American Multiplexer Corp. 'AMC' Announces an Agreement with Philips for Delivery of the Philips Clevercast Pc Data Broadcasting System for AMC's Satellite-Based Multimedia Delivery Platform
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 1999--
CleverCastPC Includes A Fully Redundant IP-DVB
Gateway and Multiplexing System with CryptoWorks Conditional
Access, And Initial Order Of PC-DVB Digital Receivers To
Meet Current Demand In Potential Market For 100,000+ Digital
Receivers During 1999-2001 Period
Philips Digital Video Systems Company will deliver its CleverCastPC Data Broadcasting System to American Multiplexer Corp. (AMC) (Nasdaq: AMUT)(OTC BB: AMUT) of Sunnyvale, facilitating the debut of AMC's high speed multimedia delivery platform over satellite, it was announced jointly by Jeff Rosica, vice president and general manager, Philips Digital Video Systems Company, North America and Edward Tan, president and CEO of American Multiplexer Corp.
The CleverCastPC Data Broadcasting System includes a fully redundant IP-DVB Gateway system, along with an initial order for PC-DVB Digital Receivers to meet the immediate demand for digital receivers, in a marketplace where potential demand is expected to exceed 100,000 receivers in the next 18-24 months.
The Philips PC-DVB Receiver Cards, which are designed to fit into any multimedia PCs and easily integrate into PC software via the Win95/98 Plug-and-Play feature, offer PC users the ability to receive satellite transmissions of digital data.
The order also includes MPEG-2/DVB Video Encoding, Multiplexing and QPSK Modulation, as well as the Philips Conditional Access system CryptoWorks(TM), which works with both Set-Top Boxes and PC-DVB cards. The Customer Management System will also be delivered by Philips.
For the first time, the Philips PC-DVB card will also be delivered in a Linux version, integrated in a Satellite Router developed with Helius Inc., of Orem, Utah. The Satellite Router enables local IP multicasting over a LAN to multiple PC users and essentially connects an entire LAN to the host network (e.g. the Internet) over satellite in a completely transparent manner.
"Philips is pleased to announce the delivery of CleverCastPC, the most advanced end-to-end Data Broadcasting solution on the market today, with a well defined interface for service providers," said Rosica.
"As the PC platform continues to increase in importance for both businesses and consumers alike, CleverCastPC provides the essential means to address those users via high speed multimedia data casting services to the PC."
Set to launch its commercial service in 4th quarter 1999, AMC will provide an open technology, high-speed multimedia delivery platform over satellite, offering a wide range of services to both consumers and business-to-business partners around the world.
These services include digital television, digital audio, web content "push", and high speed Internet delivery, among other related high bandwidth, multimedia-rich content.
"With the installation of Philips' CleverCastPC, AMC will become one of a select few broadband carriers with actual commercial operation over satellite. We chose Philips because it offers the most technologically advanced system while enabling us to maintain an open platform, with open standards, to operate in a non-proprietary environment," said Edward Tan.
This allows AMC to choose from a wide variety of third-party applications, such a StarBurst(TM), KenCast(TM), IP/TV(TM), etc.
The CleverCastPC Data Broadcasting System allows for the reception of digital multimedia data (audio, video and data), which is broadcast at high speed through digital satellite transmission systems to PCs. This application makes it possible to transmit data to a single user (unicast), a group of users (multicast), or to all users with access to the service (broadcast).
The platform can be used for new services such as Broadcast File Transfer and Webcasting at rates of up to 78 Mbit/s.
Since the data need only be transmitted to the satellite network once, this 'push' method saves bandwidth and reduces transmission costs drastically compared to traditional methods such as ISDN lines, CD-ROM distribution, etc.
Philips is a leading supplier of end-to-end solutions for Digital Video and Data Broadcasting, comprising compression equipment as well as professional and consumer receivers to international broadcasters and service operators around the globe.
Philips Digital Video Systems Company, a division of Philips Electronics North America Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of digital equipment and systems for the professional television and video production communities, and is a world leader in MPEG-2 compression and transmission systems.
-- North American headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Phone: 801/972-8000; Fax: 801/972-6304. (The HQ will move to
Sunnyvale, Calif., in 4Q '99)
-- European headquarters is located in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Phone: 31-40-273-2420.
-- South American headquarters is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Phone: 55-11-821-2020.
-- Far East/Pacific Rim headquarters is located in Singapore. Phone:
65-350-2000.
About Philips
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of more than US $33.9 billion in 1998. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, color picture tubes for televisions and monitors, and one-chip TV products.
Its 233,700 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, medical systems, business electronics, and IT services (Origin). Philips is quoted on the NYSE, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at www.news.philips.com.
About AMC
AMC is a Multimedia Service Provider (MSP) that was incorporated on April 8, 1996 under the laws of the State of North Carolina. The company developed multiplexers and high-speed DSL devices for Internet use, and in 1998 focused on acquiring additional technologies to bolster its satellite communication development expertise, resulting in the current broadband services offerings.
The company headquarters is in a 12,500 square foot facility located at 575 N. Pastoria Avenue, Sunnyvale, Calif. AMC is traded on the NASDAQ OTC market under the symbol AMUT. Tel 408/730-8200, fax 408/730-2169, Web site www.amux.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the safe harbors created thereby. The company's actual future results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements discussed herein based on certain risks and uncertainties including the timely development and acceptance of new products in a constantly evolving telecommunications industry, the impact of competitive products and pricing, government regulations and the other risk factors detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports.
Note to Editors: Please note that for your convenience, Philips has created the following rapid-response, toll-free number for all Philips editorial inquiries: 800/210-9605.
Product slides/digital images available upon request.
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Contact:
American Multiplexer Corp.
Doug Hanson, 408/730-8200
dhanson@amux.com
or
Philips Digital Video Systems
Bart van Dijk, +31 40 27 37466
dijk3@am.umc.ce.philips.nl
www.broadcast.philips.com
or
Dalton Communications
Sam Dalton, 801/977-1577
daltoncomm@mail.philipsdvs.com
www.broadcast.philips.com
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