Amnis Systems Will Showcase MPEG-4 Technology Demonstration At NAB 2001; New Streaming Video Products and Features Will Also be Shown At Las Vegas Show.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2001

Amnis Systems Inc. (formerly Optivision, Inc.), a leading provider of networked streaming video products, will present a technology demonstration of streaming MPEG-4 video at the NAB 2001 show in Las Vegas from April 23 to April 26, 2001. In addition Amnis will also introduce new products and features including a live streaming video solution for DVB-ASI compatible satellite and cable networks, software only MPEG-2 desktop playback, and support for the RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) for IP based network applications. These products build on the Amnis line of network attached streaming video components for enterprise applications.

Rich Falcone, vice president of Sales and Marketing, stated that, "Amnis continues to be proactive in developing products and technology based on real customer demand." Amnis MPEG streaming video solutions are currently being used in enterprise applications including distance learning, training, content distribution, surveillance, telemedicine and collaborative conferencing. Such applications leverage the large installed base of enterprise broadband IP based networks that have become a strategic initiative for enterprise operations.

The Amnis MPEG-4 technology demonstration will allow NAB attendees to experience the next generation digital video standard in a simulated network streaming video environment. Comparisons to existing MPEG-1 quality streaming video will be shown in the Amnis booth emphasizing the significant network bandwidth savings using MPEG-4 video compression while preserving compelling quality video for enterprise applications.

Amnis will also show its LivePlayer(TM) all software MPEG desktop player product and demonstrate a new improved intuitive user interface. LivePlayer is a key component of any video application requiring MPEG1 or MPEG2 broadcast quality levels for live streaming video playback in a multicast network environment.

The LivePlayer can also be used with the new NAC(TM)3000-DVB live streaming video server for satellite distribution of MPEG over IP video to remote enterprise networks. Building on the success of the NAC3000 product for direct Ethernet connection, the NAC3000-DVB can be directly connected to a DVB-ASI interface that is a standard in the satellite and cable TV industry. Satellite operators can expand their revenue models by offering MPEG quality video for enterprise IP based network applications.

The Amnis network attached streaming video products will also be updated with support for the RTP network protocol in future software releases. This streaming network protocol is receiving broad support from the network industry and increasing demand from enterprise customers.

"Our strong product and market leadership continues to propel Amnis forward in developing next generation technologies that will solve real world enterprise network problems," said Michael Liccardo, chairman, president and CEO of Amnis Systems. "The enterprise market is continuing to expand its use of video over IP applications as it discovers the operational efficiency and productivity improvement benefits in deploying network attached video solutions."

About Amnis Systems Inc. (formerly Optivision, Inc.)

Amnis Systems Inc. (OTCBB:AMNM) is the dominant market leader in the networked streaming video market. The company develops, manufactures and delivers MPEG network video products for high-quality video creation, management and distribution worldwide both directly and through leading industry partners. Based in Palo Alto, Amnis products are used in diverse applications such as distance learning, corporate training, video courier services, telemedicine, surveillance and visual collaboration. For more information about Amnis Systems Inc., visit www.amnisinc.com or visit www.optivision.com, or phone [phone].