their own content that makes broadband TV such an exciting prospect. "Like instant messaging is the biggest things on computers and SMS is the biggest thing on mobile phones, homegrown TV will be the big thing on 'intelligent' TV - just look at the number of blogs there are out there," he said.

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1745468,00.html?gusr…

The Philips set top box discussed in this article is powered by the SIGM 8634 chip.
Byron

[amorphis]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060403/ap_en_mo/online_movies

[amorphis]

A major find here and I mean MAJOR:
by: WINTER_CFA 04/03/06 03:40 pm
Msg: 94800 of 94814

It took some time and effort (don't ask) to dig this puppy up, but it was worth it:

"SMETD and Sigma Designs Pave the Way for High-quality DMB Receiver"
http://www.smeg.sh.cn/news/news_view.asp?newsid=696" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">
http://www.smeg.sh.cn/news/news_view.asp?newsid=696

"Shanghai, China ¡ª Feb. 6, 2006 ¡ªShanghai Media&Entertainment Technology Development Co. Ltd, and Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGM) came to a cooperative agreement. They will together pave the way for high-quality DMB receiver by making use of the new technology of stream media processor EM8622/EM8624.

In stream media fields, EM8622/EM8624 enable the low-cost, high-definition-capable of SOC, mainly used in IPTV, DVB and consumer electronics manufacturers. EM8624 is a media processor with multiple function. Its advanced decoder engines support video decoding of MPEG-1 and MPEG-2MP@HL up to 1920¡Á1080i and 1920¡Á1080p£»MPEG-4.2 ASP @L5 up to 1280¡Á720p, also support B frame£»WMV9/VC-1 MP@HL up to 1920¡Á1080P£»MPEG-4.10(H.264) BP @L3 up to 720¡Á480p 30 frame or 720¡Á576p 25frame. The EM8624 has 200M Arm core, Ethernet 10/100 controller, IDE controller, digital, analog video output and other peripheral interfaces.

The DMB Receiver, with its multiple function and brightness future, can be used outdoors or in kinds of mobile equipment. With the help of the DMB receiver, whenever you lost your way, it can provides you electro-navigation, real-time transportation information, real-time traffic-status information and so on; whenever you jammed in a traffic, it can provides you multiple entertainment items, like playing video, receiving the local broadcasting with the help of the DVB technology and etc."


SMEG and SIGM - This is huge! This is beyond huge!

Lest you didn't know/forgot who SMEG was:

http://www.smeg.sh.cn/en/group/group-overview.asp

SMEG is the BIG cheese in China. They are the dominant media firm there by A LOT. They do TV and radio. They do cell phones. They have their own production infrastructure. They have been given the only IPTV license there so far (which China NetCom and China TeleCom must presently go through).

A SIGM-powered terrestrial and/or satellite receiver sold by them will have almost limitless demand potential!

Time to spread the word on this one.

[amorphis]

Re: A major find here and I mean MAJOR:
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/03/06 04:20 pm
Msg: 94808 of 94814

According to research firm Strategy Analytics, the global market of mobile TV phones is expected to grow to 120 million units by 2010, accounting for 10 percent of all handsets to be sold in the year. Currently, it amounts to around 1 percent of the handset market.

The commercial service of terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) will kick off in eight major cities of Germany in May ahead of the World Cup football finals, the Ministry of Information and Communication said Monday. The launching of the T-DMB service in Germany will help the Korean-developed technology have a leg up on mobile TV systems in Europe, the ministry said.

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200603/kt20060320172310…

If unit sales for this increase to 120 million per year, and if SIGM gets 25% of the market, that would represent annual revenues for SIGM of around $500 million.
Byron

[kiska]

Moins, die Charttechnik ist nicht sauber!

Candlestick Analysis
Today’s Candlestick Patterns:
Black Spinning Top
Bearish Harami




Today a Black Spinning Top was formed. This represents complete indecision between the bulls and the bears.
The last two candlesticks formed a Bearish Harami Pattern . This is a bearish reversal pattern that marks a potential change in trend. However, its reliability is low and it definitely requires confirmation.

[amorphis]

mach mir da keine gedanken kiska...

[amorphis]

DVD forecast
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/04/06 04:34 pm
Msg: 94833 of 94844

Global DVD Market Up and Turning to Blu Ray Technology, Says In-Stat - April 4, 2006

DVD player and recorder units will have a combined market of 176.6 million units sold worldwide in 2010, up from 140.8 million units in 2005, according to a new forecast from In-Stat.

"The future of this market though is all about high definition DVD players based on ‘blue laser’ technology", according to Chris Kissel, In-Stat analyst.

http://www.tekrati.com/research/News.asp?id=6781

SIGM already has most of the major Blu Ray players signed up. Sales of 50 million Blu Ray machines with Sigma inside would mean approximately $1 Billion in sales revenue for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

wenn was dran ist...

very positive news
by: leatherwise2001
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/05/06 01:39 am
Msg: 94841 of 94844

Where I heard from Taiwan....

Thin Tran visited Taiwan in mid-March seeking for capacity promise from TSMC and ASC, where SIGM chips are made and packed. Tran placed a big order around 300K~400K 86xx chips and will start to ship out since April.

There is no clear answer which specific customer those chips will be shiped to...it can be FOXCOMM or Asus, the NO.1 OEM/ODM and NO.1 motherboard makers in the world. Or, it may go to Korea where Tran went next to Taiwan trip...

I can't judge the reliability of this sources. Let's just wait and see...

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.085.995 von amorphis am 05.04.06 14:36:07

Congress says yes to IPTV
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/06/06 11:39 am
Msg: 94921 of 94924

House panel OKs measure favored by phone companies

A House subcommittee handed phone companies a victory Wednesday by voting 27-4 to advance a bill that would make it easier for them to deliver IPTV television service. The bill would allow broadband providers, notably big phone companies, to obtain a national license to deliver television service, and exempt them from having to negotiate with cities for licenses.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/ar… 1NI41OC1.DTL&type=business

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.085.995 von amorphis am 05.04.06 14:36:07

Latest Lightspeed and Fios news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/06/06 10:13 am
Msg: 94910 of 94924

California State Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez said he will unveil a bill today that would fast-track competition by allowing firms to obtain a state-issued cable TV franchise, rather than having to negotiate individually with cities and counties. AT&T and Verizon are leading the charge for legislation to allow them to compete directly with cable television companies in offering a "triple play" package - telephone, Internet and video.

AT&T and Verizon promise systems that would deliver Internet content many times faster than traditional DSL lines and offer cable television packages with 300 channels or more.

The companies are committing huge sums to upgrade their California fiber-optic systems to accommodate video - AT&T has pledged up to $1 billion through 2008 and Verizon has earmarked hundreds of millions annually throughout the decade.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/14239617p-15059…

More good news for SIGM. AT&T and VZ are spending billions just in California to get IPTV up and running.
Byron

[miristegal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.108.104 von amorphis am 06.04.06 18:30:14

hi amorphis.
war heute mal auf der HP v sigm.
nun solte jeder , der interesse an sigm hat , dat auch tun.
wennigsten sich die partner anschauen und die poducts.
der kurs steigt so , wie es mir am liebsten ist.
LANGSAM aber STETIG.

Gruss - muss leider kurzer treten (s.gnta th.)

[amorphis]

Re: oh good moviebeam news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/07/06 02:44 pm
Msg: 94966 of 94997

Red Herring Releases Short-List of Finalists for the "Red Herring 100 North America" Awards

Following another rigorous review process, the "Red Herring 100 North America" will be unveiled at the exclusive "Red Herring Spring 2006" CEO summit, May 23-25 in Monterey, California, during which the technology industry's most-innovative CEOs, venture financiers, and corporate strategists will gather to meet this next wave of disruptive companies.

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=1159…

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060317/20060317005079.html?.v=1

MovieBeam is on the list of finalists.
Byron

[amorphis]

Sigm added to naked short list today.

Apr 10, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- BUYINS.NET, www.buyins.net, announced today that these select companies have been added to the NASDAQ, AMEX and NYSE naked short threshold list: Inhibitex, Inc. (INHX), The9 Limited (NCTY), Sigma Designs, Inc. (SIGM), VASCO Data Security International, Inc. (VDSI), Y-Tel International, Inc. (YTLI), Avino Silver & Gold Mines, Ltd. (ASGMF) . For a complete list of companies on the naked short list please visit our web site. To find the SqueezeTrigger Price before a short squeeze starts in any stock, go to www.buyins.net .

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Multimedia Research Group, Inc.

European and Global IPTV Forecasts Surpass 2005 Estimates
Monday April 10, 7:00 am ET
MRG Report Anticipates Service Provider and Supplier Strategies in Era of M&A

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The new IPTV Global Forecast 2006-2009 from Multimedia Research Group, Inc (MRG) reveals some noteworthy developments since the last IPTV (IP TV) Forecast in September 2005, including subscriber growth from 4.3 million to 36.8 million in 2005-2009; and system (cap ex) revenue growth from $740 million to $4.3 billion in 2005-2009. Reasons behind the developments include:

-- Europe is surging ahead with a large number of strong IPTV deployments
that include France Telecom, Free, Neuf in France, Telefonica in Spain,
FastWeb in Italy, and a number of strong competitive offerings in
Scandinavia.
-- Uncertainties in large carriers in North America and Asia holds the
forecasts for these regions down.
-- Europe should be the strongest IPTV market through 2009, with Asia
catching up by the end of the forecast period.
-- IP TV set-top boxes will dominate the capital spending for IPTV
services and account for two-thirds of (cap-ex) spending.

In forecasting four major regions and seven product/service categories, this forecast includes growth projections (by region) of the top 65% Service Providers (SPs) in 2006 -2009. "No other IPTV Forecast tracks global cap-ex spending on the Service-Provider level," states Gary Schultz, MRG President. "This allows suppliers to develop highly focused marketing strategies by region."

The report also identifies risks and opportunities for IPTV vendors and SPs, including:

-- With Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) among suppliers on the rise, how
do smaller companies respond to the new market dynamics?
-- Why are the competitive and smaller carriers the best opportunity for
smaller vendors?
-- Why will the large carriers dominate the IPTV market until the end of
the forecast period, in terms of subscribers and system spending, and
what does that mean to suppliers?
-- Since Europe offers the most varied opportunities for IPTV vendors,
what unique opportunities are offered by the large, incumbent carriers,
the competitive carriers, and the Eastern European carriers?

The (67-page) IP TV Global Forecast-March 2006 is available in printed format for $3,995.00 US; as a Departmental PDF license for $5,200.00 US; and is available free as part of MRG's IPTV Tracking Service. For more information or to order the report, contact Rob Smith at 408-524-9767 or [e-mail], or visit www.mrgco.com.


Source: Multimedia Research Group, Inc.

[amorphis]

Shanghai Media Group Deploys Envivio(R) MPEG-4 Encoders for IPTV Services

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060410/sfm069.html?.v=46

Note: Envivio is a Sigma partner.

[amorphis]

http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2006/04/11/afx26618…

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.168.932 von amorphis am 12.04.06 00:41:43

Hallo amorphis,

hatte am 27.03.2006 die $ 12 avisiert. Falls Du nachkaufen willst, deh davon aus, das wir dieses Nieveau in den nächsten ein -zwei Wochen sehen werden.

Gruß

kiska

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: TiVo Inc.

TiVo and DIRECTV Agree to Extend Relationship for Three Years
Wednesday April 12, 8:00 am ET
Agreement Guarantees Quality Service for Existing DIRECTV TiVo Subscribers; Also Addresses Intellectual Property

ALVISO, Calif., April 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO - News), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVR), and DIRECTV, Inc. (NYSE: DTV - News), the nation's leading digital television service provider, today announced a three-year extension to the TiVo-DIRECTV commercial agreement.

Existing DIRECTV TiVo subscribers will be able to continue to receive the award-winning TiVo® service, with TiVo providing ongoing maintenance and support. In addition, TiVo and DIRECTV agree not to assert patent rights against the other. The agreement also extends the advertising relationship between the two companies. DIRECTV will continue to service existing DIRECTV receivers with TiVo service. While specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the recurring monthly economics of the agreement are similar to the economics for DIRECTV receivers with TiVo service activated since 2003.

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with DIRECTV that will allow us to continue to provide our service to the more than 2 million DIRECTV TiVo households," said TiVo CEO Tom Rogers. "As the pioneer in the DVR market, we have created a service that is highly valued by consumers because of our technology, the wide range of our unique features and the unparalleled ease of our user experience. This agreement reflects TiVo's popularity among DIRECTV subscribers and importantly respects the value of our intellectual property as well."

"By extending our agreement with TiVo, we are ensuring quality support for DIRECTV customers who already own a DIRECTV TiVo unit," said Romulo Pontual, DIRECTV's chief technology officer. "We are pleased to cooperate with TiVo in a way that will best serve DIRECTV and our DIRECTV TiVo customers."

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. is the United States' leading digital television service provider with more than 15 million customers. DIRECTV is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment services. DIRECTV is approximately 37 percent owned by News Corporation.

[amorphis]

Envivio/SIGM NAB news:
by: WINTER_CFA 04/14/06 11:13 pm
Msg: 95284 of 95296

"Envivio Debuts MPEG-4 HD IPTV Triple Play Solution on H.264 Consumer Set-Top Box"

http://www.envivio.com/news/2006/041306_iptv.php

South San Francisco, CA, April 13, 2006 – At NAB2006 in its booth #SL4403, Envivio Inc. will debut the world's first IPTV Triple Play solution featuring MPEG-4 middleware on a Sigma Designs based H.264 consumer set-top box. The Envivio® IPTV Triple Play solution presents an innovative method for service providers to deliver standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) IP video, video on demand (VOD) and middleware with an electronic program guide (EPG) - all within a complete MPEG-4 environment. The solution interfaces with any OSS billing and open standards-based VoIP systems and is ideal for offering IPTV Triple Play where bandwidth is limited and operators wish to offer the latest in competitive services to their subscribers.

In the demonstrated solution, SD and HD IP video is encoded by Envivio 4Caster™ B3 and HD3 systems for outstanding video quality at the lowest possible bit rates. Content for VOD services is delivered via the Envivio 4Sight™ streaming server. The Envivio EPG is created using the interactive components defined in MPEG-4. This provides scalability and entirely new features for enhancing the subscriber's experience including PVR, an integrated telephony portal and trick play. IP video content and the EPG are delivered to the consumer set-top box as MPEG-4 streams and managed by the Envivio 4Front™ middleware server. Through its innovative architecture, 4Front is the first middleware to support MPEG-4 Part 11 for the delivery of synchronized applications and messages to enable advanced services such as SMS texting, betting and voting.

Since the solution is based on open standards, operators can select from the complete line of Envivio products or mix and match systems from other open standards-based vendors as they enhance their networks to offer IPTV services. From the Envivio IPTV headend to the set-top box, the complete MPEG-4 Triple Play solution enables service providers to offer enhanced television services and to increase their average revenue per user (ARPU).

Envivio systems will appear in various booths throughout the NAB2006 show floor including Advantech #C8548, AVC Alliance #SL1976, ENENSYS Technologies #SU2250A, Irdeto #SU793 Motorola #SU1752, UDcast in the DVB Booth #C836, and Verizon Business #SL2403.

[amorphis]

IPTV now available statewide in Kansas
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/15/06 10:33 am
Msg: 95289 of 95296

http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6325022.html

As we know, AT&T's IPTV product will use a set top box with Sigma inside.
Byron

[amorphis]

Hello FVD!
by: WINTER_CFA 04/15/06 02:02 pm
Msg: 95290 of 95296

"Taiwan to Ship 3 Million FVD Players, Drives This Year"

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-taiwan-ship-3-million-fvd-pla… 06/04/14/1572237.htm

"Taiwan companies are expected to ship a total of about three million forward versatile disc (FVD) players and drives this year, according to estimates made by Huang Der-ray, deputy general director of the Electronics and Opto-electronics Research Laboratories (EOL) of Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)."

"Huang pointed out that after the Consumer Electronics Show (CE) in the United States and the CeBIT show in Germany, many local FVD drive makers have won continuous orders."

"In addition to FVD players, Huang said, some American customers plan to adopt FVD drives in PCs, which is expected to greatly popularize the FVD format and increase the number of FVD films."

"All local optical-disc and disc-drive companies participated the development of the FVD format, and some of them said that if the number of orders becomes sufficient, they would set aside some of their capacity to produce FVD-related products. Currently, the major local FVD player producer is Integrated Service Technology (IST), while U-Tech Media Corp. makes the FVD discs."

"Industry experts have suggested that Taiwan FVD makers should utilize the chance to negotiate with EVD counterparts in mainland China in order to integrate the two alliances' advantages and jointly map out a new and competitive disk format."


Obviously, any of the 3M units mentioned above shipped into PCs as drives do not need a SIGM chip. The rest DO and it sounds to me like most of the units for this year, at least, will be put into separate players.

PRs? Who needs 'em, IMO. The numbers will be the numbers.

[miristegal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.208.221 von amorphis am 16.04.06 01:39:10

Hi,

der heutige kursverlauf macht mir kopfweh. im YB wird alles mögliches
gepostet.habe nach ursachen gesucht und NIX gscheites gefunden??

eine konsi wars M.M. nach nicht. weisst du wat??

MFG

[amorphis]

was sollte sein?kann auch nix finden...würd mir keinen kopf machen...warum denkst du das es nichts mit einer konsolidierung zu tun hat?ausser bei rohstoffwerten und den neuen energien läufts doch derzeit nicht allzu rund...guck dir die bios an...

du hast dich doch mit sigm gut auseinander gesetzt und bist auch schon länger dabei...diese art von bewegung haben wir doch nicht zum ersten mal...ist dir aufgefallen...das seit beginn des threats damals....der anteil an institutionellen von unter 30% (deutlich drunter!) auf mitlerweile 42% angewachsen ist?

iptv ist groß im kommen...und wird immer größer...sigm hat derzeit alle dicken fische an land gezogen...so ziemlich in jeden großprojekt ist man dabei...viele laufen derzeit an...

bis sich das deutlich in den geschäftszahlen niederschlagen wird...sollte es nicht mehr lange dauern...wenn die firma es schafft...dort positiv zu punkten...und das in einer gewissen regelmäßigkeit...dann ist in ein großer deckel vom kurs weg!ich schätze die chancen auf solch eine situation als sehr gut ein...

das problem ist...die firma wird erst noch unter beweis stellen müssen...das zum einen nachhaltig viel geld verdient wird...und zum anderen muss gezeigt werden...das man den wettbewerbern weiter in der technik überlegen ist!sigm hat bereits für die erste jahreshälfte eine neue serie an chips angekündigt...bin mir nur nicht mehr sicher ob es da um detailinformationen zu diesen ging...oder ob dann die neuen chips verkaufsfertig sind...steht hier irgendwo im threat...den bericht dazu hat byronangel reingestellt...(es wird in der nächsten generation die technik von der kürzlich übernommenen firma integriert sein-das sollte weitere alleinstellungsmerkmale und anwendungsbereiche generieren!)

auch im letzten jahr hatten in den ersten monaten nicht viel zu lachen...aber das geld wird schon noch im verlauf des jahres in sigm fliessen...dessen bin ich mir ziemlich sicher...

greez

[miristegal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.218.709 von amorphis am 18.04.06 01:38:38

OK und danke.
du verstehst doch meine bedenken bin in anderen werten aktiv und du weisst es wie viel zeit es kostet. dabei zu sein.
bin z.z mit den ethanol dingen sehr angetan.dat hasste auch wohl mitbekommen.

MFG

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.218.709 von amorphis am 18.04.06 01:38:38

Moins amorphis und ministregal,

ich verfolge sigma ja nun auch längere Zeit. Die Geschäftsidee ist sicherlich super und wird sich mit der Zeit durchsetzen. Problematisch ist zur Zeit die charttechnische Situation auf die ich ja schon mehrfach hingewiesen habe. Im Gegensatz zu Genta, wo sich über einen Zeitraum von fast zwei Jahren eine Untertasse herausgebildet hat, sieht das bei Sigma nach einer umgekehrten Untertassenformation aus, die noch nicht abgeschlossen ist. Von daher ist in der nächsten Zeit mit weiteren Kursrückgängen zu rechnen, die ggf. stärker ausfallen können als das bisherige nervenzehrende Abbröckeln. Tut mir leid wenn ich charttechnisch keinen positiven Ausblick geben kann. Andererseits kann man wenn man darauf vorbereitet ist schöne Tradinggewinne mitnehmen.

Grüsse

kiska

[amorphis]

die frage ist nur...in dem jahr...in dem man einen gewissen durchbruch bei den zahlen erwarten kann...sprich...umsatzverdopplung in richtung 70-80 millionen $ und einen sprung beim eps...wird in diesem jahr der große rückgang kommen????oder was meinst du damit...?


das eine sigm mal 20-30% verlieren kann...im laufe der zeit....das ist normal...und läuft doch schon die ganze zeit so bei dieser aktie...

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.222.935 von amorphis am 18.04.06 13:49:23

Hallo amorphis,

solche Kursrückgänge von 30% und mehr sind wirklich nichts besonderes. Die Aktie hat schliesslich einen raschen Kursanstieg hinter sich und die Vorschusslorbeeren, die in Form von zu hoch ausgefallenen Kurssteigerungen entstanden sind, werden vom Markt zurückgestutzt. Dabei sind Übertreibungen nach unten natürlich genauso normal wie die nach oben. Fundamentale Argumente ziehen in solchen Phasen nicht. Belastend kommt noch die zu erwartende Dollarschwäche hinzu, welche mögliche Kurssteigerungen negativ kompensieren. So lange die charttechnischen Probleme vorhanden sind, wird sich kaum ein Investor finden, der die Aktie anfasst, wenn in anderen Bereichen (s. Southern Silver - hier ist der rückläufige Dollar positiv zu werten und der explodierende Silberpreis tut sein Übriges hinzu) Anlagen mit Kursgewinngarantie Alternativen vorhanden sind.
Daher fällt meine kurzfristige Betrachtung nicht positiv aus.

Gruß

kiska

[amorphis]

Re: OT Motorola earnings
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/18/06 04:50 pm
Msg: 95405 of 95418

Not sure why you have this labeled as "off topic" since it is definitely "on topic" for SIGM. Keep in mind:

SIGM has a big opportunity in India, where MOT is in discussions to sell Sigma powered set top boxes.

AT&T and Verizon will be using MOT set top boxes powered by Sigma for their IPTV services.

MOT will also be going after other markets with their set top boxes - the cable companies are a strong possibility here, which would be another huge market for SIGM.

In summary, MOT is currently shipping over 2 million set top boxes per quarter. Once things start to ramp up 500,000 of these is a reasonable estimate of the number that might have Sigma inside. This means over $10 million in revenue per quarter, just from MOT alone.
Byron

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: UTStarcom, Inc.

UTStarcom Signs Contract With China Netcom for the Deployment of IPTV in China's Harbin in Heilongjiang Province
Thursday April 20, 9:05 am ET
UTStarcom-China Netcom Deal to Be the Single Largest IPTV Capacity Deployment in China

ALAMEDA, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UTStarcom, Inc. (Nasdaq: UTSI - News), a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, today announced that China Netcom has signed a contract for the deployment of UTStarcom's RollingStream(TM) end-to-end IPTV solution in Harbin in the Heilongjiang in northeast China. This deal represents the single largest IPTV capacity deployment in China to date.

"We believe that UTStarcom's IPTV technology and service epitomizes the evolution of network and service convergence," said Ying Wu, chief executive officer of UTStarcom China. "We believe the Harbin case indicates that a typical business model and value chain for IPTV in China is emerging and that there are large market opportunities and consumer demand throughout many regions. With this contract, UTStarcom continues to prove its position at the forefront of real-world IPTV deployments with the largest number of subscribers."

The contract is based on a commercial trial that was launched in May 2005. The initial deployment had a capacity of 100,000 concurrent media streams, covering the major metropolitan areas of the city. Currently, the service offers channels of live broadcast television with "time-shifting" capabilities, 48-hour TV-on-demand, and approximate 5,600 hours of video-on-demand. At the same time, there are value-added services, such as on-line weather report, information browsing, and searching services available in the service package as well. The service has accumulated approximately 53,000 subscribers to date. UTStarcom has also announced commercial contracts in Shanghai and Fuzhou and Quanzhou in the Fujian Province, with an initial combined capacity of over 50,000 media streams.

About UTStarcom's RollingStream

UTStarcom's RollingStream is an end-to-end solution designed for telecommunications operators and broadband service providers to deliver broadcast quality TV and on-demand entertainment programming over IP networks. RollingStream is designed to offer service providers the scalability, reliability, and bandwidth efficiency to support new services including broadcast TV, Network PVR (n-PVR), Video on Demand (VoD), and Near Video on Demand (NVoD) over existing network infrastructures. This results in opportunities for increased revenues, new services, and improved customer satisfaction and retention.

For more information about UTStarcom's RollingStream solution, please visit: http://www.utstar.com/Solutions/Broadband/IPTV .

About UTStarcom, Inc.

UTStarcom is a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and international service and support. The company sells its broadband, wireless, and handset solutions to operators in both emerging and established telecommunications markets around the world. UTStarcom enables its customers to rapidly deploy revenue-generating access services using their existing infrastructure, while providing a migration path to cost-efficient, end-to-end IP networks. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Alameda, California, the company has research and design operations in the United States, China, Korea, and India. UTStarcom is a FORTUNE 1000 company.

For more information about UTStarcom, visit the company's Web site at www.utstar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements, including the foregoing statements regarding the anticipated size and location of deployments of the Company's IPTV solutions in China, the anticipated significance of the Company's IPTV technology and service in the telecommunications market, the anticipated emergence of IPTV-based business model and value chain, the anticipated growth of market and consumer demand for IPTV in various regions of China, the expectation that the RollingStream solution can help service providers deliver broadcast quality TV and on-demand entertainment programming over IP networks, the expectation that RollingStream will enable service providers to support new services over existing network infrastructures, and the expectation that RollingStream will present service providers with opportunities for increased revenues, new services, and improved customer satisfaction and retention. These statements are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risk factors include rapidly changing technology, the changing nature of global telecommunications markets, both in China and globally, the termination of significant contracts, the direction and results of future research and development efforts, evolving product and applications standards, reduction or delays in system deployments, product transitions, changes in demand for and acceptance of the Company's products, general adverse economic conditions, and trends and uncertainties such as changes in government regulation and licensing requirements, both in China and globally. The Company also refers readers to the risk factors identified in its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Source: UTStarcom, Inc.

[amorphis]

Re: NAB Show
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/19/06 04:14 pm
Msg: 95448 of 95465

April 26 at the NAB is "IPTV World" day.

http://www.nabshow.com/Conferences/sessiondetail.asp?id=1204…

The Keynote presentation will be by Phil Corman, Director, Worldwide Partner Development, Microsoft TV. As we all know, MSFT is relying on Sigma technology to make IPTV happen.

Following Mr. Corman's Keynote address, there will be a panel discussion of how IPTV is taking on the cable companies. Roger A. Seiken, Director of Business and Legal Affairs, Verizon FiOS Television is on the panel. VZ will be using set top boxes powered by Sigma to make FiOS work.

Later comes a panel discussion about set top boxes. David Alsobrook, Director, IPTV Products, Scientific Atlanta is on the panel. SFA was one of the first adopters of the Sigma 8634 chip.

After lunch, it's a Case Study: IPTV: It’s Not the Beginning or the End, but What’s in the Middleware - Presenter: Alain Fernando-Santana, Chief Marketing Officer, Envivio Inc. Envivio is a Sigma partner.

So in summary I'd say people at the NAB show next week will be hearing plenty about SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

Re: R. W. Baird
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/18/06 10:21 am
Msg: 95387 of 95465

Details from the report:

We believe Sigma Designs is seeing momentum on all fronts, including in FVD players, in IPTV with some of the largest communication players, in mobile video players, a category bound to surge in 2007, as well as in Ethernet-based digital TVs. Competition continues to lag, per our checks. SIGM's current multiple very attractive, in our view, based on our C2007 EPS estimate. Reiterating $21 price target and Outperform rating.

Taiwan Expected To Ship 3 Million FVD Players And Drives This Year.
According to Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan companies are
expected to ship about 3 million FVD (Forward Versatile Disc) players and drives this year. We believe Sigma Designs has all FVD player (non drive) wins, with ASPs currently around $20. The FVD standard, which was developed by Opto-Electronics and Systems Laboratories, a division of ITRI and Taiwan's Advanced Optical Storage Research Alliance (AOSRA), is being promoted by AOSRA and China Audio & Video Association, both in Taiwan and in mainland China. FVD discs currently hold 5.4 GB of data per layer and specifications exist for a 15GB+ three layer disc featuring 1080i resolution. FVD uses Microsoft's digital rights management technology (VC-1), which only Sigma Designs currently offers in volume in ASIC.

Asia IPTV Momentum Is Building – SMEG Opportunity Is Very Significant, In Our
View.
An announcement was made last March in the local China press that Shanghai Media & Entertainment Technology Development Co. Ltd (SMETD) and Sigma Designs have come to an agreement to promote the use of Sigma's 8622/24 decoders with DMB mobile TV receiver technology for use in a variety of mobile platforms. SMETD was established by the Shanghai Media & Entertainment Group (SMEG), one of the largest Asia conglomerates and a dominant telco in mainland China providing TV, radio, and Internet services over traditional as well as emerging media platforms including broadband and interactive TV, mobile TV including in mobile phones, and IP TVs. The company is vertically integrated, from the content to its own mobile phones. We believe SMEG is the only company to have an IPTV license in China so far. The announcement suggests Sigma Designs is very well positioned into terrestrial or satellite receivers sold by SMEG going forward. Separately, Envivio recently announced it will debut its IPTV solution featuring MPEG-4 middleware on a Sigma Designs-based H.264 consumer set-top box at the NAB 2006 show. Shanghai Media Group recently announced it is using Envivio's headend encoders for approximately 80,000 IPTV subscribers, which suggests another opportunity for Sigma Designs near term in China.

UTStarcom To Migrate To H.264 Later This Year. Per our checks, UTStarcom will upgrade later this year from Sigma's 8500 chip to its 8622 decoder family (VC-1/H.264), which carries ASPs 30%-50% higher, per our estimates, and could reach six-digit volumes late this year.


Strong Growth In European and Asia IPTV Markets For 2006.
Gartner is currently forecasting 3.3 million IPTV users in Western Europe in 2006, going to 6.3 million in 2007 and 10 million in 2008. We believe the high-volume opportunities (France Telecom, British Telecom, Deutsche Telecom, France Telecom, T-Mobile, SwissCom, and others) are based on Microsoft's IPTV Edition Software, of which virtually all use Sigma Designs' decoders. Regarding the Europe IPTV market, Microsoft has recently said it expects most of its customers to transition from trials to commercial offerings starting in the second half of 2006, driven by lower IP set-top box pricing. In Asia, where we believe Sigma has most of the sockets, IDC forecasts IPTV subscribers will grow from 1.2 million in 2005 to nearly 30 million in 2010, including over 4 million subscribers in China by the 2008 Olympic Games. Emerging opportunities also exist in other geographies including India, where Motorola (Sigma) is in discussions with Indian mobile service providers.

Cable Set-Box To Migrate From MPEG2 To H.264 Starting In 2007. We continue to get evidence the cable providers will start upgrading their set-top boxes from MPEG-2 to H.264 in 2007 to save bandwidth and offer more HD content. We believe discussions with set-top box manufacturers will begin in the second-half of this year.

Mobile Video Players – Only Sigma Offers HD Resolution In A Single Chip Solution,
In Our View.
Sigma Designs is finding strong traction in mobile video players in Asia, owing to its VC-1 decoder enabling high resolution when the appliance is connected to an HDTV screen. Sigma Designs could find significant volume opportunities outside of Asia as well.

Digital TVs With Integrated Media Gateways, An Emerging Market For Sigma Designs.
HP plans on rolling out a 37-inch LCD TV with integrated wireless functionality mid-summer to be sold at Best Buy, CompUSA, and other retail outlets in the U.S. We believe Sigma Designs is designed in this TV and HP's upcoming digital TV models enabling the wireless streaming of HD video content. This will be a key feature of Intel's upcoming ViiV media PC platform as it ramps starting in the second half of this year. We expect a number of new digital TV models to feature integrated media gateways, including from Samsung, LG, Sharp, and Acer, which will feature an Ethernet port enabling a direct connection to the router for video-on-demand services. As a reminder, Sigma Designs is the only company currently offering an integrated scaler/deinterlacer/H.264-VC-1 SOC.

Competition Continues To Lag, Per Our Checks. We believe that the competition remains significantly behind, per our checks. Broadcom appears to find little to no traction in IPTV set-top boxes given the ongoing consolidation at U.S. telcos. STMicroelectronics is finding traction at the low end of the IPTV market in Europe in Linux-based, standard-definition, non-VC1 set-top boxes, while Sigma Designs has virtually all of the Microsoft-based IPTV wins. Our checks further indicate that Texas Instruments' DSP-based decoder, while cost-effective in low volumes, faces quality and performance issues. TI's DSP also does not do HD decoding currently.

Sigma Designs currently trades at just 11x our calendar 2007 EPS estimate of $1.15, a
significant discount to its peers and a multiple which we believe does not reflect the
growth opportunities and margin leverage for Sigma this year and next. Our price target
of $21 for Sigma Designs is based on the stock trading at 18 times our calendar 2007
EPS estimate of $1.15.

[amorphis]

SIGM and Apple?
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/20/06 11:09 am
Msg: 95466 of 95474

PLAY down sharply today. The company said the follow-on to its PP5021 system-on-chip is expected to be available in the second half of 2006, but has not been chosen for Apple's mid- and high-range flash-based iPod media player.

Those in the know believe that SIGM and Apple are working on something.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=93099

There could be something going on between Apple and Sigma in the portable media player space.
Byron



wenns so ist...sigm im neuen ipod? the sky is the limit...

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

DG2L Demonstrates Hybrid DVB-IP Set-Top Box Based on Sigma Media Processor Chips
Monday April 24, 6:30 am ET
Neuron 2000 Set-Top Box Adds a New Dimension of Entertainment for Broadcasters and Network Operators

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, today announced that DG2L's Neuron 2000 hybrid set-top box is based on Sigma's EM8622 media processor and will be demonstrated at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) 2006 show starting today. The Neuron 2000 is one of the first high-definition (1080i) hybrid set-top-boxes that support both Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and ATSC broadcast services, as well as Internet Protocol (IP) standards with H.264/AVC (aka MPEG-4) compression support. Designed for high performance and bandwidth efficiency, the Neuron 2000 enables broadcasters and network operators to leverage both traditional one-way broadcast, as well as two-way interactive IP delivery.


The Neuron 2000 is the second in a series of DG2L's line of Neuron set-top-boxes based on the H.264/AVC compression standard. The new hybrid box also supports advanced interactive television services, such as personal video recording, a required feature for next-generation set-top-boxes. The Neuron 2000 is shipping in sample quantities and is scheduled to be available in June 2006.

"The Neuron 2000 is already generating tremendous excitement among broadcasters and network operators," said Ankur Sheth, CEO of DG2L Technologies. "Sigma's EM8622 media processor powers this box and enables us to efficiently deliver high-definition TV, H.264/AVC compression and other advanced features."

Taking advantage of the EM8622's powerful video decoding, the Neuron 2000 supports H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding) which is a digital video codec standard that is known for achieving the highest level of data compression. AVC is also known as the latest version of MPEG-4 (MPEG-4 part 10), and contains new features that compress video more effectively than previous standards without compromising image quality. These new compression standards offer superior performance, and cost savings that result from an increased number of HD channels that can be carried within the same bandwidth for the same price.

"DG2L and its Neuron 2000 are on the leading edge of a trend toward set-top boxes featuring advanced compression technologies for greater efficiency," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "Sigma has been the leading provider of fully integrated media processors that feature all major compression standards, including H.264/AVC, VC-1 and MPEG-2."

DG2L will showcase the Neuron 2000 at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention 2006 in Las Vegas, April 24-27, 2006 in the AVC Alliance Stand, South Hall 2, Booth SL1976. DG2L will also offer a hospitality suite for private demonstrations at the Hilton Hotel, North Tower Suite, #23121. To schedule a meeting for a private demonstration at NAB 2006, please contact Matt Mckee; [e-mail].

[amorphis]

Filled with quotes from everyone - Ken tells Bill to keep it conservative, MOT confirms 2Q shipment of its SIGM set-top, DSPs guys are starting to sound pretty desparate:

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/04/13/1570267.htm

[April 13, 2006]
Watch this space (Electronic Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) To hear some industry leaders talk, 2006 will be the year of Internet protocol television (IPTV). At January's Consumer Electronics Show, for example, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said he expects to see IPTV field trials scale up into large numbers this year. "It will blow away the previous video platform," he predicted.

Not everyone is so definitive, however. "The question mark is how fast the service and product rollouts will grow," says Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing at Sigma Designs, a chip company involved in several major IPTV rollouts.

IPTV, which uses IP packets to deliver a two-way digital video signal through a broadband connection to the home, is still a fledgling market. In-Stat, a research company owned by EB parent Reed Business, estimates that only three million IPTV set-top boxes (STBs) shipped worldwide last year, generating revenue of about $500 million. But In Stat forecasts that shipments could grow to 20 million units, with revenue of $3 billion by 2010. ABI Research predicts even higher numbers (see chart).

Although there are several midsize IPTV deployments in Asia and Europe (see "IPTV Around the World," page 12), activity in North America was limited until recently to small, rural operators. But during the last two years, as U.S. cable operators have begun offering more "triple play" services bundles including voice, data and video. Major U.S. telecommunications vendors have decided to adopt IPTV as a defensive move. The operators see IPTV as a way to deliver many channels of digital TV while also offering enhanced services such as digital mosaic programming guides, which can show what's playing on multiple channels via a mosaic of thumbnail video windows, whole-home digital video recording and integrated services such as on-screen caller display for customers using both phone and TV services.

Meanwhile, Microsoft last year began promoting its operating system for IPTV, called IPTV Edition. Until then there was only a cottage industry of software companies selling various operating systems, middleware and browsers for IPTV, according to Lowe. "What got the big telcos across the finish line in many cases was Microsoft's IPTV," he says. Some two thirds of the major telco carriers are either participating as early adopters or are planning wide-scale IPTV deployments based on IPTV Edition, he notes.

Everyone is watching two U.S. rollouts in particular, to gauge whether IPTV will catch on in the United States. Project Lightspeed, by AT&T (formerly SBC), is a multibillion-dollar deployment of fiber that the company says will reach approximately 18 million households by the end of 2008. The company launched a pilot project in San Antonio, Texas, and expects to start deploying on a broader scale later this year. Meanwhile, Verizon Communications is rolling out its fiber-optic-based TV service, called FiOS, in Texas. The company predicts that by the end of 2006, the service will reach nearly 400,000 North Texas households.

The fact that both rollouts are in Texas is no coincidence and highlights one of the major barriers to IPTV expansion in the U.S. Currently, local governments must approve local TV services. Cable companies have spent several decades procuring franchises in thousands of municipalities across the U.S., but the telecommunications companies have no such licenses. The telcos are pushing Congress to create national franchising rules. Meanwhile, some states are creating statewide franchising rules. Texas is the first, having
passed legislation last year.

In addition to regulatory uncertainty, there are significant doubts about whether IPTV technology is ready for widespread deployment. Most of the IPTV deployed to date (in Asia and Europe) has been standard-definition, which uses MPEG-2 for compression. But U.S. operators want to offer more-aggressive services, such as voice over IP or high-definition TV.

"This has to come," says Roger Walker, a vice president and general manager with STMicroelectronics. "Otherwise, it'll just be a battleground for a price war." STMicro today has more than a 70 percent share worldwide of the market for MPEG decoders in set-top boxes, he notes.

To offer those advanced services, operators need MPEG-4-level compression. There are various flavors including H.264; MPEG-4, Part 10; and VC-1but in general the standard doubles or even triples the compression available from MPEG-2.

"Two years ago, the processing power we wanted wasn't there," says David Price, vice president of product marketing and business development at Harmonic, which makes encoders. Many of the processors were DSPs that were designed originally for audio applications, he says. But today "the silicon has definitely caught up with the applications."

Indeed, the industry has been awaiting an MPEG-4 SoC that would provide greater processing power but at a reasonable price point, says Marty Stein, a senior director of marketing at Motorola. "All the technology seems to be in place now to launch this market," he says.

Motorola plans to start shipping production versions of its IPTV STB, which is based on the Sigma Designs chip, in the second quarter of this year, he says. Motorola is one of two providers of STBs for AT&T's Project Lightspeed. The other is Scientific Atlanta, which Cisco Systems acquired in November 2005.

Part of the problem has been getting the chips to work well with the software, notes

Manjit Gill, director for telco TV products at Conexant Systems. "It's taken them [chip makers] multiple spins to get it right," he says.


And some think that it will take more spins. Although the MPEG-4 chips are available and working, they have not yet been put to the test of broad deployment, says Scot Robertson, director of network media products at Analog Devices, Inc. "We see a big danger of some of these chip sets really not being properly tweaked for broad deployment," he says. Companies such as ADI and Texas Instruments, which sell programmable processors into the IPTV market, argue that it's better to use programmable chips, because of the instability of the MPEG-4 technology.

As the big U.S. projects roll out in 2006, many of these questions will likely be answered. "There are a lot of people watching and waiting," says Aidan O'Rourke, director of marketing at Broadcom. "There are a lot of pieces to these networks that have to fit together and scale properly."

IPTV around the worldAsia and Europe have already seen several midsize IPTV deployments, but the factors driving these markets are distinctly different from the situation in the United States.

So far the biggest IPTV rollout in the world is in Hong Kong, where telecommunications company PCCW has 500,000 customers, according to Michael Arden, principal analyst, ABI Research.

Asian countries typically have little cable infrastructure, but a high number of DSL subscribers are highly concentrated in small areas. So Asian operators are trying to increase revenue per subscriber by adding new services such as video. Similarly, Europe has little in the way of cable but has strong satellite and DSL businesses. The European providers view promoting IPTV as a way to get a leg up on their satellite competition, because IPTV enables interactive services that are not possible with satellite.

Major deployments in Europe include about 200,000 subscribers in France, 200,000 in Spain and 150,000 in Italy, according to Arden.

U.S. set-top-box giants go head to head. The United States historically has had two 800-pound gorillas in its set-top-box market. They used to be Scientific Atlanta and General Instrument. The names have changed, but those same two gorillas are going after the IPTV STB market.

In November 2005, Cisco Systems acquired Scientific Atlanta, for $6.9 billion. (At press time, the acquisition was expected to close by late April 2006.) In a press release, Cisco CEO John Chambers said the acquisition would help Cisco broaden its product line in networking and make it easier for its telecommunications customers to integrate video onto their IP networks. Earlier in 2005, Cisco purchased KiSS Technology, which makes DVD players and digital video recorders that can connect to a home network and access content from the Web. Some analysts speculate that Cisco could integrate this technology into Scientific-Atlanta's STBs and wireless home networking routers from Linksys, a company Cisco acquired in 2003. Motorola bought General Instrument in 2000, for about $17 billion. At that time, the purchase included 80 percent of NextLevel, a former GI subsidiary that specializes in DSL and the telecommunications space. In 2003 Motorola purchased the rest of NextLevel. Motorola further bolstered its IPTV offerings in January 2006, when it acquired Kreatel Communications. Kreatel builds IPTV set-top boxes for the European market, basing them on Linux and a variety of middleware. In addition, the venture capital arm of Motorola recently invested millions of dollars in CopperGate Communications, a developer of chip sets for IPTV home networking.

[amorphis]

USDTV Unveils Second-Generation Set-Top Box
2006-04-24 08:18 (New York)


LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2006


New Set-Top Box Becomes First Broadcast Media Center; Enables
Value-Oriented Customers More Low-Cost Content Choices; Improves
Long-Term Competitive Advantage

U.S. Digital Television, LLC (USDTV), the leading low-cost,
all-digital wireless cable alternative, today unveiled details of the
company's second-generation low-cost digital terrestrial set-top box.
USDTV's new set-top box integrates state-of-the-art digital tuning,
compression and storage technologies, enabling the company to
establish a low-cost broadcast-driven media center in the home. The
new set-top box will serve as a media hub for new low-cost themed
content packages, video-on-demand (VOD), personal video recording
(PVR), home networking, and broadband connectivity. This multifaceted
set-top box can also function as a portability base for mobile content
devices.
"Our second-generation set-top box is an essential technical
milestone in offering consumers more choice, developing new revenue
streams for our broadcast partners, and sustaining our long-term
competitive advantage," said Steve Lindsley, Chief Executive Officer
of USDTV. "Developing a broadcast-based media platform will allow us
to meet the demands of value-oriented customers today and into the
future."
"No other company has more consumer and broadcaster experience
than USDTV in delivering on both the technical and specialized channel
business model potential of digital broadcasting," said Richard
Doherty, Research Director of The Envisioneering Group. "USDTV is in
an excellent position to provide millions of homes with the simplest,
consumer-understandable, legitimate pay TV alternative well in advance
of the analog shut-down."
USDTV will be releasing its second-generation set-top box in two
phases, the first of which will begin shipping to customers in the
fall of 2006. It will feature a number of new digital technologies
including, the new system-on-a-chip media processor from Sigma Design,
and the latest high performance 8VSB DTV demodulator from ATI. The
combination of these advanced digital technologies will enable USDTV
to target a larger geographic base and offer a broader set of
programming options.
In early 2007 the Company will release an enhanced version of the
set-top box incorporating a 250-gigabyte hard drive, which will
support a variety of storage based and in-home networking services.
Customers will have the choice of subscribing to individual content
packages and service features, giving USDTV and its broadcast partners
new revenues and long-term competitive strength.
"Our next-generation set-top box reaffirms our commitment to
technology and our core belief that it will continue working in our
favor," said Richard Johnson, Chief Operating Officer for USDTV. "This
set-top box fulfills our promise of better reception, additional
low-cost content and advanced storage capacity for PVR and VOD services."

[amorphis]

3rd set-top PR today?:
by: WINTER_CFA 04/24/06 08:59 am
Msg: 95555 of 95571

"Amino Announces High Definition H.264/ AVC Set-Top Box"

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060424/20060424005588.html?.v=1

"Amino, leading IPTV set-top box supplier, today launched its new generation of customer premises equipment. The compact, elegant AmiNET130 supports High Definition, H.264 (MPEG4/AVC) video streams and is modelled on the same award-winning design as previous AmiNET generations.

The AmiNET130 provides the service provider with a cost effective means to deliver end-to-end digital High Definition TV as multicast, on-demand video and multi-room IPTV services. It enables service operators to offer stunning TV quality with minimal capital expenditure. Amino will use its established partnerships with leading technology providers to accelerate the growth and profitability of these evolving IPTV services. The company expects to announce the first customer deployment of the new unit in Q3 2006."

VC-1 isn't mentioned, but it is here:

http://www.goamt.com/products/Amino/AmiNET130.asp

FYI - The firm mentioned an Aminet134 model last fall as being SIGM-powered, so perhaps this is the final nomenclature (which would make more sense since its first SIGM-powered box was the 120).

[amorphis]

Global users tune in to IPTV

Research firm predicts annual growth rates of 72 per cent
William Eazel, vnunet.com 23 Apr 2006


New forecasts predict that the number of DSL subscribers worldwide will grow from 97 million in 2004 to 256 million in 2009, at a compound annual growth rate of 21 per cent.

Market research house Research and Markets believes that this growth will form the basis for a surge in IP TV subscribers.

The research firm expects the number of global IP TV subscribers to grow from 4.3 million in 2005 to 36.8 million in 2009, at a compound annual growth rate of 72 per cent.

Europe is leading the market for subscriber numbers, while Asia and North America have fallen off slightly due to a slower than expected rate of fibre deployment, especially with AT& T in the US.

Some service providers in Asia are having difficulty marketing the service and Research and Markets has tempered its enthusiasm for the Chinese market.

Meanwhile, BT is planning to deliver IPTV services in the UK this year. The telco has joined forces with Philips and Microsoft to offer combined access to 30 digital terrestrial channels, video on demand and a range of interactive services using broadband.

The move will put BT in direct competition with satellite broadcasters such as BSkyB, which recently bought internet service provider Easynet.

[amorphis]

An interesting comment here...
by: WINTER_CFA 04/24/06 10:47 am
Msg: 95569 of 95571

...made a few days ago:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=109746&page=2

"You need to wait 2 months, when the first setup box with SMP8634 will be available on market. In France, the ISP "Free" will use this chipset on them setup box "Freebox HD"

That would be this box, which French ISP Free just announced:

http://www.iliad.fr/presse/2006/Cp_190406.pdf

Free was mentioned as a set-top customer several years ago on a SIGM conf call, so this looks like yet another box poised to generate near-term sales for SIGM

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma's Advanced Chipset to Be Featured in USDTV's Next-Generation Set-Top Box
Tuesday April 25, 6:30 am ET
Sigma's SMP8634 Chip to Power USDTV's New Set-Top Box Enabling Enhanced Video Capabilities Including: High-Definition, Advanced Codecs and Processing Power

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, today announced its advanced SMP8634 Chipset will power the MPEG-4 AVC set-top boxes (STB) utilized by U.S. Digital Television, LLC (USDTV) for its low-cost cable alternative. Currently, USDTV is transitioning its network to an advanced video compression technology, MPEG-4 AVC. USDTV's next-generation STB will have integrated MPEG-4 AVC technology in order to provide enhanced services for its customers. Some of these industry-leading features include all the latest codecs, high-definition video and set-top box processing power through the use of Sigma's powerful SMP8634. USDTV will demonstrate the first live MPEG-4 AVC broadcast over its digital terrestrial network at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention (NAB 2006) in Las Vegas, NV, April 24-27, at the ATSC DTV Hot Spot in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

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"The new USDTV receiver will provide consumers with enhanced video features including advanced digital reception, PVR functionality and VOD services," said Richard Johnson, Chief Operation Officer, USDTV. "We are pleased with the state-of-the-art HDTV output and advanced features that Sigma Design's SMP8634 'System-on-a-chip' media processor will add to our next generation set-top box."

USDTV recently announced the details of its second-generation set-top box that will begin shipping to new customers in two phases starting in the fall of 2006. The last phase will ship in the first quarter of 2007 and incorporate a 250-gigabyte hard drive, which will support a variety of storage based and in-home networking services.

The USDTV STB incorporates a high-definition (HD) TV receiver and allows viewers to receive all the digital and HD programs sent out by local stations and national broadcast networks. Also, consumers with home-theater systems can take advantage of full-digital surround sound.

"USDTV has created a unique media hub for the home and we are pleased they have selected our chip as the core processor for its next generation set-top box," said Ken Lowe, VP of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "Our strength in the industry continues to grow, and working with companies like USDTV enables consumers to receive the best entertainment quality in their homes."

About the SMP8634

Sigma's SMP8634 media processor provides a complete system-on-chip (SOC) solution with powerful multimedia processing, robust content security system, and a full complement of peripherals. Its advanced decoder engines support video decoding of H.264 (MPEG-4 part 10), VC-1 as well as Windows Media® Video 9, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 (part 2) with multiple streams, up to the equivalent of two high-definition video streams. High-performance graphics acceleration, multi-standard audio decoding, advanced display processing capabilities, and HDMI/HDCP output round out its multimedia core. Powerful content security is ensured through a dedicated secure processor, flash memory, and a range of digital rights management (DRM) engines for high-speed payload decryption. The SMP8634's 300-Mhz host CPU, 3.2 GB/second unified memory controller, Ethernet 10/100 controller, dual USB 2.0 controller, and IDE controller provide for a single-chip solution for most set-top boxes and consumer players.

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An observation:
by: WINTER_CFA 04/24/06 03:57 pm
Msg: 95590 of 95617

With a high focus on CES and NAB every year, SIGM's stock has had a repeating pattern over the last several:

In 2004, the stock peaked on 1/31 and was weak until mid-May (5/17). It went on to double by December.

In 2005, the stock peaked on 2/18 and was weak until mid-May (5/13). It went on to more than double by December.

In 2006, the stock peaked on 1/19 and has been weak ever since.

About two weeks to go until mid-May.

I submit that history will repeat itself in 2006.

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gut möglich das hier auch sigm drin steckt...man...das sollte ein fettes jahr werden...

Motorola and Sentivision to Provide Set-Tops for Major Japanese IPTV Rollout

First international deployment of the Motorola VIP IPTV set-top platform underscores Motorola's global leadership in Telco TV so

http://www5.sys-con.com/read/211364.htm

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Last Trade: 14.05
Trade Time: 2:05PM ET
Change: Up 0.75 (5.64%)

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so langsam häufen sich die news...denke man sollte weiter investiert bleiben!!!

greez

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

DASAN Networks Launches the H920 IPTV Set-Top Box Based on Sigma's SMP8634 Media Processor
Wednesday April 26, 3:03 pm ET

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2006--DASAN Networks, Inc, one of Korea's largest networking equipment companies, this week announced that it will launch a new IP set-top box, the H920, supporting HD H.264 based on Sigma Designs' (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) SMP8634, media processor.

The Dasan H920 is the first IP set-top box from Korea developed and mass-produced with Sigma's SMP8634 media processor. The H920 offers a competitive price, and ultimate viewing quality along with support for HD H.264 as well MPEG-1/2/4, WMV9, VC-1, and enhanced content protection through a state-of-the art secure media processor. This combination will enable carriers to obtain an attractive return-on-investment for IP-based media services, with its decreased investment burden and new opportunities for revenue.

"Our customers, like Dasan are constantly refining and optimizing their products," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "Sigma's ability to uniquely provide the most effective media processor for their needs is what sets us apart."

The Dasan H920 also has a specially designed platform for telcos to implement various business scenarios for their broadband subscribers. These include T-commerce, T-banking, T-game, and T- securities in addition to the core services of IPTV and VOD. Moreover, Dasan has a road map to integrate VoIP into their set-top box and to advance it as a core platform to provide the living room with a fully integrated TPS solution. Dasan has proven capabilities as a leader in the broadband access solution market, and together with a verified partner for the middleware on the H920.

"Dasan is established as the number one provider in VoIP, IP and Wifi phone market in Korea," said Nam Min Woo, CEO of Dasan. "Naturally, we knew that working with Sigma Designs, we'd be able to drive ahead of the pack with the powerful SMP8634 media processor. We will continue to move forward in the IP set-top box market with key partners to be a global leader in the TPS CPE market."

As a key leader in the broadband solutions market, Dasan provides KT, as well as many successful global IPTV service companies with state-of-the-art network access solutions which satisfy specific requirements like high end QoS, multicasting for VoIP, and IP TV service.

Recently, Dasan has worked in a strategic partnership with its core chipset provider, Sigma Designs, Inc., a market leading innovator for IP set-top box solutions. Sigma Designs, Inc. is demonstrating its SMP8634 in Dasan's H920 at NAB in Las Vegas this week. Dasan will demonstrate the same at INTEROP in Las Vegas the following week.

About DASAN:

DASAN Networks is the largest networks equipment company in Korea. Siemens has acquired DASAN Networks May 2004 in order to supply network applications into the global market and now there are more than 500 employees including 250 engineers.

DASAN Networks offers Carrier Ethernet Solution and TPS Solution which is flexible to respond to rapidly changing market conditions and diverse customer requirement. To be the leading network innovator, DASAN Networks will continue to explore and utilize our full potential and core capabilities.

To offer high quality performance at low cost to our customer, DASAN Networks, based on intangible assets such as technological patents, knowledge, and talent accumulated by our dynamic R&D activities, is putting forth our best efforts to create additional value and increase our revenue, thereby strengthening our global competitiveness with Siemens.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) specializes in silicon-based media processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players. The company's award-winning REALmagic® Video Streaming Technology is used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/.

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RUMOR: Is Microsoft preparing for its own mobile-device hardware?
Posted by Arne Hess - at Friday, 28.04.06 - 16:38:23 CET under 1 - General News - Viewed 318x

As Taiwanese DigiTimes reported today, Microsoft is cooperating closely with four Taiwanese enterprises and a local research organization through its Microsoft Technology Center in Taiwan (MTC) to develop various multimedia devices, Microsoft COO Kevin Turner pointed out at yesterday a press conference held in Taipei.

Cooperating with Microsoft are High Tech Computer (Smartphones, PDA phones, mobile live digital TV phones based on Windows Mobile platform), Arima Communications (Multimedia handsets technologically based on MWA (Windows Media Audio), WMV (Windows Media Video) and WMDRM (Windows Media Digital Rights Management)), Alpha Networks (Digital media players, network DVD players, wireless audio players, HDTV hybrid set-top boxes and IPTV, all technologically based on WMA, WMV and WMDRM), Sunplus Technology (Addition of Windows Media Photo technology to processors of digital cameras) and the Electronics & Optoelectronics Research Lab (Application of WMA and WMV technology to FVD (forward versatile disc), a self-developed red-laser high-definition DVD standard) under the government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

That's a quite interesting piece of news, if you take an interview with Steve Ballmer he recently gave the German newspaper "Die Welt". Ballmer confirmed, that Microsoft is opening itself to compete with Apple in terms of hardware as well. While Microsoft have no intention to make its own PCs, he can imagine to produce its own PDAs, Smartphones and Portable Media devices where appropriate. While he said, that self-developed and manufactured hardware should be the exception, Microsoft is open to do so anyway if the market requires it. Nevertheless, he also confirmed to continue the way with its ODMs as started in the past.
Nevertheless, he hasn't made any announcement yet nor he confirmed anything concrete: "How these could look like, we will communicate to you, if it is ready to communicate".

But anyway, if I take the DigiTimes article and put it in relation with Die Welt's interview, it could become true that we might see sooner or later the highly integrated "Portable Media Center Camera Phone". At least Microsoft seems to have set the course for it already.


http://www.theunwired.net/?itemid=3020&catid=10&catid=10

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Telcos invest heavily in triple-play
by Antony Savvas
Friday 28 April 2006

Telecoms service providers around the world are putting around 40% of their capital expenditure into setting up and providing “triple-play” services to customers.

Triple-play includes voice, data and video services.

Analyst Infonetics Research said triple-play services were not merely a means of increasing top-line...

Article Continues Below

... revenue for service providers, but a “means of self-preservation”.

Infonetics said operators were redefining and realigning themselves to be a one-stop shop for all things digital for residential and enterprise subscribers in the belief that triple-play services would give them the competitive edge they need to succeed.

The majority of service providers in the Infonetics study plan to further increase capex spending in the next 12 months on IPTV equipment, broadband customer premises equipment, broadband aggregation equipment, and voice over broadband equipment.

Service providers expect revenue growth in all areas of triple-play services in the next 12 months, according to the analyst.

“With nearly 40% of their capex budgets going to triple-play service infrastructure, service providers are sending a clear message that the combination of voice, data, and video services is a long-term differentiator for them,” said Infonetics analyst Jeff Heynen.

“Carriers are demanding complete interoperability, full standards compliance, and an open and flexible architecture from their suppliers to ensure the content and services they provide will work right out of the box and far into the future,” he said.

Cisco, Alcatel and Microsoft are the leading providers of triple-play aggregation solutions for providers, according to Infonetics.

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Dollar dropping, SIGM benefits
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/29/06 10:25 am
Msg: 95799 of 95801

The dollar is still dropping. A Reuters poll released on Thursday showed that leading investors are expecting the dollar to continue to fall.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=reutersE… 27T140510Z_01_L26330144_RTRUKOC_0_US-MARKETS-CURRENCIES-DOLLAR.xml&pageNumber=2& imageid=∩=&sz=13

This is helping SIGM. It wasn't that long ago that if SIGM wanted $20 for one of its chips in Japan, they'd have to charge 2500 yen. Now, as a result of the increase in the value of the yen, they can cut their price to 2275 yen and still get $20. Obviously if you cut your price you increase the demand for your products.
Byron

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Looks like the Samsung 8634 STB here:
by: WINTER_CFA 04/28/06 10:13 am
Msg: 95778 of 95801

Another tough one to unearth, but quite worth the effort: Last November, Samsung showed its SMT-1600C IP set-top at a Chinese trade show:

www.samsung.com.cn/presscenter/ pressrelease/corporatenews_20051102_0000210564.asp
http://www.3cworld.com.cn/news/2005/11/3880_1.html

Selected translation from the 2nd story above:

[SMT-1600C is based on the SOC technology high performance, the low price IP box, not only supports H.264, the VC-1 contour compression ratio code, but also has HD, PVR and so on the brand-new function, estimated in 2006 the first half year may realize the commercial service].

They recently presented this box again at a major Chinese show in March, CCBN2006, and this guy's blog on the show, which seems to be both accurate and comprehensive, specifically names the SMP8634 chip for this box:

http://blog.lmtw.com/b/aarron/archives/2006/37620.html

Selected translation:

[Samsung (www.samsungnetwork.com)...SMT-6010E/ SMT-1600C...The SigmaDesign 8634 chips, TriplePlay IPSTB]

He is clearly referring to the 1600 box, not the 6010, a several year-old model which uses an Equator chip.

A final Korean link shows who this box might get shipped to:

http://www.ictc.com.cn/2005report/57.htm

Selected translation:

[Tristar (i.e. Samsung) once carried on "IP broadcast +VOD" the experiment for the Japanese soft silver (i.e. Softbank), also once carried on "the satellite received +VOD" the experiment for the South Korean telecommunication (i.e. KT); Not only that, Tristar also was T-Online, the South Korean telecommunication and Versatel has carried on the IP box commercial deployment. At present, Tristar and south Bell (i.e. Bellsouth), DT, Hanaro Telecom, Swisscom, TdE (i.e. ???), user and so on NTT West, Italian telecommunication carries on the commercial negotiations.]


Samsung is clearly talking with a lot of big guns in the IPTV space! If they move forward with the SMT-1600C box for some to all of these, the numbers for SIGM here again can go off the scale.

Stay tuned.

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Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 04/28/06 11:33 am
Msg: 95781 of 95801

Forgot to post this one a few days ago and don't remember seeing it on the board yet:

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=93360

Comment of key interest:

"The Swiss telco technology chief also said that IPTV plans are back on track after some struggles with Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT - message board) technology. (See Swisscom Postpones IPTV and Swiss IPTV Trial Hits 'Glitches'.)

"Our partner Microsoft had some problems with stability," acknowledged Bratschi. "I have IPTV service at my home and the improvements are signifcant, and I'm sure we can come to market in the second half of this year."



Numerous comments such as these suggest that any problems MSFT may have had with its MSTV product over the past several quarters have been largely solved.

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DeTe to start IPTV trials in May, uses Linksys hardware
Published: Friday 28 April 2006 | 9:02:00 AM CET , Telecompaper

Deutsche Telekom's broadband and fixed subsidiary T-Com has completed the expansion of its DSL infrastructure to VDSL in 10 cities, making high-bandwidth services such as IPTV possible. The VDSL networks will be able to offer download speeds of up to 50 Mbps. T-Online International is planning to launch an IPTV product the second half of this year, which will include, in addition to standard TV channels offered by satellite or cable operators, a wide range of special-interest channels, regional services and pay TV services. Around 100 broadcasters are expected to be involved in the market launch.
From the middle of May, several hundred customers will test the TV over VDSL service for free. The test will be used initially to check the integration of the individual components such as hardware, software and network control, and to assess customer experiences. From the start of June, more subscribers will be added to try out the services under real conditions in the pilot phase.
Deutsche Telekom has named Cisco's consumer division Linksys as its hardware partner for launching TV services via the internet. The corresponding agreements involve the development and market launch of an IP TV-enabled media receiver for the second half of 2006. The T-Home X 300T media receiver, which will be available for sale by the time the service is launched on the market, has various video inputs and outputs and is HDTV-enabled via its HDMI interface.

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Press Release Source: Cisco Systems

Deutsche Telekom's T-Online to Offer High-Definition IPTV Service over Cisco IP Next-Generation Network
Friday April 28, 1:00 pm ET
"T-Home" Service Driving Growth of Converged Data, Voice and High-Definition IP Television Services with Cisco Set-Top Boxes for the Microsoft TV(R) IPTV Edition Software Platform

BONN, Germany & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2006--Deutsche Telekom AG and Cisco Systems®, Inc. today announced that T-Online, a division of Deutsche Telekom, is driving growth of its "T-Home" service, a converged data, voice and video (triple-play) service delivered over T-Com's broadband network. This network is based on Cisco® Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture and the "T-Home" service is delivered with Cisco IP set-top boxes (STBs) supporting the Microsoft TV® IPTV Edition software platform.



T-Online introduced "T-Home" at CeBIT 2006 in Hanover and will make the service available to its customers in Germany, France and Spain in the second half of 2006. "Our objective is to offer customers a convenient 'Plug and Play' solution that can be set up and operated both quickly and easily," said Kai-Uwe Ricke, Chairman of the Board of Management, Deutsche Telekom AG. "The Cisco solution helps us address that need."

"Microsoft is dedicated to working closely with Deutsche Telekom to drive a new generation of TV and connected IP services in Europe," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president for the Microsoft TV Division at Microsoft Corporation. "This is Microsoft's largest IPTV agreement in Europe to date, and we are pleased to be working with Cisco to help Deutsche Telekom deliver high-quality broadband entertainment to consumers across Germany."

"Cisco and Deutsche Telekom have a long history of collaboration and innovation to develop and deploy advanced services to meet customer needs," said Mike Volpi, senior vice president, Routing and Service Provider Technology Group, Cisco Systems, Inc. "We are eager to continue building on this history and also to extend our collaboration with Microsoft as we work together to drive growth of IPTV globally."

T-Com's video delivery network is based on the Cisco IP NGN architecture and incorporates Cisco 12000 Series routers at the provider edge, Cisco 10008 Series routers as Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) platforms and Cisco Catalyst ® 6509 Series switches.

"T-Home" is delivered through a Cisco STB from the KiSS series called the T-Home X 300T Media Receiver which is one of the first in the world to support Microsoft IPTV Edition. Cisco acquired KiSS Technology in September 2005. The T-Home X 300T Media Receiver enables high-definition (HD) IPTV and features personal video recorder (PVR) functionality. Its 80-gigabyte hard disk stores up to 70 hours of programming with "time shifting" capabilities that enable users to record preset programs, and even interrupt running programs and continue them later. The T-Home X 300T supports the Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) standard and features a dual DVB-T tuner as well as and can be controlled remotely over the Internet. It is HD-capable via an HDMI interface and offers Ethernet and SCART ports for additional connectivity and functionality.

Cisco Systems will be providing expertise in rapid deployment of high volume, reliable digital video products, in addition to delivering continuing on-site support and video expertise to address technical issues for both the set top box product and the "T-Home" service.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO - News) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo and Catalyst are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This document is Cisco Public Information.

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anschnallen... zählt mal 1+1 zusammen...sigm ist nicht nur in in den usa in den größten iptv projekten vertreten...zu nennen wären da noch asien und jetzt im größten projekt europas... und somit in den wichtigsten märkten dieser erde

launch mitte 2006...wie so viele andere großprojekte...wenns der letzte merkt...was hier heranwächst...steht sigm 10-20 mal höher bewertet da...und ich bin out...

also...noch könnt ihr die ersten sein....

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Latest Viiv news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 04/30/06 11:54 am
Msg: 95809 of 95809

Today the San Jose Mercury News has an interview with Eric Kim, head of marketing at Intel. According to Kim, since introducing the Viiv brand for consumer desktops, positive results are pouring in.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/14466220.htm

Q How well has the Viiv consumer desktop brand campaign been received? There are some who say that there isn't much awareness of that brand yet.

A It's early. But based on the number of Viiv consumer desktop units sold, Viiv is taking off faster than Centrino, (the successful laptop brand campaign launched in 2003). We are convincing people that Viiv is the best consumer PC available today. The Viiv brand is off to a good start.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/14466222…

In last month's earnings conference call, SIGM stated that digital media adapters appeared to be heading toward a volume ramp in the second half of this year as a result of Intel's Viiv and as Microsoft media extender programs kick into high gear. SIGM continues to dominate this segment and expects to announce additional design wins this year.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=94357

Heavyweight players are now rolling out DMA's with Sigma inside. Among many others these include Linksys, Acer, Netgear, Sony, Sharp, and Philips.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=93609

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=94539

Obviously these heavyweight players see a lot of potential sales of DMA's as Viiv starts to take off. With SIGM having close to a monopoly in the DMA space, this is going generate huge revenues for Sigma.
Byron

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latest news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/01/06 09:55 am
Msg: 95826 of 95846

New report out from the Baird analyst today:

Our recent checks point to strong momentum in IPTV deployments ahead of the June
World Cup. We believe Sigma Designs currently has the strongest visibility in years as
a result.

Building Momentum In European IPTV Market.
Our recent checks indicate strong IPTV momentum in Europe ahead of the June World Cup, with several telcos about to launch HD IPTV programs over the next few months. One of them is Deutsche Telekom, which highlighted in a press release last Friday it will offer a high-definition IPTV service using KiSS, Microsoft IPTV-based set-top boxes for customers in Germany, France, and Spain in the second half of 2006. This is a Sigma Designs win (8634). The exception to the World Cup timeline is British Telecom, which we believe has delayed its IPTV ramp until March 2007, acting as a catalyst for Sigma's top line starting late this year.

Sigma Getting Traction At Key IP Set-Top Box Makers In Asia. Sigma Designs is
finding traction at a number of set-top box manufacturers outside of the U.S., including at
Coship (largest set-top box maker in mainland China), Samsung (in a set-top box/PVR
combo) which we believe is in talks with large South Korea and Europe-based telcos.
Coship will roll out this year IPTV field trials in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Motorola
announced last week that its VIP series IPTV set-top box (Sigma Designs' 8634 inside)
was chosen by Sentivision, a Japanese service provider partially owned by Sony, for a
video service rollout to Japanese subscribers. This is Motorola's first IP set-top box
customer outside of the United States, an indication of the momentum Sigma Designs will
likely find via its Motorola win outside of just AT&T's Project Lightspeed.

UTStarcom To Upgrade To H.264 Early Next Year. We also continue to receive data
points that UTStarcom, which currently uses Sigma Designs' 8500 chip into IP set-top
boxes being deployed at China Telcom and China Unicom, is working on transitioning to
H.264 decoding using Sigma's 8634 chip, which carries significantly higher ASPs, for a
ramp scheduled early next year.

Momentum continues for Sigma Designs in other segments including portable video
players in Asia, FVDs (red laser-based HD DVD in China/Taiwan), as well as digital
media adapters and Blu Ray/HD DVD players ramping in the second half.

Our calendar 2007 estimates and $21 price target remain unchanged. We expect
strong April-quarter results and are reiterating our Outperform rating on SIGM
shares.

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340,000 new IPTV Subscribers
by: steve19149 05/01/06 12:25 pm
Msg: 95831 of 95846

Finally some predictions for IPTV for 2006and this is Europe alone.

Europe, Place Your Bets: Digital vs. IPTV
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) reaches two-tenths percent of the television-friendly homes in Europe. There will be an estimated 340,000 new subscribers by the end of this year, and the number is predicted to double next year.

Europe's traditional digital pay television operators are ready for the competition. With an expected audience of 94.4 million subscribers by 2008, tradition will not give way to the newcomer without a good fight. Okay. Big Deal. So What?

The "Big Deal" is that competition protects consumer wallets. The digital pay television operators enjoy customer finance and will jump through a few extra hoops to keep you happy when an alternative presents itself.

The "So What?" is that you will get more efficient television. Europe's pay TV industry will try to reduce the shockwave of euphoria customers' may experience upon the debut of IPTV by offering additional benefits.

Many “personalizing” services, such as video on demand (VOD) and digital video recording, are currently reaching consumers in the mean time.

[amorphis]

also...mit lightspeed geht im nächsten monat das erste riesenprojekt im iptv-bereich an den start...angepeilt werden in den nächsten jahren 20 millionen haushalte...


6:53AM AT&T to launch Lightspeed next month - LightReading (T) 26.16 : LightReading reports the co will launch its fiber-based Project Lightspeed services in San Antonio, Texas next month. The co has been trialing the services with a limited number of subscribers, many of whom are co employees, in the city, but now will take the next step. "We plan to expand our offering in June, and then we plan to be in 10-20 markets by the end of the year." The co is making the argument to cities that no new franchise agreement is necessary because it is simply upgrading its networks for video. Using this reasoning, the carrier has reached agreements with the cities of Anaheim and San Ramon, California to move forward with the Lightspeed buildout.

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"AT&T to Launch Lightspeed Next Month"

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=93777

MAY 02, 2006
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T - message board) will launch its fiber-based Project Lightspeed services in San Antonio, Texas next month, the company told Light Reading Monday.

AT&T has been trialing the services with a limited number of subscribers –- many of whom are AT&T employees –- in the city, but now will take the next step. "We plan to expand our offering in June, and then we plan to be in 10-20 markets by the end of the year," says AT&T spokeswoman Denise Koenig. "It will be a commercial offering."

Koenig wouldn't say which areas of San Antonio would or could be offered the service in June. AT&T's critics have charged that the new services will be made available only in wealthy neighborhoods, calling it "fiber-to-the-rich (FTTR)." (See SBC Eyes Alamo City for Video and AT&T Readies Lightspeed in North Texas.)

According to city records, AT&T has already begun paying franchise fees to the city. The city council agreed to accept a $415,000 "pre-payment" from AT&T in April, which the city will use to subsidize educational and public access TV programming. AT&T will begin making quarterly payments to the city in the near future. (See SBC on TV Franchise Regs: We're Immune.)

Koenig also declined to say if any of the other markets would also launch in June. But the carrier has been quietly at work in California convincing city councils to grant it permission to offer video service. (See SBC Makes $800M Texas Pledge .)

AT&T is making the argument to cities that no new franchise agreement is necessary because it is simply upgrading its networks for video, city sources say. Using this reasoning, the carrier has reached agreements with the cities of Anaheim and San Ramon, California to move forward with the Lightspeed buildout. (See AT&T Shines a Light on Lightspeed.)

"We are moving forward with San Ramon, and we also have an agreement in Anaheim; in fact the mayor down there didn’t require us to pay any sort of a franchise fee, he just said go in and start building," says AT&T's California spokesman Gordon Diamond.

AT&T won't say when the two cities could launch Project Lightspeed services. San Ramon Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio tells Light Reading that AT&T is now in the process of obtaining permits to install new node equipment in the city. Eorio believes Project Lightspeed services will be available "somewhere between six months and a year" in San Ramon.

Vendor sources close to the carrier say the video service part of Project Lightspeed, called U-Verse, still has some kinks. AT&T is relying on its vendor partners to work out some quality of service problems caused by packet loss within the IPTV distribution chain, the sources say. (See Scaling IPTV: Progress at SBC .)

As video packets travel across the network, making several hops along the way, packets can drop from the video stream when met with bandwidth constraints, software flaws, and other problems. It's not clear what the alleged issue is at AT&T. But anything other than a smooth delivery of data can be a problem in an IPTV network.

As the packets move through the switches and routers at each hop they can arrive out of order, which overload the buffers within the devices. The farther up the distribution chain the packet loss occurs, the more prominent the TV picture problems will be to consumers on the other end.

Vendors close to Project Lightspeed say AT&T may choose to use "forward error correction" technology to fix the problem. It may also attempt to "mask" the problem by adding a slight delay into the video distribution scheme. This would buy the network some time to fix errors before they reach the living room.

Neither Microsoft spokesperson Jim

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Widevine(R) Unveils Digital Forensics for Consumer Devices; Widevine Mensor(TM) Watermarks Content Delivered to PCs and Set Top Boxes From Amino Communications, Motorola and Scientific-Atlanta

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BusinessWire
08:01 a.m. 05/02/2006


SEATTLE, May 02, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Widevine Technologies, Inc. today announced it has integrated Widevine Mensor(TM), a digital forensics solution, into a range of new and legacy consumer-electronics devices. This device-level capability incorporates Running Marks(TM) watermarking technology from Cinea(R) Inc., a Dolby company (DLB) .

Widevine Mensor enables studios, broadcasters and video operators to expand theft deterrence and traceability of premium content. The first devices embedded with Widevine Mensor include Scientific-Atlanta's IPN430MC, which is part of Scientific-Atlanta's family of IP set tops supporting advanced codecs, HDTV and DVR, Microsoft(R) Windows personal computers, Motorola's Kreatel 1710, and the AmiNet 110 and AmiNet 124 set top boxes from Amino Communications. Widevine Mensor uses multiple watermarking technologies to ensure robust digital forensics that enable studios, broadcasters and operators to track where, when and to what device content is delivered -- regardless of network, device or video format.

"Cinea's Running Marks watermarking technology is a computer-efficient, low footprint technology with a proven track record in the entertainment industry. The goal of this integration effort is to offer the marketplace practical real-world applications that can be applied easily to the millions of set top boxes already deployed. Working with Widevine Technologies, we are modifying the capabilities of Running Marks to support new consumer markets such as IPTV," says Robert Schumann, General Manager, Cinea.

"This successful integration represents a significant milestone in Widevine's digital forensics initiative. Adding Cinea's robust, processor-efficient watermarking within Widevine Mensor demonstrates that consumer-electronics-device-based marking is a reality," said Glenn Morten, CTO for Widevine. "We expect to provide watermarking on a wide range of consumer devices including new and legacy systems by the end of 2006, including mobile devices. Widevine and Sigma Designs (SIGM) are actively integrating Widevine's solutions on the Sigma Designs 8634 secure CPU enabling content protection and forensics for a variety of consumer electronics."

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Re: NEWS - Of high interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/02/06 09:23 am
Msg: 95855 of 95858

Ah...SFA nomenclature finally. With this PR in hand, the following was easy to find. This is a recent SFA presentation that highlights 4 IPTV boxes :

http://www.techthink.org/Sessions/Wednesday/Innovators'%20C…

4 models are shown with "SOC hardware decode silicon". Triple codec. HD. PIP.

This certainly seems to me to be the SIGM-boxes SFA will offer going forward (although perhaps the lowest end model, the IPN330SD, which offers only single SD, might be an ST Micro-based box (and I can't imagine why anyone would want a non-HD model at this point - indeed, that model is asterisked as being subject to customer demand).


These box names can now be monitored.

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latest Fios news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/02/06 09:53 am
Msg: 95858 of 95858

Verizon reported its quarterly results today. From the VZ press release:

-- By the end of the first quarter, the company was selling FiOS fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband data services in 15 states, passing a total of 3.6 million homes and businesses. In markets where Verizon has been selling FiOS data services for at least six months, the average penetration rate was 9 percent at the six-month mark in each market, well on the way toward achieving the company's goal of 30 percent penetration in five years.

-- Verizon has franchises covering more than 1 million households in nine states for FiOS video services. The company has begun selling FiOS TV in select markets in seven of these states.

-- In Florida, Texas and Virginia markets where Verizon has been selling FiOS TV for at least four months, Verizon's penetration levels range from 9 percent to 12 percent, already halfway towards the company's goal of from 20 percent to 25 percent penetration in five years. Verizon launched FiOS TV in Keller, Texas, in September 2005 and has 24 percent penetration there.

-- Approximately 80 percent of FiOS video customers are "triple play" customers -- receiving wireline, Internet access and TV services from Verizon.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060502/nytu038.html?.v=52

In summary, Fios is now rolling out across the country, powered by set top boxes with Sigma inside.
Byron

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Re: Ok, let's talk turkey
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/02/06 03:09 pm
Msg: 95876 of 95878

In the report they issued yesterday Baird estimated $12.6 million in revenue and 3 cents eps for the quarter that ended last Friday. My opinion is that Baird is conservative and that revenues will be in the $13 million range with earnings slightly higher than what Baird is projecting. UTStarcom, Motorola, Cisco/Scientific Atlanta, Tatung, Philips and others are ramping up to volume production of IPTV set top boxes powered by SIGM. Sigma continues to have good momentum in portable media players in China and Korea as well as in the Asian FVD space. According to Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan companies are expected to ship about 3 million FVD (Forward Versatile Disc) players and drives this year. I believe Sigma Designs has all FVD player (non drive) wins. Other products that will make a smaller contribution in the Feb-Mar-Apr quarter are Blu-ray DVD’s and DMA’s. These are going to be more of a second half of 2006 story. Sigma in the HDTV space is also worth keeping an eye on.

In summary I expect SIGM to come in above expectations for the Feb-Mar-Apr quarter which will obviously move the stock. In June Russell will begin publishing preliminary lists for the Russell 2000 small cap index which will include SIGM, something that will also help focus attention on the stock.
Byron

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Last Trade: 14.18
Trade Time: 4:00PM ET
Change: Up 0.59 (4.34%)

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More on FVD:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/02/06 11:50 pm
Msg: 95888 of 95934

"Local companies hoping new FVD format takes off"

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2006/05/02/2003…

By Jason Tan - STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday, May 02, 2006

With the first batch of home-grown forward versatile disc (FVD) players set to ship to the US and Europe this quarter, Taiwan hopes to gain the upper hand in the race to develop the next high-definition DVD format, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) said on Sunday.
"We stand a good chance of promoting locally developed FVD players to the world as we have a head-start over competing products," said Huang Der-ray, deputy general director of ITRI's Optoelectronics and System Laboratories.

The FVD format was developed by ITRI and local companies to rival next-generation DVD standards such as HD-DVD and Blu-ray, initiated by Toshiba Corp and Sony Corp respectively.

The local format has the potential to substantially lower domestic companies' royalty burdens when manufacturing DVD-related products if it is adopted internationally.

Huang said that a number of European and US vendors had shown great interest in launching FVD players in their markets after the institute showcased the products at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

Negotiations are underway and shipments could top 100,000 units for some orders, he said.

The FVD players could retail for less than US$200 overseas in a bid to secure market acceptance, Huang said.

Huang made the comments on the sidelines of a Microsoft Corp press conference on the Windows Media Engineering Center. Launched in September last year, the center promotes the development of the FVD standard and other consumer electronics products, based on Microsoft and ITRI's technologies.

The first FVD players were developed by Taiwan Kolin Co and Idar Electronics Co in the fourth quarter of last year and retailed for around NT$7,000 (US$218).

Toshiba debuted the world's first HD-DVD players in Japan late last month, priced at 95,000 (US$814) and 100,000.

Samsung Electronics Co, the first company scheduled to sell Blu-ray DVD players, has postponed sales in the US till next month.

"HD-DVD and Blu-ray products are expensive due to high component costs. Our rivals' delays and high prices will give FVD a competitive advantage," Huang said.

The first-generation FVD discs have a capacity of between 5.4 gigabytes and 6 gigabytes.

The format uses a red laser, rather than the blue one employed in rival technolgies, to write information to discs. FVD also implements Microsoft's Windows Media Video 9 compression technology to store up to 135 minutes of high-definition content.

While FVD players look set to take off overseas, Huang admitted that local companies and consumers have adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

Sales of FVD players in the first quarter totaled only around 50,000 units, and ITRI has lowered its sales target for the year from 5 million units to 1 million units.



IMO, 1 million FVD players this year would be great as this would net SIGM about $20M in sales.

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some more SIGM chips being sold:

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/060503/0126761.html

Eagle Inks Five-Year Video on Demand Set-Top Box Maintenance Agreement

LEAGUE CITY, TX--(MARKET WIRE)--May 3, 2006 -- Management at Eagle Broadband, Inc (AMEX:EAG - News), a national provider of broadband, Internet protocol (IP) and communications technology and services, announced today that it has signed a five-year maintenance agreement worth upwards of $1 million over the next five years with KoolConnect Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of HD and digital Video on Demand (VOD) to the upscale and luxury hospitality market.

This annually renewable maintenance agreement went into effect on May 1, 2006 and supports more than 3,000 units of Eagle's MediaPro IP5000HD set-top boxes, which have been reliably delivering high-definition television signals over an IP interface to a renowned Five-Star Las Vegas casino resort for the past year. KoolConnect's VOD solution, which utilizes the Eagle set-top box architecture, is operated by a leading provider of hotel television services to many upscale Las Vegas hotels.

"This agreement is a resounding endorsement of our high-definition, set-top box technology," said Dave Micek, president and chief executive officer of Eagle Broadband. "It positions us extremely well as we collaborate with our hospitality partners to pursue other luxury hotel opportunities in the Las Vegas marketplace."

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Re: An interesting comment here...
by: WINTER_CFA 05/03/06 10:01 am
Msg: 95909 of 95934

Well, the Freebox HD clearly seems to be SIGM-based and starting to ship:

http://www.tvfreeplayer.com/?module=news&news_id=258
http://www.freenews.fr/index.php?itemid=3299

English PR and news coverage about the box which talks about the service also providing VOIP:

http://www.iliad.fr/en/presse/2006/CP_190406_Eng.pdf
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/04/21/77650_HNfrenchroam…

"Today, more than 1.1 million broadband subscribers, i.e. just over 70% of Free’s subscribers, benefit from unbundled services and triple play."

"Iliad's broadband subsidiary, Free, introduced an upgraded modem, the Freebox HD, on Thursday, adding a high-speed Wi-Fi connection, support for HDTV (high-definition television) delivered over an IP connection and the ability to make Wi-Fi phone calls with an appropriate handset."

"The Freebox HD is only available to Free customers in France. However, in the competitive market for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) services in France, operators race to match one another feature for feature. And with France Télécom also offering broadband Internet access in the U.K. and Spain, it may not be that long before customers in other countries see something similar."

"Free offers a bundle of services including Internet access at up to 24Mbps over ADSL for a fixed fee of €29.99 ($37) a month, including rental of the Freebox. The bundle also includes access to over 200 digital TV channels, and unlimited phone calls to fixed-line numbers in France and other countries including the U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy, the U.S., and China."

"As the new Freebox appears in more homes, Free plans to use it to offer a new service to its customers: the ability to make wireless VoIP calls outside their own home, anywhere they can capture the signal of another Freebox, for a one-off sign-up fee of €9.99. For now, customers will have to find their own Wi-Fi handset, but Free plans to introduce a dual-mode handset combining Wi-Fi and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) for around €200 in September, it said. The company did not say which of France's three GSM operators will provide the cellular component of the service."


Obviously, huge unit potential exists here for SIGM.

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More wins coming out of Korea:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/03/06 11:04 am
Msg: 95918 of 95934

This one could be more significant than average since the new advanced box here, the G-Com V HD, uses the SMP8634, this firm is a Microsoft Embedded Windows Partner, and it lists some big names on its Partners/Alliances page (e.g. Samsung, KT, LG). Another new box listed, the G-Com IV, uses a VIA cpu and a SIGM EM8471 slave chip:

http://www.gng21.co.kr/im/koreatender_e.pdf

Interestingly, a point of note here is that the firm's TI box, the already available G-Com V, while having codec, some output, and accessary features similar to the SIGM HD version, only plays SD and at 2Mbps versus SIGM's HD at 20Mbps. I really can't imagine any new system/customer wanting to use the SD box at this point.


Separately, here is a new EM8620L-based box from a firm called Kaon Media:

http://www.kaonmedia.net/eng/product/view_feature.php?seq=78
http://www.kaonmedia.net/eng/product/view_specifi.php?seq=78

About Kaon:

http://www.kaonmedia.net/eng/company/02.php

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news...soweit das auge reicht...und noch weiter....

die earnings sind nicht mehr weit...bis dahin sollte die tendenz up sein...mit den zahlen+cc erwarte ich in den folgenden wochen stärker steigende kurse!

greez

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Re: SIGM vs BRCM etc
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/04/06 12:37 am
Msg: 95936 of 95967

On 4-18-06 the Baird analyst covering SIGM put out a report which stated the following:
Competition Continues To Lag, Per Our Checks.
We believe that the competition remains significantly behind, per our checks. Broadcom appears to find little to no traction in IPTV set-top boxes.

In their earnings conference call 3-21-06, SIGM stated that BRCM was continuing to struggle to come up with products to compete with what SIGM has.

I think it's obvious from what is happening in the marketplace that SIGM is winning against the competition. In set top boxes, Cisco/Scientific Atlanta, Motorola, Philips, Tatung, UTStarcom, and many others have selected SIGM rather than BRCM. In next generation DVD's, SIGM now has wins with most of the major Blu-Ray manufacturers and is also getting wins with HD-DVD manufacturers. In DMA's, SIGM has close to a monopoly. It's clear that BRCM is lagging significantly behind and STMicro is also lagging.
Byron

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Latest DVD news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/04/06 11:55 am
Msg: 95979 of 96000

The first Blu-Ray players and discs will be out towards the end of next month.

http://news.com.com/Sony+delays+Blu-ray+releases+a+month/210… l?tag=nefd.top

Tom Adams, chief executive of Adams Media Research, is predicting sales of about a half-million next-definition DVD players by the end of 2006.

http://news.com.com/Tepid+interest+seen+for+next-gen+DVDs+in… 68416.html?tag=nefd.top

Assuming a 50% market share for SIGM, this translates into about $6 million in next generation DVD sales for SIGM, mostly in the second half of the year. I think it's reasonable to assume that these sales will be adding around $3 million to SIGM quarterly revenues by the end of the year.
Byron

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Verizon has reached 24% penetration In Tyler, Texas and 9% in areas in Florida where they are selling IPTV only 4 months. Their original goal was 20-25 percent in five years. Needless to say they are they are well on their way to meeting their goal well ahead of time.

Below is an abstract from Verizons quarterly report.

Verizon's first-quarter results show that the company has secured television franchises covering 1 million households in nine states and has begun selling FiOS TV in select markets in seven of those states. The company is negotiating with municipalities around the country for about 300 more franchises. Verizon has reached 24 percent penetration in Keller, TX, where it launched FiOS TV in September 2005. Meanwhile, it has achieved penetration levels in the range of 9 percent to 12 percent in Florida, Texas and Virginia, where it has been selling FiOS TV for at least four months. This is halfway toward its goal of reaching 20 percent to 25 percent penetration in five years. Approximately 80 percent of FiOS video customers are "triple play" customers. Verizon now has 415,000 customers who receive a Verizon DirecTV bundle, up 66,000 from year-end 2005.

Overall, Verizon reported a 7.1 percent drop in first-quarter earnings, as strong growth in wireless services was offset by one-time costs and continued declines in its core land-line business. Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg defended by saying, "Our goal is simple... to lead the industry, not necessarily in size but in profitable growth."

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http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Investors/pdf_files/inves…

[miristegal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.438.587 von amorphis am 05.05.06 00:54:51

bin auch noch dabei

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.438.658 von miristegal am 05.05.06 01:18:14

wird sich meiner meinung nach auch auszahlen...wird ein interessanter monat...glaub wir stehen kurz vorm nächsten sprung...

[amorphis]

IPTV is About to Explode
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/05/06 11:14 am
Msg: 96028 of 96028

A new report by Infonetics Research paints a rosy picture for the future of IPTV.

According to the market research company’s “IPTV Equipment, Services, and Subscribers” report, equipment sales, service revenue, subscribers, and service provider capital expenditures all increased dramatically between 2004 and 2005, and are expected to explode by 2009.

The report predicts that the number of IPTV subscribers worldwide will swell to 53 million by 2009.

By that year, $26 billion of service provider capex will be spent on IPTV infrastructure. Worldwide IPTV equipment revenue will surge to $6 billion, and service revenue will jump to $38 billion.

According to the report, broadband providers with DSL and FTTH services account for the bulk of IPTV service revenue now, but cable broadband providers will also migrate to all-IP triple-play services in the next few years, and offer wireless services as well.

http://news.tmcnet.com/news/2006/05/05/1639238.htm

Between IPTV, DVD's, DMA's, HDTV's, and portable media devices, I see SIGM sales heading to $1 billion over the next several years. Who knows how high this stock could go.
Byron

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ein blick auf die konkurrenz...


EE Times: Semi News
STMicro, Microsoft team on high definition digital

Peter Clarke
EE Times
(05/04/2006 11:00 AM EDT)

LONDON — STMicroelectronics NV is planning to demonstrate the compatibility of a chip for high-definition television set top boxes and other digital consumer equipment with the Windows CE 5.0 operating system from Microsoft Corp.

The demonstration, due to take place at the Mobile and Embedded Developers Conference in Las Vegas, is based on the STB7109 high-definition decoder chip and an STB reference design that includes an Ethernet interface, a USB 2.0 port and a serial ATA port. There is also a copy protected HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), to allow the signal to be sent to an high definition flat panel display. The chip also handles several audio decode standards.

ST’s platform is intended to be customized into a variety of networked digital products, IP set-top boxes, DVD players and digital video recorders.

“Working with Microsoft, we have taken a major step toward providing consumer electronics manufacturers with a stable and cost-effective platform for the rapidly growing networked-DVR and IP-STB market," said Christos Lagomichos, corporate vice president and general manager of the Home Entertainment Group at ST, in a statement.

“Foreseeing the booming of the next generation of high-definition media, we are also closely paying attention to HD-DVD technology and already preparing for the next evolutionary step of this platform,” he added.


technisch standen wir da vor einem jahr etwa...seitdem...sind einige major-projects vergeben worden...

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http://www.eeproductcenter.com/pld-fpga/review/showArticle.j…

"H.264 is the enabling technology for IPTV. And IPTV is the fast new growth area for broadcast," Hoopes said. "It is growing faster than anything else. It's because of H.264 that IPTV is even possible and enables the telcos to get into the business of sending video to your home over an IPTV network over a DSL line."

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Institutional buying/Russell 2000
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/07/06 10:50 am
Msg: 96075 of 96085

Q1 institutional filings are due 5-15. Early filings are now starting to come in. Mellon Financial, the big bank in Pittsburgh with over $200 billion under management, started out Q1 with a small position in SIGM, then added over 500,000 shares during the quarter. Seasons Capital Mgmt, a San Francisco firm with $3 billion under management, took an initial position in Q1 with a buy of 350,000 shares. At the end of Q1, Seasons had positions in 99 stocks, with SIGM one of these.

http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/Holdings.asp?FormType=institutiona… ed=SIGM

SIGM is now poised for its next big move higher. With the customers and design wins they already have, a huge increase in sales and earnings is certain to occur. As sales and earnings increase, more institutional investors will be coming into the stock, taking it higher. Next month SIGM will be included in the preliminary list of adds to the Russell 2000 small cap index, which will focus additional institutional interest on the stock.
Byron

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One more indication that SIGM is doing well IMO.


http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/05/technology/cisco_preview/

"...RBC Capital markets analyst Mark Sue also thinks Cisco could get a boost in the second half of the year. But he thinks the growth will come from Cisco's domestic and international telecom customers such as AT&T, BT, Telstra and Swisscom. Those companies will start spending more on building up their networks for providing "triple play" packages - comprised of phone, digital TV and broadband Internet - as well as Internet protocol television, or IPTV, a way of transmitting television over high-speed Internet connections, as opposed to traditional methods such as cable or satellite.

Telecoms will have to upgrade their existing networks, which were built for voice data, to handle video and related services. Those networks could all be built with Cisco products.

The company also stands to gain from similar offerings from cable companies. The purchase of Scientific-Atlanta catapults Cisco into the forefront of the consumer electronics area and gives it a prominent space in consumers' living rooms.

Cisco unveiled its vision for growth at a recent trade show for the cable industry, calling its consumer push "The Connected Life" - what the company bills as its plan to help cable and telco operators meet consumers' demand for voice, video and music on numerous devices. That includes TVs, PCs, cell phones and other mobile gearde.

"The acquisition of Scientific-Atlanta allows them to offer a lot more to the cable and telecom area when it comes to upgrading their networks to offer data voice and video," said Joel Binder, chief investment officer with Old Second Wealth Management.

"With the beginnings of all this talk about IPTV, that growth rate ends up being more of a driver than people had thought" for Cisco's overall growth, said Crable of Loomis Sayles. "The timing of the Scientific-Atlanta acquisition was done for a reason, and it gives them a leg up in a market that seems to be embracing IP technologies at an accelerating pace...."

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http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BC4E…

Portable electronic devices

A stock in a third high-growth area, portable electronic devices, also screened well for us this week, and is one we've liked for well over a year now.
The stock broke out of a multi-year base in November on a strong pick-up in volume and went to new multi-year highs, reaching as high as 17. But for the last four months the stock has been pulling back, and recently retested the former highs which had been very formidable resistance.
That area becomes support now, and so far the stock has held that and bounced. Sigma is still within a well defined long-term uptrend (up nearly three-fold in two years), and any move out of the current intermediate down-channel on a thrust in volume, particularly over the 14.80-15 zone, could get the stock moving again.
My short-term trading target is a retest of the 17 level, near the January highs, with the secondary target at the 22 area and longer-term target at 30. Traders may want to heed short-term support at the 12.85-13 zone.

[amorphis]

Lightspeed update:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/08/06 01:42 pm
Msg: 96094 of 96111

"AT&T Initiatives Expand Availability of Advanced Communications Technologies"

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060508/20060508006070.html?.v=1

"The initiatives, announced by AT&T Chairman and CEO Edward E. Whitacre during a keynote address to the Detroit Economic Club, include...Affirming the company's intent to make its Project Lightspeed video services available - within three years - to more than 5.5 million low-income households as part of its initial build in 41 target markets, making them among the first in the nation to receive these new IP-enabled video services."

"AT&T plans to spend approximately $4.6 billion on its Project Lightspeed initiative to reach nearly 19 million homes by year-end 2008 as part of its initial deployment."


Contrary to some opinions, it sounds to me like this project remains very much on track.

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Good news for Cisco: IP set-top box sales generated 42 percent of all IPTV equipment revenue, as service providers began volume purchases of MPEG-2-enabled STBs for the presentation of IPTV content, Infonetics says. Even better: IP set-top box sales will nearly double annually over the next three years. Finally, the number of IPTV subscribers in North America will increase more than 40-fold between 2005 and 2009, the researcher concludes. -Stephen Swoyer


http://www.certcities.com/editorial/news/print.asp?Editorial…

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Deutsche Telekom plans high-def IPTV
Deutsche Telekom has announced that it will be using both Cisco network architecture and set-top boxes for its forthcoming IPTV service. The boxes will be supporting the Microsoft IPTV Edition software platform. T-Online formally introduced its T-Home service at CeBIT 2006 in Hanover. It plans to launch the service to customers in Germany, France and Spain in the second half of the year. T-Com’s video delivery network has been based on the Cisco IP NGN architecture and incorporates Cisco 12000 Series routers at the provider edge, Cisco 10008 Series routers as Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) platforms and Cisco Catalyst 6509 Series switches. The Cisco set-top is part of the KiSS series and has been dubbed the T-Home X 300T Media receiver. The product includes an 80 GB hard drive, a DVB-T tuner for digital terrestrial reception and is high definition capable through an HDMI interface.

[amorphis]

SIGM presents at Baird:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/10/06 02:16 pm
Msg: 96195 of 96195

These are the new (mostly paraphrased) remarks of interest I noted from Ken Lowe’s presentation that he just gave at the Baird Conference in Chicago:

Low, mid, and high performance SIGM chip prices are presently $10-$13, $18-$22, and mid-$20s, respectively. (NOTE – These prices suggest to me a more aggressive stance than that of prior periods).

SIGM’s present IPTV engagements include 14 of the top 25 telcos. SIGM went on to state in the Q&A that it is still working on several more accounts beyond the 14 and that the statement doesn’t mean that it is not in the other 11, but just that it is working with at least those 14.

Regarding the Digital Media Adapter (DMA) space, SIGM mentioned a win with LG Electronics. (NOTE – This was also mentioned in the recent 10K, but I an unaware of this win/product, so some sleuthing will be required).

SIGM stated that its Portable Media Player (PMP) business in China continues to ramp on a quarterly basis and it is not sure just how big this market will be.

Regarding current IPTV set-top wins and subsequent re-design timeframes, SIGM expects that customers will “run for quite some time” without changing set-top box designs and doesn’t see major design changes “until at least mid-year next year or beyond.” (NOTE – This obviously bodes extremely well SIGM’s IPTV unit numbers over the next 4-5 quarters as numerous telcos ramp their projects over this timeframe. Moreover, history has clearly shown that the incumbent supplier in such situations will typically maintain a leading market share unless competitors offer superior technology AND price).

Regarding having ample chip capacity for 2006, SIGM stated that it took its most aggressive forecast to TMSC (its chip fabricator) and was assured by them of that potential supply.

SIGM sees its blended ASP (average selling price) moving to $18-$20 over the long term as volumes increase and stated that it is presently about $20-$22.

Regarding competition from Texas Instrument’s DaVinci DSP solution, SIGM stated that their chip is a good solution for the PMP space and for standard definition products, but that it does not have enough horsepower for high performance applications such as High Definition decoding (a statement echoed by many telcos).


All in all, a good simple presentation of the powerful growth story that most of us already know.

[amorphis]

Fios is now available to more than 1.2 million customers in Verizon's service territory in west central Florida.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060509/nytu227.html?.v=4

Verizon added 541,000 US broadband subscribers in Q1, bringing their total to 5.7 million. UBS says about 100,000 were FiOS customers.

http://gigaom.com/2006/05/02/fios-first-quarter-broadband-sc…

[amorphis]

Re: SIGM presents at Baird:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/10/06 03:29 pm
Msg: 96198 of 96201

The 3M 2006 IPTV unit number estimate has been around since last September. The 65% figure was mentioned on the 4Q Conf Call (albeit in a "what if" potential range of 50%-65% - see post #94355).

Given today's comments regarding set-top re-designs starting no sooner than mid-2007, 65% would seem to be rather conservative at this point. It is not in SIGM's best interest, however, to say that they are the only game in town right now.

[amorphis]

Other Baird conference comments
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/10/06 03:50 pm
Msg: 96199 of 96201

Wireless (Blue7) products will be shipping by year end. There is a lot of opportunity with UWB in HDTV's, DMA's, and set top boxes.

SIGM will be launching their next generation of media processors in the 2nd half of 2006. They are 6 months ahead of the competition and they plan to stay ahead. They will be increasing their R&D spending.

They hope to hold 50% or more of the IPTV market long term.

[amorphis]

video chips to be the next big thing
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/12/06 10:13 am
Msg: 96249 of 96285

May 12 (Bloomberg) -- Texas Instruments, the world's biggest maker of semiconductors for cell phones, is betting on video chips for telephones to help it grow faster than its competitors.

``Video is the next big thing,'' Greg Delagi, vice president of Texas Instruments' digital signal processing unit, said after a two-day analysts' meeting this week in Dallas. ``It will have a significant effect on the entire growth of the DSP market.''

``It should be a huge opportunity.'' said Thomas Bogan, founder of investing fund Bogan Associates, who has been watching Texas Instruments since 1973. ``As video becomes a standard item in every handheld device, it will need chips to make it work.'' Texas Instruments is basing its enthusiasm from customer reaction to its newest set of chips introduced last September called DaVinci.

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aXZ8ZN… dex

As discussed on Wednesday in the Baird Conference presentation, DaVinci is ok for low end applications, but higher level technology such as SIGM's is often needed for higher end products. SIGM's partnership with SMEG is a good example of this. As noted by the Baird analyst covering SIGM in a recent report:
Asia IPTV Momentum Is Building – SMEG Opportunity Is Very Significant
An announcement was made last March in the local China press that Shanghai Media & Entertainment Technology Development Co. Ltd (SMETD) and Sigma Designs have come to an agreement to promote the use of Sigma's 8622/24 decoders with DMB mobile TV receiver technology for use in a variety of mobile platforms. SMETD was established by the Shanghai Media & Entertainment Group (SMEG), one of the largest Asia conglomerates and a dominant telco in mainland China providing TV, radio, and Internet services over traditional as well as emerging media platforms including broadband and interactive TV, mobile TV including in mobile phones, and IP TVs. The company is vertically integrated, from the content to its own mobile phones. We believe SMEG is the only company to have an IPTV license in China so far. The announcement suggests Sigma Designs is very well positioned into terrestrial or satellite receivers sold by SMEG going forward.
**********************************************

In summary, SIGM is now in 5 high growth markets: IPTV set top boxes, DVD's, DMA's, HDTV's, and portable media players. Through the partnership with SMEG, I believe the mobile TV receiver space could become another high growth market for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

IPTV looking good for Cisco and SIGM
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/12/06 04:51 pm
Msg: 96317 of 96321

Today the investment research firm Sanford Bernstein upgraded Cisco shares to outperform. "We expect investors to raise expectations for Cisco's long-term growth as Cisco's role in IPTV becomes better understood," Sanford Bernstein analyst Jeff Evenson said in his report. "We expect Internet video to explode, driving increasing bandwidth/need for Cisco equipment."

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=… D=2006-05-12T181024Z_01_N12429644_RTRUKOC_0_US-FINANCIAL-OPTIONS-CISCO.xml

Cisco subsidiary Scientific Atlanta is supplying set top boxes powered by SIGM to AT&T and Verizon for their IPTV services. Cisco subsidiary Kiss is supplying T-Home X 300T Media Receiver set top boxes to Deutsche Telecom for their IPTV service that is now starting to roll out.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/04/28/1621552.htm

As IPTV takes off, so will Cisco and SIGM sales.
Byron

[amorphis]

Re: IPTV looking good for Cisco and SIG
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/12/06 05:36 pm
Msg: 96318 of 96321

From the Cisco press release announcing Deutsche Telekom's T-Online to Offer High-Definition IPTV Service over Cisco IP Next-Generation Network:

Friday April 28
"T-Home" Service Driving Growth of Converged Data, Voice and High-Definition IP Television Services with Cisco Set-Top Boxes for the Microsoft TV(R) IPTV Edition Software Platform

"T-Home" is delivered through a Cisco STB from the KiSS series called the T-Home X 300T Media Receiver which is one of the first in the world to support Microsoft IPTV Edition.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060428/20060428005568.html?.v=1

The T-Home X 300T Media Receiver set top box is powered by the Sigma 8634 chip.
Byron

[amorphis]

Shanghai Media Group & SIGM
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/13/06 11:35 am
Msg: 96322 of 96323

Today's Los Angeles Times has extensive coverage of the Shanghai Media Group. Excerpts:

Shanghai Media Group Blazes Trail in China's Fledgling Market
The state-owned firm and its president hold keys to the largest TV audience in the world.

SHANGHAI — When Sumner Redstone, the billionaire chairman of Viacom Inc., visits China this year, one of the first people he expects to meet is Li Ruigang.

Li, 38, is the president of Shanghai Media Group, a state-owned conglomerate that has emerged as a powerful force in China's fledgling media market.

Though he wants to emulate media moguls such as Redstone and News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, Li is blazing a trail that Redstone and Murdoch might have to follow. He is pioneering efforts that could transform how people watch news and entertainment on the Internet and cellular phones.

From his cluttered 31st-floor office in a glass tower here, the Shanghai native oversees an empire that includes 13 TV channels, 11 radio stations, five newspapers and magazines, and ventures in Internet and mobile TV. Li and Shanghai Media hold keys to the largest television audience in the world.

"He's a friend of mine," Redstone said, recalling that Li was a guest at his Beverly Hills home last year. "We consider him a visionary and pioneer, a key driver to bringing foreign content into China."

Sony, Universal Music and CNBC also have cut deals with Shanghai Media, as have a number of Silicon Valley companies, from giant Intel Corp. to small tech companies.

One of his biggest accomplishments was beating out CCTV to win China's first license to operate a national Internet-based television network. Li said he spent months visiting every exhibit in the world on the subject, and made weekly trips to Beijing to persuade regulators that Internet protocol television (or IPTV) would be the wave of the future.

His goal: to use the IPTV model to become a national network. "The traditional model is free TV and advertising," Li said. "But IPTV is a paid model. It has the potential to change the world of television."

Li also has the nation's only license to market TV programs over mobile telephones.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-shanggroup13may13,0,19…

As the Baird analyst covering Sigma noted in a recent report, "An announcement was made last March in the local China press that Shanghai Media & Entertainment Technology Development Co. Ltd (SMETD) and Sigma Designs have come to an agreement to promote the use of Sigma's 8622/24 decoders with DMB mobile TV receiver technology for use in a variety of mobile platforms. SMETD was established by the Shanghai Media & Entertainment Group (SMEG), one of the largest Asia conglomerates and a dominant telco in mainland China providing TV, radio, and Internet services over traditional as well as emerging media platforms including broadband and interactive TV, mobile TV including in mobile phones, and IP TVs. The company is vertically integrated, from the content to its own mobile phones. We believe SMEG is the only company to have an IPTV license in China so far. The announcement suggests Sigma Designs is very well positioned into terrestrial or satellite receivers sold by SMEG going forward."

In summary, I believe that the partnership with Shanghai Media is going to be big, big, big for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

der zusammenhang mit shanghai media


It took some time and effort (don't ask) to dig this puppy up, but it was worth it:

"SMETD and Sigma Designs Pave the Way for High-quality DMB Receiver"

http://www.smeg.sh.cn/news/news_view.asp?newsid=696

"Shanghai, China ¡ª Feb. 6, 2006 ¡ªShanghai Media&Entertainment Technology Development Co. Ltd, and Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGM) came to a cooperative agreement. They will together pave the way for high-quality DMB receiver by making use of the new technology of stream media processor EM8622/EM8624.

In stream media fields, EM8622/EM8624 enable the low-cost, high-definition-capable of SOC, mainly used in IPTV, DVB and consumer electronics manufacturers. EM8624 is a media processor with multiple function. Its advanced decoder engines support video decoding of MPEG-1 and MPEG-2MP@HL up to 1920¡Á1080i and 1920¡Á1080p£»MPEG-4.2 ASP @L5 up to 1280¡Á720p, also support B frame£»WMV9/VC-1 MP@HL up to 1920¡Á1080P£»MPEG-4.10(H.264) BP @L3 up to 720¡Á480p 30 frame or 720¡Á576p 25frame. The EM8624 has 200M Arm core, Ethernet 10/100 controller, IDE controller, digital, analog video output and other peripheral interfaces.

The DMB Receiver, with its multiple function and brightness future, can be used outdoors or in kinds of mobile equipment. With the help of the DMB receiver, whenever you lost your way, it can provides you electro-navigation, real-time transportation information, real-time traffic-status information and so on; whenever you jammed in a traffic, it can provides you multiple entertainment items, like playing video, receiving the local broadcasting with the help of the DVB technology and etc."


SMEG and SIGM - This is huge! This is beyond huge!

Lest you didn't know/forgot who SMEG was:

http://www.smeg.sh.cn/en/group/group-overview.asp

SMEG is the BIG cheese in China. They are the dominant media firm there by A LOT. They do TV and radio. They do cell phones. They have their own production infrastructure. They have been given the only IPTV license there so far (which China NetCom and China TeleCom must presently go through).

A SIGM-powered terrestrial and/or satellite receiver sold by them will have almost limitless demand potential!

Time to spread the word on this one.

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs, Inc. to Hold First Quarter Conference Call
Tuesday May 16, 6:30 am ET

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer appliances, announced today that the Company will be discussing first quarter results during a conference call on Wednesday, May 31, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Participants can dial into the conference call at 866-356-4279 (617-597-5394 for international) using the passcode 51878331. A question and answer period will take place at the end of the discussion. The earnings release will cross the wire at the close of market on the same day.

The call will be webcast live by CCBN and can be accessed at Sigma's web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/. The webcast is also being distributed over CCBN's Investor Distribution Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call through CCBN's individual investor center at www.fulldisclosure.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in CCBN's Individual Investor Network. Institutional investors can access the call via CCBN's password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com).

An audio replay of the call will be available shortly thereafter the same day and will remain on-line for one week. The replay number is 888-286-8010 (617-801-6888 for international) using passcode 31137524. For further information, please see the link on our website at www.sigmadesigns.com or email investor relations at [e-mail].

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) specializes in silicon-based media processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high-definition DVD players, HDTV and portable media players. The company's award-winning REALmagic® Video Streaming Technology is used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/.


Contact:

Sigma Designs, Inc.
Ken Lowe, 408-957-9850 (Investors)
fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

[amorphis]

Most of the Q1 institutional filings are now in and I'm seeing a lot of heavyweight investors lining up behind SIGM. Wells Fargo and Citigroup each added over 300,000 shares, and Mellon added over 500,000. These institutions all have over $100 billion under management and could be significant buyers in the future. About 10 other new institutional investors also came in during Q1 with buys of more than 100,000 shares. SIGM guided to 20% sales growth in the quarter ended April 30 and I belive they will exceed that guidance. As rapid sales growth continues at SIGM and as the stock gets added to the Russell 2000 small cap index, look for more institutional buying to move the stock higher.

http://www.nasdaq.com/asp/Holdings.asp?FormType=institutiona… ed=SIGM

[amorphis]

Of high interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/17/06 08:27 am
Msg: 96426 of 96427

"Tatung receives Alcatel IP STB orders"

http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20060516PR208.html

Irene Chen, Hong Kong; Rodney Chan, DigiTimes.com [Tuesday 16 May 2006]


Five suppliers have been chosen by Alcatel to supply Internet Protocol (IP) set-top boxes (STBs) for its IPTV platform co-developed with Microsoft, with Tatung being the only Taiwan supplier, indicated industry sources.

Motorola, Scientific Atlanta and Kiss (Cisco) were also listed as suppliers for Alcatel, according to the sources.

The Taiwan-based home appliances maker was chosen by Alcatel due to Tatung’s ability to integrate single-chip solutions into IP STBs, the sources added.

However the sources added that some of the other suppliers may outsource their IP STBs to Taiwan makers, and it is possible that 60% of Alcatel’s IP STBs will be shipped from Taiwan makers.



I assume Philips is the fifth.

100% SIGM.

[amorphis]

Outlook for the Q1 results
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/17/06 01:39 pm
Msg: 96453 of 96453

SIGM reports its Q1 numbers 2 weeks from today, AMC. In his report released May 1, the Baird analyst had the following comments:

• Our recent checks indicate strong IPTV momentum in Europe ahead of the June
World Cup, with several telcos about to launch HD IPTV programs starting this May.
• Sigma Designs is also finding momentum in other IP set-top box markets including in
Asia. Motorola announced last week the first win for its Sigma-based IP set-top box
outside of the U.S., for deployment in Japan.
• Momentum continues for Sigma Designs in other segments including portable video players in Asia, FVDs (red laser-based HD DVD in China/Taiwan), as well as digital media adapters and Blu Ray/HD DVD players ramping in the second half.
• We believe Sigma Designs currently has the strongest visibility in years as a result of
several of its customers ramping for the first time in volume, while others are initiating
field trials.
• The strength in design ramp activity leads us to lower our gross margin assumption,
previously higher than the guidance, in line with the company's guidance of 50% range by mid-year, as a higher percentage of Sigma's revenue mix is moving away from trial mode and into volume shipments. Our previous gross margin assumption reflected higher sampling mix than we think is currently adequate.
• Our calendar 2007 estimates and $21 price target remain unchanged. We expect strong April-quarter results and are reiterating our Outperform rating on SIGM shares.
*************************************************

I basically agree with the above comments. Baird is predicting revenues of $12.6 million, which I feel is too low. My previous estimate was $12.9 million.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=94169

SIGM has now made a clean sweep in the IPTV space with pretty much all of the major players now on board including Alcatel, Cisco, Motorola, Philips, Tatung, UTStarcom, and the majority of the world's major telcos. As a result, I now feel my earlier sales estimate has upside potential and revenues in the $13 million range are more likely in Q1.
Byron

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.627.606 von amorphis am 17.05.06 19:46:29

in 2 wochen die zahlen...yep...kurs sollte spätestens mit bekanntgabe der Q1 zahlen so langsam aber sicher nen satz nach oben machen...

[TradiVolki]

Hallo, hat jemand einen genauen Termin, wann die Zahlen kommen.
Weiß man schon nähres über die zahlen?

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.671.656 von TradiVolki am 19.05.06 15:56:21

in #1396 stehen doch die erwartungen...

zum thema deutsche telekom und iptv...

Premiere zeigt Bundesliga bei T-Home
Der im MDAX notierte Bezahlfernsehsender Premiere AG (ISIN DE000PREM111/ WKN PREM11) und die Deutsche Telekom
Leser des Artikels: 575

Der im MDAX notierte Bezahlfernsehsender Premiere AG (ISIN DE000PREM111/ WKN PREM11) und die Deutsche Telekom AG (ISIN DE0005557508/ WKN 555750) haben sich darauf verständigt, gemeinsam den neuen Fernsehstandard IPTV (Internet Protokoll
TV) voranzutreiben und dem interaktiven Fernsehen in Deutschland den Weg zu bahnen.

Im Rahmen der strategischen Zusammenarbeit kann Premiere auch künftig alle Spiele der ersten und zweiten Fußball-Bundesliga zeigen. Die Deutsche Telekom hat entsprechende Sublizenzrechte für Übertragungen im Internet Protokoll (IP)-Standard an Premiere vergeben. Damit kann Premiere als erstes deutsches TV-Unternehmen die Bundesliga live über Breitbandnetze der Deutschen Telekom im Rahmen von T-Home senden. Diese Vereinbarung umfasst die Spielzeiten 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009.

Über die Bundesliga hinaus soll das Premiere Gesamtprogramm ab Sommer als IPTV-Angebot auf der Plattform T-Home von T-Online zu sehen sein. Premiere ist damit künftig auch über Breitbandnetze zu empfangen.

Bisher stiegen Premiere-Aktien um 10,16 Prozent auf 13,45 Euro, während Telekom-Aktien 0,32 Prozent auf 12,63 Euro verlieren.


gut für sigma design...die telekom wird ja boxen verwenden mit sigm chips...

[TradiVolki]

Hallo, kann mir denn mal einer was zu dem starken Kurseinbruch von Sigma sagen? Wir haben ja momentan eine starke Korrektur an den Märkten weltweit, aber Sigma fällt sichtlich deutlicher als der Markt. Hoffentlich sind die Zahlen vom Quartalsbericht gut, dass es mal edlich wieder nach oben gehen kann.

[sechzgerfan]

Hallo Leute,
langsam wird mir die Korrektur auch zu heftig.
Klar geht´s allgemein runter z.Z., aber bei Sigma tut´s
halt besonders weh...(die schönen Gewinne)
Und bis zu den Zahlen haben wir ja noch ein paar Tage.
Ich hoffe auch, dass es bei den Zahlen keine negative
Überraschung gibt...oder weiss vielleicht jemand schon mehr
und es geht deshalb gen süden.....

@kiska: Wie sieht´s eigentlich charttechnisch aus?
Sagtest du nicht mal was von 12 Dollar???

Grüsse und auf steigende Kurse
sechzgerfan

[amorphis]

also wenn ich mir die kursverluste von rmbs und vielen anderen werten ansehe...dann kommt sigm relativ gut weg...weiß nicht warum ihr euch ernsthaft sorgen macht...die essentiellen news standen doch hier im thread....wer alles gelesen hat und die news zusammenfügt...der sollte sich eigtl keine sorgen machen...greez

[miristegal]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.748.654 von amorphis am 22.05.06 23:42:08

hi amorphis

so sehe ich es auch. biste ganz aus vphm raus? überlege nachzukaufen.

gruss

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.748.654 von amorphis am 22.05.06 23:42:08

Moins amorphis,

ich hatte vor einiger Zeit schon auf die technische Schwäche von Sigma hingewiesen. Einen kleinen Hoffnungsschimmer sehe ich. Die Indikatoren sind sehr stark überverkauft. Der Kurs sollte in Euro jedoch noch auf mindestens 9,50 - 9,70 fallen. Schlimm wäre es jedoch nicht, wenn es einen heftigen Absacker auf eine sehr starke Unterstützung um die 8 Euro geben würde. Ich würde daher für Käufe folgende Strategie empfehlen:
50 % der Anlagesumme mit Limit 9,70 und 50% mit 8,50.

Die abwartende Haltung bei Genta hat sich als richtig erwiesen. Der Wert ist auf meiner Watchlist ganz oben.

Die Strategie bei Southern Silver ist bis jetzt zu 100% aufgegangen. Der Wert war ideal zu traden. Bin dort wieder zu 100% investiert und sehe dort kurzfristig sehr schöne Gewinnchancen.
Nachzulesen im dortigen Threads,

LG

kiska

[kiska]

Sorry, kleiner Nachtrag.
Kurs steht ja schon bei € 9,43. Das ist m.M. nach schon ein Kaufkurs. Aber wie gesagt nur mit einem Teilbetrag. Ich hatte mir den US-Chart angeschaut. D hat übertrieben. Das restliche Pulver wie gesagt trocken halten.

Gutes Gelingen.....

kiska

[amorphis]

leute bleibt ruhig!

es ist alles im lot...das zeigt auch die heutige adhoc!

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Samsung's New Personal Video Recorder Powered By Sigma's Media Processor
Tuesday May 23, 6:30 am ET
Sigma's EM8620L Drives Samsung's New Anyview, Multi-Codec Multimedia MR-30PA1 PVR

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, today announced that Samsung's new personal video recorder is based on Sigma's EM8620L media processor. The Samsung MR-30PA1 Anyview multi-codec multimedia personal video recorder (PVR) enables consumers to record video/television when using Anyview, and a supported Samsung TV (SPD-50P7HD, SPD-42P7HD).


The Samsung MR-30PA1 PVR allows users to playback recorded content, or any stored multi-media content (MPEG4, JPG, MP3 etc) with any TV that has external video inputs. The PVR also provides recording and time-shifting TV functions, only enabled when Anyview supported TVs are used at the same time.

"Our new PVR provides a seamless integration with our Anyview system, and easily incorporates multi-codec capability into the PVR," said Suksun Lee, vice president of R&D TV group of Visual Display Division, Samsung. "Sigma's EM8620L media processor provides the decoding and system control needed to create the most powerful, technologically advanced product for our customers."

The Samsung PVR provides a 300GB hard disk drive which can also be used for external HDD when used with Windows XP(TM) personal computers. The PVR's size is relatively compact so that consumers may record multimedia content, with ease of portability for connection to additional televisions that support HDMI connection.

"Samsung's new PVR is an innovative new addition to the consumer market and adds continued momentum for our media processors," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "We are happy to participate in programs such as this, where we mutually strive to supply consumers with advanced features and convenience for the best entertainment experience."

Availability

This Samsung PVR product will be launched in June. It will be sold separately and also bundled with other Samsung TV displays (Anyview).

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the projected timing and extent of customer shipments as well as the expected use of Sigma's MPEG decoder products. Actual results could vary from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including worldwide economic conditions, changes in the customer's ability or desire to complete the roll-out, consumer reaction to the new products and services being offered, the ability of Sigma to deliver sufficient quantity and quality of MPEG decoder chips, prices for the Sigma chips, alternative offerings by competitors, and the ability of the parties to work together successfully to achieve the rollout.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs (Nasdaq: SIGM - News) specializes in silicon-based media processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players. The company's award-winning REALmagic® Video Streaming Technology is used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/.

About Samsung

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5 billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 120 offices in 57 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/.

REALmagic and Sigma Designs are registered trademarks of Sigma Designs. All other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.


Contact:

Sigma Designs, Inc.
Ken Lowe, 408-957-9850
[e-mail]

Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

[amorphis]

http://www.gadgetell.com/entry/2316

[amorphis]

...und das hdtv/iptv von den konsumenten angenommen wird...sieht man an solchen news...

http://www.netribution.co.uk/2/content/view/580/2/

netribution
Set Top Box Shortage Hits Sky HDTV Launch PDF Print E-mail
Written by James MacGregor Monday, 22 May 2006


HDTV-ready logoSeventeen thousand Sky subscribers may face a delay in getting HD set-top boxes installed for their new HDTV-ready sets, due to a shortage of boxes coming from manufacturers. Many subscribers have upgraded to the new standard to enjoy the World Cup and Wimbledon in high definition.


Sky say enough of the boxes were ordered for installation to take place in time and the broadcaster says it is very sorry to let customers down, but its supplier has failed to deliver enough boxes.

Booking for the new boxes opened on 13th April and Sky reported that they had received 40,000 advanced bookings.

Many subscribers have been told they may have to wait several weeks for installation and anyone subscribing to Sky's HDTV service from next Monday's launch day is being told they must wait until August for installation. The Wold Cup coverage starts on the 9th of June.

Robert Fraser who is Sky's Head of Corporate Presentation said; "We're working hard to resolve the situation. Thousands of customers will have their HD box this week and many more will be installed in time for the start of the World Cup. We'll do everything we can to bring HD to everyone as soon as possible."

[amorphis]

Sigma Designs-SIGM poised for Q1 revenue upside-Buy@ROTH (capital)

ROTH is looking for revenues of $12.59M and EPS of 02c as they believe the company enjoyed strong sales into several IPTV deployments. They expect an upbeat conference call

[scopus]

mein tip: verkaufen vor den zahlen!
sigm is huge overvalued!!!

[scopus]

SIGM: Short Interest UP 29.4% to 3.2M in Apr 2006

Tuesday , April 25, 2006 16:25 ET

According to new short interest data from NASDAQ, short interest for Sigma Designs, Incorporated (NasdaqNM: SIGM) INCREASED 29.4% to 3,199,847 shares for the month ended mid-April, 2006.

SYMBOL MARCH APRIL CHANGE %CHANGE DAYS/COVER
-------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ----------
SIGM 2,473,333 3,199,847 +726,514 +29.37% 9

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.762.839 von scopus am 23.05.06 18:28:00

mal was von nem short squeeze gehört?

als ich den thread angefangen habe...stand das institutional ownership grad mal bei einem wert um die 20%...

siehe da...

Total Shares Out Standing (millions): 22
Market Capitalization ($ millions): $265
Institutional Ownership: 44.1%

glaub mir...da haben ein paar investoren eine bessere research arbeit geleistet als du...


Apr. 13, 2006 3,199,847 730,585 4.38
Mar. 15, 2006 2,473,333 370,934 6.67
Feb. 15, 2006 2,477,487 546,539 4.53
Jan. 13, 2006 2,661,020 665,102 4.00
Dec. 15, 2005 2,526,326 737,782 3.42
Nov. 15, 2005 2,679,027 302,075 8.87
Oct. 14, 2005 2,483,456 271,793 9.14
Sep. 15, 2005 2,615,574 516,045 5.07
Aug. 15, 2005 2,634,945 234,760 11.22
Jul. 15, 2005 2,764,221 216,346 12.78
Jun. 15, 2005 2,579,764 311,654 8.28
May 13, 2005 2,579,528 251,698 10.25

nach der jüngsten korrektur sollte das SI eher rückläufig sein...glaub nicht das hier noch "die masse"...auf deutlich nachgebende kurse setzt!

[amorphis]

DVD business coming on strong
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/23/06 12:46 pm
Msg: 96780 of 96780

MRVL recently reported earnings and also raised its revenue forecast. Marvell said it was anticipating fast growth in chips for DVD players as a new generation of high-definition players rolls out.

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=… 2006-05-19T001151Z_01_N18291229_RTRIDST_0_TECH-MARVELL-EARNS-UPDATE-2.XML

I think next generation DVD players will also drive revenue growth at SIGM in the second half of this year. With SIGM already having numerous major design wins in this space, the long term outlook also looks great. Annual sales of DVD players are around 200 million and in a few years these will all be high def players. SIGM is poised to capture a significant share of this business with its 8634 and 8644 chips. The revenue potential for SIGM is in the hundreds of millions.
Byron

[amorphis]

Stock vs. Company
by: WINTER_CFA 05/24/06 12:52 am
Msg: 96897 of 96903

High non-SIGM demands have kept me from posting since last week. Having said that, I had to make some time tonight to get a few words in.

To repeat the obvious, SIGM the stock has broken its 200 DMA and retraced back to strong support (as I see it) at current levels. It is being pounded by several major shorts – no doubt about it. It is participating in a significant semiconductor correction. It is suffering from rumors about option backdating and a disappointing 1Q report. It is still being badmouthed by a familiar few who maintain that it is overpriced, poorly managed, and soon-to-be overwhelmed by stronger competitors (as its markets become large, of course).

Everything from the previous paragraph is, in my opinion, stock-centric FUD (Fear, Uncertainly, and Doubt – a term popular with IBM analysts in the 80s and 90s.) It is important not to confuse FUD with facts.

SIGM the company is white hot like no other I’ve ever seen. In IPTV, they’ve have, by all indications, gotten most of Europe, the majors in the U.S., and top players in Japan, China and India. In hi-def DVDs, they are the Blu-Ray and FVD go-to guy. In the soon-to-be popular DMA space, they dominate. In HDTVs and PMPs, big name players have started to announce, with more to come, their selection of SIGM chips.

I think they have a strong technology lead in these markets and that it is going to be VERY tough for MOST to even catch up to them, much less surpass them.

They are, in my mind, the next “big thing” in the technology sector, although a precious few really get this at this point. Few will become more as 2006 progresses.

I expect them to announce better-than-expected 1Q sales next week.
I expect them to announce better-than-expected 1Q profitability next week.
I expect them to provide robust 2Q guidance next week and possibly (solid) full-year guidance as well.
I expect many more significant PRs this year.
I expect more analyst coverage this year.

I am as certain as can be that SIGM has not backdated option grants.

I own as much stock as possible and more stock than ever at this point.

No doubts at all at this end.

[amorphis]

Latest IPTV news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/24/06 03:51 pm
Msg: 96919 of 96944

Major venture-capital investors -- like Daniel Rosen, who spoke at last week's "Future in Review" conference -- are now saying that IPTV will be in 10 percent of homes in the next five years.

At the time of SIGM's last earnings CC in March, Microsoft was saying that they had 13 large telco IPTV contracts signed. According to Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for Microsoft's TV division, there are now 15 major service providers around the world using early-stage Microsoft TV software, including AT&T, BT, Slovak Telekom, Swisscom, TDC, Telecom Italia, Verizon and others.

http://www.physorg.com/news67691981.html

According to statments made by SIGM, they remain the first and today only available silicon solution for MSTV-based IPTV solutions, though a second source is planned. SIGM’s chipset is still the only one that Microsoft has successfully ported the MSTV experience to, so a great deal of the telco projects that are being rolled this year are based on SIGM’s solutions.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=94356

In summary, we're looking at huge growth in IPTV set top boxes for SIGM. Huge! Huge! Huge! Assuming IPTV winds up in 10% of all homes with TV's worldwide, and assuming SIGM meets their stated goal of a 50% market share, we're looking at total set top box revenues in the billions.
Byron

[amorphis]

DASAN Networks Launches the H920 IPTV Set-Top Box Based on Sigma's SMP8634 Media Processor
Wednesday April 26, 3:03 pm ET


SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2006--DASAN Networks, Inc, one of Korea's largest networking equipment companies, this week announced that it will launch a new IP set-top box, the H920, supporting HD H.264 based on Sigma Designs' (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) SMP8634, media processor

[amorphis]

die letzten beiden postings nur nochmal zur erinnerung...

Sigma Media Processors Power New MovieBeam Players
Friday March 17, 6:30 am ET
Pixel-Perfect High-Definition Decoding Provides Movie Lovers With an Outstanding In-Home Entertainment Experience

******************************************************************

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, and MovieBeam, Inc. today announced that the new MovieBeam player is powered by Sigma's EM8622 media processor, providing top quality audio/video output demanded by this breakthrough movies-on-demand service. MovieBeam recently launched its service in 29 major metropolitan areas across the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, reaching nearly half of all U.S. households.


Tatung Launches New Digital STB2000 Set-Top Box Series Based on Sigma Designs' SMP8634 Media Processor
Friday March 17, 6:30 am ET


TAIPEI, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2006--Tatung launched its new high-definition, digital set-top boxes with success at the 2006 Cebit in Hannover. These latest set-top boxes (STBs) deliver full high-definition video, up to 1080i resolution, while simultaneously supporting streams encoded under MPEG-2, VC-1 and H.264 (also known as MPEG-4 Part 10) compression. The Tatung STB2000 STB series are based on Sigma Designs' (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) SMP8634 media processor. In addition to traditional outputs such as component and composite, Tatung's new STBs also provide HDMI interface, which enhances the consumer entertainment experience. Currently many other telco companies have adopted Tatung's STB2000 series set-top boxes for their IPTV services.

*******************************************************************

Sigma's Advanced Chipset to Be Featured in USDTV's Next-Generation Set-Top Box
Tuesday April 25, 6:30 am ET
Sigma's SMP8634 Chip to Power USDTV's New Set-Top Box Enabling Enhanced Video Capabilities Including: High-Definition, Advanced Codecs and Processing Power


LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, today announced its advanced SMP8634 Chipset will power the MPEG-4 AVC set-top boxes (STB) utilized by U.S. Digital Television, LLC (USDTV) for its low-cost cable alternative. Currently, USDTV is transitioning its network to an advanced video compression technology, MPEG-4 AVC. USDTV's next-generation STB will have integrated MPEG-4 AVC technology in order to provide enhanced services for its customers. Some of these industry-leading features include all the latest codecs, high-definition video and set-top box processing power through the use of Sigma's powerful SMP8634. USDTV will demonstrate the first live MPEG-4 AVC broadcast over its digital terrestrial network at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention (NAB 2006) in Las Vegas, NV, April 24-27, at the ATSC DTV Hot Spot in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

*******************************************************************


DG2L Demonstrates Hybrid DVB-IP Set-Top Box Based on Sigma Media Processor Chips; Neuron 2000 Set-Top Box Adds a New Dimension of Entertainment for Broadcasters and Network Operators
NAB2006
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, today announced that DG2L's Neuron 2000 hybrid set-top box is based on Sigma's EM8622 media processor and will be demonstrated at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) 2006 show starting today. The Neuron 2000 is one of the first high-definition (1080i) hybrid set-top-boxes that support both Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and ATSC broadcast services, as well as Internet Protocol (IP) standards with H.264/AVC (aka MPEG-4) compression support. Designed for high performance and bandwidth efficiency, the Neuron 2000 enables broadcasters and network operators to leverage both traditional one-way broadcast, as well as two-way interactive IP delivery.



also...frag mich immer noch...wie hier manch einer nahezu kalte füsse bekommen kann...

[amorphis]

latest Fios news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/25/06 12:34 pm
Msg: 96962 of 96962

Fios in Massachusetts:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060523/nytu132.html?.v=59

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060524/nyw093.html?.v=50

Verizon tells Congress to get moving:

WASHINGTON, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Predicting it will lead to "direct, tangible benefits to consumers," including greater "video choice" and significant reductions in monthly cable television bills, a top Verizon executive today urged the U.S. Senate commerce committee to approve telecommunications reform legislation sponsored by the panel's chairman and the ranking minority party member. Citing Bank of America figures at a hearing on the Communications, Consumer Choice and Broadband Act of 2006, Tom Tauke, Verizon executive vice president of public affairs and a former member of Congress, said that, where Verizon FiOS TV has been allowed to compete with cable, consumers have seen their bills go down as much as 40 percent and now enjoy "a superior video service to cable" and the fastest Internet links available.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060525/nyth100.html?.v=53

I think this demonstrates that Verizon is going all out on Fios. They have the clout and the money to hire former members of Congress to come back and lobby Congress to try and get this process moving. As we all know, Fios will be powered by set top boxes with Sigma inside.
Byron

[amorphis]

ATT soon to reach 19 million with IPTV
by: steve19149 05/25/06 12:54 pm
Msg: 96963 of 96965

Offering up more detail on its ongoing IPTV strategy, AT&T said that it would spend $4.6 billion over the next two-and-a-half years to bring IPTV to 41 new markets. The roll out would reach 19 million homes. AT&T is currently trialing its U-verse service in San Antonio and plans to roll out IPTV in Houston next. Competing IPTV player Verizon, for its part, argues that AT&T's fiber-to-the-node, copper-to-the-home infrastructure can't support the ambitious roll out. Rather than relying on traditional telco infrastructure, Verizon has made massive capital investments in fiber-optic cable to power its FiOS service. Verizon has already rolled out its service in 50 markets cutting across seven states. At this point, it seems, the real trick for AT&T will be to leverage its relationships with IPTV consumers to sell VoIP or other add-on services. AT&T is still working with equipment vendors Lucent and 2Wire to roll out residential VoIP, but hasn't provided a roll out date.

[amorphis]

IPTV in China still faces significant barriers - China Netcom official


Beijing. May 23. INTERFAX-CHINA - China's IPTV market, despite huge potential, is still facing a number of issues on policy, business operation, and technology, Tang Xiongyan, deputy head of China Netcom's research academy, said Tuesday.

"IPTV is still at an early stage of market exploration and more patience is required," Tang said at the 2006 China Broadband Triple Play/IPTV Forum in Beijing.

IPTV refers to TV broadcasting services based on Internet protocol. Subscribers to IPTV services can watch TV on computer screens or on TV sets that are connected to a digital set-top box. IPTV offers both live streaming services and video on demand (VOD) services.

IPTV is a convergence of fixed-line communication services and cable TV services. At present, the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) is China's telecom regulator, while the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) oversees the country's broadcasting industry. However, because there is no specific law or regulation on IPTV services, it remains uncertain which government function should be regulating the emerging IPTV market.

"In terms of IPTV policy, it is still uncertain and telecom carriers do not have licenses to operate IPTV services," Tang said.

Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and China Central Television (CCTV), China's top two broadcasters, are currently the only two IPTV license holders in China.

China Netcom and China Telecom, the top two fixed-line operators in the country, are testing IPTV services in partnership with SMG, China's first IPTV license holder, in dozens of Chinese cities. However, the two carriers are reluctant to invest heavily in IPTV, mainly due to the lack of a clear policy.

"Cooperation between the broadcasting sector and the telecom industry is the solution that will foster healthy development of the [IPTV] industry," Tang said.

IPTV is faced with issues on business models, adaptive content, billing, and cooperation between different links of the industry chain, not to mention an unresolved IPTV standard, Tang said.

Jiang Lintao, Chief Engineer of the Chinese Academy of Telecom Research (CATR), the official research arm of MII, offered good news, though little. He said that, presently, there is no complete standard system available for Chinese carriers or broadcasters to build an IPTV system on. In order to facilitate development of the IPTV market, a dedicated IPTV work group under China's Communications Standards Association has developed six standards, with another 12 set to follow by the end of this year.

The six IPTV standards include IPTV business requirements, system architecture, set-top box, interface between set-top-box and IOTV platform, interface between business platform and content operation platform, and IPTV system's requirements on DSLAM equipment, which provides bandwidth for IPTV services.

"There will be between 60 and 70 IPTV standards in total. It is a very complicated task to make standards for a service network," Jiang said.

According to the research firm Analysys, China's IPTV market will reach RMB 1.1 bln (USD 138 mln) in 2006. The market, afterwards, will experience rapid growth after 2007 and reach RMB 16.7 bln (USD 2.09 bln) in 2009, with a total of 16.65 mln subscribers.

[amorphis]

Anyone checking out the reports?
by: HighlyInterested 05/25/06 05:55 pm
Msg: 96981 of 96983

9 reports in two days, another a week behind!

This is not part of my normal scan, so I missed it until now.

Any purchasers of reports have comments?

The one giving out the best hint of direction is this:

"21-May-2006 PriceTarget Research, Inc. N/A Sigma Designs has a current Overall Rating of A (Highest Rating). 7 $25 "

One more day to increase SIGM holdings before the holiday weekend!

HI

[amorphis]

Another interesting report title:
by: HighlyInterested 05/25/06 05:57 pm
Msg: 96982 of 96983

23-May-2006 TrueCourse, Inc. N/A SharkRepellent.net Takeover Defense Profile: Sigma Designs, Inc. 5 $80

Now, I wonder what sort of purchaser this is intended to help with decisions?



HI

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.803.416 von amorphis am 26.05.06 00:32:40

die amis sind so dämlich...lol...

"Get the full report for $80."

also...alle die schon feuchte augen bei 80$ bekommen haben...gemeint war ein anderer preis...warum eigentlich 80$ für so nen report ausgeben...wenn alles hier im thread steht...

so ganz ohne bemerkung soll der heutige tag/handel aber auch nicht in die threadgeschichte eingehen...

kursreaktion gefällt...

Last Trade: 12.93
Trade Time: 4:00PM ET
Change: Up 1.09 (9.21%)


volumen stimmt ebenfalls...

Volume: 530,822
Avg Vol (3m): 499,159

denke die zeiten werden jetzt wieder deutlich besser...

greez

[amorphis]

China Telecom & Shanghai Media
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/26/06 10:38 am
Msg: 96999 of 97000

May 26, 2006
China Telecom to Offer 3G Services and IPTV through Partnership with Shanghai Media

By Laura Stotler
TMCnet Contributing Editor

China Telecom has announced it plan to offer 3G services about seven or eight months after receiving its 3G license, based on trials of the 3G standard TD-SCDMA. The operator has built 70 stations to undergo TD-SCDMA tests in Baoding, ebei Province, in northern China.

The TD-SCDMA home-grown 3G standard is being used to build out the national 3G network. China Telecom, as well as China Mobile and China Unicom, have been authorized to conduct trials on the mainland using the standard.

China Telecom is looking for non-voice services like IPTV and broadband Internet to drive growth, and has been working with Shanghai Media Group on jointly test running IPTV services in Shanghai since late 2005. The State Administration of Radio Film and Television issued the first IPTV license to Shanghai Media last May.

“The construction of the remaining 30 stations there will be finished at the end of this month,” said Wang Xiaochu, chairman of China Telecom. “We will then start our TD-SCDMA trial-run at 100 stations and the final test results should come out soon.”

http://news.tmcnet.com/news/2006/05/26/1660583.htm

Video-on-demand will probably become one of the 3G services' killer applications, according to Norson's analyst Dong Xiaoyang.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/25/content_4598387…

So, let's connect the dots here:
1) China Telecom will be offering IPTV using set top boxes with Sigma inside.
2) Shanghia Media is working with Sigma to develop portable media devices. These might include telephones that will play Video-on-demand on a 3G network.
3) China Telecom will be offering 3G Services and IPTV through a partnership with Shanghai Media.
4) Video-on-demand will probably become one of the 3G services' killer applications.

In conclusion, I'm seeing more business in China coming down the pike for SIGM.
Byron

[amorphis]

wer ein wenig über die iptv-branche erfahren möchte...

http://fierceiptv.com/resources/glossary/iptv

[amorphis]

SIGM and IPTV hit the big time
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/29/06 09:53 am
Msg: 97035 of 97035

Today's set-top boxes are essentially low-end MPEG-2 technology, says Eric Li, Asia-Pacific regional director for Microsoft TV.

“In the future, we're going to see more powerful STBs that will be able to handle multiple video streams and do things like picture-in-picture,” Li says. “The next generation of IPTV will include DVR, better EPGs, instant channel change, HD, on-demand video and greater interactive capabilities.”

Such capabilities have been on the roadmap for IPTV for sometime, but it's only been in recent months that the tools required across the entire value chain were ready to deliver, says Yves Gourvennec, director of strategic accounts for Sigma Designs.

“MPEG-4 Part 2 was too early. The tools and servers and things were not there, and people have been waiting for the better version,” he says. “Now we have MPEG-4/VC-1 codecs. Also, we now have system-on-chip decoders, so you don’t need more expensive multi-chip solutions. And we have feature-rich middleware that can reach the level of interactivity customers have been waiting for.”

It also helps that vendors are now offering turnkey end-to-end solutions, Gourvennec adds. “That makes it easier for carriers, because putting all this together yourself is a challenge.”

http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail…

IPTV is taking off now. The middleware is ready to go, vendors are offering turnkey end-to-end solutions, and MPEG-4/VC-1 codecs are available. And of course SIGM is offering system-on-chip decoders, so you don’t need more expensive multi-chip solutions. Later on we will look back on 2006 as the year that both IPTV and SIGM hit the big time.
Byron

[amorphis]

Of interest - SIGM at MSFT's WinHEC:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/27/06 02:39 pm
Msg: 97027 of 97035

Covered (in Japanese) here:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060526/winhec3.htm

Selected translations:

[Core of the living AV strategy of Microsoft is "Media Center" function.

WinHEC last day, concentrating, it was done, from the session "of Media Extender", the true aim of Microsoft is visible.

Many people, are not the case that you put PC in the living room...So, when enjoying that with the living room, using what? Then it used inside LAN home that it is shown, "Windows Media Center Extender" (MCX) is.

This scenario is something which is released to WinHEC first day even in the keynote presentation of Chairman building Gates, is the basis of the living strategy of the same company. Namely, the living AV strategy of Microsoft, "Media Center + MCX" combination, with is the case that it is said.

MCX cannot depend on OS or on the chip and can mount. It is not necessary to be Windows. On the various platforms of each company, is freely mounting possible.

Actually, with the reference board which was shown used the processor of SigmaDesign. Linux was adopted for OS. In order to mount MCX on for various OS is included in the kit for MCX development.]


Not a perfect translation of the article, which goes on to mention the DLNA standard, Viiv, and possible adoption already by Sony and Toshiba, but the gist here is that SIGM certainly seems to have the MSFT end of the DMA business covered here.


Relately, SIGM just released this ref design on its homepage:

http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Products/EM8620L/pdf_file…


PS - Once again there didn't seems to be any sign of Broadcom or ST Micro at this event.

[amorphis]

billion dollar market opportunity
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 05/29/06 10:18 am
Msg: 97036 of 97036

TI eyes video to drive semiconductor sales
By DAVID KOENIG
AP Business Writer

DALLAS — Chip-maker Texas Instruments Inc. has ridden the wireless wave since the dawn of the cellular age, with its sales and profits growing along with the popularity of games, cameras and other fancy mobile phone features that require more computing horsepower.

Now, as the market for basic cell phones appears to be growing saturated in some parts of the world, the Dallas-based company - whose chips are in about half of all mobile handsets - is hunting for ways to expand its existing business and find new ones for its semiconductors.

The key, executives believe, is video. It's not only going to be a factor in high-end cell phones but also other gadgets, from portable media players to surveillance systems.

"Video is the next big thing," says Greg Delagi, TI's general manager for so-called digital signal processors. "As video and images go digital, it's a billion-dollar opportunity in the next five years."

For more than two decades, TI engineers designed components that could receive, store and transmit voice signals for cell phones.

Video requires changes to hardware and software, though Delagi said the underlying core of the signal-processing technology is the same.

Naturally, other chip companies - including Broadcom Corp., Pixelworks Inc. and Philips Semiconductors - also see dollar signs in making semiconductors for video devices. New digital video chips can sell for hundreds of dollars instead of the few bucks fetched by older chips.

"Everybody is trying to get into that market," said Will Strauss, a semiconductor analyst with research firm Forward Concepts. "It's the moths circling the candle."

Texas Instruments is betting big on a technology package it calls DaVinci. The company says DaVinci chips and software transmit video faster and provide clearer pictures. The company began shipping DaVinci development systems in December and claims to have sent 500 kits to manufacturers who are using them to design products that would rely on TI chips.

Strauss said DaVinci's complicated design "isn't very elegant, but hey, it works and it works now." A more elegant design, Strauss said, would be to integrate all of DaVinci's functions on a single chip.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/APWires/tech/D8HT4F9G0.html

Let's see now, do we know of any companies that have all of its video functions integrated on a single chip?????? I think maybe I've heard of one...

Clearly, SIGM is in the right market at the right time. "As video and images go digital, it's a billion-dollar opportunity in the next five years."
Byron

[amorphis]

und der newsflow nimmt zu...

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Freebox Offers the Most Powerful Set-Top Boxes in Europe Based on Media Processors From Sigma Designs
Tuesday May 30, 6:30 am ET
Sigma's Industry Leading SMP8630 Series Media Processors Enable New Features in IPTV Set-Top Boxes

MILPITAS, Calif. & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics and Freebox (a member of the Iliad Group), today jointly announced that the new Freebox HD is the first set-top box in Europe to take advantage of Sigma's industry leading SMP8635 media processor. Freebox's new high-definition set-top box is now shipping in France by ISP provider Free, both members of the Iliad Group.

The new Freebox offering consists of two set-top boxes, a multimedia box called HD Freebox and a network box called ADSL Freebox. This innovative new series is the fruit of two years' research and development work, and integrates all the most advanced technologies including ADSL 2+, high-definition television, WiFi MIMO, a DTT tuner, mobile telephony over WiFi and a number of other functionalities.

For receiving IPTV video services, the HD Freebox contains an SD and HD decoder -- a DTT tuner which can be used to access the 18 DTT channels, including TF1 and M6, SCART, S-Video and composite S-video connectors, an HDMI connector to connect an HD-Ready television, an S/P-DIF and digital audio output to connect a hi-fi, and three antennas for wireless connection to the ADSL box. The new HD Freebox and ADSL Freebox are available now and being issued to new subscribers immediately.

"We have yet again demonstrated our technology leadership by providing innovative products that offer industry leading features," said Xavier Niel, deputy chairman of the board of directors and chief strategy officer of the Iliad Group. "Sigma's SMP8635 is the most powerful media processor on the market and provides the silicon power behind our high-definition video decoding and other multimedia features."

The new HD Freebox and ADSL Freebox are now being deployed by Free, the rapidly growing broadband ISP operator in France and sister company to Freebox within the Iliad Group. Free was the first operator to provide broadband television services, broadband telephone services, and triple play services to the French market. Continuing with their trend of innovation, Free is now offering improved triple-play communication services and the first high-definition IPTV video services in Europe.

Rejecting the offerings from established equipment manufacturers, the Iliad Group built its own set-top box to deliver Internet, voice, and TV services and designed its own DSLAMs to direct traffic into and out of subscribers' homes. The company uses open source Linux software to write its own programs for Internet TV and was one of the first companies in the world to offer Internet TV in December 2003.

"We are very excited to be part of the Freebox HD product, and working together with one of the most innovative and aggressive providers in the world," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing for Sigma Designs. "This product combines a world-class media processor with well integrated communications, and our combined libraries and expertise for Linux-based implementation."

Free reached the end of March 2006 with 1.8 million subscribers and expects to have over 2 million subscribers by the end of this year. The charge for the Free broadband package remains unchanged at EUR 29.99 per month, with the Freebox provided free of charge throughout the duration of the subscription. This means that customers can make even more savings on their household bills, because, as part of the inclusive package (Internet, telephone service, television, telephone line rental, unlimited calls to landline phones in mainland France and to 14 international destinations, and mobile telephony), they will also be provided with all their equipment (ADSL2+ modem, HDTV decoder, DTT tuner, Mediacenter, WiFi MIMO, multi-device tuner).

About the SMP8634

Sigma's SMP8634 media processor provides a complete system-on-chip (SOC) solution with powerful multimedia processing, robust content security system, and a full complement of peripherals. Its advanced decoder engines support video decoding of H.264 (MPEG-4 part 10), VC-1 (as well as Windows Media® Video 9, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 (part 2) with multiple streams, up to the equivalent of two high-definition video streams. High-performance graphics acceleration, multi-standard audio decoding, advanced display processing capabilities, and HDMI/HDCP output round out its multimedia core. Powerful content security is ensured through a dedicated secure processor, flash memory, and a range of digital rights management (DRM) engines for high-speed payload decryption. The SMP8634's 300-Mhz host CPU, 3.2 GB/second unified memory controller, Ethernet 10/100 controller, dual USB 2.0 controller, and IDE controller provide for a single-chip solution for most set-top boxes and consumer players.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the projected timing and extent of customer shipments as well as the expected use of Sigma's MPEG decoder products. Actual results could vary from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including worldwide economic conditions, changes in the customer's ability or desire to complete the roll-out, consumer reaction to the new products and services being offered, the ability of Sigma to deliver sufficient quantity and quality of MPEG decoder chips, prices for the Sigma chips, alternative offerings by competitors, and the ability of the parties to work together successfully to achieve the rollout.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) specializes in silicon-based media processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players. The company's award-winning REALmagic® Video Streaming Technology is used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/.

About Free and Freebox

Free and Freebox are subsidiaries of Iliad. The Iliad Group is a major player in the Internet and telecommunications markets in France through its subsidiaries Free (the leading alternative broadband operator), One.Tel and Iliad Telecom (fixed telephony operators) and Kertel (prepaid phone cards), as well as IFW (wireless local loop). The Iliad Group was established in 1991 and currently has more than 1,000 employees. The Iliad Group is listed on the Euronext Paris Eurolist under the mnemonic code ILD.

REALmagic and Sigma Designs are registered trademarks of Sigma Designs. All other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.


Contact:

Sigma Designs, Inc.
Ken Lowe, 408-957-9850
[e-mail]

Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

[amorphis]

http://biz.yahoo.com/cc/8/69218.html


Sigma Designs Earnings Conference Call (Q1 2007)
Scheduled to start Wed, May 31, 2006, 5:00 pm Eastern


After the event has finished, the audio will be available
from this page until Fri, Jun 1, 2007

[amorphis]

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2006/tc200…

[amorphis]

Not to be lost in today's PR...
by: WINTER_CFA 05/30/06 09:53 am
Msg: 97054 of 97054

...is the statement "This innovative new series is the fruit of two years' research and development work."

Most of us on this board know this already, but the following fact still needs to be learned by many others, including the shorts and skeptics:

WHEN firms like BRCM and STM have their competing chips physically ready, the process has only STARTED. It can take a LONG time from selection to deployment and it is not a smooth journey.

The SMP8630 series has been around officially for almost a year and a half (and longer in private). It has been selected by a huge number in that time and only now is reaching respective deployment timeframes.

BRCM and STM chips, IMO, are now vying for, at best, mid to late 2007 products. So is SIGM's 2md gen chips, no doubt. That means to me that SIGM gets a massive share over the next year and will be exceptionally well-positioned for 2H07 and 2008 products.


I agree that today's PR represents a huge unit opportunity for SIGM. The biggest question is how many units might end up going to each subscriber.


"Sigma's SMP8635 is the most powerful media processor on the market" - We know this is true, but I never get tired of hearing customers say it!

[amorphis]

This could be interesting from DELL:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/30/06 11:12 am
Msg: 97055 of 97055

"Dell to Conduct May 31 Entertainment Product Launch and Lunch in Hollywood"

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060530/20060530005580.html?.v=1

"Dell, Inc., plans to announce news, answer questions pertaining to the company's entertainment computer systems and a preview of an awareness campaign aimed at consumers."


A chance for a DELL digital media adapter announcement here? Maybe. We'll just have to wait one day to see.

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: ABI Research

Telco TV Franchise Battles Herald Faster IPTV Rollouts, According to ABI Research
Tuesday May 30, 9:35 am ET

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2006--The four-way battles now raging in the United States around the question of municipal, state, or national franchise agreements for "Telco TV" video services will see the telcos ultimately prevail over cable operators and local governments, according to new analysis from ABI Research. That will mean an accelerated deployment of IPTV video services to customers, and increased sales of set-top boxes.


"We are at the cusp of a strong run-up in IPTV subscriber bases over the next year or two," says principal analyst Michael Arden. "The telcos have sympathy at the higher levels of government, and in general the principles of encouraging competition and preventing monopoly mean that the telcos will be victorious in this battle. It's just a question of when."

Under FCC regulations, local governments can require video operators active in their areas to conclude franchise agreements and pay fees. Cable companies have had to complete agreements with every small municipality. Telcos, arguing that their offerings are not "video services" but "broadband services that happen to have video features," have tried to avoid that arduous process. Now, they are increasingly getting relief in the form of initiatives in several states to grant statewide franchises. Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, South Carolina and New Jersey, among others, have passed or are considering legislation setting up statewide franchises, and a proposal for a federal version has been put forward.

Local governments and cable operators oppose these moves. Their reasons include the obvious--revenue lost to the municipalities and greater competition for the cable companies--but both groups cite an apparently altruistic fear as well. They allege that the telcos will "cherry pick" the most affluent neighborhoods for their IPTV, where customers would be more likely to buy premium channels, video-on-demand, network PVR, and other high-priced services, leaving less prosperous communities further disadvantaged.

Such selectivity is not permitted under equal access provisions of the law, and telcos deny any such intention. However, notes Arden, when AT&T was initially planning its IPTV deployments, it based much of its market selection strategy on which markets would generate the highest ARPU.

"Telco TV Market Update: Operators' Aggressive Rollouts Prepare Market for Wide Telco TV Adoption", along with the "Telco TV Forecast Database" form the latest updates to ABI Research's subscription IP Video Research Service, which also includes ABI Insights, analyst inquiry time, and a variety of research reports including "Worldwide Set-Top Box Markets: CATV, DBS, IP, DTT."

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations supporting annual research programs, intelligence services and market reports in automotive, wireless, semiconductors, broadband, and energy. For information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

[amorphis]

COVERAGE INITIATED: Sigma Designs (SIGM) initiated by Needham & Co. Initial rating Buy.

Briefing.com
07:56 a.m. 05/31/2006

[amorphis]

Pre-Market (RT-ECN): 13.59 Up 0.41 (3.11%)

[amorphis]

Of the highest interest -re Lightspeed:
by: WINTER_CFA 05/31/06 09:29 am
Msg: 97094 of 97094

I just got back from the AT&T meeting with CEO Ed Whitacre, held at the Bernstein NYC Conf:

During his presentation, he stated that a "large scale" Lightspeed rollout would start in Houston in July and August and was VERY confident of success of their IPTV platform.

During the presentation Q&A, in response to my question, he stated that modest sell-side ramp estimates for Lightspeed for 2006 and 2007 are "way too conservative."

Afterward, I spoke with him. He confirmed to me that the Houston rollout would have High-def and use the new Motorola set-top boxes (i.e. the SIGM-powered ones). He added that boxes in the San Antonio test would be subsequently swapped for the new Motorola boxes also. Finally, he agreed that each household would use multiple boxes.


Still locked and loaded.

[amorphis]

sigm gefällt vor den zahlen...

31.05.06 17:42 Uhr

14,20 USD

+7,74 % [+1,02]

[amorphis]

Live In Play
31-May-06
07:56 SIGM Needham resumes coverage of Sigma Designs with a Buy and $18 tgt (13.18 )

Needham resumes coverage of SIGM with a Buy and $18 tgt ahead of tonights earnings call. With a number of large carrier IPTV deployments on schedule for 2H06, Sigma's position as the sole supplier of ICs for Microsoft's MSTV IPTV platform and multiple design wins with tier-one suppliers of Blu-Ray and HD DVD players, firm encourages investors to accumulate a position in SIGM. Firm believes that SIGM will be able to expand its share meaningfully in the next-generation of CE devices due to its design expertise in implementing high-definition, DRM-enabled multimedia systems. Co has already secured six design wins in Blu-Ray players and one design win in an HD DVD player. Also, firm states that co is uniquely placed to benefit from IPTV ramp.

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs, Inc. Reports First Quarter Results
Wednesday May 31, 4:13 pm ET

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2006--Sigma Designs®, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processors for consumer appliances, announced results for its first fiscal quarter ended April 29, 2006.

Net revenues for the first quarter were $14.8 million, up 41% from $10.5 million for the previous quarter and up 132% from $6.4 million reported for the same period last year. Sigma reported a net loss of $562,000 or ($0.03) per basic and diluted share in the first quarter. This compares to a net profit of $490,000, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, for the previous quarter, and net loss of $717,000 or ($0.03) per basic and diluted share during the same period one year ago. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to increased chipset sales to manufacturers of IPTV set-top boxes and the decrease in net profit was primarily attributable to increased operating expense due to the adoption of expensing of stock option ($739,000), assumption of Blue7 operating expenses ($818,000) and amortization expenses of intangible assets ($313,000).

"We are pleased to report back to back increases in revenue of 24% and 41% for the last two quarters respectively, reflecting our successful penetration into IPTV and other target markets. Furthermore, as a result of extraordinary efforts we've made over the past two years, we are now hitting our stride by engaging with top-tier customers, and delivering industry-leading media processors that enable the highest quality entertainment products. IPTV is now a leading portion of our business and we are currently engaged in some form of design or deployment activity with 14 of the top 25 analyst forecasted providers of IPTV services. Our other market segments are also showing signs of strength, and combined with IPTV have put us on a high-growth trajectory for this year. Looking forward, we maintain our expectation of meaningful top-line growth for the remainder of our fiscal year," stated Thinh Tran, chairman and chief executive officer, Sigma Designs.

Recent business developments include:

* Jointly announced with Freebox, that the new Freebox HD is the first set-top box in Europe to take advantage of Sigma's industry leading SMP8635 media processor. Freebox's new high-definition set-top box is now being deployed by Free, the rapidly growing broadband ISP operator in France and sister company to Freebox within the Iliad group.
* Announced that Sigma's advanced SMP8634 chipset will power the MPEG-4 AVC set-top boxes utilized by U.S. Digital Television, LLC (USDTV) for its low-cost cable alternative. Currently, USDTV is transitioning its network to an advanced video compression technology, and its next-generation set-top box will have many industry-leading features such as integrated MPEG-4 AVC technology, high-definition video, and enhanced set-top box processing power through the use of Sigma's powerful SMP8634.
* Announced that DG2L's Neuron 2000 hybrid set-top box is based on Sigma's EM8622 media processor. The Neuron 2000 is one of the first high-definition (1080i) hybrid set-top-boxes that support both Digital Video Broadcasting and ATSC broadcast services, as well as Internet Protocol (IP) standards with H.264/AVC (aka MPEG-4) compression support.
* Announced that Samsung's new personal video recorder is based on Sigma's EM8620L media processor. The Samsung MR-30PA1 Anyview multi-codec multimedia personal video recorder (PVR) enables consumers to record video/television when using Anyview, and a supported Samsung TV.

The conference call relating to first quarter results will take place following this announcement at 5:00 PM EDT today, May 31. The dial-in number is 866-356-4279 (international callers dial 617-597-5394) and the passcode is 51878331. Investors will have the opportunity to listen live to the conference call via the Internet through www.sigmadesigns.com/investors/overview or over CCBN's Investor Distribution Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call through CCBN's individual investor center at www.fulldisclosure.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in CCBN's Individual Investor Network. Institutional investors can access the call via CCBN's password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com). To listen to the live call, please go to the Web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call by dialing into 1-888-286-8010 (international callers dial 617-801-6888) and use passcode 31137524. The audio replay will be available for one week after the call. For further information, please see the link on our website at www.sigmadesigns.com/.

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.897.137 von amorphis am 31.05.06 22:21:20

31-May-06
16:19 SIGM Sigma Designs reports, beats on revs (13.90 )

Reports Q1 (Apr) loss of $0.03 per share, includes $739k in option expense, $313k in amortization expense, not comparable to the Reuters Estimates consensus of $0.02; revenues rose 41.0% year/year to $14.8 mln vs the $12.7 mln consensus.

[miristegal]

und der verflixte bauchredner hat mir geflüstert - die zahlen sind :

After Hours Trade Reporting Wednesday May 31

After Hours
Last: $ 14.20 After Hours
High: $ 14.25
After Hours
Volume: 139,968 After Hours
Low: $ 13.85


After Hours
Time (ET) After Hours
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Share Volume
17:34 $ 14.20 100
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17:34 $ 14.20 3,700
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17:34 $ 14.20 3,700
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17:18 $ 14.20 4,900
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16:59 $ 14 1,000
16:59 $ 14 5,100
16:59 $ 14 500
16:59 $ 14 100

amorphis haste die schon analysiert? bin woanders unterwegs.


Gruss

[amorphis]

die zahlen sind sehr sehr gut!

morgen mehr...bin heute nicht gut drauf...muss ins bett...

good night und bis moin...

[amorphis]

Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs Demonstrates a Rich Entertainment Experience on PCs Running Microsoft Windows Vista With Windows Media Center
Thursday June 1, 6:30 am ET
Sigma Designs Launched the Pika 8622L Development Kit at WinHEC Enabling Development of Next-Generation Consumer Devices Incorporating Windows Media Center Extender

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, announced the launch of its Pika 8622L development kit, showcasing the next-generation Microsoft Windows Media Center Extender. The Pika 8622L was developed by Sigma Designs to enable Microsoft industry partners to develop networked digital TVs and media center adapters. The Pika 8622L was featured in the keynote address, in the Microsoft Pavilion and at the Media Center Extender Platform Adaptation Kit track at the WinHEC 2006 conference in Seattle.

ADVERTISEMENT
"Our media processors have become the de facto standard for use in the digital media adapter (DMA) market," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing at Sigma Designs. "With the rise in demand for networked home appliances, the Pika 8622L, which uses the Microsoft Windows Media Center Extender Platform Adaptation Kit, offers consumer electronics vendors a complete development platform for a whole new generation of products."

"We believe we are at an inflection point in terms of how people will access, acquire and enjoy digital content throughout their homes -- whether from the Web, a content service provider or their own home productions," said Dave Alles, general manager, Windows Media Center devices at Microsoft Corporation. "We're pleased to work with Sigma to offer consumer electronics companies a cost-effective solution for providing consumers with Media Center Extenders that support Microsoft's PlaysForSure requirements for networked devices."

The Pika 8622L development kit also features two USB 2.0 host ports, a 10/100 BaseT Ethernet port, and optional Sigma Windeo WiMedia based UWB or third party 802.11 wireless support. The 8622L development kit along with the Microsoft Windows Media Center Platform Adaptation Kit software is planned for availability in Fall 2006.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News) specializes in silicon-based media processors for IPTV set-top boxes, digital media receivers, high definition DVD players, HDTV, and portable media players. The company's award-winning REALmagic® Video Streaming Technology is used in a variety of consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of H.264, WMV9, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the projected timing and extent of customer shipments as well as the expected use of Sigma's MPEG decoder products. Actual results could vary from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including worldwide economic conditions, changes in the customer's ability or desire to complete the roll-out, consumer reaction to the new products and services being offered, the ability of Sigma to deliver sufficient quantity and quality of MPEG decoder chips, prices for the Sigma chips, alternative offerings by competitors, and the ability of the parties to work together successfully to achieve the rollout.

REALmagic and Sigma Designs are registered trademarks of Sigma Designs. All other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.


Contact:

Sigma Designs, Inc.
Ken Lowe, 408-957-9850
[e-mail]

Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

[amorphis]

AP
Ahead of the Bell: Sigma
Thursday June 1, 8:06 am ET
Sigma Shares Moving After Posting Revenue That Beat Expectations

NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of digital media company Sigma Designs Inc. rose ahead of the bell Thursday after the Milpitas, Calif.-based company reported an increase in first-quarter revenue that beat Wall Street expectations.

Shares of Sigma gained 30 cents in premarket trading, rising to $14.20, after closing 40 cents higher Wednesday at $14.30 on the Nasdaq. In a 52-week period, the stock has traded from $7.25 to $17.05.

Revenue more than doubled to $14.8 million from $6.4 million, which the company attributed to higher sales of chipsets to makers of IPTV set-top boxes.

The result tops the expectation of analysts, who hoped for $12.6 million in sales, according to a Thomson Financial poll.

Despite reporting a first-quarter loss, the company provided an encouraging revenue outlook -- 20 percent sequential growth for the July quarter and double-digit increases for the following two quarters.

"Sigma's current revenue ramp appears mostly based on the IP set-top box ramp in Europe, as well as mobile video players in China," said Baird analyst Tristan Gerra.

Gerra reiterated an "Outperform" rating on the stock with a $21 price target.

[amorphis]

1Q Conf Call Notes & Comments
by: WINTER_CFA 06/01/06 11:48 am
Msg: 97458 of 97473

These are the new or significant statements made by SIGM on this week’s conference call:

The increase in inventory is for backlog and sales that SIGM has already received (orders for). All these major accounts are ordering under agreements and on a 12 week lead time. They are the largest customers that SIGM is dealing with, so when it is building inventory, it's a very good sign.

The operating expense increase was due to the expensing of stock options which was $739,000, the assumption of Blue7 operating expenses, which were $818,000 and amortization expenses from Blue7 intangible assets, which were $313,000. As a result of the Blue7 acquisition, starting in the first quarter, SIGM expects its quarterly operating expenses to increase by approximately $800,000 due primarily to the added head count and $300,000 due to amortization costs of certain IP (intellectual property), non-compete agreements and stock options.

Based on current visibility, SIGM again expects to achieve approximately 20% (sequential) revenue growth in its second quarter. Further, SIGM also anticipates double digit growth during the third and fourth quarter as well, resulting in a dramatic year of revenue growth and market share within its industry. SIGM has been given assurance by TMSC that they will support its growth this year, so it doesn't expect any problems in delivering the volume it needs.

Moving forward, depending on the rate of growth, the second quarter gross margin could be 2% to 4% below the current level and then return to the low-50s as SIGM moves into the 3Q and 4Q of this year.

Regarding the controversial topic of stock option grants, in SIGM’s 10K report for fiscal 2005, it disclosed weaknesses in its review control for stock options. SIGM was fully remediated last year as indicated in its 10K report for fiscal 2006. SIGM is not aware any problem relating to stock option grants.

SIGM will begin sampling Blue7 products in its 3Q and expects some small volume will start in late 4Q. It expects them to offset expenses within 9 months to a year and then grow from there.

SIGM believes it is getting very close to where the 863X family is becoming the largest revenue producer for the company and certainly, as it hits the second half, it will be by far the largest, followed by the 8620 family and then the 8500 family.

There are two specific routes to (8630 series) cost reduction. One is reducing the cost of goods sold on the actual 8634, the way it exists today. The second is to offer a functionally equivalent, but much cost-reduced version of this, in the road map that will then come later. SIGM is working, obviously, very closely with these major OEMs to make sure that the feature set matches what they want in their mainstream product. Cost reduction would include a design shrink.

For the foreseeable future, SIGM’s revenue ramp will be largely driven by volume shipment into many of the top telco and set-top box manufacturers. IPTV is now a dominant portion of SIGM’s business and it is currently engaged in some form of design and deployment activity with 14 of the top 25 analyst forecasted providers of IPTV services.

The top 25 projected IPTV service providers, by current analyst estimates, are expected to account for over 3 million subscribers in 2006, over 8 million subscribers in 2007, and over 16 million subscribers in 2008. European telcos should account for the largest portion of these IPTV deployments with over 8 million subscribers expected for 2008. This includes: Free, the largest IPTV provider to date, who has deployed 1.8 million units through the end of March this year and is continuing to aggressively ramp its deployment; Deutsche Telecom, who is now in trials for the MSTV solution and expects to deploy to 10 major cities during the second half of this year; Swisscom, one of the first telcos signed up for MSTV solution and intending to deploy solutions later this year; British Telecom, who expects to begin deploying a new MSTV-based solution towards the latter part of this year; and Telecom Italia, who, as the most recent of the MSTV accounts, expects to begin deployments also by the end of this year. Finishing off a list of top accounts through Europe is Belgacom, FastWeb, France Telecom, KPN, Neuf, Telefonica and TeliaSonera.

North America, though it has a smaller list of major carriers, should account for over 4 million subscribers in 2008. However, this estimate may be understated for media processors since the U.S. market normally delivers 2.7 set-top boxes per subscriber, which adds up to 11 million boxes and chips for 2008. Key providers include AT&T, the largest force behind the MSTV adoption, who is planning to deploy its solutions this summer. Its project Light Speed has a widely stated goal of passing 19 million households by the end of 2008. Bellsouth, who is currently in the throws of an acquisition by AT&T, will likely utilize the same MSTV-based solution in a later deployment. Verizon, who's currently deploying their Fios solution, is expected to move to an IPTV solution within 2 years. Bell Canada and Qwest round out the list of key North American telcos.

The Asian telco market has also started to heat up. The majority of these deployments are based on independent Linux-based solutions. China Telecom and China Netcom, the two largest potential IPTV suppliers for Asia, began trial systems late last year based on set-top boxes from UTStarcom. Cooperative trials between government broadcasters and these telcos are taking place now, but volume deployments will not resume until the government licensing hurdles have been surmounted. PCCW also began deploying IPTV solutions last year and has continued to add subscribers in its Hong Kong base of operation. Hanaro Telecom, the second largest telco in Korea, is preparing to launch its new IPTV services this summer and expects to deploy 300,000 units this year. Chunghwa Telecom, Korea Telecom, Softbank and NTT round out the list of top telcos for the Asian region.


SIGM’s list of engagements includes the top two IPTV providers, Free and AT&T, in addition to four more of the expected top ten providers, British Telecom, Deutsche Telecom, China Telecom, and China Netcom. SIGM believes that it is currently capturing about 65% of the IPTV market and maintains its target of retaining over 50% of the IPTV volume as it ramps throughout 2006 and 2007.

AT&T recently issued a statement that they definitely intend on beginning their rollouts in the summer to selected cities and SIGM thinks it will be in full swing as they enter the early fall.

Free is a substantial opportunity for SIGM and has every potential of becoming a 10% customer for this year.

Blue-Ray players are being readied for launch by a wide number of top-brand consumer electronic companies in the next few months. SIGM believes that meaningful shipments should start to take place during this holiday selling season and gain substantial volume during 2007. Based on its 8630 series, SIGM believes it currently has captured the majority of Blue-Ray player designs.

Regarding competition from Broadcom and ST Micro, SIGM believes that the biggest competitive factor is the software component that is provided together with the silicon. SIGM’s strategy is to make sure that its customers have no reason to change and it does that by carefully bringing cost reductions and giving them more features at the lower cost. In this market, you provide good solutions, good software and stay cost competitive because the development costs are so lengthy that if you can continue to provide this kind of service it's going to be very hard for competitors to come in and take designs away. A lot of conversations with some of the largest OEMs that SIGM has mentioned have stated emphatically that they do not want to switch suppliers. They make a major investment, and this is in light of the fact they're negotiating for the best deal they can get from SIGM, and at the same time they like to reinforce the fact that they would not like to switch. They make major investments as a corporation in getting the development tools, environments, licensing deals and everything associated with a major chipset like SIGM’s. So in many of these cases, it would take a major justification for them to move from SIGM’s processor to somebody else's.

Ultra-wideband (UWB) is going to be used for a lot of different wireless applications. The first application SIGM is going to be using the technology for is for sending video. You could have a camera or DVD player or receiver. You can play high definition content straight to your high definition TV without having to plug in any cables. Beyond that, there's very big volume potential for UWB to replace the local USB connection as it will provide 480 megabit of service. That's going to be the second type of product that will be coming out.

[amorphis]

Comments on the Notes & Comments
by: WINTER_CFA 06/01/06 11:50 am
Msg: 97461 of 97473

The soup is done.

SIGM’s long-awaited sales ramp is here now and picking up steam and there should be little doubt, even among die-hard skeptics, that this firm has become not only a legitimate player in its markets, but a technology leader in a number of the highest-growth segments.

I believe that one result of this status change has just started to begin. For years, SIGM has had great difficulty getting news of design wins out due to customer hesitations to reveal selected technology. With the recent announcements by Shanghai Media, Samsung, and Free, some of the biggest names in their respective markets, it almost appears to me that customers are starting to validate their product’s worth by REVEALING their relationships with SIGM. Whether this observation becomes a trend or not remains to be seen, but I do expect at this point to see at least a dozen top-tier names announce their selection of SIGM chips in a variety of products before the end of this calendar year (I will grade myself on this prediction in my November conference call report).

Switching gears, I’d like to spend some time discussing four elements of SIGM’s realized and forecasted operating results: sales, gross margins, operating expenses, and EPS. It is important to understand them in the proper context of what the firm was and what is it becoming.

This quarter’s sales gain, more than double the firm’s guidance and significantly above all estimates (including my high number of $13M), allowed SIGM to post its highest quarterly revenue level ever. Chip units similarly rose to roughly 750,000 (assuming a $20 average selling price (ASP). Moreover, the firm’s 20% sequential gain forecasted for its 2Q puts that sales number close to $18M, well above my $16M estimate and even further above sell-side figures. Finally, while SIGM did not provide explicit full-year sales guidance, its additional projection of double-digit sales gains for its 3Q and 4Q, a very conservative scenario in my opinion, collectively leads to full-year sales total of at least $76.9 million or year-over-year growth of just over 120%. Given steadily expanding growth in the IPTV sector and the likelihood of unit ramps in the blue laser and digital media adapter segments, the 2H numbers implied above could prove to be quite conservative. Turning to calendar 2007, SIGM’s biggest markets (i.e. IPTV, hi-def DVDs, and DMAs) each look poised to at least double in size. Even as SIGM loses some share in each space to eventual competition next year, there is obviously ample room for top-line growth of 50% to 60% or more. All of these numbers are realistic, conservative actually in my mind at this point, and are the stuff of breakout companies and stocks. Importantly, the numbers here are unambiguous and not open to alternate interpretation by either shorts or skeptics.

Regarding gross margins, as SIGM correctly anticipated and forecasted to us last quarter, discount pricing on volume shipments pulled its gross margin much closer to 50% in the period. More of the same is expected in the current quarter as a 48% to 50% level is forecasted, although numerous cost and performance gains in the 2H are projected to help stabilize GMs in the low 50s for that period. For next year, GM stabilization around the 50% level appears reasonable at this point. It is important to remember that these levels still compare reasonably well to that of competitors and that SIGM’s performance-to-price at a 50% GM will present a formidable obstacle for those trying to take market share going forward.

The operating expense line is where the quarter created uncertainty for some as it contained some non-recurring items and some moderately larger-than-expected recurring ones. The expensing of stock options, a necessary item that all must take, was not built into my 1Q numbers and ended up reducing EPS by $0.03+. Expenses related to Blue7 totaled $1.13M or well above the partial headcount related guidance of $600K provided in the previous quarter. The total Blue7 expense reduced EPS by $0.05, while the excess over the $600K in my model reducing EPS by $0.02+. Also reducing expenses (and EPS by as much as $0.02) were year-end accounting and acquisition rollup costs that won’t recur, in part, until next year’s 1Q. Going forward, higher R&D spending (a necessity for any growth company) and ongoing Blue7 expenses will have their bottom line impacts moderated by strong sales growth and flattish expense growth elsewhere.

The previous points considered, apples-to-apples EPS for SIGM in its 1Q would have been at least $0.05 or well above all estimates. On the other hand, strong sales growth in upcoming quarters will now more than offset all revised cost and expense assumptions and finally lead to the last piece of the puzzle for the stock: accelerating EPS growth. While my full-year EPS number, as seen below, is somewhat lower than my previous estimate, I feel there is little to pull the figure lower at this point and expect any upside surprises on the revenue line to have a positive leveraged effect on my new number. Additionally, the initiated number for next year easily calculates to more than $1.00 under the most conservative of cost and expense assumptions.

Moving on to SIGM’s business segments, developments here all remain positive to resoundingly bullish to literally white hot for the IPTV space.

In IPTV, SIGM provided a great overview of the state of the market and how they are participating in it. Importantly, SIGM is proving to be the most competitive in the largest projects around the world, a point that goes a long way in supporting the firm’s objective of maintaining a 50% market share over the next several years. They renamed the big players they are dealing with (including Deutsche Telecom this time). They sized the overall target market, via industry estimates, and the triple growth projected for it. They reminded us that they are in the majority (if not all) of the leading edge designs. They specifically explained why their solution is so competitive and why Broadcom and ST Micro are going to have an extremely tough time displacing them in any of their wins (indeed, using either of the other solutions as even a second source sounds like a huge undertaking at this point). In short, the IPTV market is real and will become massive over the next several years and SIGM remains ideally positioned to dominate this space and have it become a multi-$100M market for them in due course.

In the high definition player space, SIGM indicated that a number of Blu-Ray product launches are being readied and that they have captured the majority of designs. What else needs to be said here? This is the next generation of video players and SIGM almost monopolistically serves (at least at this point) what many believe to be the eventual standards winner in the blue laser battle. Noticeable product shipment should start in the 4Q due to a push for the holiday selling season, which means that SIGM should realize the impact of this beginning in its 3Q. Many millions of players are expected to be shipped in calendar 2007 and the design window for many of these is starting to close. Competitors Broadcom and ST Micro not only have a limited timeframe for delivering working products and proving that all the software for them is ready, but must also contend with cost-optimized solutions from SIGM as well as their next generation solutions. This business could thus be a real blockbuster for SIGM over the next several years as these advanced players move to mainstream adoption. As previously stated, I believe this business could also become a $100+M business for the company.

In the digital media adapter space, SIGM had little to add to previous comments on the call except to say that DMAs are still expected to have a volume ramp in the second half of the year driven largely by new Viiv PCs. Similarly, SIGM had little new to add regarding either its PMD or HDTV businesses. The former continues to do well for them in several Far Eastern markets, while the latter continues to stealthily garner more top-tier design wins and waits, like the DMA market, for better technology and content models to drive user demand. For PMDs, it remains to be seen just how significant recent announcements with Shanghai Media and Samsung will become vis-à-vis unit sales. While these three businesses, even collectively, probably won’t reach the levels possible in the two segments above, they could certainly become a decent fraction of them over time.

Reworking my spreadsheet to include all new factors, I am pleased to report that, for the first time I believe, I am raising my full-year sales forecast for SIGM. For the 2Q and 3Q, respectively, I have increased my sales estimates to $18M and $22M from $16M and $21M (the 4Q stays at $28M). This brings the full-year number to $82.8M (versus a previous $78M), a gain of 148%. For next year, my first stab at quarterly sales show $30M, $32M, $35M and $38M, respectively, for a full-year total of $135M, a gain a 63% (or well below the likely growth rate of SIGM’s collective markets). For EPS, a whole set of new gross margin and expense assumptions generate numbers of $0.05, $0.12, and $0.21, respectively, for the remainder of this year, versus previous figures of $0.07, $0.14, and $0.26. My full-year EPS now becomes $0.35 (versus a prior $0.05). It is important to remember that almost all of the $0.15 drop here was due to the option expense taken and higher Blue7 expense assumptions. Indeed, my gross profit estimate for the year is essentially unchanged at $42M. For next year, my quarterly EPS numbers are $0.23, $0.25, $0.29, and $0.33 for a full-year total of $1.10. My figures for this year and next conservatively assume roughly 50% gross margins, full expenses for Blue7, and further share count creep. Moreover, I expect any upside surprises to quarterly sales in any of these periods to yield comparable EPS surprises.

As previously discussed, breakout stock performers tend to move toward very high price/sales and price/earnings levels once reported results and the stock’s price have started their moves. Figures of 5x and 50x annualized sales and EPS levels, respectively, one year out have been typically seen for comparable issues. In SIGM’s case, its next-year 1Q sales and EPS projections of $30M and $0.23 ($0.16 if SIGM paid full taxes), respectively, would, when annualized, suggest possible intermediate stock price moves to roughly $26 and $32. The second method would be to use the 20x to 40x P/E valuation objective on next year’s new EPS estimate of $1.10 (thus calculating a $22 to $44 target). Any valuation using a PEG (price/earnings versus growth) ratio, a method popular with many growth managers, would yield even higher objectives due to projected growth rates for SIGM over the next several years. The bottom line once again is that SIGM is growing into a bigger company and its stock price goal is much higher than its current market price any way you slice it.

As repeatedly stated before, I remain significantly invested in SIGM and continue to firmly believe that investor patience will ultimately be handsomely rewarded on this stock.

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Re: 1Q Conf Call Notes & Comments - 3
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/01/06 02:35 pm
Msg: 97529 of 97535

Texas Instruments has been getting some wins with their DaVinci product line.

http://press.xtvworld.com/article11644.html

Regarding competition from Texas Instrument’s DaVinci DSP solution, SIGM stated recently at the Baird investment conference that TI's chip is a good solution for the PMP space and for standard definition products, but it is weak in its ability to do High Def. This is why all the telcos are going with SIGM.

So in summary there are always going to be competitors out there but right now SIGM has the technology lead and is winning most of the business in the marketplace. As noted in yesterday's conference call, once a customer becomes a part of Sigma's installed base, Sigma should be able to keep them.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=97460

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Press Release Source: Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Powers Celrun's New Linux-Based Set-Top Box Set for Deployment by Hanaro
Monday June 5, 6:30 am ET
Sigma's Industry Leading Media Processors Continue to Penetrate the IPTVmarket

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2006--Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM - News), a leader in digital media processing for consumer electronics, today announced that Celrun's new TD900H VoIP enabled set-top box, which supports video, voice, and data in one box, is powered by Sigma's SMP8634 media processor. Celrun's new set-top box will be deployed in Korea by Hanaro Media under an agreement to purchase Kr 57 billion worth of product.

ADVERTISEMENT
"We have designed a technologically advanced set-top box that will enable Hanaro Media to become the leading IPTV service provider in Korea," said Kim Young-min, CEO of Celrun. "The power and flexibility of our new set-top box is derived from the Sigma SMP8634 media processor, which leads the industry with high-definition video decoding of all major standards."

The new Celrun TD900H set-top box will be deployed by Hanaro Media, an IPTV service provider who has recently launched new TV portal services for high-speed Internet subscribers. Hanaro Media has a split ownership with 65 percent owned by Hanaro Telecom and 35 percent owned by Celrun. Hanaro Media initiated test services in January this year, and with its formal launch taking place in July, and expects to deploy services to 300,000 subscribers by the end of the year.

The Celrun Linux-based TD900H features a dual receiver architecture, enabling the reception of both IPTV and terrestrial broadcast to deliver optimal high-definition video services based on the bandwidth available. Powered by the Sigma SMP8634 and a Linux operating system, the new set-top box provides video decoding of H.264HD level (also known as MPEG-4 AVC: Advanced Video Codec), as well as MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. Celrun designed the TD900H to provide secure access to video on demand, unicast/multicast, web mail, and other standard Internet features within an Internet Protocol (IP) to suit any ISP's environment. The TD900H is available now in limited quantities and will begin volume production in July.

"Sigma's media processors demonstrate their power and flexibility with manufacturers like Celrun," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "As the leading provider of media processors offering the most features in the IP industry, Sigma promises to bring manufacturers a competitive edge coupled with robust processing power."

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Fear and Loathing in Sigmaland:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/05/06 12:35 am
Msg: 97864 of 97897

Wow! What a concerted effort we have seen to spread FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) on SIGM since last week's Conf Call.

We have new or returning voices on this board attacking the firm, its management and its defenders with the "obviousness" of their analyses and opinions.

I have seen a massive number of absurd rumors being pumped through the hedge fund and fast money communities. Some of them are whoppers (e.g. SIGM stuffed the Chinese PMP channel).

We even have a somewhat well-read journalist (i.e. columnist) singling out the stock and questioning the caliber and ethics of sell-side analysts supporting it.

While actions like these are a sorry distasteful part of our business, keep in mind that this group's ammo is likely running low at this point (as is their ability to short more stock).

With growth at SIGM clearly accelerating, we now have a large group of future buyers of the stock that are going to start getting wound tighter and tighter by being on the wrong side of a STRONG FUNDAMENTAL GROWTH STORY. At some point, their corks will finally pop.

Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.


PS – I have no intention of getting into shouting matches on this board over issues with which I have no doubt. I know what I know about this firm and industry and know the extent and depth of my research in relation to most others.

PPS – On a related issue, incremental gross margin analysis doesn't work for a firm with transitioning products. If SIGM sees a 60% GM in one quarter with a certain product mix and cost and price stucture and a 50% GM in the next on a completely different set of parameters, you can't do simple math to conclude that incremental sales have yielded something far south of 50% (by such analysis, SIGM had infinite gross profitability on its sequential sales gain in its July 2004 quarter).

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Verimatrix Teams with Sigma to Integrate VideoMark with Leading Secure Media Processor; Integration of Robust Forensic Watermarking Covers 65 percent of Entire IPTV Set-Top Box Market

Last Update: 9:00 AM ET Jun 5, 2006


CHICAGO, Jun 05, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Verimatrix, developer of the most widely deployed IPTV content protection system with tier one operators, today announced at Globalcomm that it has selected Sigma Design's SMP8634 system-on-chip (SoC) solution to integrate its VideoMark(TM) user-specific forensic watermarking. Set-top box (STB) manufacturers will now have the advantage of VideoMark and hardware encryption embedded directly into Sigma's new SoC that will protect premium content by tracing piracy to the culpable individual.
Approximately 65 percent of all IPTV STBs are powered by Sigma's secure media processors, including devices from Scientific Atlanta, Philips, Wegener, UT Starcom and Eagle Broadband. The SMP8630 family represents the first single-chip, highly-integrated solutions to support high-definition MPEG-4.10 (H.264), SMPTE 421M (VC-1), WMV9, MPEG-4.2 and MPEG-2 decoding. Incorporating flexible, advanced audio/video processing, the SMP8630 family enables cost-effective solutions for consumer products such as digital media adapters, IPTV STBs, Blu-ray (BD) and HD-DVD player/recorders, and HDTVs.
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BE79… 2D96B2%2DE2F6B48BFEED%7D&siteid=mktw&dist=nbk&symb=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">




http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7BE79… 2D96B2%2DE2F6B48BFEED%7D&siteid=mktw&dist=nbk&symb=

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IPTV prepares for prime time
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/05/06 12:03 pm
Msg: 97922 of 97937

It's show time for IPTV, as telecommunications companies such as AT&T prepare to roll out television services.

While the industry has been hyping IPTV for years, the technology will soon get its prime-time debut in the U.S. when AT&T, the country's largest phone company, moves from the experimentation phase of its Project Lightspeed and U-verse TV service to commercial deployment of the service later this summer.

"IPTV is moving out of trials, and the basic viability of the technology has been proven," said Rick Thompson, senior analyst at Heavy Reading.

More than 500 software and equipment makers will be on hand this week in Chicago at the Telecommunications Association's GlobalComm trade show to demonstrate the latest technology that will help AT&T and other carriers around the world make IPTV a truly competitive service.

Microsoft, which is providing technology for AT&T's network, as well as for several other phone companies around the world, will be demonstrating some of its advanced features, like displaying multiple pictures within a picture and instant channel change. The software is also designed to integrate with other IP-based services, like voice over Internet Protocol and Internet data surfing.

One of the biggest challenges for AT&T and other carriers will be having enough bandwidth available to deliver high-definition channels. HDTV eats up big chunks of bandwidth. Using today's most common compression codec, MPEG-2, a single high-definition channel eats up about 20Mbps of bandwidth.

"Verizon is using a big pipe to deliver service," said Matthew Flanigan, president of the Telecommunications Industry Association. "But AT&T has to be a bit more clever in how it uses technology, since the pipe it's using isn't ever going to be as fat. This is where companies like Microsoft, Alcatel and Cisco Systems can help deliver more content through skinnier pipes." One of the first enhancements that will help AT&T deliver HDTV is a new compression codec known as MPEG-4, which gets bandwidth usage for the high-definition signals down to about 8Mbps per channel.
http://news.com.com/IPTV+prepares+for+prime+time/2100-1037_3… .num" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">
http://news.com.com/IPTV+prepares+for+prime+time/2100-1037_3… .num

IPTV is now moving into prime time and so are SIGM sales. Companies such as Microsoft, Alcatel and Cisco Systems are relying on Sigma technology to make this work. Sigma technology is ready now for all advanced codecs including MPEG-4.
Byron

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die shorts prügeln momentan richtig den kurs runter...bestes beispiel ist herb greenberg auf cnbc eben gewesen...da wird momentan alles getan um den kurs günstig zu halten...

gleichzeitig steigt dabei der anteil an institutionellen...welche sigm positionen neu aufbauen bzw. bestehende positionen erweitern...

lasst euch nicht verarschen, derzeitige kurse sind ein witz, wer kaufen kann...sollte schrittweise in den markt gehen...der kurs momentan ist ein geschenk... greez

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fail to deliver
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/05/06 02:33 pm
Msg: 97974 of 97984

It's increasingly obvious that SIGM is under attack by the shorts. Given the amount of float in this stock, you can assume that some are shorting the stock naked. Look for SIGM to show up soon on the fail to deliver list. That should stabilize the situation. Once SIGM is on the fail to deliver list this will stop the naked shorts. I also doubt that any who are shorting the stock in compliance with the law will be able to find shares to borrow.
Byron

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Of interest - Lightspeed:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/05/06 10:41 pm
Msg: 98040 of 98053

"AT&T: Close to Announcing iNID Vendor, Going Commercial with IPTV this Month"

http://www.newtelephony.com/news/66h515125051732.html

"Chris Rice, executive vice president at AT&T, said the company is on schedule to do its commercial launch of Project Lightspeed by the end of this month in San Antonio, where it’s been in a controlled launch for a few months. Rice said AT&T will launch Lightspeed in 15 to 20 additional markets by the end of this year."

"The controlled launch is using release 1.0 of Microsoft’s IPTV middleware, offers four standard-definition streams, includes more than 200 channels of programming, video on demand, DVR-capable set-top boxes and 6mbps high-speed Internet access.

The commercial launch will employ release 1.1 of Microsoft’s IPTV middleware, which Rice said AT&T received in May. It also will support three standard-definition and one high-definition video stream, and will offer more than 200 channels. It further will include double the number of VoD options available during the controlled launch and provide the same high-speed Internet access. IMS-based VoIP will become part of the service starting in December, said Rice, adding that AT&T has not yet disclosed pricing for Lightspeed services.

While Rice said things have gone pretty smoothly for AT&T as it moves through its controlled tests and on to its commercial launch, one of the challenges was integrating the Microsoft software and other parts of the Lightspeed solution with two different iterations of set-top boxes. For the controlled launch, AT&T is using Tatung set-top boxes, but the commercial services will use Motorola Inc. and Scientific-Atlanta set-top boxes, which are based on STMicroelectronics and Sigma Design Inc. chips, respectively, he explained."

The last statement is wrong (probably a misquote). The MOT set-tops only use SIGM, while SA still plans to go with both solutions.

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Bear Stearns is out with a new report on DTV. Quoting from the report:

OUR LATEST ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL TELEVISION (DTV) adoption suggests that we hit the sweet spot in late 2005 and we expect it to continue to early 2008. This is arguably the most powerful cycle in consumer electronics since the adoption of the PC, however, it is occurring at a much faster rate. We estimate that DTV penetration will reach approximately 25% of households in 2006 and may reach 40% of U.S. households in early 2008. Finally, the recent establishment of the Feb. 17, 2009, as a hard date for the end of U.S. analog television broadcasting also supports our adoption forecasts.
***********************************************

This is good news for SIGM. Expect the DTV wave to lead to increased demand for broadcast services such as AT&T's Lightspeed and Verizon's Fios. Also, keep in mind that DTV is an emerging market for SIGM. As the Baird analyst noted in a recent report:

Digital TVs With Integrated Media Gateways, An Emerging Market For Sigma Designs.
HP plans on rolling out a 37-inch LCD TV with integrated wireless functionality mid-summer to be sold at Best Buy, CompUSA, and other retail outlets in the U.S. We believe Sigma Designs is designed in this TV and HP's upcoming digital TV models enabling the wireless streaming of HD video content. This will be a key feature of Intel's upcoming ViiV media PC platform as it ramps starting in the second half of this year. We expect a number of new digital TV models to feature integrated media gateways, including from Samsung, LG, Sharp, and Acer, which will feature an Ethernet port enabling a direct connection to the router for video-on-demand services. As a reminder, Sigma Designs is the only company currently offering an integrated scaler/deinterlacer/H.264-VC-1 SOC.

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Envivio Showcases MPEG-4 IP Video Systems for Quad Play with H.264 Consumer Set-Top Box at GLOBALCOMM2006

http://www.envivio.com/news/press_release.php?id=121

CHICAGO, IL – June 6, 2006 – At GLOBALCOMM2006, in its booth #47091, Envivio Inc., the first company to have offered Quad Play ready IP video systems, is showcasing its MPEG-4 IP video systems working on a Sigma Designs based H.264 consumer set-top box. The Envivio® systems enable service providers to deliver quarter common intermediate format (QCIF), common intermediate format (CIF), standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) IP video and video on demand (VOD) to all devices – from a mobile video phone, to a PC, and to SD and HD television sets – within a complete MPEG-4 environment and at the lowest bandwidth available on the market today. The demonstrated Video over IP systems can interface with any OSS billing and open standards-based VoIP systems, making them an ideal solution for offering Quad Play where bandwidth is limited and operators wish to provide the latest in competitive services to their subscribers.

The demonstrated solution highlights QCIF, CIF, SD, and HD IP video encoded by the Envivio 4Caster™ M2, B3 and HD3 systems for outstanding video quality at the lowest possible bit rates. The solution demonstrated includes a consumer MPEG-4 set-top box with an EPG driven by the Envivio MPEG-4 Part 11 based technology as well as VOD and other innovative features such as VOIP integration.

Since the Envivio systems are based on open standards, service providers can select from the complete line of Envivio systems or mix and match systems from other open standards-based vendors as they enhance their networks to offer IP video services. From the IP video headend to the set-top box, the Quad Play ready IP video systems from Envivio enable service providers to offer enhanced television services and to increase their average revenue per user (ARPU).

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latest Fios news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/07/06 11:43 am
Msg: 98167 of 98403

In markets that Verizon has been in for 12 months they have 17 percent penetration with their Fios product.
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnF… mN3ZxZWVFRXl5Njk0NDk3NCZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTI=" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnF… mN3ZxZWVFRXl5Njk0NDk3NCZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTI=

Verizon says its fiber-optic network will pass some 4 million homes by years’ end with its FiOS video service, a total investment of $3.6 billion to $5.6 billion.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6340687.html?vert… Special+Report&industryid=1025" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6340687.html?vert… Special+Report&industryid=1025

Assuming that VZ is able to achieve 17% market penetration of the 4 million homes that have Fios available, and assuming 2.5 TV sets per home, this means about $35 million in revenues for SIGM from VZ by the end of next year. As Fios comes to more neighborhoods and the rate of market penetration increases, SIGM sales will increase further.
Byron

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Re: latest Fios news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/07/06 12:50 pm
Msg: 98182 of 98403

According to Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for Microsoft's TV division, there are now 15 major service providers around the world using early-stage Microsoft TV software, including AT&T, BT, Slovak Telekom, Swisscom, TDC, Telecom Italia, Verizon and others.

http://www.physorg.com/news67691981.html

According to statments made by SIGM, they remain the first and today only available silicon solution for MSTV-based IPTV solutions.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=94356

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Reliance may start IPTV services by Year End
Wednesday - Jun 07, 2006 - Reliance Communications has plans to roll out Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services in India by the end of this year. The company is already running trials in 20,000 homes on the TV platform and is in talks with set-top box manufacturers, sources indicated. The company is initially intending to target 200 cities and aims to reach five million IPTV customers.

According to a study done by ABI Research, the total subscribers for IPTV may exceed 120 million by 2010 with the Asia Pacific constituting roughly 47 per cent of the total subscribers worldwide. China and India are seen as major markets.

http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2006/newsfullstory.php?id…

Reliance will most likely use a MOT set top box powered by Sigma:

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=94414

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Texas, Indiana, Kansas and South Carolina already have signed into law a state-approval process. Virginia passed a variation that speeds up the local approval process by setting deadlines. Similar bills are pending in Pennsylvania, California, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, North Carolina and Louisiana. Connecticut recently ruled that AT&T doesn't need franchises for its service on any level.

The U.S. House passed a bill Thursday calling for a national franchise process, with a similar bill pending in the Senate. Passage nationally, however, is complicated by a number of factors, including the debate over whether all Internet traffic should be treated equally as video traffic is expected to surge.

Consumer groups are upset that the legislation lets new video providers choose which communities they want to serve. Currently, cable companies generally are required to serve all neighborhoods in any city they enter -- the so-called "buildout" requirement.

"We're afraid that either state or federal bills will allow the phone companies to redline some neighborhoods, to price gouge others, to eliminate benefits to the local community and allow the existing cable company to backslide," said Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director for U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

Phone companies say they are spending billions of dollars to offer video and high-speed Internet services over fiber-optic connections to the home or the neighborhood, so it makes sense to offer them initially in areas where they're likely to get the most business.

Ed Whitacre, AT&T's chief executive, told the Detroit Economic Club in early May that the initial rollout of TV will reach 5.5 million low-income households in 41 markets.

Verizon said its entry into video is good for consumers because it'll force cable to cut prices.

"It's perfectly evident, if you think about it for three minutes, that the system that's in place now just protects the incumbent monopoly cable provider," said Verizon spokesman Eric Rabe.

"Cable has been the last telecom monopoly and they have taken full advantage of that by raising prices on an annual basis for years," he said.

From 1993 to 2003, cable rates have risen by 53 percent, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Local phone rates in urban areas have risen by 23 percent from 1994 to 2004.

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A March 2006 study by Thomas Hazlett, a professor at George Mason University in Virginia, said wireline video competition would save consumers $9 billion a year.

Verizon also says its upgrade of the phone network to optical fiber, which can carry TV service, is done town by town with no regard to neighborhoods or demographics.

"Our strategy is to go in and do the entire town," said Paul Lacouture, Verizon's vice president of engineering and technology. "That's how you get the operational savings."

But it's not just the telephone companies backing the legislation in some states.

Several bills have a provision that has consumer groups outraged: Cable companies can back out of existing contracts with municipalities and get the same rights as the new video provider. If the new video provider doesn't have to serve all communities, cable wouldn't have to, either.

That's one reason why the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, generally wary of state franchise legislation, now backs some state bills and the two bills in Congress.

Brian Dietz, spokesman for the national cable association, said the industry's goal was to have a level playing field "so the marketplace decides winners and losers, not regulations."

Cable supporters say the industry will still offer their services to all areas even if they get the right to choose communities, since they've already built out their systems.

However, cable won't have an incentive to offer better prices and services if competition doesn't enter these areas, according to the League of Kansas Municipalities, which represents 576 communities.

"Cable changed their posture to get as much as they could out of it," said Don Moler, the league's

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latest IPTV news
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/12/06 10:03 am
Msg: 98444 of 98447

New research points to bright future for telco TV services
12th June 2006

According to research from The Diffusion Group, a Plano, Texas-based research consultancy dedicated to the digital home and connected consumer, new "TelcoTV services" could take as much as 25% of the PayTV market in the first few years. "Some 84% of US households now subscribe to some form of PayTV service, be it cable or satellite," said Dale Gilliam of The Diffusion Group.

http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=7D8C6566-CE55… B4C

There are over 100 million households in the U.S. If 25% of the households that subscribe to PayTV sign up for IPTV, and if the average household has 2.5 TV sets, and if SIGM achieves their goal of 50% market share, this works out to around $1 billion in revenues for SIGM from the U.S. market. Overseas revenues would be in addition to this. As the article above notes, BT Group (British Telecom) is due to launch its IPTV service known as BT Vision during the next few months. This service will be powered by a Philips set top box with SIGM inside.
Byron

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http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Investors/pdf_files/FY06A…

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Tatung news
by: Rus_Lee
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/13/06 09:35 am
Msg: 98488 of 98532

News from Taiwan commercial TV...
Tatung announces today receving big STB orders from major US IPTV supplier during current close Taipei Computex.

The news lifts Tatung stock price up 2% though general Taiwan index down 1.64% today.

There is no further disclosure the amount and quantity of this deal and who the buyer is.

Tatung has whole serial of STB products based on SIGM chipset.

[amorphis]

Update on Korean SIGM IPTV win
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/13/06 10:23 am
Msg: 98501 of 98532

Hanaromedia is due to go live next month in Korea.

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=89&article=3083…

They expect to deploy 300,000 units this year - should mean around $6 million in revenue for SIGM this year.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=97459+

[amorphis]

auch wenns momentan nicht leicht fällt...packt die ganzen news mal zusammen...zu einem großen, ganzen...und? JEPP...strong buy...

Another win in France:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/13/06 11:21 am
Msg: 98513 of 98532

Been busy of late, but had to post this:

French equipment supplier Netgem has just introduced the Netbox 7600 and will sell it through major online retailers such as FNAC:

http://www.netgem.com/admin/news-info/docs/Netgem_Netbox_HDT…

SIGM usage is shown here:

http://multimedia.fnac.com/multimedia/editorial/image/micro_… box7600.pdf

This pdf file is hefty, so here are two excerpts:

"The netbox series 7600 belongs to the netbox family of hybrid IPTV terminals.

Processor: Sigma Designs SMP863x - 300MHz MIPS+200MHz secure CPU - Multi decoding"

The pdf also mentions all of the key specs associated with a leading edge 863x IPTV design.

Netgem is marketing this box now for use in watching hi-def soccer (aka football over there):

http://www.fnac.com/Shelf/article.asp?PRID=1854990&SID=3de1e… 20cef6f1061&UID=08169c053-eced-fadd-4578-a579fcadb023&AID=&Origin=FnacAff&OrderI nSession=1&TTL=140620061622&bl=HGACven4

Netgem also announced usage by Erenis:

http://www.netgem.com/admin/news-info/docs/Erenis-Netgem.pdf

Erenis is the largest fiber operator in France:

http://www.agfprivatequity.com/a939/brikupload/a9392006N0443…

"Erenis, a pioneer in very high-speed bandwidth networks, has successfully deployed over the past three years its new network across 11 Paris districts. “One household in four becomes an Erenis customer for telephony or Internet within six months following our hooking up the building”, says Fréderic Boutissou, CEO of Erenis."


Another win in ST Micro's backyard.

[amorphis]

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060613/20060613005676.html?.v=1

[amorphis]

Sigma Powers Celrun's New Linux-Based Set-Top Box Set for Deployment by Hanaro:

Hanarotelecom's 3.6 million broadband subscribers will be able to purchase programmes for between US$1-2 per month, with a 72-hour window within which to consume their chosen BBCWW fare.

BBCWW strikes IPTV deal in South Korea

BBC Worldwide has struck its first broadband video-on-demand deal in South Korea and has appointed a new director of digital media at the same time.

BBCWW is supplying one of South Korea's leading telecommunications companies, Hanarotelecoms, with over 120 hours of BBC programming for its soon-to-launch IPTV (internet protocol TV) service.

Hanaromedia is due to go live next month and BBCWW is among an array of content providers. Its package will span children's TV, drama, natural history and lifestyle with titles including Fimbles, Pride & Prejudice and Tom Jones

Hanarotelecom's 3.6 million broadband subscribers will be able to purchase programmes for between US$1-2 per month, with a 72-hour window within which to consume their chosen BBCWW fare.

The deal comes on the back of several other VoD deals that BBCWW has struck around the world with the likes of T-Online in Germany, Versatel in Holland, HOT Vision in Israel, Ebismedia in Italy and Telefonica in Spain.

The corporation's commercial distribution arm has also made Simon Danker director of digital media, reporting into David Moody, BBCWW's managing director of digital media and director of strategy.

Danker, who was previously BBCWW director of sales for UK and Ireland TV, will lead the team looking at widening the availability of programmes on new technology platforms such as the internet and mobile phones.

This role will include the development of BBCWW's iPlayer, a commercial version of the BBC's proposed iPlayer, which would allow people to download television and radio programmes via the internet.

Jonathan Webdale
13 Jun 2006

[amorphis]

Of interest - D-Link:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/14/06 08:35 am
Msg: 98583 of 98584

News regarding their line of SIGM-powered products:

"D-Link MediaLounge Wireless Media Players Hit 100,000 Global Shipments Milestone"

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060614/law034.html?.v=53

"FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- D-Link, the end-to-end networking solutions provider for consumers and business, today reported that it has shipped more than 100,000 of its award-winning MediaLounge Wireless Media Players to consumers worldwide since they were introduced 18 months ago."

"Hitting the 100,000th unit shipped plateau is a major milestone for D-Link and our MediaLounge product line, which is taking a strong position in both technical innovation and market share in the emerging digital home segment," said Steven Joe, president and CEO of D-Link Systems, Inc. "We see the digital home entertainment products heading toward mainstream adoption as the technology continues to evolve and converge networking-based platforms that tightly integrate and deliver music, movie and video entertainment services."

"Media players like D-Link's DSM-320, DSM-520, DSM-120 and DSM-320RD are part of the fastest growing segment of the digital home entertainment market, according to the latest research by the Consumer Electronics Association."

con't in link


Not bad considering these volumes are essentially pre-Viiv. The imminent Viiv version 1.5 intro, which really makes these devices plug-and-play, will push unit numbers far beyond this for many suppliers, IMO.

[amorphis]

Re: Of interest - D-Link:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/14/06 08:43 am
Msg: 98584 of 98584

Relatedly:

"CinemaNow Adds Fox Movies, TV Shows"

http://www.informationweek.com/internet/showArticle.jhtml?ar… bSection=E-Business

This was the comment of interest here:

"As an increasing number of people sign up for broadband services, a market is expected to develop for download-to-own movies. That market, however, isn't expected to take off until people can easily play the films they grab from the Internet on a TV. Less than 2 percent of TV watchers have embraced digital media adapters that would link the PC to a television set, according to The Diffusion Group. As a result, a gap remains between broadband services and the living room.

Nevertheless, Hollywood, which has closely watched the music industry's transition to the Web, is cautiously embracing the Internet as a distribution channel, particularly as copyright protection technology improves."


Less than 2%.

It looks like all the pieces needed to get movies/shows from a broadband connection to your living room screen, however, are just about here. When they are, it looks to me like a no-brainer purchase to buy a few media adapters and place them around your home.

[amorphis]

so...ein passender artikel zum thema shorts... sind ja einige shares short gewesen...

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7B4B3…

[amorphis]

China Netcom rolls out IPTV in Beijing
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/14/06 10:30 am
Msg: 98594 of 98620

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/06/14/1682791.htm

China Netcom has also begun trail operations in other places like northern Shanxi Province and northeastern Harbin city.

SIGM has been working with China Netcom for quite a while now.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=86399

[amorphis]

Of very high interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/14/06 11:46 am
Msg: 98618 of 98624

Japanese coverage of the "CATV 2006" show just held in Tokyo:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060614/catv.htm

The article discusses and shows the SIGM-powered IP set-tops VIP1216J and IP-330HD, respectively, from Motorola and Scientific Atlanta.

Of highest interst was this translated comment:

[As a hardware you have almost completed, but with "development of the middleware which is adjusted to the service of the CATV enterprise which is introduced is necessary". Partly due to the fact that noise blends to decoding image "while in the future advancing development, it does the proposition to the CATV enterprise, would like to put out to the market within year" that you say.]

This sure sounds like the middleware required to let these boxes work in cable systems is being developed and that they will be ready for this market within a year (thus, mid-2007).

I have little assumed for SIGM vis-a-vis CATV set-top box sales next year or beyond at this point. If the US MSOs are forced to upgrade to these boxes in the 2007/2008 timeframe to better compete with telco offerings, the added winfall for SIGM here could end up being substantial!


Separately in this article were comments about Pioneer's new plasma HDTV which was recently announced a few months ago for June shipment (as shown here):

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/content/press/news/PDP5000EX.html

The translation of interest from today's article:

[Furthermore, it displays also the full HD plasma monitor "PDP-5000EX" of 50 types which start sale from the earlier June. As for price 1,050,000 Yen. We throw the high picture quality technology of the plasma television "pure vision" series, adopt "new full HD P.U.R.E. Black Panel".

Installing in the same monitor, as for having referred and displaying, the extended board because it corresponds to IP based VOD service. With small-sized board on the rear of PDP-5000EX built-in possibility. It has Ethernet, MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with corresponds to the decoding WMV. Also HDMI and optical digital voice response have. "Demonstration is done as the plasma television which corresponds to VOD which used IP, but in the future it develops as a television or the consumer which are used in one for business whether and so on, concrete directivity still has not been decided", that you say.]

This is no doubt the SIGM-powered design that was demoed at the 2005 CES show. It sounds like this board will be a standard for this model, although what media it will access sounds undecided.


The stock at $10.81 today is utterly ludicrous given all the firm has done and said this year. It reminds me of the perception gap that existed 4-5 years ago when the stock was $1-$2.

[amorphis]

08:24 ET Sigma Designs: IPTV a major theme at GlobalComm; Sigma a direct beneficiary - Roth Capital (SIGM) 11.64 :Roth Capital notes at the recently concluded Globalcomm show in Chicago, IPTV was a major theme of the conference. Motorola (MOT), Scientific Atlanta (SFA) and Microsoft (MSFT) showcased Sigma based products. The firm believes set top boxes featuring co chips could begin to be shipped by the end of June for AT&T (T) deployment. The co is currently shipping product for Deutsche Telekom (DT) deployment. In addition to IPTV, the co is experiencing significant activity in Digital Media Adapters, Portable Media Players as well as DVD recorders. With a growing customer base and several deployments beginning to kick in, the firm believes the fundamentals of the IPTV business remains robust. Trading at 17x their FY08 non-GAAP EPS est of $0.67, they believe the co remains undervalued. Given the recent pullback in stock price, they believe the co is attractive investment and they would encourage investors to put new money to work at these levels.

[amorphis]

Yet ANOTHER Sigma deploy. in France:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/16/06 09:24 am
Msg: 98760 of 98762

The recently discovered Netgem box...

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=98513

...will be the box that Neuf Cegetel deploys:

http://www.zonehd.net/actualite/neuf-cegetel-lance-son-decod… -vod-avec-glowria/

Partial translation:

[Last nine Cegetel: launch its decoder Last nines TV HD and the VOD with Glowria

After Freebox HD of Free, it is with the turn of the supplier of access Internet Last nine Cegetel of officially launching its decoder High definition: Last nines TV HD, compatible TNT and HD. This offer will be operational in Paris, Lyon and Marseilles. In addition, thanks to this new decoder and in partnership with Glowria, the VOD (Video upon request) will be available to the nearest re-entry.

The new decoder Last nines TV HD, always developed in partnership with Netgem, preserves its current esthetics and its principal characteristics are:

· a chipset MPEG-4 SD and Full HD Sigma Designs;

· a tuner TNT SD and HD;

· many a codecs embarked for advanced functions of MédiaCenter;

· a catch HDMI allowing the connection of television sets Full HD or HD ready;

· two Péritel catches (for exits Composite, RVB, S-Video, YPbPr);

· a port USB 2.0;

· numerical exits S/P DIF optical and mini analogical/numerical jack to connect hi-fi system, Home Cinema, etc;

· a new ergonomic remote control.]


Neuf Cegetel will be yet another seven-figure unit customer for SIGM:

http://www.groupeneufcegetel.fr/html/en/Press/Neuf_Cegetel_l… xed_mobile_convergence_is_launching_TWIN_the_first_GSM_WiFi_hybrid_telephone_on_ the_consumer_market.html

"About the Neuf Cegetel Group

Neuf Cegetel is the leading alternative operator in France. The group operates its own national long distance network, comprising 44,800 kilometres of optical fibres, and has invested heavily in the rollout of its DSL access network. This means that Neuf Cegetel is in a position to produce its own broadband services, control the costs and quality of its services and sell them directly to 70% of the French population. Neuf Cegetel is the leading unbundled line operator in Europe, with 1.7 million unbundled lines, and has a presence in all segments of the market, providing a wide range of all-IP services to 3 million residential customers, including 1.3 million broadband customers, through its Neuf and Cegetel brands. 118,000 corporate sites are connected to its network and 200 telecoms and Internet service providers benefit from its wholesale services. Neuf Cegetel, whose two key shareholders are the Louis Dreyfus and SFR Groups, reported pro forma revenues of 2.752 billion euros in 2005."



It looks like SIGM is running the table in France (sorry STM), the first country offering multiple hi-def IPTV services.

The breadth of SIGM's success so far in IPTV is simply staggering. These guys are getting better positioned than even I ever thought possible. I don't know what the shorts think they're doing at this point, but firms with growth potential like SIGM's have COMPLETELY buried those betting against them in the past.

The best part is that they won't be able to say that they haven't been warned.

[amorphis]

Netflix is reloading its VOD plans:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/16/06 10:54 pm
Msg: 98814 of 98816

"Netflix adds details to download plan"

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6344815.html

Online rentailer says service could launch this year
By Jennifer Netherby 6/16/2006
JUNE 16 | BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. —Netflix VP of original programming Eric Besner this week revealed some of the online rental service’s thinking on the movie download business, saying Netflix is planning to introduce a proprietary set-top box with an Internet connection that could download movies overnight.

Speaking at an Independent Film & Television Alliance here, Besner said that the business model is still being worked out but that the download service would likely launch—possibly as early as this year—as part of the subscription fee members pay for conventional DVD rentals.

He said the set-top box is just one of the Internet plans that Netflix is working on.


I assume this will still be the SIGM-powered set-top model from CSCO/Linksys/Kiss. Lots of unit potential here if even a fraction of Netflix's customer base gets these boxes.

[amorphis]

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060612/1003477.asp

[amorphis]

http://www.microsoft.com/tv/IPTVEdition.mspx

[amorphis]

Re. SIGM's Sony Blu-Ray win:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/19/06 09:01 am
Msg: 98846 of 98847

Anecdotal evidence starts to emerge:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/16/samsungs-bd-p1000-launch-…

"Rumors are out that the Sony and Pioneer players utilize a newer Sigma Designs decoder chip that allows whatever is on the disc to be output natively with no unnecessary, and quality robbing conversions (if your TV can handle it)."

http://www.hdbeat.com/2006/06/16/cnet-first-look-samsung-bd-…

"The Sony and Pioneer are both using a Sigma Designs chip (confirmed by an SD employee @ AVS) that does full 1080p decoding onboard.


Also interesting from the first URL is the verbiage preceeding the SIGM comment that suggests that Toshiba's and Samsung's use of a deinterlacer (needed due to the BRCM chip's inability to output 1080i) creates a less than optimum viewing experience:

"The Samsung, given the photos people have seen of the interior boards, is not the 1080p standard bearer. It seems to be doing a 1080p->1080i->1080p hat trick. The Broadcomm decoder chip (the same as in the Toshiba HD-DVD player) cannot output 1080p. They're using a de-interlacer after the decoder to convert it back to 1080p (if you choose that as your video output resolution).

The trouble is that some inexpensive "reverse telecine" de-interlacers "bob" the video to 540p, so as to halve part of the pixel matrix!

This was also a problem with some of Warner Brother's HD-DVD titles like A Perfect Storm, The Fugitive, and Full Metal Jacket where older 1080i/60 HD tapes were used and run through a "bobbing" de-interlacer. The resultant video was robbed of much of its original data, and looked much softer than a new, true 1080p/24 transfer.

So, don't judge Blu-Ray on the basis of the first, and probably not the best, player to market."

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.171.899 von amorphis am 19.06.06 16:10:56

Guten Morgen,

charttechnisch sieht Sigma sehr schlecht aus. Ich gehe von wesentlich niedrigeren Kursen aus. Bleibt aber jedem überlassen, was er daraus macht. Kurzfristig (bis Wochenende) bietet Southern Silver wieder einmal eine Tradingchance. Da sollten locker mal wieder 10% und mehr drin sein.

kiska

[amorphis]

ich denke sigm hat einen boden erreicht...es ist nur noch eine frage der zeit...bis wir hier deutlich höhere kurse sehen werden...bei einer firma...welche dieses jahr die entscheidenen schritte geht...kann man nicht nach charts entscheiden...

hier ein sehr guter "win" für sigm...das problem ist einfach nur...die breite masse bekommt diese "win's" für sigm gar nicht mit...in dieser meldung wird z.b. der name sigm gar nicht erwähnt...wer jetzt allerdings weiß...das es da eine gewisse beziehung zwischen der Shanghai Media Group und sigm gibt...der erkennt die bedeutung dieser nachricht!nur die breite masse...welche den kurs deutlich höher treiben wird...als diese derzeitigen "witz"-kurse...die erkennt das ganze erst durch die immer stärker anziehenden zahlen in den kommenden quartalen...

erneut ein hammer fund von winter...

Of high interest - IPTV in China:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/20/06 08:37 am
Msg: 98885 of 98911

"Shanghai to launch citywide IPTV services in September"

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/06/20/283621/Shanghai_…

"SHANGHAI will launch citywide broadband-based TV services in September for the first time as more partners have been roped in and Internet access speed has improved, Shanghai Media Group said yesterday.

At present, IPTV services (Internet Protocol TV), which offer live broadcast channels, video-on-demand programs, weather broadcasts and information on traffic and restaurants, are only available in the city's Minhang District and Pudong New Area with about 100,000 users.

"We will officially launch it (IPTV) in September after Shanghai Telecom finishes upgrading the local network, from 1 megabit to 2M or 3M a second," said Wang Zuogong, vice president of BestTV, an IPTV subsidiary of SMG, the sole national IPTV operation license owner.

Meanwhile, BestTV signed an agreement with Baidu.com, the most popular Chinese-language Internet search engine, to put Baidu's ask-and-answer column "Baidu Knows" in BestTV's IPTV package, which charges users a monthly flat rate of 30 yuan (US$3.75).

"The cooperation creates the magical charm of a combined computer and TV platform," said Wang, who added the firm is seeking more Internet Website partners.

On Sunday, BestTV signed an accord with Hong Kong TVB, a free-to-air broadcaster, to provide users with TVB programs, said Wang.

IPTV's adoption user number is expected to reach 5.7 million in China this year, triple (!!!!!!!!) last year's level. The number will jump to 16.5 million in 2008, according to iResearch Inc, a Shanghai-based IT research firm.

Shanghai Telecom uses ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber loop) services to transfer IPTV data. The telco, with more than 1 million local ADSL family users, said it gives IPTV subscribers free set-top boxes to connect the traditional TV to the broadband network.

Although China's IPTV industry will grow rapidly based on 26 million broadband users (by 2005), it still faces problems like uncertain policies and high costs, according to Nancy Dang, iSuppli Corp's analyst.

The breakeven income for IPTV every month is 85 yuan, much higher than the current price level about 30 yuan, according to Dang.

Liang Dong, Baidu's vice president, said the agreement with BestTV doesn't cover profit distribution as IPTV is still at the stage of starting up in China."


As we know, SIGM is tied to SMG's IPTV efforts via UTStarcom and its customers China Telecom and China Netcom. There is, of course, also the separate SMG/SIGM PR about using SIGM's chips in a new DMB receiver.

The IPTV numbers in China alone are staggering.

Notwithstanding ongoing claptrap from the board's gadflys, this stock remains poised to explode to the upside.

[amorphis]

May-Jun-Jul quarter
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/20/06 08:51 am
Msg: 98887 of 98912

Regarding the May-Jun-Jul quarter, I'm hearing the same things the Roth analyst is hearing.

http://finance.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&board=4687185&t… action=m&mid=98748

IPTV set top box sales continue to grow rapidly, portable media player sales remain strong, and DMA and DVD business is starting to come on. This quarter I expect SIGM to beat expectations for sales AS WELL AS earnings. Taking the rest of the day off today.
Byron

[amorphis]

und es geht weiter...

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060620/cgtu045.html?.v=58

[amorphis]

The BT launch looms:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/20/06 11:40 am
Msg: 98897 of 98912

"BT to launch revolutionary broadband package"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.htm… 28&in_page_id=1770

"The traditional telephone call is dead, BT admitted today, with the launch of a new broadband internet system bringing free voice and video calls. The company launched the BT Broadband hub, which will sit at the centre of the home's telephone, internet and television systems."

"The television service will include a BT set-top box and offer access to all the Freeview TV and radio channels, as well as Premiership football and blockbuster movies on a pay-per-view basis."

"BT Vision is the name for the company's new television service. Customers will buy a set-top box, likely to cost less than £100, that will connect to the hub. The service will launch this autumn, however the contract to show Premiership football does not kick-off until the 2007/08 season."

A previous story:

"BT Vision brand for new broadband video-on-demand - BT has announced that its forthcoming broadband video service will be known as BT Vision and that it will now be launched in the autumn."

http://informitv.com/articles/2006/03/20/btvisionbrand/

"The set-top box is being provided by Philips, with software supplied by Microsoft."


Sounds to me like these set-tops will be ready soon. Thus, another substantial unit opportunity awaits us before long.

And the stock remains in a coma.

[amorphis]

http://msn.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,126163,00.asp?GT1=…

[amorphis]

na...was sagen wir denn dazu???

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/ExtendedTradingTrades.aspx…

Sigma Designs, Inc.
Pre-Market | After Hours Market Jun. 20, 2006 Market Close: $ 11.16



After Hours Trade Reporting

After Hours
Last: $ 11.66 After Hours
High: $ 11.66
After Hours
Volume: 152,700 After Hours
Low: $ 11.66


After Hours
Time (ET) After Hours
Price After Hours
Share Volume
16:55 $ 11.66 152,700


das ganze mit nur einem trade...ich stehe nicht alleine mit der meinung das derzeitige kurse geschenkt sind...

[amorphis]

mobile TV
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/21/06 02:35 pm
Msg: 98949 of 98975

June 21, 2006 - By the end of 2010, mobile TV broadcast subscribers worldwide will reach 102 million, a giant leap from 3.4 million in 2006, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). Recognizing that using cellular networks to deliver content that millions want to watch simultaneously requires much greater bandwidth than is currently available, carriers are turning to mobile TV broadcast networks, which have a much lower cost per bit for video delivery, the high-tech market research firm says.

http://webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?SESSIONID=&aId=15558

SIGM is now in the mobile TV space through its partnership with Shanghai Media. As the Baird analyst noted in a recent report:

SMEG Opportunity Is Very Significant
An announcement was made last March in the local China press that Shanghai Media & Entertainment Technology Development Co. Ltd (SMETD) and Sigma Designs have come to an agreement to promote the use of Sigma's 8622/24 decoders with DMB mobile TV receiver technology for use in a variety of mobile platforms. SMETD was established by the Shanghai Media & Entertainment Group (SMEG), one of the largest Asia conglomerates and a dominant telco in mainland China providing TV, radio, and Internet services over traditional as well as emerging media platforms including broadband and interactive TV, mobile TV including in mobile phones, and IP TVs. The company is vertically integrated, from the content to its own mobile phones. We believe SMEG is the only company to have an IPTV license in China so far. The announcement suggests Sigma Designs is very well positioned into terrestrial or satellite receivers sold by SMEG going forward.

http://www.smeg.sh.cn/news/news_view.asp?newsid=696

I see lots of future opportunity for SIGM in the mobile TV space.
Byron

[amorphis]

Of interest - FVD:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/22/06 11:20 am
Msg: 98980 of 98983

"Taiwan-developed HD-FVD Media Center to be offered next quarter"

http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20060622A6026.html

"The Electronics & Optoelectronics Lab (EOL), under the Taiwan-government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), on June 21 unveiled the HD-FVD Media Center, a high-definition (HD) video recorder compatible with the Taiwan-developed forward versatile disc (FVD) standard. The model is scheduled to come into volume production by local OEM makers in the third quarter of this year.

With high-definition home entertainment as its appeal, the HD-FVD Media Center supports FVD movie disc playback, video/audio recording, MP3 playback and writing and access to the Internet, according to EOL deputy director Der-ray Huang.

Several retail channels in Europe have placed orders for the HD-FVD Media Center, with initial retail prices there expected to be in the US$150-200 range, Huang pointed out. Including these orders, EOL has set a sales goal of 300,000 HD-FVD Media Centers for this year, Huang indicated. As sales grow, more local OEM makers will produce the HD-FVD Media Center, and consequently the retail-price level may drop to US$100, Huang noted. In addition to the European market, two or three American enterprises, including HDNet, are interested in importing the HD-FVD Media Center, Huang said.

In related news, Lite-On IT, the largest maker of optical disc drives in Taiwan, has landed orders for PC-use FVD drives from clients in the US and will begin shipments in the fourth quarter of this year, according to industry sources."


If 300K units do finally ship this year, that should be a nice add to SIGM's 2H.

[amorphis]

Gilder is getting it:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/22/06 10:37 pm
Msg: 99017 of 99020

http://www.gilder.com/fridayletter/Samples/06.16.06.htm

"Friday Feature / Sigma’s New Life After Television
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
Charlie Burger: Life After Television means a lifeline of opportunities for Sigma Designs (SIGM), opportunities that are brightening as quickly as television is darkening. By plunging into the market early and putting all the various standards on one chip, Sigma has achieved a real edge against Broadcom (BRCM), Texas Instruments (TXN), Intel (INTC), and others, who assumed they could wait until standards were settled. The company’s media processors, which boast ports and pumps to every conceivable connector, drove revenue up 41%, mainly through increased chipset sales to manufacturers of IPTV set-top boxes, followed by sales into portable media players in Asia.

Volume shipments into set-top boxes should boost sales another 20% this quarter. Sigma’s close partnership with Microsoft TV continues to flourish as telcos accelerate broadband deployments in preparation for major roll-outs of Sigma-dependent IPTV. Sigma also leads in media processors for Linux-based boxes and claims 65% of the rising IPTV market. Set-top box wins include Motorola/MOT (for AT&T/T), Phillips (for BT/BT), Cisco/CSCO (through Scientific Atlanta/SFA), and UTStarcom (UTSI). Altogether, Sigma is working on designs with 14 of the top 25 providers of IPTV services, including the top 2 (Freebox in France and AT&T) and 4 more of the top 10.

Further out, driving “double digit” sequential growth during the second half of the year will be continued vaulting of volume shipments to Telcos and set-top box manufacturers, building demand for video players in China, and the launch of top-brand Blue-ray players in time for the holidays. Look for a big Blu-ray ramp to follow during 2007. (Sigma dominates the market for each of the competing DVD standards—Blu-ray and HD DVD.)"

[amorphis]

http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/news/2006/jun/22/news4.html

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.235.722 von amorphis am 23.06.06 05:36:46

Hallo amorphis,

bin noch immer chartmässig sehr skeptisch. Wenn die Indikatoren nicht lügen dürfte wohl erst zwischen 8 und 9 Dollar ein Boden gefunden werden. Unterstellt, dass bis dahin der $/€ kurs bei 1,30 liegt dürfte auf €-Basis ein Kurs zwischen 6 und 7 Euro dabei rauskommen.

kiska

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.237.917 von kiska am 23.06.06 09:19:04

[amorphis]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.254.704 von kiska am 24.06.06 07:25:08

kiska...kann nur sagen...steig zu diesen kursen ein...

Of interest:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/24/06 10:02 am
Msg: 99060 of 99079

1) IO Data updates its SIGM-powered player:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/23/io-data-updates-avel-link…

"It seems that a new networked DVD player cum media extender pops up nearly every day around here -- just recently, we saw models from Omisys and NeoDigits -- and now I-O Data has released yet another model called the AVeL LinkPlayer AV-LS300DW. Also available without WiFi as the AV-LS300D (but what fun is that?), the 300DW is a follow up to the AVLP2/DVDG that the company released almost two years ago, supporting the same MPEG-1/2, DivX, XviD, WMV9, MP3, AAC, WMA, and Ogg files as its predecessor. What makes the new model different is an HDCP-capable HDMI output, which brings in the possibility of streaming HD content as well as upconverting your DVDs to 720p or 1080i. You can pick up the wired version for $294 or the wireless model for around $30 more -- if you live in Japan, that is."

2) The Digital Cowboy product also get souped up:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060623/dev154.htm

Translated excerpts:

[5 inch drive built-in the HDD player original kit which is possible It corresponds to WMV HD and MPEG-2 TS playback DIGITAL COWBOY "MOVIE COWBOY DC-MC50U2

In addition, playback efficiency substantially strengthening. We load "EM8621L" of Sigma Design onto the decoder tip/chip, correspond to the image file of the HD picture quality of WMV and WMV HD and MPEG-2 TS etc. anew. So far because only "the TViX HD M-5000U" extent of DViCO there was a corresponding product, it is the case that the new choices appeared.]


Tidbits here, while SIGM continues to build an almost unprecedented market position across five increasingly related form factors. The shorts and skeptics have absolutely no idea what will be stated and realized by SIGM over the next 4 Qs. Unfortunately, the vast majority of potential buyers do not know either...yet.

[amorphis]

Cavalier has 2 mil potential customers
by: byronangel (M/Washington State)
Long-Term Sentiment: Strong Buy 06/26/06 10:48 am
Msg: 99098 of 99106

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Kasenna, The IPTV Company(TM), today announced that Cavalier Telephone and TV, an innovative provider of telecommunications services, has gone live with the United State's first MPEG-4-based (H.264) Broadband TV service. With a complete Triple-Play package including advanced features such as on-screen caller ID, Broadcast TV and Video-on- Demand, Cavalier has immediately moved to the forefront of the IPTV industry.

Cavalier Telephone is a competitive provider of telecommunications services with headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. Cavalier plans to roll out its video services in other markets in the coming months including: Norfolk, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Metro Washington, DC. Cavalier's Broadband TV will be available to two million homes passed with its Triple Play service when this rollout is complete.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060626/sfm061.html?.v=57

Cavalier Telephone Selects Amino Set-Top Boxes For IPTV Rollout

Amino confirmed that Cavalier Telephone has chosen Amino's AmiNET124 set-top box as part of its IPTV (IP Television) services development. The AmiNET124 is Amino’s first single-chip IP set-top box which supports the new MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) video compression standard.

http://www.tvover.net/Cavalier+Telephone+Selects+Amino+SetTo… lout.aspx

The AmiNET124 set top box is powered by the Sigma 8634. Everything I hear continues to indicate that the May-Jun-Jul quarter is going to be a very strong one for SIGM, with both sales and earnings exceeding expectations. This quarter will be reported at the end of August. If the stock isn't already moving by that time, the earnings will get it moving.
Byron

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.285.418 von amorphis am 26.06.06 19:37:18

Moin amorphis,

trotz des gestrigen Rückgangs sehe ich immer noch nicht den richtigen Einstiegszeitpunkt. Der Rücksetzter erscheint zwar verlockend, aber ich warte noch auf den Sell-Out. Werde mal ein Limit bei € 7,20 mit ersten Käufen und ein zweites Limit bei 6,70 setzen.

Gruß

kiska

P.S.: Auch Genta gefällt mir überhaupt nicht. Wenn ich Zeit habe, werd ich im dortigen Thread was dazu schreiben.

[amorphis]

Quick thoughts from Chicago:
by: WINTER_CFA 06/27/06 09:31 am
Msg: 99264 of 99266

I am amazed at how successful the short attack on SIGM has been, culminated by yesterday's hatchet job rehash by a West Coast "research house" that clearly has a friend or two among the SIGM shorts at the very least.

My position on the options issue is the same as SIGM's: nothing wrong or at least out of the norm was done and and it is not a concern so litle time is going to be spent addressing it. If you are investing in SIGM because of the fundamental strength of its story, as I am, then that is what you should remain focused on (as I am doing).

SIGM's actions have been out there for all to see and no letters have been received by them from the SEC (who seems to be going after the biggest and most blatent offenders - the ones that hit the lows every year). For SIGM, the worst case scenario as I see it would be a wrist slap and some non-cash restatements (lawsuits, IMO, wouldn't have a prayer).

With that in mind, the short position rise to 4.5M+ and the stock drop to $10 are beyond absurd. Granted, my stock price pain has been high in recent days, but I STILL know where we are likely heading before long.

My perception of where we are heading remains based on the expectation of a couple of really good Qs that should be seen in AUG and NOV, additional sell-side coverage, major IPTV PRs (the WSJ today mentions AT&T's Lightspeed rollout to "thousands" now in San Antonio - using a Tatung box - probably the SIGM-assisted 4000 model), major blue laser PRs, and (maybe a little farther out) major HDTV and PMP PRs.

I don't know how exactly how soon it will occur, but this stock is going to snap back like a rocket in due course. The shorts, if they are paying attention, should realize that they've made their pound of flesh (unethically in my mind) and should be looking to cover ASAP.

We will look back in the near future and wonder how this stock could have possibly sold at $10. With 25 years in this business as of today, I've seen this happen on more occasions than I can count.

Waiting and watching, but not worrying.

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.299.899 von amorphis am 27.06.06 16:09:17

Hallo amorphis,

habe die erste kleine Position von Sigma ( 150 Aktien ) zu € 7,40 erworben. Mag zwar etwas zu teuer gewesen sein, aber ich rechne mit einer baldigen technischen Reaktion.
Das untere Limit bleibt erhalten.

kiska

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.302.878 von kiska am 27.06.06 19:12:38

Moins amorphis,

hab eine kleine Bitte an Dich. Könntest Du das Eingestellte in kurzen Worten ins Deutsche übersetzen. Denke viele andere Nutzer und auch ich haben nicht die Zeit jeden Beitrag zu übersetzen.

Amtssprache ist deutsch!

Gruß

kiska

[kiska]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.303.172 von kiska am 27.06.06 19:28:24

jep, und noch mal ne kleine Position zu 7,29 gekauft.

Kurzfristig sollte wieder ein Kurs zwischen 10 und 11 Dollar möglich sein. Das würde in Euro ca 8 bis 9 bedeuten. Bei günstiger Entwicklung sind 10 nicht ausgeschlossen.