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To: BillyG who wrote (38901)	2/11/1999 7:00:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

Warner Bros. Records Inc. Commits to Furthering DVD Platform 02/11/99 PR Newswire (Copyright (c) 1999, PR Newswire) BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling upon the resources of its vast music home video catalogue, Warner Bros. Records Inc. will be furthering its commitment to the DVD platform with a release slate of between 15 and twenty titles in l999. Citing strong sales of its previously released DVD titles as well as growing consumer demand, the label will release the first seven titles in March including DVD 's from Madonna, Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and Paul Simon. "Based on the strength of our recent DVD releases, we know that music fans want to view artists in as high-tech a format as possible," said Vic Faraci, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Warner Bros. Records Inc., " DVD offers music fans an experience not far removed from having the artist perform in their living room." Set for release March 9th is Madonna's "CIAO ITALIA: LIVE FROM ITALY," a platinum-certified home video first released on VHS in l988. Considered one of Madonna's most spectacular and provocative live performances, the concert takes place at an outdoor stadium in Turin, Italy, and features such Madonna favorites as "Material Girl," "Open Your Heart," "Like A Virgin," "Live To Tell" and "Holiday." Also set for release March 9th is Eric Clapton's "24 NIGHTS," featuring the best performances from Clapton's record-setting string of 24 consecutive sold-out concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1990-91. Certified gold in the home video format, "24 NIGHTS" features Clapton backed by a stripped-down four-piece combo, an all-star blues band, a nine-piece rock ensemble and a symphony orchestra. Musical guests include Phil Collins, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Chuck Leavell and Ray Cooper as well The National Philharmonic Orchestra, and song selections include "White Room, " "Running On Faith," "Sunshine Of Your Love," "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Have You Ever Loved A Woman." Three Frank Sinatra titles - "A MAN AND HIS MUSIC," "THE MAIN EVENT" and "A MAN AND HIS MUSIC + ELLA + JOBIM" - will also be released March 9th, marking the first appearance in the DVD format of three of his most special of television specials. Originally released on the VHS and laser disc formats in 199l, these titles contain some of Sinatra's greatest live performances including "I've Got You Under My Skin," "The Lady Is A Tramp," "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "Body And Soul" (with Ella Fitzgerald), "Quiet Night Of Quiet Stars" (with Jobim) and "My Way." Paul Simon's gold-certified home video, "GRACELAND: THE AFRICAN CONCERT," will be released on the DVD format March 23rd. Featuring Simon's revolutionary fusion of Western and South African music in a once-in-a- lifetime concert performed soon after the Grammy-winning album's release, "GRACELAND: THE AFRICAN CONCERT" features guest artists Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. Songs featured include "The Boy In The Bubble," "I Know What I Know," "You Can Call Me Al" and "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes." Also set for release March 23rd is Rod Stewart's "STORYTELLER 1984-1991." The gold-certified "STORYTELLER," which revisits twelve of the most popular music videos in the illustrious and legendary career of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stewart, includes "Forever Young," "Downtown Train," "Rhythm Of My Heart," "People Get Ready" and "The Motown Song." Artist/Title Catalog No. Street Date Price MADONNA "Ciao, Italia" 2-38141/ DVD March 9th $24.99 ERIC CLAPTON "24 Nights" 2-38193/ DVD March 9th $24.99 FRANK SINATRA "A Man & His Music" 2-38201/ DVD March 9th $24.99 FRANK SINATRA "A Man & His Music + Ella + Jobim" 2-38202/ DVD March 9th $24.99 FRANK SINATRA "The Main Event" 2-38206/ DVD March 9th $24.99 PAUL SIMON "Graceland The African Concert" 2-38136/ DVD March 23rd $24.99 ROD STEWART "Storyteller 1984 - 1991" 2-38255/ DVD March 23rd $24.99 /CONTACT: Alisse Kingsley of Warner Bros. Records Inc., 818-953-3485/ 09:01 EST Contact: /CONTACT: Alisse Kingsley of Warner Bros. Records Inc., 818-953-3485/ 09:01 EST

To: BillyG who wrote (38901)	2/11/1999 7:14:00 PM
From: DiViT	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Cube and NDS... C-Cube MPEG-2 Codec Selected By NDS for Digital Broadcast Encoders c-cube.com MILPITAS, Calif. -- September 10, 1998 -- C-Cube Microsystems (Nasdaq: CUBE) today announced that NDS (NYSE: NWS) has selected C-Cube's single-chip DVxpert MPEG-2 broadcast codec as a key component in a number of its new MPEG-2 compression products. C-Cube's breakthrough engineering efforts allow for the development of lower cost systems, such as the NDS E5210 and E5410 Encoders. These products form a key part of NDS' systems solutions, which offer highly featured and cost-effective solutions for a wide range of applications, such as contribution, distribution and private networks. By leveraging C-Cube's expertise in integrating critical MPEG-2 system functionality into powerful silicon solutions, NDS is able to offer a range of compact, modular systems for use at fixed and mobile locations.

To: BillyG who wrote (38901)	2/11/1999 10:46:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Respond to of 50808

DVD or SVCD..................................................... asiansources.com players Opinions split on DVD adoption The entry of DVD into the digital video player field has stirred mixed emotions among VCD player makers. Some are preparing to adopt the format and researching eventual player production; others prefer to wait and see, secure in the strength of the VCD market. In mainland China, the DVD format has so far failed to capture a big audience. 1999 could see a significant change in attitude, however: The growing number of DVD releases from major US movie studios will likely bring in more consumer enthusiasm for DVD, even as continuing product introductions are steadily bringing player prices down. The few interested Asian suppliers see mass production possible in the second half of this year. Sources in mainland China say major overseas manufacturers, aiming to offset losses in their VCD business, have begun setting up joint ventures for the production of DVD players. At least 15 local companies have launched samples or have begun batch production. DVD technology is no big deal, a few major companies proclaim. "Batch production can be initiated at any time, if market conditions are favorable," said Su of Shenzhen SAST. If makers like these have any reservations, they have to do with the immaturity of the DVD market. "Considering the persistent demand for Super VCD players, we are unsure how our DVD players will fare," Su added. At least one manufacturer has a concrete timetable. Guangdong Jinzheng plans to release DVD home theater system in the first half of 1999. This will put it a step ahead of many mainland China makers, according to the company's Tang. Taiwan's Ensing follows a two-pronged course of getting its lines ready to produce DVD units, while actively pursuing R&D for its VCD business. A slackening in its VCD sales is encouraging the shift to DVD, says the firm's Chang. Research on DVD is nearly complete, but Chang refused to comment on when the company's first DVD players will likely be released. Zi San Electronics, also of Taiwan, is much more cautious and will not expand into DVD players so long as its VCD business remains strong. The firm's Chen emphasizes that entering the DVD field requires a strong research capability — something many would-be entrants may not possess. Both Yanion and SMC Multi-media of Hong Kong already produce DVD players but see no immediate demise for VCD models. SMC Multi-media's Ho said the DVD player will fully replace the VCD player in the firm's production only if DVD player prices come down. That could be sooner, rather than later. Ho expects DVD demand to climb this year, causing sharp drops in FOB levels before the year 2000. As second- and third-generation DVD players come out, prices of first-generation models would go down, she notes. For Yanion, the Super VCD format has proved a blessing, extending the lifespan of the VCD player for several more years and permitting it to remain a viable export item. Malaysia's makers of VCD players say they are ready to go into DVD production once the economy has recovered and demand has climbed. TFP Precision said existing production facilities could be easily converted for the manufacture of the DVD player.