MOSCOW -- (Marketwire) -- 01/30/13 -- During the CSTB 2013 show in Moscow, Aston is showcasing the first prototype of its Maya HD PVR satellite receiver built around the latest-generation HD H.264 STiH237 (Cardiff) decoder chipset from STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a top global supplier of set-top box (STB) ICs. The Maya HD receiver offers a cost-effective solution that meets Aston's exacting quality standards. The platform is compliant with all off-the-shelf conditional access systems, including Viaccess and Conax.

Reflecting most challenging quality standards
Drawing on 25 years' experience in satellite receivers and leveraging the optimized design developed by STMicroelectronics, the new platform from Aston integrates the highest quality standards in terms of technical specifications and choice of components. High-quality hardware design, combined with Aston's deep software-development expertise, offers customers the fluidity and reliability they have come to expect from the brand.

"Aston's new Maya HD receiver is strong evidence of the performance, advanced level of integration, and reliability of our STiH237 (Cardiff) chipset, to both teams' design expertise and our joint commitment to quickly develop a technologically sophisticated receiver," said Mustapha Bouraoui, Vice-President Marketing & Applications EMEA at STMicroelectronics. "As a company with a long history of collaboration in its DNA, ST is pleased with its cooperative efforts and achievement with Aston."

Cost-effective solution
The Maya HD features an optimized design that delivers exceptional value for money. All mechanical and electronic components have been totally optimized through a unique approach that makes no concessions on quality and reliability.

Sleek, elegant design
In keeping with Aston's reputation for exclusive trend-setting industrial design, the innovative, compact and exceptionally sleek Maya HD device sets new standards in the satellite-receiver market.

At the heart of the Maya HD, the STiH237 decoder is manufactured in ST's low-power system-on-chip process technology that enables the integration of a high-performance satellite receiver and all of the features to support personal video recording and Over-the-Top video services. The STiH237 supports the full range of HD broadcast and multimedia codecs, hybrid and IP standards, the latest security and content protection standards, and important middleware stacks from the leading providers.

Meeting the latest low-power objectives, ST's decoder also delivers outstanding "green" features such as the latest generation of energy-efficient Ethernet and a 0.5W stand-by mode with fast-resume capability.

Aston's new line of satellite receivers, built on ST's HD set-top box decoder technology, offers alternative innovative and exceptionally robust solutions with proven capabilities for the fast-expanding markets of Russia, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries and Eastern Europe, where cost-effectiveness is a winning factor. The Maya HD product line reflects Aston's commitment to growing its presence in the global satellite receiver market.

The close collaboration between Aston and STMicroelectronics, which enabled the development of the latest-generation platform in less than three months, illustrates Aston's ability to combine technological prowess with cost-effectiveness without compromising on reliability or market differentiation. This will result in the rollout of an entirely new range of high-definition satellite receivers by summer 2013, underscoring Aston's goal of expanding its international footprint and developing innovative product design methods to better meet target-market expectations.

"Aston leveraged its long-standing partnership with STMicroelectronics to cooperatively develop an innovative new platform for widespread deployment in record time. STMicroelectronics has successfully integrated our exacting technology standards and tailored its solution to meet our needs. We are extremely satisfied with the outcome of this collaboration," said Stéphane Nitenberg, CEO of Aston.

About ASTON
Active in the global digital TV marketplace for over 20 years, ASTON designs, develops and manufactures reception solutions for digital satellite and terrestrial TV, as well as for the new connected value-added services. As an industrial player, the company controls the entire production chain, from product creation and development to marketing. Innovation and technology have always been at the core of the company's strategy. As such, ASTON works with key partners to develop platforms with VOD functionalities, Catch-Up Television, Connected Television, and even HbbTV and Android applications. ASTON also develops multi-room and multi-screen solutions. For more information visit www.aston-france.com or follow us on Twitter @AstonFrance.

About STMicroelectronics
ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the spectrum of sense and power and automotive products and embedded processing solutions. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office, at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

In 2011, the Company's net revenues were $9.73 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

ST Aston Set Top Box: http://hugin.info/152740/R/1673997/545032.pdf