Stream Machine's MPEG-2 Encoder/Decoder Enables DVD-Quality Recording at VCR Pricing

XIAMEN, China/SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2000-- Amoisonic Electronics Company, a prominent manufacturer of audio and video products in China, and Stream Machine, a provider of innovative audio and video semiconductor solutions in the US, have joined forces to produce the world's first home VideoDisc Recorder, VDR.

The VideoDisc Recorder/player is enabled by Stream Machine's MPEG-2 digital video real-time encoding and decoding technology and is the first low-price, high-performance recordable digital video solution designed for consumers.

The VideoDisc Recorder is similar to traditional analog VHS VCRs in features and functions with the additional convenience, quality and interactivity of digital video technology. The VDR provides high-quality record/playback at low bit rates enabling the use of low cost CD-RW drives and low cost CD-R and CD-RW disks as the recording media. Amoisonic's VDR can play pre-recorded Super Video CD titles, Video CD titles and audio CDs, as well as create disks in these formats.

"Our VDR creates an entirely new product category and we have been able to bring it to market so quickly because of the completeness of Stream Machine's Symphony Reference Design," said Mr. Lu Huanwen, president of Amoisonic. "We chose Stream Machine's solution as it offered the highest quality and the lowest total system cost and had the additional advantage of having the lowest power consumption, which will be important for portable, battery operated videodisc recorders."

"Amoisonic's VDR, is the first video recorder to meet the consumers' expectations for quality at a price they can afford, and, as such, is likely to have a major impact on the US home video market," is the assessment of Stream Machine's president and CEO, Michael Canning. "The VDR was made possible by Amoisonic's strong expertise in audio/video manufacturing and Stream Machine's breakthrough MPEG-2 CODEC technology."

     Amoisonic Demonstrates DVD-Quality/VCR-Priced Video Recording at
     CES

Amoisonic will demonstrate the standalone VideoDisc Recorder at 2000CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, held January 5 through January 9, at Booth 3415.

Technology Breakthrough

This breakthrough is made possible by the Stream Machine SM2210 MPEG-2 video codec which supports real-time video encoding and decoding using a single-pass variable bit rate MPEG-2 encoding technique, providing higher video quality than traditional constant bit rate MPEG-2 encoding.

As the SM2210 is a true codec, performing both encode and decode functions, the total system cost and parts count is reduced compared to systems using separate MPEG-2 encoders and decoders. In addition, the SM2210 combines a high-degree of system integration with ease of design and requires only 4 MegaBytes of SDRAM for full resolution NTSC 30 frames per second MPEG-2 encoding -- further reducing parts count and system cost.

The technology is available in two reference designs: Symphony(TM), a reference design for standalone personal video recorders (PVRs) and Insta-Replay(TM), a PCI board reference design for video capture and playback PC applications. Both reference designs are complete -- including software/firmware, schematics, bill of materials (BOM), Gerber files, and user documentation -- to enable products based on these reference designs to be brought quickly to high volume manufacturing.

Availability

Amoisonic's VDR is available now at an expected retail price of $299.

About Amoisonic Electronics Company

Amoisonic Electronics Company is one of the largest manufacturers of digital AV products in China and has been its largest manufacturer and supplier of VCRs for the last five years. In addition to digital audio and video consumer products, the company also manufactures communications products and is well positioned for the convergence of communications and entertainment applications. Amoisonic was founded in 1981 in Xiamen as a joint venture of Xiamen City and Xiamen Solid Electronics Company. It is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange as Amoisonic Electronics.

About Stream Machine Company

Stream Machine Company provides audio and video solutions for the Internet, consumer electronics and personal computer markets. Stream Machine uses proprietary technology and techniques to bring to market cost effective semiconductors that implement industry standard audio and video algorithms, such as MPEG-2. Please visit the Stream Machine website for additional information: www.streammachine.com