***TO ALL*** Thought this might be interesting.......
CANNES, France, MILIA 97, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Computer, Inc.
(Nasdaq: AAPL) today publicly demonstrated the first DVD-ROM Macintosh
prototype and announced support for the DVD-ROM format throughout most of the
Apple Macintosh product line. DVD is a new industry standard for consumer
electronics and computers that delivers vastly superior audio and video
compared with current CD-ROM technology.
As part of a MILIA presentation, Apple also noted that the first
DVD-enabled Macintosh system could appear as soon as late 1997, with several
new PowerBook and desktop models expected to be shipping with DVD-ROM by early
1998.
"Just as Apple was the first computer vendor to standardize on CD-ROM ten
years ago, we now expect to take a leadership position with Macintosh and
DVD-ROM," said Carlos Montalvo, vice president of Apple's Interactive Media
Group. "Integrating DVD-ROM with our leading multimedia and upcoming
processor technologies is a top priority for Apple Computer. These include
QTML (QuickTime(R) Media Layer) for integrated A/V, 3D and VR technologies,
500 MhZ + PowerPC chips from Exponential for blazing speed, plus cutting-edge
multimedia processing power from the Philips TriMedia chip."
The Apple DVD-ROM prototype, a modified Performa 5400, culminates several
years of Apple research and development on DVD technology, in collaboration
with leading Japanese and European consumer electronics companies.
DVD-ROMs -- which look identical to CD-ROM discs -- can hold up to 18 GB
of multimedia data, including any mixture of CD-quality sound, AC-3 surround
sound information, MPEG-2 video, and computer binary data. The current CD
format holds only 680 MB of content, with no built-in provisions for
surround-sound or MPEG-2.
At MILIA, several leading DVD developers and pre-mastering software
vendors, including Sonic Solutions (Novato, CA), Sumeria (San Francisco, CA),
Short Cinema Journal (Venice, CA), Wired, Inc. (Mountain View, CA), and Daikin
(Novato, CA) pledged their support for Macintosh as the ideal pre-mastering
and content delivery platform for rich multimedia DVD titles.
Lastly, Apple announced its plan to create a DVD website in the near
future. The Apple DVD website will serve as a clearing-house for interested
consumers and developers on the latest DVD information, as well as providing
links to third-parties with DVD solutions for the Macintosh.
"As the leading multimedia computer platform, Apple plans to take an
aggressive role in promoting the latest technologies to keep our customers on
the leading-edge of content development," said John Cook, DVD program office
director with Apple Computer, Inc. "DVD-ROM is the next step in bridging the
gap between big-screen entertainment and the desktop -- Apple fully intends to
have the best possible solution for this technology. We are collaborating
with the leading vendors in both software and hardware to integrate
best-of-breed multimedia technology on the Macintosh and DVD-ROM is clearly
the future for content delivery on our platform."
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the information industry
and leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on
easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, handheld
computers and Internet content. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple
develops, manufactures, licenses and markets solutions, products, technologies
and services for business, education, consumer, entertainment, scientific and
engineering and government customers in more than 140 countries. |
