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To: Maya who wrote (39695)	4/7/1999 11:35:00 AM
From: Don Dorsey	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Fast Multimedia to Adopt Sony's MPEG-2 Encoding Technology for Blue. System Business Editors/High-Tech Writers NAB99 NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1999--Sony Electronics announced today that the company will provide MPEG-2 4:2:2P@ML encoder modules for "blue.", a professional non-linear editing system developed by FAST Multimedia. The compressed MPEG-ES data will interface directly with Sony's MPEG-based range of products through the new Serial Digital Transfer Interface -- Content Package (SDTI-CP) data transport. SDTI-CP is in its final stages of standardization at SMPTE and enables a native MPEG stream to be transferred to other MPEG-based products. This unifying interconnection enables total system flexibility while maintaining high quality throughout the entire production chain. The MPEG-2 compression system continues its rapid expansion in broadcast and professional applications and remains the de facto compression solution for contribution and transmission systems. With flexibility of bit rates and GOP structures, MPEG-2 4:2:2 offers the best compression solution where digital video is used in the professional broadcast environment. Moreover, many manufacturers are increasing availability of interoperable MPEG-based products. "As more and more broadcasters begin the transition to digital television, they quickly discover the need for a common interface between competing manufacturers' digital video equipment," said Michael Vitelli, executive vice president of Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company. "MPEG has emerged as the broadcasters' interface of choice for compressed video streams and we are very pleased to see FAST Multimedia adopt our MPEG-2 technology." Interoperability Demonstration at NAB '99 Sony and FAST will jointly demonstrate MPEG-2 bit stream interoperability at NAB '99 between Betacam SX(R) and the "blue." non-linear editing system. The newly introduced SDTI-CP interface card for DNW-A75/A65 Betacam SX editing recorders will transcode Betacam SX recorders's MPEG data to 50Mbps, I-frame data stream ensuring that Betacam SX acquisition products are integrated into the total production system. "We are extremely pleased to be amongst the first companies to integrate genuine Sony MPEG technology into our flagship editor, 'blue.'," said Matthias Zahn, chief executive officer and founder of FAST Multimedia. FAST will integrate the Sony MPEG module into its Native Digital(TM) editor to ensure maximum interoperability with Sony's Betacam SX devices. Bitstream transfers of video, audio and metadata information will be performed through the SDTI-CP interface. "True interoperability is what users expect from MPEG-2," Zahn added. "With 'blue.' and Betacam SX format, this dream becomes reality. For 'blue.'s' 'every in, any out' philosophy, the integration of MPEG-2 is mandatory, and our award-winning Native Digital technology eliminates quality loss through unnecessary AD/DA and recompression processes needed with all other editing systems." Note to Editors: More information about Sony products can be found on the World Wide Web at sony.com, or readers may call 800/686-SONY. Additional press information is available at sony.com. The Broadcast and Professional Company of Sony Electronics is a leading U.S. provider of video and audio equipment for the broadcast, production, business, industrial, government, medical, and education markets. Sony offers a wide array of products and systems for image capture, production, and display. Sony also provides specialized equipment and systems for data recording, duplication, electronic photography/publishing, video conferencing, high-definition video, interactive and security applications. In the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 1998, Sony Electronics had record sales of $10.5 billion.

To: Maya who wrote (39695)	4/7/1999 12:49:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

VisionTech Announces Second Generation Single Chip MPEG -2 Encoder/Multiplexor; VisionTech to Demonstrate Single Chip MPEG -2 Encoder/Multiplexor at NAB'99 in Las Vegas - Booth No. S5824 04/06/99 Business Wire (Copyright (c) 1999, Business Wire) HERZLIYA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 1999--VisionTech, Ltd. a leading provider of integrated circuits (ICs) for digital video compression applications, today announced the immediate availability of the Kfir IC. This powerful, 2nd generation, programmable MPEG -2 compression/multiplexing chip is based on the pioneering work performed by VisionTech, in conjunction with CSK Corporation of Japan. The Kfir MPEG -2 encoder/multiplexor will be showcased at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show on April 19-22, 1999, in Las Vegas in VisionTech's booth (S5824). Kfir is a single chip MPEG -2 video encoder/system multiplexor that fully complies with MPEG -2 standard (ISO/IEC 13818), MP@ML, SP@ML, MP@LL. Kfir is intended to encode video, multiplex video and audio, and create MPEG -2 Elementary, Program and Transport streams. The chip captures uncompressed video and encodes it according to MPEG -2 standard. Kfir also captures an uncompressed (PCM) or compressed audio (of various standards like AC-3 and MPEG -I/II, etc.), and multiplexes video and audio. Kfir outputs VES / packetized VES/packetized AES / Program / Transport stream. Kfir is targeted to the following applications: digital camcorders, desktop multimedia, video authoring, video broadcast, recordable DVD, internet/broadband based video streaming, video conferencing, security and surveillance. Among Kfir's unique benefits are: 1. Kfir multiplexes video, audio and user data into Program and constant rate Transport stream, thus removing a significant processing load from an external processor. MPEG -2 scheme for multiplexing and generation of Program and constant rate Transport streams is one of the key intellectual property of any major MPEG -2 board/system manufacturer. Kfir chip enables companies with no prior knowledge of MPEG , an immediate and effortless entry to the MPEG -2 encoding market, relieving them from a long development period of multiplexing algorithms. 2. Kfir provides the lowest encoding latency in the industry (less than 20miliseconds!), thereby opening MPEG -2 compression technology to time critical interactive applications, such as video conferencing and distance learning, security and surveillance and internet applications. 3. Kfir is specially designed to fit into low cost, low power applications. Kfir consumes around 1W, it is packaged in low-cost 176 LQFP package. Kfir needs only one external memory (SDRAM) module to operate (unlike other MPEG -2 encoders, that require four to eight memory chips on board to support encoding). As the result, the overall system cost, power dissipation and size is greatly decreased, to a point where the integration cost can drop below 100USD per complete system implementation. 4. Kfir supports I960 and generic bus interfaces, widely accepted in the industry, thus allowing simple design of stand-alone systems. Kfir Features: Kfir captures either NTSC or PAL digitized video signal, in 8 to 10 bits mode through a CCIR656 compatible video interface. Kfir can be programed to perform frame rate decimation (1 fps through 30/25 fps) to support low bit rate applications, like video conferencing over phone lines, security and surveillance. Kfir supports multiple resolution levels D1, VGA, 2/3 D1, half D1, SIF, QSIF at multiple aspect ratios (Square, 4:3, 16:9, 2.11:1) as required per specific application. To reduce noise and to allow custom shaping of the input video signal, the Kfir is equipped with programmable two dimensional (7x6) filter. Each of the filter coefficients can be programmed separately, with a resolution level of 11 bits. Up to 4 filter banks can be stored to allow separate shaping of the luminance and chrominance signals of each field of the video signal. Automatic 3 to 2 pulldown and close caption (CC) data insertion are also supported. The Kfir can be used to encode video at different GOP structures, as needed per specific application. Kfir supports I only (M=0), IP (M=1), IPB (M=2), IPBB (M=3) sequences. The GOP structure can be dynamically changed. The Kfir supports both constant and variable bitrate encoding. The bitrate can be set in the range of 128KBps through 24MBps. For efficient video encoding in high motion scenes, the Kfir chip performs motion estimation on a wide search area of +/-100H, +/-34V at half pel accuracy. The search area is maintained for P and B pictures, for both forward and backward reference pictures. To simplify Kfir integration, a comprehensive reference design kit is available. The kit includes: (a) PCI evaluation Video/Audio encoder board; (b) Schematics (Orcad format); (c) FPGA HDL code (Verilog); (d) Components list; (e) NT Drivers in source form; (f) API (in source form); and, (g) 15 Hours of off-site engineering support. The Company: VisionTech Ltd., headquartered in Herzliya, Israel, founded in 1995, is a leading developer and manufacturer of digital video compression products. The company's core technologies are chip/board and software architectures for digital video/audio compression. The company designs and produces digital video encoding chips and boards for a broad range of professional and consumer applications. VisionTech's products are recognized for being highly functional, low-cost solutions, engineered to bring the world of digital video to homes and offices around the world. VisionTech's website can be found at visiontech-dml.com. Kfir is a trademark of VisionTech Ltd. All other products mentioned are trademarks of their respective holders, and should be treated as such. CONTACT: VisionTech Ltd. North America: Brian Lemelman Tel: +561-691-9000 Fax: +561-691-4780 E-mail: mailto:lemelman@visiontech-dml.com or Dayana Poller Toll Free (US): 1-888-769-7163 Ext. 220 Fax: +972-9-951-2878 E-mail: mailto:dayana@visiontech-dml.com or Steven Unger Tel: +914-352-3700 Fax: +914-371-1556 E-mail: mailto:steve@visiontech-dml.com or Europe and Australia: Tommy Orpaz Tel: +972-9-951-2877 Ext. 203 Fax: +972-9-951-2878 Email: mailto:orpaz@visiontech-dml.com, or Japan/Asia (CSK Corp.): CSK Corp. Riichi Goka Tel: +81-3-3457-0681 Fax: +81-3-3457-0695 E-mail: mailto:Riichi_Goka@cii.csk.co.jp 12:01 EDT APRIL 6,

To: Maya who wrote (39695)	4/7/1999 6:50:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

NVIDIA and TeraLogic Enable HDTV For The PC Market; Reference Solution Delivers Premium-Quality Cost-Effective DTVPC Solution 04/07/99 Business Wire (Copyright (c) 1999, Business Wire) LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1999--At the 1999 Windows Hardware Engineering Conference ( WinHEC ) today, NVIDIA(TM) Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) announced support for TeraLogic's Janus chip, the industry's first single-chip high-definition DTVPC decoder. In combination with the Janus chip, NVIDIA is able to provide true high definition capabilities in their digital TV offerings. By leveraging each others technical expertise, the two companies have developed a reference design that provides premium image quality for both HDTV and 3D/2D graphics for the mainstream PC market. "TeraLogic has a reputation for developing technology which significantly advances products for the consumer electronics market," said Michael Hara, vice president of corporate marketing at NVIDIA. "By combining the strength of TeraLogic's HDTV hardware with our award-winning graphics family, we are able to demonstrate a complete and cost-effective digital television solution for 1999 and beyond." Based on TeraLogic's proven TL850 HD decoder, TeraLogic's Janus is the PC industry's first chip capable of decoding and displaying onto a PC all 18 ATSC digital TV formats, including true high definition formats like 1080i and 720p. Also, the Janus's on-chip line doubler and advanced video scaler can up-convert native NTSC and DVD video-streams to HD video formats. Native NTSC (such as cable TV) and DVD broadcasts display 150K pixels per frame. True HD displays one million pixels per frame -- the same resolution available on most PC monitors. With TeraLogic's single chip solution, only one PC card is needed for PC users to receive high-quality, true HD signals. In addition, the Janus chip and card can output to HDTV set monitors. TeraLogic's DTVPC solution is being demonstrated with the award-winning RIVA TNT at WinHEC in Los Angeles from April 6-9 in booth No. 215 (TeraLogic) and No. 701 (NVIDIA).

To: Maya who wrote (39695)	4/9/1999 12:37:00 PM
From: DiViT	Respond to of 50808

Ulead VideoStudio. A new Cube DVxplore customer) 05/04/99 PC Magazine COPYRIGHT 1999 Ziff-Davis Publishing Company Ulead VideoStudio 3.0 ($100 street) is an appealing but frustrating product that tries too hard in some areas but not hard enough in others. The result is a poor candidate for retail purchase, but with minor interface advances, the product could be great when bundled with a capture card. Although VideoStudio includes a wizard, it provides little value. We recommend starting with the main program, which logically moves you through the project with sequential menu items that spawn context- sensitive controls. The program resembles a boom box, with library, preview, and control windows sitting over a construction area configurable as either a timeline or storyboard. The program offers a good range of editing functionality, and it handled all project requirements except logo overlay. Ulead offers over 100 transitions, including page curls and other 3-D effects, with rendering quality superior to that of Cinema and Studio MP10 and similar to that of VideoWaveII. You create titles directly over the video image, which is helpful, and select text motion and fade effects with buttons. On the audio front, you can record narration tracks, grab files from CD-ROM, and fade all audio files in and out. During preview, VideoStudio's Smart Render feature saves the rendered segment to a temporary file, allowing real-time playback the second time around; the program uses the file to speed final-project rendering. VideoStudio also uses temporary files to transfer projects back to tape from the timeline, avoiding Windows' 2GB AVI-file limitation and enabling projects longer than 10 minutes. Unfortunately, this feature works best with board-specific drivers that weren't available for any of our capture cards, and performance was erratic on our tests. This makes VideoStudio a poor choice for current capture-card owners seeking a new editor, but the feature should work well when VideoStudio is bundled with a capture card. Of the reviewed products, VideoStudio supports the broadest range of output options, including AVI, MPEG -1, ASF, RealMedia, and QuickTime formats. But there are no wizards to guide novices through these controls: They'll see the same confusing options available to professionals in programs such as Adobe Premiere. Compression performance was generally good, especially for RealMedia and MPEG -1 output, though the audio on our Indeo test clip exhibited slight slurring from the down-sampling from CD-ROM to 11-kHz, 16-bit mono. We found some encoding bright spots, however. For example, if you need to make changes to a rendered project, VideoStudio renders only the changed regions, not the entire file, which speeds rerendering time dramatically. Though this is Version 3.0, VideoStudio has a distinct 1.0 feel, with an interface and feature set that needs paring and focus. But it is an ambitious product with undeniable appeal, primarily within the context of a bundle with a capture card. Ulead VideoStudio 3.0 Street price: $100 Requires: 32MB RAM; 80MB hard disk space; Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0; video capture card. Ulead Systems, Torrance, CA; 310-523-9393 www.ulead.com NOVICE-FRIENDLY: Ulead VideoStudio is an easy-to-use program with an interface resembling a boom box.