TRI-VISION S V-CHIP TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE ON SPECIAL INTERNET
SITE BY JUNE 12 IN CONJUNCTION WITH ENCODING BY
BROADCASTER
NASHVILLE, TENN.--
Fourteen days 'til v-chip.
In a response to Vice President Albert Gore's call to action today for next
steps to be taken on implementing v-chip technology, Tri-Vision Electronics
Ltd./Ltee agreed with retail distribution partner, Ingram Entertainment, to
take advance orders on the internet for the V-gis (TM) set top boxes.
National distribution in retail stores and through cable operators will begin
in late June and national coverage should be completed by September 15, 1998.
"We are first to the market for parents who want to purchase the V-gis (TM)
set top box by June 12," said Todd Grunberg, Vice President of Marketing and
Business Development for Tri-Vision. "We have agreed to begin selling our
set top boxes via the internet site www.v-gis.com and we already have some
phone calls from many people who have heard about the product by word of
mouth."
Grunberg continued, "Parents concerned by the ever-increasing rate of
violence and inappropriate subject matter seen on television were given a
dose of good news today when the Vice President called for swifter action on
the encoding of TV programs by the networks and the continued implementation
of the v-chip. Being first to the market with this unique technology that
will help parents choose programming all the way to the content level is our
response to the commitment the manufacturing industry made last year to the
Congress, the White House and most importantly to the American people."
V-gis (TM) is Tri-Vision's proprietary brand name and technology for the
generic term v-chip.
The V-gis (TM) set top box is available in two products, one a decoder and
the other a converter/decoder. Suggested retail on the decoder is US$79.99
and on the converter/decoder US$139.99.
Both V-gis (TM) products feature:
1. blocking technology that can read both the TV guidelines and the MPAA
ratings;
2. an easy-to-follow on screen menu;
3. a unique one-time-set feature that the parent can set and leave alone;
4. a four-digit Parent Identification Number (pin) that can turn the device
on or off easily;
5. a security sleeve that keeps older children from tampering with or
disconnecting the device;
6. a unique infrared eye that modestly sits atop the TV while the hardware
is hidden behind the set;
7. in-home adaptability, capable of handling any changes to the ratings
system so that parents don't have to buy new boxes for every change in
the rating system.
The V-gis (TM) technology is software invented by Canadian Engineering
Professor Tim Collings. His work to complete the v-chip technology was
started after he was horrified by the massacre of 14 female college students
in 1989.
"In Canada, we have seen the same kind of awful violence that has been
ripping apart the fabric of America's youth, said Grunberg. "We honestly
believe that the V-gis (TM) technology is the first step needed to help North
America's parents manage the increased amount of violence, sexual content,
language and inappropriate dialogue being seen on our TVs today."
Tri-Vision International Ltd./Ltee is a public company founded in 1986 and
trading on Canada's Toronto Stock Exchange and Alberta Stock Exchange under
the symbol TVL. The Company is a world leader in the rapidly expanding
communications technology industry.
Tri-vision Electronics Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tri-Vision
International Ltd./Ltee, holds the exclusive global rights to the proprietary
v-chip technology developed by award-winning Canadian inventor, Tim Collings.
For public relations and marketing information contact MBF&I at (615)
255-6234 ext. 116 or email to cc@mbfi-nashville.com. For Investor Relations
information, contact Century Communications at (888) 298-8551 (toll free) or
by email to tri-vision@tri-vision.ca.
(Signed) On behalf of the Board of Directors of Tri-Vision International
Ltd./Ltee.,
Najmul H. Siddiqui, Chairman, President & CEO
Telephone: [416] 298-8551
The Toronto Stock Exchange & The Alberta Stock Exchange have not reviewed and
do not approve or disapprove of the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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