SBLU up in pre-market on news.
SONICblue Launches ReplayTV 5000 Series Digital Video Recorder
Monday October 21, 8:18 am ET
Only DVR Offering Consumers Choice to Watch Commercial-Free Television
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002--SONICblue(TM) Incorporated (Nasdaq:SBLU - News) today announced the launch of the ReplayTV® 5000 digital video recorder (DVR) series, the next generation of the Company's Emmy award-winning ReplayTV product line. SONICblue's ReplayTV 5000 series offers consumers unparalleled DVR functionality, including Commercial Advance® which affords users the choice to playback recorded shows without advertisements, at prices lower than competitive DVRs available in retail outlets.
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"ReplayTV 5000 has all the makings of a homerun for SONICblue," said Greg Ballard, CEO, SONICblue. "The product offers consumers a powerful set of features, even some that are currently being challenged by the networks and studios, and extremely affordable pricing -- the perfect combination to reach mass market adoption. And, with our recently expanded retail partnerships, the product can easily be previewed and purchased in locations across the U.S."
SONICblue's ReplayTV allows users to store up to 320 hours of television or other media content, to choose to playback recorded programs without commercials, to stream programming to other ReplayTV devices within the home and to share content with friends and family who own a ReplayTV. In addition, the ReplayTV 5000 offers users two methods of downloading updated channel guide information, either via a standard phone line or via a broadband home network, ensuring that the device will grow with users as home networking becomes more prevalent.
Models and Availability
SONICblue's ReplayTV 5000 series consists of several models offering a variety of recording capacities and features. The ReplayTV 5040, 5080, 5160 and 5320 models offer 40, 80, 160 and 320-hour storage capacities respectively. The ReplayTV 5040, 5080 and 5160 are available now in retailers throughout the country including Circuit City, Best Buy, Good Guys, Amazon, The Wiz and Tweeter, as well as on SONICblue's eStore. The ReplayTV 5320 will be available in early 2003 in similar retail outlets nationwide.
Features and Capabilities
Widely recognized for its innovation, the ReplayTV family of products has won numerous awards, including FORTUNE magazine's "Best Video Product of the Year," BusinessWeek's "Best Products of 2001," Popular Science's "Best of What's New" and, PC World's "2002 World Class." The ReplayTV 5000 offers consumers all of the features they have come to expect from ReplayTV, including:
Record Without Tape -- Easy one-touch recording with on-screen channel guide
Commercial Advance -- Choose to playback recorded shows without commercials
Send Shows -- Send video to friends and family who own ReplayTV 4000, ReplayTV 4500 or ReplayTV 5000 units over the Internet with broadband connectivity.*
Control Live TV -- Pause, rewind, instant replay, slo-mo and frame advance
Highest Recording Capacity -- Record up to 320 hours of television
Broadband Ready -- Choose broadband or phone line access to the ReplayTV service
Theme Record -- Automatically record shows by keyword or theme
QuickSkip(TM) -- Use Quickskip on your remote to jump past the boring parts
MyReplayTV -- Program your ReplayTV while away from home using the Internet
Room-To-Room -- Stream video from one room to another between networked ReplayTVs
Your Photos(TM) -- Store and view your digital photos on TV
And More! -- Find Shows, Parental Control, Show Organizer, Conflict Resolver, Manual Record, Show Extender and ReplayZones(TM)
Pricing and Capacity
The ReplayTV 5000 series consists of:
ReplayTV 5040 -- Up to 40 hours of recording capacity for $299.99 (MSRP) plus a $50.00 rebate for an after rebate price of $249.99
ReplayTV 5080 -- Up to 80 hours of recording capacity for $399.99 (MSRP) plus a $50.00 rebate for an after rebate price of $349.99
ReplayTV 5160 -- Up to 160 hours of recording capacity for $499.99 (MSRP) plus a $50.00 rebate for an after rebate price of $449.99
ReplayTV 5320 -- Up to 320 hours of recording capacity for $899.99 (MSRP)
In addition, consumers must choose either a $9.95 monthly fee, the lowest service fee of any DVR on the market, or a one-time service activation fee of $250 for each new ReplayTV 5000 product purchased. All ReplayTV 5000 models are compatible with cable, satellite and antenna programming feeds.
For more information on the ReplayTV 5000 series, or to buy it directly, please visit www.SONICblue.com or call 1-877-ReplayTV.
Software for video sharing and streaming between RTV5000 models and earlier versions is estimated to be available in the first quarter of 2003.
About SONICblue Incorporated
SONICblue is a leader in the converging Internet, digital media, entertainment and consumer electronics markets. Working with partners that include some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics, SONICblue creates and markets products that let consumers enjoy all the benefits of a digital home and connected lifestyle. SONICblue holds significant financial assets, global marketing capabilities and a focused technology portfolio that includes Rio® digital audio players; ReplayTV® personal television technology and software solutions; and Go-Video® integrated DVD+VCRs, Dual-Deck(TM) VCRs, and digital home theater systems.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements as to the projected success of the ReplayTV 5000, the ability of the ReplayTV 5000 to grow with users as home networking expands, increased sales through greater retail availability and when the ReplayTV 5000 will be available at retailers are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited the ability of the Company, its suppliers, retailers and distributors to meet scheduled release dates, retailers' product marketing decisions, the impact of competitive products and pricing and of alternative technological advances, the outcome of SONICblue's existing litigation concerning the ReplayTV products and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of SONICblue Incorporated, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended Dec. 31, 2001 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. SONICblue disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SONICblue, Your Photos, ReplayZones and Dual-Deck are trademarks of SONICblue Incorporated. ReplayTV, Go-Video and Rio are registered trademarks of SONICblue Incorporated. All other products and brand names as they appear in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. All specifications may be changed without notice.
A home network is required for streaming shows to another compatible ReplayTV inside your home. A PC connected to a home network is required to store and view digital photos with ReplayTV. A broadband Internet connection is required for sending shows over the Internet. If your ISP limits outbound data transfer speeds, it may take a day or more to completely send an hour of recorded material over the Internet. When in use, the Commercial Advance® feature may not skip all commercials. SONICblue reserves the right to automatically add, modify, or disable any features in the operating software when your ReplayTV connects to our server or at other times. SONICblue reserves the right to change, add or delete functionality from the ReplayTV 5000 or the ReplayTV Service at any time with or without notice. 320 hour recording capability is only available in the ReplayTV 5320 model.
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Contact:
SONICblue, Inc.
Amanda Sanyal, 408/588-8060 (Press)
asanyal@sonicblue.com
Ian Shea, 408/588-8242 (Investor Relations)
ir@sonicblue.com |
