BridgeCo Demos Latest Digital Media Player at CES; Processor IC and Middleware Platform Chosen for Next-Generation SMC Product.

LAS VEGAS -- BridgeCo (www.bridgeco.net), a leading provider of home networking solutions, is demonstrating BridgeCo's latest Digital Media Player (DMP) reference designs and consumer products at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week. The company also announced that SMC(R) Networks has selected the new BridgeCo DMP3.3 processor IC and middleware platform for its new SMCWAA-G, EZ Stream(TM) 802.11g Wireless Audio Adapter.

To assure that consumer's can network their DMPs to the widest variety of media sources, computers and networked consumer electronics, the BridgeCo DMP3.3 incorporates the most comprehensive set of home network interoperability features available. The processor and middleware platform are DLNA(TM), UPnP(TM) and Wi-Fi(R) certified. BridgeCo is also working with Intel to test and verify that the DMP3.3 supports Intel(R) Viiv(TM) technology by the second half of 2006.

"SMC Networks is committed to quality and interoperability in all of our networking solutions," explained SMC Product Marketing Manager Moon Kang, "BridgeCo's highly-integrated and thoroughly-tested solution enables SMC to bring a reliable and easy-to-use Wireless Audio Adapter to market quickly."

Digital Media Players transform consumer audio systems into nodes on a wireless home network. With a DMP attached to a home stereo, consumers can wirelessly access and play songs stored on the Internet or on a computer hard drive -- even if the computer or Internet access point is in another room of the home.

The BridgeCo Processor and Firmware Solution

BridgeCo's DMP3.3 reference design is a complete networking solution that includes a proprietary ARM-based DSP processor, a RTOS (real-time operating system) and a proprietary application software stack. The BridgeCo processor interfaces directly to 802.11/Wi-Fi, HomePlug(TM) Powerline, IEEE1394, USB and Ethernet PHY chips, and it drives both digital and analog outputs that connect directly to any audio system. The processor/firmware combination handles TCP/IP and USB networking protocols; MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM and other audio format decompression; DTCP/IP, Windows Media Connect and many other popular digital rights management (DRM) encryption/decryption processing and authentication; and UPnP, IR and LCD control functions.

"Because our platform incorporates both a processor and complete software stack targeted explicitly at networked audio application, we can rapidly deploy upgrades to accommodate the latest industry initiatives," said BridgeCo CEO Mark McEachen. "There is no other DMP platform available that has achieved as many certifications or is as compatible with as many technologies as the BridgeCo DMP3.3."

BridgeCo Demos at CES

BridgeCo is demonstrating its DMP reference designs at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 5-8, 2006. The BridgeCo demo will be located at LVCC South Hall 1, booth no. 20126D.

About BridgeCo

BridgeCo, a digital entertainment networking pioneer, offers the world's most comprehensive, cost-effective and highly integrated processor and software platforms for connecting Internet media sources, computers and consumer electronics throughout the home. BridgeCo platforms are used in a wide range of innovative and legacy products produced by the multi-billion dollar global consumer electronics industry, including digital media players, audio/video adapters, DVD players, musical instruments and breakout boxes.

Underlying all BridgeCo solutions are proprietary, integrated semiconductor and software technologies that network computers and consumer devices via widely-used networking and signal processing standards and protocols, including IEEE 802.11/Wi-Fi, IEEE 1394 and UPnP. BridgeCo products are designed to be interoperable with a wide variety of consumer devices: they are DLNA Certified and compliant with Intel(R) Networked Media Product Requirements (NMPR).

BridgeCo is an ISO 9001-certified company with Headquarters in California, USA and with Operations in Zurich, Switzerland. Its key investors include Benchmark Capital, Cipio Partners (formerly Infineon Ventures), Earlybird, Fidelity Ventures, Intel Capital and Wellington Partners. For more information, please visit www.bridgeco.net.

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