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

To: BillyG who wrote (27895)	1/9/1998 2:43:00 PM
From: Ian deSouza	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 50808

I tought I'd add the summary of the white paper here... Summary The new MPEG-2 codec architecture is a flexible and scalable solution designed to address the requirements of today's encoder system architectures and expand the use of MPEG-2 into new markets. Systems based on this CPU-centered architecture offer users technologies that improve efficiency and image quality, including statistical multiplexing and MPEG-2 4:2:2 chroma sampling. In broadcast applications, the digital video architecture can conserve bandwidth and lower cost, while also maintaining the quality of output images. In addition, features have been implemented in the architecture to enable sophisticated nonlinear editing, filtering, and DVD compression and authoring. The architecture will first be used for existing one-to-many applications such as broadcast and authoring, because those markets already exist today and the impact of a more efficient MPEG-2 encoding solution will be felt immediately. Due to its flexible design, the architecture also addresses new applications within these existing markets, such as HDTV encoding for transmission or storage. Even within existing markets, the use of MPEG-2 encoding is expected to increase dramatically. Very quickly, however, MPEG-2 is expected to be adopted for new markets like nonlinear editing, which demand high video quality but have been unable to use large, expensive encoders. The benefit of MPEG-2 over other methods of compression is well understood, and now that a single-chip MPEG-2 encoder architecture is available these markets should transition quickly to MPEG-2. Finally, new storage technologies like recordable DVD that allow personal recording and authoring on a PC, coupled with the availability of a cost-effective MPEG-2 codec, will bring digital video into everyday life. When this happens, the old paradigm of MPEG-2 as a one-to-many architecture will be replaced by a new paradigm: one encoder for every decoder. Sitting at their PCs, users will be able to download video from a digital or analog camcorder and store it on a hard disk. They will then be able to use home editing software to add transitions, wipes, fades, and special effects to create compelling video for business use, or just for fun. Ultimately, new chips based on this MPEG-2 codec architecture will help establish MPEG-2 as an interoperable digital video format across numerous consumer, prosumer, and professional video applications, among them digital camcorders, digital VCRs, and recordable DVD.

To: BillyG who wrote (27895)	1/11/1998 8:02:00 PM
From: DiViT	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Another Cube customer... Can be upgraded to DTS? Interesting, the PR on the Yamaha 5 disk DVD player mentions DTS also. AT MARANTZ, ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE You can even upgrade to DTS by Mark Fleischmann LAS VEGAS, January 9, 1998 -- Some black boxes are more equal than others. Several existing and new Marantz products can be upgraded to DTS, the surround encoding competitor nipping at Dolby Digital's heels. This minor detail was one of several highlights of Marantz's presence at the show. Yesterday's announcement also included a second-generation DVD player, CD recorder, 42-inch gas plasma display, new surround and stereo products, and even a new Super VHS VCR. According to product expert Dan Weber, the items that can be upgraded to DTS include the new DVD and top-line receiver models mentioned below as well as the DPA-870 surround processor (also with Dolby Digital), SR-880 and -870 a/v receivers, and AV-550 tuner/preamp. Attention, DVD enthusiasts: The DVD-890 uses 10-bit video processing. It supports DTS as well as Dolby Digital, and yes, it has component outputs. It'll set you back $699.99. A/V receivers? Marantz has got 'em, including the SR-580 ($699.99) with Dolby Digital, 60 times five watts per channel, and multiroom capability. The SR-480 ($499.99) is a Pro-Logic-only piece but can accept 5.1-channel input from a Dolby Digital (or other) decoder. The DR-700 CD recorder handles both write-once CD-R and rewritable CD-RW discs. It has optical and coaxial digital ins and outs. Pricing will be announced shortly as soon as the Marantz people get done cussing out Philips for selling its CD-R/-RW machine for $650. A couple of highly regarded products are going into their second generations. The RC2000 Mark II remote now has channel up/down buttons, by user request, an easier-to-read display, more memory, and the memory is now non-volatile, so the unit won't lose its mind if it has to go without fresh batteries for awhile. The price of this beautiful bejeweled mummy remains $249.95. The Marantz Arch 2.0 mini-system is a step back from the bold design of its precedessor -- not visually, but in its guts. Amplification has been moved out of the hitherto powered speakers into the main unit, to get the price down. The CD changer is now a single-disc drive, but as compensation, the unit can be connected to a 100-disc jukebox. The price is now a more reasonable $999.99. Though stereo receivers are becoming rare, Marantz offers a new 50-watt-per-channel model, SR-348 ($299.99). The new SD-455 cassette deck (also $299.99) has Dolby B and C but no mention of HX Pro. It's a dual-well deck. More typically Marantz is the reportedly high-performance PM-17 integrated amp ($1299.99), with 60 high-current watts per channel into 8 ohms and 100 into 4 ohms. And here's another rarity: a new S-VHS deck, MV-830 ($699.99), with VCR Plus+ C3 programming, auto head cleaner, and a three-year warranty -- that's kinda cool, isn't it? # # #