BOCI ->Boca Research Announces Break-Through Video on Demand Solution with BocaVision ST2001 State-of-the-Art Internet/Information Appliance
Boca Research Announces Break-Through Video on Demand Solution with BocaVision ST2001 State-of-the-Art Internet/Information Appliance
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 1999--Boca Research, Inc. (NASDAQ:BOCI - news) today announced the next product in its family of Internet and information access/thin client computing devices -- the BocaVision(tm) ST2001.
Boca Research and Network Computer, Inc. (NCI) demonstrated the BocaVision ST2001 at last week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. This demonstration highlighted the full capability of Video on Demand (VOD) services over the ST2001 set-top box with MPEG-2/MPEG-1 and Dolby digital (AC-3) audio streaming over the Internet. The BocaVision ST2001 will provide users with a single solution for browsing the Web, sending/receiving e-mail, performing personal computer functions, and playing DVD titles as well as audio and video CDs, along with the VOD capability. Boca Research is the first to provide to OEMs and system integrators this class of innovative state-of-the-art device combining power and performance with an open systems architecture which is customizable and expandable in configurations ranging from $499 - $999. The product is scheduled for broad-based beta testing in the first quarter of 1999, and volume shipments are expected in the second quarter.
Developed using software from NCI, an affiliate of Oracle Corporation [Nasdaq:ORCL - news] and Netscape Communications Corporation [Nasdaq:NSCP - news], BocaVision ST2001 features NCI's feature-rich, open Internet standards-based, TV Navigator(tm) and a high-speed Cyrix® MediaGX(tm) processor resulting in a cost-effective, high-powered information appliance and a simplified computing device. The BocaVision ST2001 is the first product developed from the Boca/NCI relationship which was first announced in June 1998.
''We're pleased that NCI's relationship with Boca Research has produced the feature-rich BocaVision ST2001,'' said Mitchell Kertzman, president and chief executive officer of Network Computer, Inc. ''Both Boca Research and NCI are committed to providing the market with cost-effective information appliances and systems that enhance people's lives with easy access to information and entertainment.''
Mr. Brian Halla, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of National Semiconductor® Corporation (NYSE:NSM - news), commented, ''The Cyrix MediaGX processor gives OEMs a low-cost, high-performance platform that enables them to offer their customers innovative products like BocaVision ST2001. Its integrated architecture provides complete x86 compatibility and closely couples the CPU with video, graphics and audio functions to deliver a superb Internet experience.''
''The BocaVision ST2001 allows for high-speed graphics processing and provides a superior end user experience with NCI's interactive Enhanced TV(tm) software and technology,'' said Tom Elowson, director of marketing for thin clients for Boca Research.
''We believe this is the most flexible architecture for expansion and customization available today in the information appliance systems category. The product will leverage the many new opportunities in interactive, Enhanced TV using dial-up, Ethernet, high-speed cable and xDSL access for the delivery of information services to the consumer and SOHO markets,'' Mr. Elowson concluded. International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that the information appliance market will expand to over 55 million units by the year 2002, a 78 percent increase in growth from 1998.
Performance features of the ST2001 include: alpha-blending using the IGS 5050, a V.90/56K built-in modem, RAM expansion from 8 to 64MB, flash from 2 to 8MB, a PCI bus, room for DVD/CD-ROM and hard drive, a parallel port, dual CATV cable-ready tuner, full video and audio input and output including S-Video. Using NCI's TV Navigator software along with the Oracle Video Server and Sigma Designs' (NASDAQ:SIGM - news) REALmagic(tm) MPEG-2 decoding technology, the ST2001 achieves full motion 30 fps streaming video with an easy-to-use Web-based interface. This enables any Telco-ADSL, satellite, or cable systems provider the ability to provide to their customers on-demand movie channels along with new interactive video services in a user-friendly, manageable package.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Founded in 1985, Boca Research designs, manufactures, markets and supports quality, cost-effective Information appliances, data communications and networking products to facilitate the transmission of information on personal computers, computer networks and the Internet.
The Company also markets its products under the Global Village Communication brand name and sells its products worldwide through distributors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and retailers. Boca Research is a U.S. corporation headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with international operations and ventures worldwide.
Notes to Editors: For copies of recent press releases from Boca Research via fax, call 800-331-1323. For product or company information via the Internet, visit our Web site at bocaresearch.com.
BocaVision is a trademark of Boca Research, Inc.
REALmagic is a trademark and Sigma Designs is a registered trademark of Sigma Designs. TV Navigator, Enhanced TV and NCI are trademarks of Network Computer, Inc. Cyrix and MediaGX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cyrix Corporation. All other products and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.
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Contact:
Boca Research, Inc.
Sandra Humphrey
Director of Corporate Communications
561-997-6227, ext. 305
sandrah@bocaresearch.com
or
Chuck Sanchez
Product Public Relations
408-548-2342
chuck_sanchez@bocaresearch.com
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