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Technology Stocks : C-Cube Microsystems -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: DiViT who wrote (73)	12/5/1997 9:07:00 AM
From: Maya	Respond to of 324

Microsoft and British Digital TV: Friday December 5, 7:40 am Eastern Time Microsoft , watchdog meet on UK digital TV LONDON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - British watchdog Oftel said on Friday U.S. software giant Microsoft Corp had met with it to find out more about regulatory issues surrounding the launch of digital television in Britain next year. An Oftel spokesman confirmed a report in the Guardian newspaper that a team of Microsoft legal and regulatory affairs officials had held an official meeting with Oftel head Don Cruickshank. ''They're aware of what's going on in the digital market in the UK, but they wanted to understand the regulatory processes,'' the spokesman said, adding that a single meeting took place at the end of September. He was not aware of any plans for future meetings. Oftel oversees access to the set-top boxes that will enable British viewers to receive satellite and terrestrial digital TV channels. The boxes are also expected to serve as platforms for interactive services, such as home shopping, banking and Internet access. Last month, Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (quote from Yahoo! UK & Ireland: CWZ.L) said it had talked with Microsoft about offering the U.S. giant's WebTV Networks over its digital network. ''We've had talks with several software suppliers in terms of the digital set-top box, and Microsoft are among them,'' CWC chief executive Graham Wallace said. Microsoft bought WebTV earlier this year for some $425 million.

To: DiViT who wrote (73)	12/6/1997 8:34:00 AM
From: CPAMarty	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 324

Here is part of Rhonda Brammer's "Sizing Up Small Caps" column in the 12/8/97 edition of Barrons. Note the contrast between ESST CFO who will not comment on whether earnings will be met and CUBE's CFO who indicated in a press release a couple of weeks ago that CUBE would. Also note that price drops have moderated lately according to the ESST CFO FROM BARRONS: The largest company on the list is Fremont, California-based ESS Technology, a leader in audio chips for PCs and, more recently, video CD-player chips, sold mostly in China. For a spell, this firm grew like gangbusters. Sales jumped from $33 million in '94 to $226 million in '96. Earnings, meanwhile, excluding a one-time charge for acquired R&D, soared from $8.4 million, or 22 cents a share, to $52 million, or $1.25 a share. This year, however, because of ferocious price-cutting in audio chips as the old ISA-based line of chips matured, ESS will be lucky to earn 65-70 cents a share. "Pricing was very tough," sighs John Barnet, ESS's chief financial man, "much tougher than we expected." But the drop in prices has moderated lately, he notes. And he expects margins to improve as ESS ships the new generation of PCI-based audio chips. What's more, he's clearly excited about prospects for ESS's new line of video chips. Slated to be shipped in early '98, these are among the first video chips to support new standards recently approved by China's Ministry of Electronic Industries. ESS has about a third of the audio-chip market and a 50% share in video chips. The latter is no small feat, considering the company shipped its first units in the second quarter of '96. Barnet won't forecast earnings -- he's obviously gun-shy after two disappointing quarters -- but he hints the company could beat the Street's estimate of 61 cents a share in '98. "We hope to grow earnings," he says, "absolutely." Meanwhile, the stock is 9 and change, down from a record 39. It sells at about twice book. ESS is debt free and spends 12% of sales on R&D.

To: DiViT who wrote (73)	2/19/1998 12:32:00 PM
From: Maya	Respond to of 324

Intel Corporation Announces Support FOR DVD WG-4 Audio Specification to Bring Advanced Consumer-Quality Audio To the PC Intel Is the First PC Industry Company to Join Audio Working Group Creating Next-Generation Music Industry Format SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 1998--Intel Corporation today announced its membership in the DVD WG-4 Audio Working Group and support for its proposed DVD audio specification as a next step in bringing next-generation consumer-quality audio to the PC platform. Intel is the first computer industry representative invited to join the predominantly consumer electronics forum that has been meeting with music industry representatives for the last two years. Intel supports the proposed WG-4 format as the most cost-effective and PC-friendly, and will provide input to the committee in its efforts to make this an accepted standard. ''We are taking an active role in the multi-industry efforts to help develop new copy protection technologies that serve hardware, software and consumer electronics companies,'' said Dan Russell, director of platform marketing in Intel's Desktop Products Group. ''These efforts will also help pave the way for our OEMs and IHVs to implement these new technologies quickly and cost-effectively.'' The Audio Working Group is a committee of the DVD Forum composed of more than 30 top consumer electronics and music industry representatives to create the specifications for the recording industry's next-generation audio format utilizing DVD. ''Support of the WG-4 specification is consistent with Intel's position to drive audio to the next level of convergence, bringing high-quality digital audio to consumer electronic devices,'' said Russ Hampsten, Intel's audio marketing manager. ''The power of Intel's processors will allow us to take advantage of this emerging technology, making the PC a port of choice for DVD audio playback. We have geared our activities toward making this a cost-effective reality for our customers and ultimately end users.'' Intel outlined its vision and direction of next generation PC audio in April 1997 with its Audio '98 Roadmap. Recognizing that excellent audio enriches the multimedia PC experience, the Audio '98 Roadmap discusses the impact of general trends and highlights specific technology ingredients that bring high-performance, built-in, quality audio support to the consumer PC. The latest update to PC audio, Audio Codec '97 version 2.0, was announced at the September Intel Developer Forum. The AC '97 2.0 specification defines new cost-effective options to help PC OEMs integrate the components necessary to support next-generation audio-intensive PC applications such as DVD, 3-D surround sound, multiplayer games and interactive music. The specification also defines new extensions supporting modem and docking to help both desktop and mobile manufacturers incorporate these new features more quickly and cost-effectively. Intel is offering a special session today on DVD audio at its Intel Developer Forum. A technical presentation on the specification implementation is being made by Nick Kuroda, JVC DVD promotion manager and secretary of the DVD Audio Work Group. ''Intel's efforts in DVD audio will accelerate the process of bringing quality audio to the PC and be invaluable to the music and recording industry,'' said Jac Holzman, chief technologist at Warner Music. Holzman will also be present at the Intel Developer Forum, participating in the day's session activities. Holzman was previously the founder and, for 23 years, chief executive officer and creative head of Elektra Records. He discovered such artists as The Doors, Bread, Judy Collins, Harry Chapin, Carly Simon and Queen. ''The PC will offer many exciting audio options for enjoyment as well as audio editing capabilities used in the music and recording industry,'' said Bike H. Suzuki, general manager of JVC Research Center and chairman of the WG-4 DVD Audio Working Group. ''Intel's participation helps the WG-4 address issues relevant to the PC platform and validates our intent on creating an open standard which is easy to implement and cost-effective for all.'' The Intel Developer Forum is a three-day intensive forum providing hardware OEMs and IHVs in-depth information on Intel technologies and initiatives. More information on the Intel Developer Forum can be found at www.intel.com/design/idf. Continual updated information between Intel Developer Forums is available by subscribing to the Platform Solutions Newsletter at developer.intel.com/solutions. Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking and communications products. Additional information is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. Note to Editors: Third party marks and brands are property of their respective holders. Contact: Intel Corporation Deborah Paquin, 916/984-1921 debpaquin@aol.com Diana Wilson, 916/356-8064 diana_t_wilson@ccm.fm.intel.com