Pioneer Digital Technologies to Integrate ACTV's "Individualized
Pioneer Digital Technologies to Integrate ACTV's "Individualized Television"
Into Its Passport Navigation Suite
BURBANK, Calif./NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 1999--
Enabling Viewers to "Be the Director" of the Programming They Watch,
"Individualized Television" Adds Value and Capabilities to
Pioneer's Passport System
Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc. and ACTV, Inc. (NASDAQ: IATV) today
announced that Pioneer will integrate ACTV's patented "Individualized
Television" digital programming capabilities into Pioneer's Passport(TM)
Navigation and Applications Software Suite.
ACTV uses proprietary software technologies to create "Individualized
Television," which takes traditional television programming into the digital age
by allowing viewers to switch seamlessly among multiple, real-time feeds of
video, audio and data. Using a standard digital set-top box and remote
control, a viewer can switch between the regular programming feed and a
multitude of personal options and features.
ACTV's proprietary software remembers viewer commands and responses to
on-screen prompts, enabling the television to "talk back" to an unlimited
number of viewers with individually-tailored television programming and
targeted, addressable advertising content. "Individualized Television" can
enhance a variety of television genres, including sporting events, news, game
shows, children's programming and advertising. For sporting events, ACTV's
"Individualized Television" offers more than 60 viewing options such as Star
Cam, an isolated camera focused on a featured player; instant replay on
demand; in-depth statistics; scoring summaries; and relevant video feature
stories and interviews at the touch of a button.
"Individualized Television' is a natural fit with the suite of applications in the
Passport system," said Neil Jones, senior vice president of operations and
business development for Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc. "By making it
possible for each viewer to create his or her own unique, interactive media
experience, Individualized Television' takes full advantage of the power of the
digital platform."
Jones added, "As a result of ACTV's capabilities, cable operators who deploy
the Passport system will be able to offer a significant and valuable new
service to subscribers."
Pioneer's Passport software provides a digital set-top solution that includes a
wide range of features including interactive program guides, channel banner
browsing, pay-per-view and other downloadable interactive applications such
as Web-browsing, VOD, email, chat, weather, sports, stocks and news. The
company's set-top box Voyager(TM), along with the Passport Navigation
Suite, will deliver true interactivity in a home-entertainment environment. The
Voyager is designed with a built-in, real-time RF reverse path transmitter to
enable a range of new two-way applications, video-on-demand
training/education-on-demand, Web browsing, direct-purchase merchandising
and local information services. Integration of ACTV's technology in the
Passport Navigation Suite will enable the companies to deliver "Individualized
Television" via the Pegasus platform, designed for Time Warner Cable
(NYSE: TWX), as well as other digital set-top platforms.
"With Passport, Pioneer has developed a powerful, multi-faceted system that
gives viewers more control over their digital viewing experience," said Dave
Alworth, executive vice president of ACTV Entertainment. "We look forward
to working with Pioneer to expand the audience for Individualized Television'
and other digital services."
ABOUT PIONEER DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc. (PDT) was established in San Diego in
1996. It is a joint venture between Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc. and
Pioneer Electronic Corporation. The company is an engineering-based
advanced products development division and is responsible for hardware and
software design, as well as development for the next generation of cable TV
set-top boxes. Based in Long Beach, CA, Pioneer New Media Technologies,
Inc. delivers innovative solutions to the cable television marketplace and is a
subsidiary of Pioneer Electronic Corporation.
ABOUT ACTV, INC.
Whether it's for the rapidly emerging digital television platform, the Internet or
a convergent TV-Internet experience, New York-based ACTV, Inc. uses its
proprietary and patented software applications -- HyperTV(TM) and
"Individualized Television" -- to dramatically enhance any television or |
