AMP Launches Industry's First Bi-Directional Multimedia Video Distribution System; New AMP Multimedia System Delivers 29 Video Channels Over UTP Wiring Infrastructure.

HARRISBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1996--AMP Incorporated today announced an easy-to-install, low-cost system to deliver audio and video over unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) networks.

AMP, the global electronics giant, developed the Multimedia Distribution System (MDS) for use within corporate, the K-12 education, health care, industrial, and commercial markets as a first-of-its-kind video/audio distribution system.

Unlike other broadband RF (radio frequency) systems that require either coaxial cable, or digital video systems that require very high-bandwidth networks, the AMP MDS takes advantage of existing infrastructures to simplify installation and control the cost of adding high-quality multimedia applications.

The applications for MDS within both corporate and educational environments are numerous. For schools, MDS allows teachers to share curriculum and team teach between different classrooms, monitor halls and facilities, facilitate student announcements and communication, produce and distribute videos throughout the school, provide for multi-topic learning from one location, and improve security.

For corporate facilities and businesses, the bi-directional capability of MDS lends itself to an economic, productive means of providing timely instruction and training, interior and exterior facility monitoring, informational kiosks for employees and customers, intra-building broadcasts, and communication for employees in commercial, manufacturing, healthcare, and administrative environments.

"Current network technology required for transferring audio and video data tends to be costly and complex, making it difficult for organizations to deploy new multimedia applications," said Charlie Fox, director of sales and marketing for AMP Premises Systems and Services.

"AMP is helping companies take advantage of the exciting opportunities offered by these applications by providing a cost-effective approach that is simple and economical to install. MDS represents a breakthrough for any organization wanting to distribute audio and video content. We believe that MDS will significantly expand the range of institutions that can take advantage of multimedia. The system is an example of how AMP is expanding its product portfolio to address the growing application requirements of the networking systems market."

The AMP MDS provides a high-performance, plug-and-go solution for a wide range of business critical applications such as audio/video presentations, video conferencing, monitoring, distance learning, corporate training, and entertainment. MDS is an ideal solution for building security within a business, educational, or manufacturing setting and for connecting students in different classrooms in an educational setting.

By transmitting multimedia data over existing UTP cables used for network and telephone connections, the system saves users significant time and costs when compared with more expensive coax cabling. And unlike digital video options, MDS provides high-quality, full-motion video and high-quality audio without any digital network bandwidth.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

The AMP MDS provides 29 broadband radio frequency (RF) channels to distribute RF signals throughout a building. A standard television receiver is used to view information and a modulator enables users to select the channel they wish to broadcast from.

The fully configured system comprises a bi-directional distribution hub (or a Broadband Uniform Distribution unit or BUD), an RF modulator, and a Break Out Box (BOB) which provides two telephone lines and two in/out RF lines. Each hub provides eight input/output jacks for connecting up to eight outlets. Additional hubs can be connected to a master hub using coax cable to provide up to 1,000 outlets.

The system is self-configuring, requiring the customer to simply connect the components and cables. Fault-tolerance is built into the system, so that if one hub fails, all others continue to function.

MDS SITE REFERENCES

"One of the things that we found most attractive about the MDS project was our ability to use our existing wiring topology," said Brent Frey, director of the Technology and Media Services Group of the West Shore School District in central Pennsylvania. The district installed the first MDS beta site at its 800-student Crossroads Middle School (Lewisberry, PA).

"We were excited about the program from the beginning, and it wasn't difficult for AMP to sell us on the logistics of the project once we learned we could build on our existing wiring infrastructure. As long as a facility is EIA/TIA 568A compliant, the bottom line on the MDS is that schools save money by using their in-place wiring while taking a technology leap that benefits the school, the teachers, and, most importantly, the students."

"Health care presents an ultimate opportunity for AMP and the Multimedia Distribution System," noted Tim Riley, information systems director for PARTNERS National Health Plans of North Carolina, Inc. PARTNERS, a 143,000-member HMO, is an AMP MDS beta site. PARTNERS features a 250-node AMP MDS system in its new facility in Winston-Salem, NC.

"With this universal system, businesses like ours can maximize the overwhelming amount of health care information available while also allowing more staff members to participate in conferences, view educational and training broadcasts, and share organizational and employee information. Additionally, MDS allows health care institutions to lessen the need for specific rooms and facilities to exhibit training and informational broadcasts. I see a growing trend in health care facilities for more automation in communication and a growing need for bi-directional facilities. The AMP MDS answers that need."

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

AMP MDS is available immediately. The estimated street price for the installation kit is under $2,500 and includes one BUD, eight uni-directional BOBs, one BUD power supply, and a 19-inch rack-mount panel kit. Each component is also available separately. Call 800/835-7240 for more information on AMP MDS.

ABOUT AMP

An established worldwide leader in communications components and cabling products, AMP provides a comprehensive range of product and service offerings that include the design, manufacture, installation, and support of complete premises cabling and LAN interconnect systems solutions.

Building on core competencies in the design and manufacture of open cabling systems based on fiber optic, as well as traditional copper twisted pair technologies, AMP provides customers with single source solutions based on industry standards. AMP is headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, and employs 42,000 in 45 countries around the world. The company had a record $5.23 billion in sales in 1995.

CONTACT: Dave & Bairey Communications

Peter Dave, 415/882-9905

or

AMP Incorporated

Jackie Helfrich, 717/986-3867