Firefly brings video-over-UWB technology to Europe

Firefly Technology has signed a European representative agreement for a new UWB technology that enables wireless video streaming and high speed multimedia file transfer at up to 480Mbps with the Semiconductor Group of California-based Focus Enhancements.

Under the agreement, Firefly will support Focus Enhancements’ UWB Technology which is designed to be compliant with WiMedia® UWB common radio platform standards and Certified Wireless USB technology from the USB Implementers Forum. Focus’ UWB technology is world ready, and supports the higher WiMedia frequency bands 7 and 8 in the region of 6-7GHz expected to be available in Europe.

Firefly will also support European customers with the existing Focus portfolio of high performance ICs for the video convergence market including IPTV, set top box and portable media player applications. They will work with existing Focus customers on these products, and will also be responsible for developing new markets for them.

"Entering the UWB wireless market was a strategic decision for us," commented Tony James, Managing Director of Firefly Technology. "Focus impressed us because their solution is compatible with the expected European bandwidth allocation, and because they have an established customer base here in Europe for their video ICs." He added, "We already have engagements with significant customers in the consumer video domain, and we believe that UWB technology from Focus represents a logical step for them."

Focus Enhancements’ HD TV encoder semiconductor chips are designed into applications including gaming consoles, IPTV set-top boxes, navigation systems and portable media players and incorporated in high profile consumer products including the Microsoft® Zune™, and Toshiba Gigabeat® Portable Media Players.

Mark Zadeh, vice-president of worldwide sales for Focus Enhancements’ semiconductor group, said, "We were impressed by the depth and strength of the technical support that Firefly is able to bring to our products. Firefly has existing relationships with many of our key customers in Europe, and can offer an extremely high level of technical, marketing and sales support. Europe is a key market for us, and we are convinced that Firefly is the right partner to enable our customers in the region and ourselves to move forward positively together."

About Focus Enhancements, Inc.
Focus Enhancements Inc. (NASDAQ CM: FCSE), headquartered in Campbell, CA, is a leading designer of world-class solutions in advanced, proprietary video and wireless video technologies. Many of the world's largest technology companies partner with Focus Enhancements for high performance TV encoder, UWB, and video convergence solutions. The company’s semiconductor group develops integrated circuits (ICs) for high-performance applications in the video convergence market, including IPTV set-top boxes and portable media players. Focus Enhancements is currently developing a wireless IC chip set based on the WiMedia UWB standard and designed to be compatible with Wireless USB, and used in personal computer (PC), consumer electronics (CE), and mobile electronics applications. The company’s Systems Group develops video products for the digital media markets, with customers in the broadcast, video production, digital signage and digital asset management markets. More information on Focus Enhancements may be obtained from the company’s SEC filings, or by visiting the Focus Enhancements home page at: http://www.focusinfo.com.

About Firefly Technology
Firefly Technology’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading advanced semiconductor technology representatives is based on complete focus and extensive industry experience. Its business model is to act in every way as the principal's OEM sales team in Europe. That means not only taking full ownership of every sales opportunity in the region, ensuring that customers technical, design and logistical support expectations are met and exceeded, but also assuming complete responsibility for marketing and demand creation for each line that it represents. Firefly Technology has ongoing representative agreements with semiconductor companies such as Altera, International Rectifier, Pixelworks, SigmaTel, and many more. Firefly Technology is headquartered near Reading, UK, and has additional offices abroad. For further information please visit: http://www.fireflytech.com/.

For further details please contact Firefly Technology, The Byre, Lantern Courtyard, The Street, Bramley, Hants, RG26 5DE. Tel: +44 (0) 1256 884980, Fax: +44 (0) 1256 884981
E-mail: sales@fireflytech.com; Web: www.fireflytech.com

Press Contact: Peter van der Sluijs
Neesham Public Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 628180
Email: peterv@neesham.co.uk

Photo caption: from left to right: David Drummond, Director Strategic Sales – Semiconductor Group, Focus Enhancements, Inc.; Martin Walker, Applications Manager, Firefly Technology Limited.


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