Royal Philips Electronics further strengthened its portfolio of technology solutions for mobile phone manufacturers by introducing Platform4 Micro Edition (ME), a complete media encoding and decoding software-based product line enabling 3GPP-compliant multimedia handling by next generation mobile phones.

Philips' Platform4 ME will enable mobile phone manufacturers and OEM partners to implement advanced multimedia functionality in handsets, including mobile camera phones already in the market. This major development will enable manufacturers and operators to speed up introduction of audio and video capturing and playback capabilities, enabling consumers to use Multimedia Message Services (MMS) functionality to both produce, send and playback video messages and high-quality audio files.

Importantly, Platform4 ME offers both embedded coding and content authoring functionality, along with 3GPP-compliant enhancements for network adaptation and error resiliency, end-to-end content protection and digital rights management (DRM).

In offering a quality video transmission solution, Platform4 ME will be of great interest to operators looking to multimedia features like video mail as an attractive additional source of revenue. Consumers will be able to send and receive video clips via the MMS-enabled mobile camera phones now rolling out around the world, giving Platform4 ME a dynamic role in driving the popularity of next generation devices.

Philips' Platform4 ME middleware solution comprises three packages - Platform4 CamCoder ME (a video encoder for camera-equipped mobile phones), and two video playback products, Platform 4 Player ME and Platform4 Player Pro ME.

Platform4 CamCoder ME employs Philips' best-in-class multimedia encoding technology with a choice of formats, including MPEG-4, H.263 and AMR-NB audio. Three encoding modes ensure optimal image quality, efficiency and performance. Captured and encoded audio/video content can easily be attached to MMS files and e-mail messages.

Platform4 Player ME provides efficient, high-quality playback of multimedia content obtained through streaming or downloading. It integrates seamlessly with MMS clients and embedded browsers and supports all display formats that are being deployed in mobile handsets. Supported media formats include MPEG-4 and H.263 video, and AMR-WB and AMR-NB audio. Image enhancement post-processing, color space conversion, network adaptation and error concealment ensure outstanding video quality under all circumstances.

Platform4 Player Pro ME offers enhanced features with the addition of support for new media formats and the 3GPP-mandated scene description language SMIL (Synchronized Media Integration Language). In addition, DRM content protection will be supported by Philips' active participation in the 3GPP, OMA and ISMA standardization committees.

Platform4 ME joins Philips' extensive range of world-leading telecom technology solutions, including mobile phones, chipsets and modular components for the mobile and wireless markets. Furthermore, it provides a key addition to Philips' Platform4 portfolio - an end-to-end media handling product-line that includes encoders for content production, media transcoders for messaging, a media distribution system and telecommunications back office software.

Commenting on the launch of Platform4 ME, Shailendra Jain, General Manager and CEO of Philips' MP4Net business group said: "The addition of Platform4 ME makes Philips one of the first companies in the world with a complete range of 3GPP-based media production, delivery and consumption products for mobile networks, enabling manufacturers, content owners and operators to introduce exciting, feature-rich mobile video entertainment with new revenue creation models."