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To: DiViT who wrote (32976)	5/6/1998 3:12:00 PM
From: Don Dorsey	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Cisco wants a piece of the action. Cisco Systems has announced a technology-licensing programme intended to accelerate the availability of low-cost, easy-to-use Internet access devices. These new devices will accelerate the deployment of residential network services and solutions from Internet service providers. The Cisco NetWorks programme includes the licensing of software to manufacturers of network access products such as Internet phones and fax machines, cable modems. set-top boxes and network computers. newsalert.com

To: DiViT who wrote (32976)	5/6/1998 3:40:00 PM
From: BillyG	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

STRATEGY ANALYTICS: DVD's time has come Presswire - May 06, 1998 14:25 --Home PC will be DVD platform of choice, according to latest research European shipments of DVD players will reach 1.2 million units in 1998, compared to only negligible shipments in 1997. The arrival of DVD-ROM drives in new 400MHz PCs will be the major factor behind this market growth. These findings are taken from the Multimedia Market Forecast recently released by Strategy Analytics (formerly BIS Strategic Decisions), the leading technology marketing consultancy, within its strategic advisory service, "Emerging Consumer Products and Services", which predicts new consumer technology market opportunities on behalf of major industry players. "The success of DVD hinges on the home PC market," says David Mercer, Emerging Consumer Technologies Analyst at Strategy Analytics. "DVD Video may achieve modest success, but its potential is limited. By contrast, millions of home PC buyers will choose DVD-ROM simply as a better CD-ROM." DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) reached the European market in small quantities during 1997, but shipments of both DVD Video and DVD-ROM were limited by lack of software. Major players have now begun a "soft launch" of DVD Video, and DVD-ROM is beginning to appear in high end home PCs. 1998 will be the first year of significant DVD sales in Europe. Strategy Analytics sees shipments of DVD Video players reaching 50,000 units, but demand for DVD-ROM drives will soar to 1.1 million units, driven by second half sales of new, faster PCs incorporating the new drives along with MPEG2-decoding software. DVD-ROM will then quickly become standard fitment in home PCs. This emerging home multimedia platform will encourage interactive software developers to consider DVD-ROM versions as enhancements of CD-ROM titles. DVD will eventually lead to a new era of sophisticated edutainment and games titles which incorporate genuine full-motion, full-screen video and high-quality 3D graphics. DVD Video will continue to appeal to the videophile market, but sales will plateau at around 200,000 units a year until DVD recorders arrive in around 2002. This will lead to the eventual replacement of the VCR in the second half of the next decade. "DVD will be successful, but not as its creators originally intended," says Mercer. "Multimedia is where the real opportunity lies. Video will have to wait its turn." Key European Market Forecasts Total DVD Drives (DVD Video and DVD-ROM combined) Shipment Forecasts (Millions Units) 1997 - negligible 1998 - 1.2 1999 - 4.8 .. 2005 - 22.8 DVD Video Players - Shipment Forecasts (Millions units) 1997 - negligible 1998 - 0.05 1999 - 0.14 .. 2005 - 2.5 DVD-ROM Drives - Consumer Shipment Forecasts (Millions Units) 1997 - negligible 1998 - 1.1 1999 - 4.7 .. 2005 - 20.3 Editor's note: More detailed data and charts for specific technologies or regions are also available. Please contact Strategy Analytics for more information. Company Background: Strategy Analytics, formerly BIS Strategic Decisions, provides information and insights which help competitors develop strategies in consumer electronics and media, communications, personal computing, automotive electronics, and enabling technology business. Working on a truly global basis, Strategy Analytics delivers planning support in published and consulting formats to meet the decision support needs of clients in Europe, North America, Japan and the Far East. CONTACT: David Mercer Tel: +44 (0)1582 405678 e-mail: dmercer@strategyanalytics.com newsalert.com

To: DiViT who wrote (32976)	5/6/1998 5:26:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Respond to of 50808

In Belgium, you get a "free" Plilips settop box from Canal Plus PLAYERS GOING AND COMING IN BELGIUM In Belgium, the most significant development is the launch in the last two months of digital cable packages. Three multiplexed versions of Canal Plus Belgique have been available on some Wallonian cable networks since the beginning of March and last month the CanalDigitaal bouquet was launched in Flanders. The latter contains 10 thematic channels - Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, CNBC, Discovery, Fashion, Hallmark, Adult, TNT, Travel and VH-1 (as well as a limited selection of Music Choice channels) - in its basic package for BFr1,495, with three multiplexed versions of Canal Plus' Flemish version offered as a premium service on top along with the complete MC Europe package of 50 digital audio channels. The price includes rental of the Philips set top box. A Canal Plus spokesman said the service had a reach of about 70 per cent of cable households in Flanders. The Belgian multi-channel universe largely has yet to take off, though several media players have started looking to make in-roads. Last April, French digital satellite platform Television Par Satellite pointed to Belgium as its next stop, with Patrick Le Lay, TPS' president/director general calling Belgium "very interesting."