WebDVD Scheduled to be Available
by Christmas 1999
MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--Aug. 30, 1999--RAVISENT Technologies, Inc., a developer of
core-based modular software solutions that enable digital video
and audio stream management, today announced an agreement with
Teknema, Inc., Palo Alto, CA and Met@box AG, Hildesheim, Germany
(German Bourse Neuer Markt: MBX) to jointly develop and market a
Web-enabled DVD player in Europe that transforms an ordinary
television into both a home theater system and a true Internet
appliance. RAVISENT and Teknema are jointly developing the WebDVD
player, and customizing a version for integration with Met@box's
ISP business and BOT (Broadcast on Television) data broadcasting
services.
Met@box will handle sales,
distribution and support of the Web DVD player, and will serve as
the Internet Service Provider for European end users. With
Internet access and BOT services already available from Met@box,
the customized version of WebDVD is currently scheduled to appear
on retail shelves by Christmas, 1999.
Based on CineMaster® CE,
RAVISENT's industry leading modular DVD software for consumer
electronics manufacturers, the Web DVD player will also
incorporate Teknema's Internet browser and email technologies.
"Web DVD represents the next stage
of RAVISENT's roadmap of digital video product evolution," said
Sharon Taylor, vice president product management, RAVISENT. "It
literally redefines the DVD market. Consumers will not only be
able to watch their favorite movies in stunning theater-like
quality, but also be able to navigate the World Wide Web and
send/receive email - all from their TV with a single,
easy-to-install set top box. WebDVD is another example of
RAVISENT's leadership in enabling customers like Met@box to be
first to market with cutting edge digital video and audio
products."
"This is a tremendous opportunity
for DVD movie studios/distributors," said Ed Piehl, director of
marketing, RAVISENT. "Leading studios have been adding Internet
connected functions to some of their titles, even though until now
only consumers watching on a PC have typically been able to use
these features. With Web DVD, users will also be able access these
advanced features directly from their TV."
About RAVISENT Technologies, Inc.
RAVISENT is driving the digital
entertainment revolution with an integrated suite of innovative
digital video and audio products for PC and consumer electronics
manufacturers. RAVISENT enables the convergence of personal
computer and consumer electronics devices through software and
hardware products designed around a unique, modular software
architecture that provides a consistent look and feel across
technology platforms. Combining outstanding on-screen quality with
high overall system performance and integration, RAVISENT provides
flexible and cost-effective solutions to a spectrum of partners in
the PC-OEM, CE-OEM and semiconductor markets, including Compaq,
Dell Computer, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Packard Bell/NEC, Acer,
Fujitsu, Micron, Quantex, Sony, ATi Technologies, C-Cube, and ST
Microelectronics. Founded in 1994, RAVISENT is headquartered in
Pennsylvania and has offices in the Silicon Valley, Seattle,
Germany and Japan. Information about RAVISENT can be found on the
World Wide Web at www.ravisent.com.
About Teknema, Inc.
Teknema is an Internet technology
company dedicated to developing software and solutions for the
emerging market for information appliances. Teknema's technologies
enable powerful and cost-effective Internet appliances through a
proprietary embedded browser and a modular software suite of
run-time components and network protocols. Combining these
technologies with expertise, Teknema provides solutions to make
Internet appliance the preferred way to access the Web. Founded in
1994, Teknema is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
Information about Teknema can be found on the World Wide Web at http://milano.teknema.com
About Met@box AG
Met@box is a leading provider of
multimedia products and services in Europe using plug-and-play
connections to existing TVs. The company rents, sells and supports
set top box Internet solutions in Europe, and provides Met@TV
Internet access services for residential consumers. Met@box also
offers consumers a rich set of data broadcasting services using
the patented BOT (Broadcast on Television) technology licensed to
Met@box exclusively in Germany by Deutsche Telekom. Founded in
1996, Met@box is headquartered in Hildesheim, Germany and also has
offices in the United States. Information about Met@box can be
found on the World Wide Web at http://www.metabox.de
All companies and product names
mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.
This press release may contain
certain forward-looking statements that relate to Ravisent's
future business and financial performance. Such statements are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the
actual events of future results to differ from those discussed
herein. Such factors include, among others: Ravisent's recent
change in its business model, its limited operating history,
fluctuating quarterly operating results, expectation of future
losses, anticipated price declines in products, dependence on its
CineMaster products, dependence on a small number of customers,
lack of long-term commitments with customers, dependence on
manufacturers and strategic relationships, product delays, the
difficulty of protecting proprietary rights, the ability to manage
growth and attract and retain additional personnel, the potential
for defects in its products, risks from international operations,
its ability to raise capital in the future, its dependence on the
personal computer and consumer electronics industries,
competition, its ability to manage technological change and
respond to evolving industry standards, government regulation and
Year 2000 software issues.
Contact:
Ravisent, Inc.
Lori Crenny, 610/408-7494
[email protected]
or
Miller/Shandwick Technologies
Kelley MacMaster, 650/596-5831
[email protected]
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