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

To: John Rieman who wrote (34917)	8/4/1998 9:49:00 AM
From: Don Dorsey	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Spatializer Audio Laboratories Selected by C-Cube as Innovative Audio Solution Provider for Consumer Digital Video Devices WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 1998-- Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc.(Nasdaq:SPAZ), the leading provider of next-generation audio technology solutions, Tuesday announced that C-Cube Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq:CUBE), the market leader in digital video technology, has selected Spatializer's N-2-2 multichannel algorithm as an audio feature option for its consumer electronics and PC multimedia manufacturers. C-Cube and Spatializer have worked closely to engineer seamless compatibility between their products for easy deployment of C-Cube-based and Spatializer-enhanced systems. This collaboration allows consumer electronics and PC multimedia manufacturers to easily design and deploy systems with the added-value feature of Spatializer's N-2-2. With N-2-2, consumers who only have two speakers can enjoy the richer home theater audio experience of DVD without the hassles of wiring an entire home or having to purchase additional speakers. "We are very excited about entering into this cooperative engineering and marketing effort with C-Cube," said Michael R. Bolcerek, president of Desper Products Inc., Spatializer's audio subsidiary. "C-Cube's ZiVA platform has the level of processing power we recommend for optimization of our audio technology. Together, we offer the market a compelling home theater experience." "Consumer electronics and PC users alike have discriminating expectations for DVD audio and video playback," said Harry Raftopolous, C-Cube's director of marketing for the consumer division. "By incorporating N-2-2 for multichannel virtualization into their system designs, our OEMs gain a highly compelling audio solution." "This collaboration clearly strengthens Spatializer's position in the consumer electronics and PC sectors. Spatializer's N-2-2 technology has strong appeal since it allows the average consumer to enjoy the benefits of a multichannel audio experience through two speakers," said Cheryl Currid, president, Currid & Co., a Houston-based research company focusing on digital technology. "Coupled with Toshiba's integration of N-2-2 announced earlier this year, Spatializer is clearly leading the pack in delivering virtual audio for the consumer electronics and PC market," concluded Currid. About C-Cube Microsystems C-Cube Microsystems is the industry leader in the development and delivery of highly integrated digital video silicon solutions that address the consumer electronics, communications and convergence markets. With headquarters in Milpitas, Calif., C-Cube has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Its stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CUBE. C-Cube can be reached at 408/490-8000 or at www.c-cube.com. About Spatializer Audio Laboratories Spatializer Audio Laboratories is a leading developer, licensor and marketer of next-generation technologies for the consumer electronics, computing and entertainment industries. The company's advanced audio technology is incorporated into consumer electronics audio, video and DVD products from global brand leaders including Toshiba, Panasonic, Hitachi, Sharp, Sanyo and Proton, and in PC multimedia systems and peripherals from Compaq, AST, Dell, Gateway 2000, Fujitsu, Seiko-Epson, NEC, Micron and Labtec. Spatializer stock is traded on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market System under the symbol SPAZ. With headquarters in Woodland Hills, Spatializer has its marketing, engineering and R&D facilities in Mountain View, Calif.; Huntington Beach, Calif.; and Tokyo. Further information may be obtained from Spatializer's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, the company's Web site at www.spatializer.com or by contacting the company directly. Desper Products Inc. and MultiDisc Technologies Inc. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc. Spatializer is a registered trademark of Desper Products MultiDisc is a trademark of MultiDisc Technologies (c) 1998 Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc. All other corporate and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Safe Harbor Act Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain information in this news release is forward-looking and involves risk and uncertainties that could significantly impact the results, including but not limited to, dependence on new technology and intellectual property; dependence on the PC and consumer electronics industries; dependence on product shipments of third-party licensees; competition and pricing pressures; and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commissions.

To: John Rieman who wrote (34917)	8/4/1998 10:22:00 AM
From: BillyG	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

DIRECTV and Thomson Multimedia to Form Strategic Partnership in Digital Television and Services EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 1998-- Combined Efforts Target Joint Leadership of New Media Markets, Advanced Direct Broadcast Satellite Receivers and Acceleration of Digital Terrestrial Television DIRECTV Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp., and Thomson Multimedia Tuesday announced that the two companies have signed a wide-ranging and long-term cooperation agreement. The memorandum of understanding commits DIRECTV and Thomson Multimedia to the joint development and distribution of advanced direct broadcast satellite (DBS) receivers and integration of DIRECTV reception capability in Thomson digital televisions. The advanced devices will be released under the respective brands of Thomson and DIRECTV. The two partners further agree to work together to accelerate the deployment of digital terrestrial television and related digital services. Over the last five years, DIRECTV, the U.S. leader in direct-to-home (DTH) digital entertainment services, and Thomson Multimedia, the U.S. market leader in consumer electronics, have been closely associated in the research, development and deployment of DTH satellite services, resulting in a strong and commercially successful operational relationship. DIRECTV and Thomson intend to strengthen this relationship and develop a long-term strategic relationship. Strategic Relationship Focus The DIRECTV and Thomson strategic partnership will focus on the following areas: -- acceleration and expansion of the sales of DBS-related equipment and DIRECTV subscription services; -- acceleration and expansion of the range of Thomson and DIRECTV product offerings; -- development and introduction of new service offerings; and -- specification, development and sharing of new technologies that will enable such new service offerings. The partnership will initially concentrate on the U.S. domestic market; however, the parties will promptly explore opportunities and growth strategies in Latin America, Europe and Asia. As a result of this strategic relationship, and subject to approval by the respective boards of Thomson and Hughes Electronics and domestic regulatory authorities, it is anticipated that Hughes, through DIRECTV, will take a minority interest in Thomson Multimedia, have one seat on its board of directors, and also sit on a newly formed Strategic Committee of Thomson Multimedia. Co-Development of Next-Generation Receivers and Advanced Multimedia Products and Co-Development of Services The DIRECTV-Thomson joint development and distribution program aims to enhance the capabilities of DBS receiver technology to enable new services and accelerate the launch of new products. The two companies have agreed to jointly design and develop a new cost-competitive, entry-level DBS receiver platform. These devices will take advantage of the decreased cost of core technology and will include new interactive services such as data enhanced video and electronic commerce. DIRECTV and Thomson will also co-develop higher-end advanced products and delivery systems that will support advanced service offerings. Potential services to be supported by these devices include Webcasting, software downloads and Internet access. The parties will also explore the participation of DIRECTV's sister subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems Inc., in the development and deployment of such advanced platforms and services. [Note: Divi competitor?] Accelerated Transition to Digital Terrestrial Television DIRECTV and Thomson also plan to develop products and services to accelerate the introduction and consumer acceptance of digital terrestrial television. The two companies will work with the television networks and local channel broadcasters during their transition to digital television. Thomson's strong consumer brand and capabilities in broadcast equipment and consumer electronics manufacturing, combined with DIRECTV's leadership position in digital entertainment services, uniquely position the two companies to take advantage of the transition of terrestrial broadcasters from analog to digital format. "This agreement is a natural extension of DIRECTV's long-standing and successful relationship with Thomson in the deployment of a wholly new form of digital home entertainment. The strengthened partnership will allow for the rapid introduction into the market of new and innovative interactive services and platforms," said DIRECTV President Eddy Hartenstein. "Thomson and DIRECTV pioneered digital television service and secured a leadership position by providing U.S. consumers the ultimate in programming choice, picture and sound quality. Through this agreement, we have strengthened our relationship and will extend our leadership to new media services," said Thierry Breton, chairman and CEO of Thomson Multimedia. Worldwide No. 4 in consumer electronics, Thomson Multimedia develops, manufactures and sells TV sets, VCRs, camcorders, audio and communications products, digital decoders and DVD players, as well as tubes and other components for color TVs and professional video equipment. The group is No. 1 in the United States and No. 3 in Europe. From its leaderships position in its core consumer electronics business, the group has taken advantage of the convergence of the TV, information technology and telecommunications businesses to seize the leadership in the emerging markets for digital and multimedia products. Thomson Multimedia is particularly active in the development of new services linked to the TV set, such as electronics program guides, Internet access and interactivity features. More........... newsalert.com

To: John Rieman who wrote (34917)	8/4/1998 12:55:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

Thakral a Cube customer, is expanding VCD into India... More indications India VCD is taking off. Thakral lines up venture for video compact disks Srinivas Venugopal MUMBAI 08/01/98 Business Standard Page 14 Copyright (c) Business Standard The $2.5 billion Singapore-based Thakral International Ltd is venturing into video compact disk ( VCD ) business in India. The company, which has units in Hong Kong and China, is in talks with 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros and Paramount Pictures among others for rights to reproduce on VCDs their box-office hits. Thakral, which has invested about $800 million in China, plans to set up a new company in India by early next year to produce copyrighted VCDs. It is also considering collaborating with Indian entertainment distributors for marketing its VCDs. This follows an 18-month 'market testing' carried out by the company along with Sony International and Shemaroo in Mumbai whereby it released test versions of VCDs priced at Rs 420 containing Hindi blockbusters. "While Sony's interest lies in promoting its VCD players in India, Shemaroo and Thakral have different motives in carrying out the testing," said Gurmukh Singh Thakral, chairman of the newly set up Indian subsidiary, Raffles Software Pvt Ltd. He denied that his company and Sony will tie up for a foray into multimedia entertainment. "The demand for video cassettes are on the wane. The market is now flooded with video CD players," he said. The original versions of VCDs now cost around Rs 600 in India. The production of copyrighted VCDs is expected to substantially reduce the costs. Thakral has invested $50 million in India, after kicking off operations some years ago with the distribution of Casio calculators. The group has interests in distribution (including Compaq and IBM products), property development; information technology and textiles and garments. The company has invested Rs 15 crore for its software development facility set up in Bangalore.