C-Cube Introduces First Two-Chip Hard Disk Drive-Based Digital Video Recorder Solution.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers The Western Show 2000 LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2000 C-Cube Kronos(TM) Reference Platform Offers OEMs Lowest Cost With Highest Video Quality C-Cube Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq:CUBE) today introduced the Kronos(TM) Digital Video Recorder See DVR. (DVR (1) (Digital Video Recorder) A device that records video onto a hard disk from one or more ceiling mounted video cameras. Part of a security system, the DVR typically supports 4, 8 or 16 separate camera channels. ) reference platform at the Western Cable Show. The reference platform enables OEMs to rapidly develop hard disk drive-based time-shifting products, either as a stand-alone DVR or for easy integration into next generation television sets. "The Kronos reference platform addresses the needs of the rapidly evolving DVR market which now includes both stand-alone and integrated devices," said Tex Schenkkan, vice president and general manager of Quantum's Consumer Electronics Business Unit. "As DVR functionality becomes embedded in everything from TV sets to combo devices, Kronos and Quantum will help accelerate the consumer market by providing a cost-effective platform for the creation of next-generation products powered by Quantum QuickView hard drive technology." The Kronos Digital Video Recorder provides time-shifting of live television and instant access to recorded programs. On-screen programming with picture-in-graphics capability allows full screen menus to be displayed while video can still be watched in a video window. The video quality takes advantage of C-Cube's experience in professional broadcast encoding to provide outstanding image quality while maximizing recording time. A modem connection allows for downloading of Electronic Program Guide (EPG (Electronic Program Guide) An online listing of TV or other programs. Periodically, EPGs are downloaded into set-top boxes so that viewers can preview offerings by time or category and set reminders. ) data via the Internet. Kronos uses just two major components. The first, C-Cube's DVxcel(R) codec, encodes and decodes MPEG-2 video simultaneously. This provides a significant bill of material advantage versus previous designs that require separate encoder and decoder chips. DVxcel's variable bit-rate encoding with pre-filtering provides superb recording quality. The second C-Cube chip, the ZiVA(R)-HGi, integrates both a 32-bit RISC RISC in full Reduced Instruction Set Computing Computer architecture that uses a limited number of instructions. RISC became popular in microprocessors in the 1980s. CPU CPU in full central processing unit Principal component of a digital computer, composed of a control unit, an instruction-decoding unit, and an arithmetic-logic unit. and an advanced multiplane graphics engine. A flicker filter provides crisp text and graphics display on TV screens. The Kronos reference platform includes all hardware and software elements necessary for an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and to quickly develop a DVR product. The small video PCB PCB: see polychlorinated biphenyl. PCB in full polychlorinated biphenyl Any of a class of highly stable organic compounds prepared by the reaction of chlorine with biphenyl, a two-ring compound. allows for easy integration into other components, such as televisions. Software modules provide file management, recording, time-shifting, and playback control. The on-screen user interface is easily configurable supporting international markets. Additionally, C-Cube provides complete designs for the analog I/O (Input/Output) The transfer of data between the CPU and a peripheral device. Every transfer is an output from one device and an input to another. See PC input/output. I/O - Input/Output board, power supply, front panel, and remote control. "C-Cube's Kronos platform provides OEMs with a low-cost, flexible platform upon which to base DVR products," said Chris Day, senior director of marketing for broadband network products. "It leverages C-Cube's expertise in encoding technology to provide significantly higher video quality than is available with existing products." The Kronos Digital Video Recorder reference platform is available now. C-Cube will be demonstrating the Kronos at the Western Cable Show in the Los Angeles Convention Center The Los Angeles Convention Center (abbreviated LACC) is a convention center in downtown Los Angeles. The LACC hosts annual events such as the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, and was best known to video games fans as host to E3 until its cessation in 2006. , Booth 3041 West Hall, from November 29 to December 1, 2000. About C-Cube Microsystems The company is a worldwide leader in digital media processing and is leading the way with new communication processors and networked consumer products. With a focus on 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. , set-top boxes and codec enabled products, C-Cube is driving the technology for the "networked digital home." C-Cube is headquartered in Milpitas, California with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, please see our web site at http://www.c-cube.com. About Quantum Founded in 1980, Quantum Corporation (www.Quantum.com) is one of the world's leading storage suppliers. Its principal products include hard disk drives for both the desktop and high-end market segments, tape drives, network attached storage (NAS (1) See network access server. (2) (Network Attached Storage) A specialized file server that connects to the network. A NAS device contains a slimmed-down operating system and a file system and processes only I/O requests by supporting the popular ) appliances, solid state systems, hard disk drive appliances for consumer electronics, and DLTtape(TM) automation systems. In 1999, Quantum became the first Silicon Valley company to issue tracking stock, replacing its existing common stock with the ticker symbols DSS and HDD, which track the separate performance of the company's DLT and Storage Systems and Hard Disk Drive businesses. Both stocks are traded on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. . Selling its products through OEM and distribution channels worldwide, Quantum's sales for the fiscal year ended March 2000 were $1.4 billion for Quantum's DLT and Storage Systems Group and $3.3 billion for Quantum's Hard Disk Drive Group. Quantum Corp., 500 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035, 408-894-4000, www.quantum.com. |
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