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Launches Next Generation Audio Manager Software Giving Consumers Instant Access to Downloadable Media
Business Editors and High Tech Writers
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2000--
RioPort Audio Manager 3 Available for Download Today at MTV.com,
VH1.com, SonicNet.com, MinistryofSound.com and RioPort.com
RioPort Inc., a pioneer in the digital audio download market, today announced the official launch of its RioPort Audio Manager 3 software, offering consumers a host of innovations that make enjoying and managing digital media content, both audio and video, easier than ever before. The new jukebox software features audio and video playback capabilities for downloadable or streaming content, the ability to create custom CDs for playback of music and spoken word content on home or car CD players, the ability to manage and download to portable devices, and easy acquisition and downloading of tracks in multiple formats using an integrated Web browser.
Consumers who download and register the software for the next 30 days will receive unlimited MP3 encoding at no charge.
"One of our goals at RioPort is to offer a complete and easy-to-use media application that meets the needs of both the consumer and copyright holders," said Todd Moore, director of product management for platform systems at RioPort, Inc. "With RioPort Audio Manager 3, consumers can play a variety of media content in multiple formats with great ease."
RioPort's Audio Manager 3 is MetaTrust(TM) Certified (by InterTrust Technologies Corp.) and also supports Microsoft's Windows Media Format, providing a solid, secure commerce infrastructure for content holders. The RioPort Audio Manager respects all usage limits that are associated with secure content packaged in an InterTrust or Microsoft system. Support for these secure systems provide consumers with access to a greater breadth of popular content.
RioPort Audio Manager 3 Promotion
Beginning today, RioPort is offering consumers free upgrades for unlimited MP3 encoding. For a period of 30 days, users can download the RioPort Audio Manager 3 at: www.mtv.com, www.vh1.com, www.sonicnet.com, www.ministryofsound.com or www.rioport.com, and, by registering the software by May 10, 2000, unlock unlimited MP3 encoding at no cost -- a value of $9.95. The promotion ends on May 10, 2000 and is subject to modification without notice.
After May 10, 2000, a free version RioPort Audio Manager 3, including an unlimited number of WMA encodes and up to 50 MP3 encodes, as well as 25 CD burns, in addition to all the other features listed above, will be available. To enable unlimited encoding and burning after May 10, consumers can unlock the software for $18.95 or $9.95 for each unlimited encoding or CD burning.
Multi-Format Support for Playback on PCs, Portables or Home/Car
Stereos
RioPort Audio Manager 3 provides users with flexibility to enjoy new music and spoken word content. For instance, using RioPort Audio Manager 3, consumers can:
-- Play CD music in addition to downloaded digital audio or video
files;
-- Easily encode music from their own CD collection to create a
personal database of MP3 or Windows Media Format audio files
for playback on their PC or compatible portable device;
-- Create CDs from music tracks downloaded from the Internet or
use their existing database of MP3 or WMA files, using a
supported CD-R drive for playback on a standard home/car
stereo;
-- Simply download tracks in MP3, InterTrust DigiBox, and
Microsoft's Windows Media formats for playback on the PC or
compatible portable player;
-- Stream leading audio formats, such as MP3, Microsoft's Windows
Media or Real Networks G2 formats or a variety of streaming
video formats;
-- Or connect to portable devices that use the industry standard
Media Device Manager (MDM) API from RioPort that has been
adopted by a growing number of portable device manufacturers.
Other Key Advantages of RioPort Audio Manager 3 Include:
-- Simple and intuitive categorization, searching, sorting and
creation of playlists. RioPort Audio Manager 3 uses an easy
system to organize all digital audio content. A powerful
searchable database lets users store and organize all of their
digital audio and video tracks by artist, title, genre and
other user-defined categories. The database supports digital
tracks that can be embedded with information such as song
titles, lyrics and CD art. An intuitive playlist editor lets
users search their entire digital audio collection and easily
create and save playlists that can be played from either their
desktop or downloaded to their portable playback device.
-- Support for multiple video streaming formats. With RioPort
Audio Manager 3, music fans can enjoy a full multimedia
experience by viewing AVI and QuickTime videos.
-- Higher fidelity encoding. RioPort Audio Manager 3 allows
consumers to encode tracks at full speed from their own CD
collection into the MP3 or WMA formats at up to 256 Kbps
(versus the lower quality of 96 Kbps with the free versions of
competitive applications), providing for higher fidelity in
the quality of recorded music. Encoding of CD tracks couldn't
be easier -- users simply insert the CD into their CD-ROM
drive and click on "copy."
-- Customizable interface and effects. RioPort Audio Manager 3
supports an unlimited number of skins along with visual and
DSP plug-ins, allowing users and RioPort's platform partners
to create a customized interface and add features that work
best for them.
-- Built-in Web browser for quickly and easily downloading
content from the Net. RioPort Audio Manager 3 features a
built-in Web browser that is custom configured for searching
and downloading content from the Internet. RioPort Audio
Manager 3 connects users directly to its vast network of
content providers, where they will find the Internet's best
selection of downloadable music and spoken audio programming.
RioPort Audio Manager 3 is compatible with Windows 95/98, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000.
About RioPort, Inc.
RioPort, Inc. is redefining digital audio by delivering an integrated, secure platform for acquiring, managing and experiencing music and spoken audio programming from the Internet. A pioneer in the digital audio market, RioPort partners with companies to provide them with an easy-to-use infrastructure that includes access to a wide range of digital audio content, customizable software solutions, technology, and device design services. For consumer-focused partners, RioPort provides easy access to a variety of popular and innovative music and word programming through its network of distribution partners including the RioPort.com digital audio site. In addition, RioPort markets the RioPort Audio Manager, an easy-to-use jukebox application for the acquisition, management and playback of digital audio content from the desktop or RioPort compatible portable appliances. RioPort also provides content companies with production services, including encoding and secure packaging, allowing them to easily get their content into the hands of digital audio enthusiasts. RioPort's investment partners include Vulcan Ventures, Oak Investment Partners, MTVi Group and S3, Inc. More information may be obtained from the web site www.rioport.com.
--30--EW/na*
CONTACT: RioPort Inc.
Diane Peterson, 408/321-4770
dianep@rioport.com
or
Faiola Davis Public Relations
Sung Choi or John Rafacz, 323/933-4959
sung@fdpr.com or john@fdpr.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ELECTRONIC GAMES/MULTIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT
INTERNET MUSIC SOFTWARE PRODUCT |
