Array Microsystems Announces First Hardware Accelerator to Enhance Microsoft Windows NetMeeting Performance.

LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 1999--

VideoONE Communicator Improves Video/Audio & Data

Collaboration with NetMeeting

In response to the growing number of desktop videoconferencing users and corporate network managers who demand high-quality video and better data collaboration performances, Array Microsystems, Inc. announces the VideoONE(TM) Communicator -- an innovation in desktop videoconferencing that delivers high-quality video and audio via an existing corporate Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as any H.323-compliant local-area or wide-area networks (LAN/WAN).

Array's VideoONE Communicator is an all-in-one videoconferencing solution. It is a Plug-and-Play PCI card designed to tightly couple with and accelerate Windows(R) NetMeeting(TM). The VideoONE Communicator, when used with NetMeeting, provides high-quality collaborative two-way interactive video, audio and data communication for corporate, educational, medical and governmental applications.

"High-quality, low-cost, PC-based videoconferencing will impact businesses on a scale similar to e-mail. It will create business and collaborative opportunities that were not possible before. We expect the VideoONE Communicator to open the doors to video-based communications with substantial efficiency improvements," said Paul Smith, Array President and CEO.

"You can have videoconferences with colleagues from your desktop PC -- just as easy as using a telephone, share drawings and documents, or use the whiteboard for brainstorming -- without the necessity of traveling. Businesses can increase productivity and reduce their operation costs, and the VideoONE Communicator can easily be integrated with any H.323-compliant LAN/WAN -- making it an affordable solution for two-way interactive voice, video and data communication."

The VideoONE Communicator hardware performs H.261 video and G.723 audio acceleration with acoustic echo cancellation to improve the video conferencing capabilities in NetMeeting. Because the VideoONE Communicator uses Array's hardware to perform video and audio acceleration, you get clear digital video and audio without sacrificing CPU power. While using the NetMeeting whiteboard and application sharing (T.120 applications), the VideoONE Communicator's hardware acceleration capabilities improve the video and sound quality of NetMeeting.

"Videoconferencing users who want higher-quality video and better data collaboration should consider Array's VideoONE Communicator -- it is an excellent enhancement to Windows NetMeeting," said Tom Laemmel, Product Manager, Windows Client Marketing Microsoft Corp. "The ability to share documents while on a videoconferencing call -- with minimum video disruption, is a substantial advantage.

"Currently, the VideoONE Communicator is the only shipping video hardware accelerator which supports the current NetMeeting release as well as the upcoming NetMeeting 3. The VideoONE Communicator is fully integrated with NetMeeting to provide high-quality video and audio, and enhanced whiteboard and data collaboration performances. This is beneficial to all NetMeeting users," he added.

About VideoONE Communicator

The VideoONE Communicator is a hardware and software solution that uses Array Microsystems' proprietary VideoFLOW(R) algorithms to simultaneously encode and compress the video at multiple resolutions along with audio. It supports CIF (352x288), QCIF (176x144) and SQCIF (88x72) resolutions, at frame rates up to 30 frames per second (fps). The VideoONE Communicator utilizes Array's hardware to execute H.261 coding for full motion video from 128Kbps to 768Kbps.

In addition to H.261 for high-quality full motion video, the VideoONE Communicator offers G.723 for clear, acoustic-echo cancellation digital audio. The VideoONE Communicator displays 30 frames per second (fps) of video before and during capture. By integrating Array's proprietary VideoFLOW technology into the design of the VideoONE Communicator board, users and developers can take advantage of the high quality video, clearer digital audio, and fast data collaboration.

Price & Availability

The VideoONE Communicator is available now through leading dealers and resellers at an MSRP of $899. The VideoONE Communicator Plus (model VF300C) is available for an MSRP of $999 - which includes videoconferencing accessories of a desktop camera with a built-in microphone, amplified speakers, and light-weight headphones. Array also offers a free Software Development Kit (SDK) to all Array customers and developers.

For more information, contact Array Microsystems, Inc. at 408/399-1505, fax to 408/399-1506, email [e-mail], or visit the company's website at www.array.com.

About Array Microsystems, Inc.

Founded in 1990 with headquarters based in Los Gatos, California, Array Microsystems, Inc. is a leading developer and manufacturer of PC-based digital video solutions. VideoONE products integrate the latest video standards with Array's proprietary VideoFLOW chipset to offer customers & strategic partners with an affordable, comprehensive line of high-quality, leading-edge digital video products.

Array's VideoONE products deliver the highest quality of digital video and audio for real-time MPEG Encoding/Playback, Desktop Videoconferencing, IP-Multicasting, Video-on-demand, Distance Learning, Live Broadcasting, and Video Surveillance applications.

Note to Editors: VideoFLOW is a registered trademark of Array Microsystems, Inc. VideoONE is a trademark of Array Microsystems, Inc. All other products/services and trademarks mentioned are properties of their respective owners. Products and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.