MGI Software Turns PC Into Digital VCR MGI PURE DIVA Software Suite
Unveiled at E3
Industry First: MGI Software Turns PC Into Digital VCR MGI PURE DIVA
Software Suite Unveiled at E3
LOS ANGELES (May 13) ENTERTAINMENT WIRE -May 13, 1999--MGI(TSE:MGI.)
Realizing the tremendous potential of PC-powered entertainment,
Toronto-based MGI Software Corp. today launched MGI PURE DIVA(TM) at
the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) Booth No. 6721.
MGI PURE DIVA (Digital Interactive Video and Audio) is a four-in-one
software suite that turns a Pentium III(R) processor-based system into
a sophisticated digital home entertainment center, complete with the
first digitalVCR(TM) for the PC, a DVD and audio CD player (DVD
MAX(TM)), and Time-shift TV capabilities. The product is expected to
ship with a majority of 500MHz and faster Pentium III processor-based
PCs this holiday season.
"MGI PURE DIVA represents a tremendous opportunity for PC manufacturers
to boost Pentium III processor-based system sales by offering
entertainment functionality that would cost four figures to duplicate
in consumer electronics," said Anthony DeCristofaro, president and CEO,
MGI Software. "The fact that this functionality can be offered to the
consumer at no extra cost is almost as if PC buyers are getting the
next generation of home computing for free." The Company will
illustrate this "Pentium III for Free" message with a "Futurama-style"
presentation and the giving away of a Pentium III processor-based PC
each day of the show.
The most revolutionary elements of MGI PURE DIVA are its digitalVCR
(also called a personal video recorder) and Time-shift TV capabilities
made possible by sophisticated underlying MGI V3 technologies, which
take advantage of the power of Intel's Pentium III processor. These
technologies make it possible to simultaneously record and playback
video with software, allowing users to control a live broadcast feed in
the same way they might control videotape. Users can Time-shift live TV
with fast-forward, rewind, instant replay, zoom, pan and even pause
functions.
Users not only have control over how they experience and watch TV
programs, but also what and when they watch. With the WebTV(TM) for
Windows feature of the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system, MGI PURE
DIVA supports one-click electronic programming via the Internet. This
capability gives viewers total control over TV program schedules to
easily capture selected TV shows and store them digitally on the PC's
hard drive for playback at a later time.
MGI Software worked closely with Intel and Microsoft Corp. to deliver
MGI PURE DIVA and the industry's first commercially available digital
VCR for the PC. MGI PURE DIVA is optimized to take complete advantage
of the Intel Pentium III processor using the Internet Streaming SIMD
Extensions with floating point and fully utilizes Microsoft DirectShow
to deliver spectacular video and audio quality.
"MGI's PURE DIVA is a good example of a new generation of applications
that take advantage of the Pentium III processor's features and
performance to deliver new capabilities for the consumer," said Jeff
McCrea, marketing director, Desktop Products Group, Intel. "We are
excited about working with MGI Software to provide users with these
real-time PC-VCR capabilities on the desktop."
"By building on the Microsoft DirectShow architecture, MGI PURE DIVA
uses the full potential of Windows to provide users with excellent
quality real-time video," said Bill Veghte, general manager, Consumer
Windows Division at Microsoft. "We are happy to be working with MGI on
expanding the capture and playback functionality in DirectShow."
In a survey of households last March, the Consumer Electronics
Manufacturers Association (CEMA) found that 64 per cent of U.S.
household PCs are installed in the den or study while another 30 per
cent are found in family rooms near the TV set. With the family room
rapidly becoming one of the most popular PC setup areas, MGI PURE DIVA
is designed to work anywhere in the home with keyboard control or with
an optional programmable remote control and an infrared receiver that
can be easily attached to the PC.
"Our software is ideal for those who want to manage their TV viewing,
whether it be entertainment or information," said DeCristofaro. "With
MGI PURE DIVA, they may want to time-shift to see a replay of a goal
while watching hockey, or to write down the URL of an interesting
company to invest in while watching the Bloomberg report on CNN."
According to Forrester Research, Inc., Cambridge, MA, "Choice and
convenience will drive 14 million consumers to purchase personal video
recorders (PVRs) by 2004...PVRs recording capability, combined with
features like pausing live TV and instantaneous fast-forward and
rewind, will make these devices the fastest-growing consumer
electronics category in history".
Chris Shipley, editor and publisher of DemoLetter and Executive
Producer of The Demo Conferences, believes the market for PVRs could be
broader given the potential for software-only solutions like MGI's.
"MGI PURE DIVA delivers a personal and compelling experience that
affords us a glimpse into the possibilities of PC-enabled
entertainment. Such software coupled with the next generation PCs,
including set tops, could lead to PVR ubiquity." MGI PURE DIVA was
first publicly previewed at Demo '99, which is the leading computer
industry conference on emerging technologies and exciting new products.
System Requirements
MGI PURE DIVA requires a minimum 500 MHz Intel Pentium III(R)
processor, minimum 128 MB RAM, 8 GB UDMA or SCSI hard drive, AGP video
card with 8 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, 16-bit sound card and speakers, TV
tuner, and Microsoft Windows 98.
About MGI Software
MGI Software is one of the world's leading digital media companies. The
company's early focus on delivering digital media editing technology to
the mass market has led to leadership in the PC photo and video editing
market, with more than 19 million units of its PhotoSuite and VideoWave
products shipped in retail and OEM channels spanning 25 countries.
Through its ever-growing network of partnerships with major consumer
electronics manufacturers, computer hardware and software vendors,
photo retailers and the entertainment industry, MGI is uniquely
positioned to take advantage of the revolution shaping our digital
lifestyles.
MGI Software shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange (Symbol:MGI).
For more information visit mgisoft.com. For OEM sales
information contact Sean Budnik at 905/707-4712 or seanb@mgisoft.com.
(c) MGI Software Corp.,1999. MGI, MGI PhotoSuite, MGI VideoWave, MGI
PURE DIVA, digitalVCR are trademarks or registered trademarks of MGI
Software Corp. All other company and/or product names are trademarks
and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers.
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