Buffalo Ships Networked DVD Media Player Using Sigma's WMV9 Chip; Sigma's EM8620L Media Processor Enables Windows Media Video Support.MILPITAS, Calif. -- Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM), a leader in digital media processing See media control. for consumer appliances, today announced that Buffalo Inc., a leading supplier of networked consumer appliances and computer peripherals, began shipments of its networked DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. media player called the LinkTheater. Based on Sigma's EM8620L media processor, this new product features support for Windows Media Microsoft's audio and video framework for Windows, which embraces playback, encoding and streaming. Windows Media Player is the digital jukebox and media player that comes with every version of Windows. (R) Video 9 (WMV (Windows Media Video) A family of digital video compression technologies from Microsoft based on MPEG-4. Version 9 of the WMV codec was released to the SMPTE organization and became the SMPTE 421M standard, otherwise known as VC-1 (see VC-1). 9) format as well as wireless networking See wireless network. . The LinkTheater is a convenient multi-function product, offering all the features of an enhanced DVD player A stand-alone device that plays DVDs. It contains a DVD drive and the electronics to decode the digital video. The device may play only manufactured DVDs, or it may be able to play DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs. DVD players are cabled to a TV or home theater system for display. , as well as the ability to network with two or more PC networks through Buffalo's LinkStation. The LinkTheater also includes a USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. 2.0 port allowing consumers to simply connect their digital cameras, USB Flash Media, PortableHDD etc. to their TVs. Using its enhanced DVD player functions, it also offers DVD video, music CD, DVD+/-R/RW or CD-R/RW support. In addition the LinkTheater is compatible with WMV9 and HD, Xvid and DivX(R). Premium features include: --Playback of WMV9 HD file formats --Wireless networking using 54-Mbps wireless-LAN Ethernet (PC-P3LWG/DVD Only) --USB2.0 connector that supports content playback from USB hard drives or memories With PCs becoming the media center for home entertainment, consumers have more flexibility in storing and collecting a myriad of content. As a result, networked DVD player functionality allows consumers to remotely access all the digital music, photos and video stored on their PC, in addition to normal DVD playback. Sigma media processors are designed to address this need, decoding major digital media formats and facilitating control of an embedded network device. "This announcement from Buffalo reflects the first wave of WMV9 enabled DVD players as well as a continuation of the trend toward home entertainment networks and streaming audio/video," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "Consumers will have a broad selection of choices as they seek to unify their entertainment libraries from all over the home into one convenient viewing location." Availability The LinkTheater (PC-P3LAN/DVD) is available now at retail stores throughout Japan and retails for around JPY JPY In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Japanese Yen. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 27,400. The LinkTheater (PC-P3LWG/DVD) will be available at retail stores in Japan starting in November and will retail for around JPY31,700. About the EM8620L Media Processor The EM8620L media processor from Sigma Designs provides a complete single-chip solution for next generation IP video and connected media players, featuring high definition Windows Media Video See Windows Media formats. 9 support. The EM8620L offers a wide range of media processing functions for video decoding, audio decoding, and graphics processing See graphics pipeline and DeBabelizer. based on REALmagic(R) HD technology, for the highest quality image possible on high definition displays. For single-chip systems, it features an on-chip RISC processor RISC processor [Reduced Instruction Set Computer], computer arithmetic-logic unit that uses a minimal instruction set, emphasizing the instructions used most often and optimizing them for the fastest possible execution. , PCI-bus, IDE controller and additional peripheral ports for supporting other subsystems. Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. Statement This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the projected timing and extent of customer shipments as well as the expected use of Sigma's MPEG decoder products. Actual results could vary from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including worldwide economic conditions, changes in the customer's ability or desire to complete the roll-out, consumer reaction to the new products and services being offered, the ability of Sigma to deliver sufficient quantity and quality of MPEG decoder chips, prices for the Sigma chips, alternative offerings by competitors, and the ability of the parties to work together successfully to achieve the rollout. About Buffalo Inc. Buffalo, Inc. (part of the Melco Group holdings) provides an expanding range of technology solutions for high-speed broadband applications as well as computer peripherals, memory, and storage drives. The company is currently investing in the development of world-class solutions for networked consumer appliances, including networked DVD players, digital media adapters, and broadband IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) Also called "TV over IP," IPTV delivers scheduled TV programs and video-on-demand (VOD) via the IP protocol and digital streaming techniques used to watch video on the Internet. solutions. Among these developments, the company has pioneered products for worldwide use with strengthened security functions that are vital for wireless LANs, along with high-speed products that will be mainstream in the near future. Buffalo, Inc. is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan and employs nearly 400 employees worldwide. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.melcoinc.com. About Sigma Designs, Inc. Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM) specializes in silicon-based MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) An ISO/ITU standard for compressing digital video. Pronounced "em-peg," it is the universal standard for digital terrestrial, cable and satellite TV, DVDs and digital video recorders (DVRs). decoding for streaming video, progressive DVD playback, and advanced digital set-top boxes. The company's award-winning REALmagic(R) Video Streaming Technology is used in both commercial and consumer applications providing highly integrated solutions for high-quality decoding of MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4. Headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., the company also has sales offices in China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.sigmadesigns.com/. REALmagic and Sigma Designs are registered trademarks of Sigma Designs. All other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. |
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