Info on Sigma from their home page. Looks good:
sigmadesigns.com
A few excerpts:
On corporate partners:
<<Sigma Partners in Success
To meet the market's demands, Sigma Designs has developed strong partnerships with leading OEMs including Intel, Microsoft, and Cisco Systems, and with solutions providers and independent software vendors (ISVs).
Sigma Designs works with Microsoft's Windows Media Technologies, including Media Player and NetShow Theater Server, Cisco System's IP/TV, and others to simplify the deployment of streaming video and videoconference applications in areas such as distance learning and training, real-time communications, and collaborative work.
Over 1,200 third-party software content developers and major video server and network peripheral firms integrate the REALmagic MPG/DVD chip and board-level capabilities into their custom applications, titles, or product bundles. Here are just a few examples:
Diebold is marketing video-enabled ATM cash machines that incorporate REALmagic MPEG video decoders
Hughes Network Systems markets an IP-Advantage multicasting satellite system which includes NetStream 2 decoders with each user station. These systems have been deployed in thousands of locations nationwide by AutoZone, Wal-Mart, and A.G. Edwards.
The travel industry is using REALmagic MPEG decoders in airplanes, trains, and cruise ships to provide video-on-demand programming and services. Working with Intel, Sigma developed a "daughter" DVD decoder card for the Intel 740 graphics adapter.
Sony Electronics, Philips, Panasonic, Hi-Val, and Guillemot have selected Sigma's REALmagic Hollywood Plus card for inclusion in their DVD upgrade kits.>>
On the market for their products:
<<The Market
Sigma Designs' DVD/MPEG-2 decoders currently have a 49% market share (IDC) and are used to enable desktop computers with real-time (30 fps, television quality) video playback for video-intense applications such as training, distance learning, electronic merchandising, and entertainment.
While MPEG-1 video was a relatively small and static market, the hardware MPEG-2 market is emerging quickly as corporations, developers, system developers, and system integrators realize the power of video presentation and on-line meetings. With over 60 million people on-line today, it is estimated that more than 150 million people will have high-performance anywhere-to-anywhere access by 2001. The market is projected to grow rapidly, with video-enabled sales reaching $200 million by the year 2001.
The worldwide networking multimedia market is expected to grow from $8.5 billion in 1996 to $55 billion per year by the year 2000. Equipment will represent 30%, or $16.5 billion of this market. According to industry analysts, the early implementors of this technology have been leaders in business and educational institutions. However, they predict that as service prices drop and equipment becomes more widely deployed, it will be used throughout the public and private sectors. With an average of one server for 50+ clients, the video server market is expected to grow to $8 billion by the year 2000. Since each client in a networked environment will require one MPEG-2 decoder, this translates to a tremendous increase in potential sales for Sigma Designs.
As DVD content, applications, and drives/players become mainstream products in homes, businesses, and schools, Sigma's products will help users play feature-length films with twice the video and sound quality of conventional VHS tape. They will also be part of the solutions the industry's leading software and hardware providers will use to transform stand-alone, networked, and portable multimedia computers into full-motion video-enabled systems.
To keep pace with demand, leading video server and network peripheral suppliers are already specifying Sigma Designs' REALmagic products as their approved MPEG decoder of choice. These firms include Microsoft, SGI, Cisco, Nortel, Oracle, First Virtual, Optivision, Infovalue, Packet Engines, and Fore Systems.>>
And finally:
<<Services & Distribution
Sigma chip sets are integrated with the industry's leading PCs by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and PC add-on card manufacturers for delivery to consumers worldwide. The firm's board-level products are sold internationally through major distributors, OEMs, system integrators, value-added
resellers (VARs), and vertical market resellers.>> |
