ADS announces world's first wireless AM/FM radio data receiver for PC; "Cadet" provides wireless data access to PC via FM radio; news services, wide range of communications services.

CERRITOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 1996--Advanced Digital Systems (ADS), a leader in multimedia specialty hardware products, Wednesday announced "Cadet," a multi-purpose wireless FM radio data receiver that also brings AM radio to the personal computer for the first time ever.

Cadet also turns the PC into a complete news and messaging receiver system.

With Cadet, users have access to a nationwide wireless data broadcasting network that offers a host of communications services. News, sports, stock market, weather, and other information will now be broadcast directly to the PC, via Computer Radio Network (CRN) - in the form of wireless Web pages - without the often arduous task of logging onto the Internet.

Users no longer have to waste time downloading the morning news or surfing the Net until they find something of interest. Cadet sets up automatically to receive the CRN wireless Web page broadcast each time the computer is turned on. However, when a user wants more information on something specific, CRN will also provide hotlinks to information provider Web sites.

"This is going to completely change the way we use and enjoy the computer at home and in the workplace," said Mike McCoy, president of ADS. "Cadet not only brings new technology of wireless data broadcasting to the masses, but also offers convergence of the PC and AM/FM radio. We're talking about an entirely new dimension for the PC - this is what interactivity is all about," he said.

CRN, a free news service (sponsored by advertising), is a network of more than 500 FM radio stations that provides data broadcasting coverage to more than 95 percent of the U.S. and Canadian populations. These stations receive the data via satellite transmission, therefore CRN is also the largest FM radio paging network in North America - increasing Cadet's use as a complete personal messaging station within the PC.

The network also offers fee-based personal messaging services such as e-mail and voice mail alerts and personal paging. E-mail alerts notify users that they have e-mail awaiting them on the Internet or online services like America Online and CompuServe. Paging, voice mail, sport score, and national weather alerts will be transmitted as well.

CRN also adheres to the FCC's new mandate for the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS), by broadcasting alerts digitally over the FM subcarrier - even if the user isn't listening to the radio at the time.

As an AM/FM radio receiver, complete with stereo and CD player software interface, the Cadet's patent pending RBDS (radio data broadcast service) technology can receive data broadcasts via an FM subcarrier, known as "smart radio." Users can listen to music in the background as they work, enjoy talk radio or even catch a sporting event - all from the PC. RBDS also displays radio text, providing information such as radio station call letters and artist's name and song title being played.

Cadet's software interface includes ID LOGIC, allowing users to quickly and easily scan/seek their preferred radio stations or music types. In addition, the "Radio on Demand" feature offers VCR-like functionality to record songs or radio shows - allowing preset automatic recording of up to 25 events with the timer feature.

The Cadet begins shipping Sept. 15 with a retail price of less than $79. It comes with a one year warranty and will be available through the retail channel, as well as computer OEMs. Cadet is optimized for Windows 95, and a 486 PC is required (at a minimum). It ships with the Cadet AM/FM receiver (ISA 8-bit PnP add-in card), AM/FM antennas, stereo patch cable, internal audio cable, software diskettes, and a complete product guide. Other hardware versions are in the works. Major companies like Delco (GM), Ford, Pioneer, Denon, Onkyo, and Kenwood are also shipping RBDS-capable receivers or have announced plans to do so in the near future.

Advanced Digital Systems is a privately held company specializing in high-quality desktop video and multimedia peripherals. Products include TV Elite Pro, a PC-to-video scan converter that was voted "Best Product" by Computer Upgrade Magazine in 1993, and TV Tune-In for Windows, a video capture board and TV tuner for the PC. The company is located at 13909 Bettencourt St., Cerritos, CA 90703 USA; Telephone [phone]; Fax: [phone]; http://www.ADS-MM.com

CONTACT: Advanced Digital Systems

Mike McCoy, 800/888-5244

or

Impact Communications

Matt Roberts, 310/285-8825

E-mail: [e-mail]