Microprose MPI-500 Digital TV Converter Receives NTIA Certification

PRLog (Press Release) – Mar 03, 2008 – Ushering in the nation's transition to digital television (DTV), the digital-to-analog converter box developed by Microprose Systems, LLC has been officially certified for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) digital-to-analog converter box program.

The NTIA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, certified the Microprose Systems Model MPI-500 Digital "coupon-eligible converter box" under the government program that will provide up to two $40 coupons per household to go toward the purchase of converter boxes. Consumers with analog TVs that receive their broadcast signals using an antenna can use the Microprose converter box to receive the new interference-free digital TV broadcasts. On Feb. 17, 2009, analog TV broadcasting ends in the United States.

"This is a very exciting opportunity.   To be part of such a major technology transition for the United States and to provide Over the Air Television viewers with features and capabilities normally only available to Cable and Satellite subscribers," stated Microprose’s Director of Consumer Electronics Division, Microrprose Systems, LLC  North American Headquarters.

"Our product is a necessary component of the DTV transition assuring that millions of Americans will continue to receive free-over-the-air TV programming after the digital switch in just a year from now. Microprose Systems is proud of its participating role in the transition of today’s TV viewers into the realm of the latest in digital television technologies," he said.

The Microprose MPI-500 converter model is designed to deliver DVD-quality digital broadcast images even on older analog TVs.    Delivering such advanced features as a digital on-screen TV programming guide.   Receiving many more programs then before through "multicast" channels.  

In addition to V-Chip parental control, the box provides advanced digital closed captions, including the capability to choose from multiple type fonts, sizes, colors, backgrounds and more. The remote control includes a "cc" button for easy caption access.

For easy setup and simple navigation, the Microprose MPI-500 converter includes trilingual (English, Spanish and French) support of menu’s and prompts, can be selected to auto-scan  and add Channels and includes an easy to use Remote Control.
Other features include an all-format ATSC receiver, flexible 4:3 and 16:9 display formats, PSIP processing, channel 2-69 tuning, RF input and RF output, and composite (RCA jacks) video and left-right stereo TV audio outputs.

Designed to operate at less than 8 watts active and 1 watt standby, the certified converter box exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's EnergyStar program requirements for digital-to-analog converters.

NTIA certification for the Microprose converter box followed extensive laboratory tests verifying the performance and features. Technically speaking, the Microprose certified converter was designed to meet or exceed the NTIA's requirements for sensitivity/RF dynamic range; phase-noise and burst-noise performance; co-channel, adjacent-channel and taboo-channel rejection; and performance meeting the NTIA field ensemble and single static echo criteria.

Now that the digital-to-analog converter box has been certified as coupon eligible, Microprose Systems is gearing up production and preparing for distribution through all Certified Retailers supporting the launch of the NTIA coupon program.

For more information, please visit www.microprosesystems.com.
SOURCE Microprose Systems, LLC.