Bird Enthusiasts Soar with 'George and Gracie' Over San Francisco Skyline Thanks to VBrick; Webcast Provides Live Bird's-Eye View of Peregrine Falcon Nest to Global Viewers.

WALLINGFORD, Conn. -- The Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG) today announced that it is streaming live video of a peregrine falcon nest perched on a San Francisco office building using equipment from VBrick Systems, Inc. The two peregrine falcons - dubbed "George and Gracie" - are currently caring for four eggs, which are expected to hatch in April. Tens of thousands of bird enthusiasts and curious spectators across the globe flock to the SCPBRG website daily to gain a rare glimpse into falcon nest activities live at http://www2.ucsc.edu/scpbrg/peregrine_cam.htm.

SCPBRG initially launched the "Peregrine Nest Cam" during the 2005 nesting season. In 2006, SCPBRG proactively set up the nest cam to focus on the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) building's 33rd floor ledge area that the falcons used for nesting since 2003. After setting up the camera and recording equipment, SCPBRG realized that the falcons established a new home at a building across the street, requiring PG&E technicians to move the camera quickly to track falcon nest activities.

The VBrick video streaming appliance combines portability and "plug-and-stream" capabilities that enabled quick nest cam relocation and set up. Approximately the size of a dictionary, the VBrick appliance receives the video feed from a video camera that records nest activity around the clock. The VBrick appliance then digitizes and streams the MPEG-4 format video to PowerStream, a streaming reflector service that fulfills global Peregrine Nest Cam demand. "The quality of the video is awesome. I can't imagine you're going to get a better look at things from anywhere," said a post on the group's Yahoo! Message board.

"Interest in the San Francisco peregrine falcons is soaring at an all-time high, thanks to the Peregrine Nest Cam," said Glenn Stewart, research associate at UC Santa Cruz. "The Peregrine Nest Cam provides a unique insight into falcon's nesting habits, which are rarely seen due to the typically isolated nesting locations that falcons guard vigilantly. The VBrick streaming appliance provides the portability required to relocate the camera quickly and delivers a clear video stream that heightens viewers' enjoyment of the nesting activities."

"We are thrilled to provide a rare window into peregrine falcon nesting habits to anyone with an Internet connection," said Rich Mavrogeanes, founder and CTO of VBrick Systems, Inc. "The Peregrine Nest Cam illustrates how VBrick's digital video capabilities remove traditional hurdles to accessing content, sharing information, and monitoring sites around the clock."

VBrick enables viewers to enjoy the Peregrine Nest Cam using PCs and Macs, as well as leading Internet browsers Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, Opera, and Safari. Powerful, economical VBrick appliances extend the reach of mission-critical video by optimizing executive and event broadcasts, as well as business operations including employee training, global sales meetings, product launches, business television, and remote process monitoring.

Corporations and agencies rely on VBrick for high-performance, low bandwidth digital video streaming. Shell Exploration & Production Company (SEPCo), for example, increases productivity and reduces costs via remote oil rig maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair using VBrick streaming video. Additionally, VBrick provides live digital video traffic monitoring to increase responsiveness to accidents and roadway safety issues for agencies including the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Utah Department of Transportation.

VBrick's seamless support for Windows Media and multiple MPEG standards empowers organizations to use the appropriate digital video format for each distinct business application requirement - spanning DVD-quality video to Internet streaming. VBrick appliances integrate easily with the EtherneTV Media Distribution System, VBrick's award-winning turnkey platform to record, distribute, and manage digital video across IP networks.

About the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group

The Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG) promotes emerging conservation issues using raptors as indicator species, develops effective mitigation measures and management plans for species of concern, and educates the public in the conservation of birds (and wildlife) via reports and outreach programs. Founded nearly 30 years ago, SCPBRG is a member of the University of California, Santa Cruz's Institute of Marine Sciences. The organization's work is supported entirely by foundation grants, gifts from individuals, and contracts awarded by state and federal agencies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized SCPBRG for its "pioneering efforts in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to bring back the peregrine falcon." The organization is available online at http://www.scpbrg.org.

About VBrick Systems, Inc.

VBrick Systems, Inc., creates and delivers innovative networked video solutions that enhance communications and reduce costs for organizations around the world. VBrick's broad range of video solutions provide the simplest and most reliable visual communications to businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies ranging in use from distributing news and information to distance-learning, training, and surveillance. VBrick, an ISO 9001:2000 certified company, has garnered numerous industry accolades including the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, Connecticut Technology Fast 50, and the National Association of Broadcaster's (NAB) Award for Innovation in Media in the Content Delivery category. Based in Wallingford, Connecticut, USA, VBrick Systems' products are distributed through industry-leading value-added resellers, system integrators, and distributors. Find out more at www.VBrick.com.