HD demand boosts set-top box maker Pace

TV SET-TOP box maker Pace said it was confident of meeting management expectations for the full year following a strong four months.

The Saltaire-based firm said that group revenues and volume deliveries were tracking to plan and that the firm was maintaining a strong balance sheet and robust financial position.

It said that as anticipated, average selling prices were increasing in the second half to due a greater proportion of high definition (HD) product sales.

Operating margin for the full year is expected to increase slightly over the first half.

The company has recently announced a series of HD contract wins with operators such as UPB Broadband, Europe’s largest cable TV company, Scandinavian satellite operator Viasat and Brazil’s NET Servicos.

An increasing number of operators ordering HD PVRs are moving to hybrid platforms that combine broadcast and broadband delivery where Pace has established early market leadership.

Pace has also signed its first customer for its new MultiDweller technology and a series of clients for its first ‘whole home’ solution for US cable operators.

Commenting on the period, Neil Gaydon, Pace’s chief executive, said: “Pace is operating in a strong market and has taken a leadership position in high definition and hybrid products, where there is significant consumer demand.

“As part of Pace’s ongoing growth and diversification strategy we successfully launched our MultiDweller product, which extends triple-play delivery into hard to reach places. We also launched the very first whole home PVR solution for the American cable market ahead of all competition.”