Cocom Uses National Semiconductor Geode Single-Chip Solution and Sigma Designs' MPEG-Decoder in New Set-Top Box.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

COMDEX Fall 2000

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2000

Cocom Group, a recognized leader in Internet appliance design and manufacturing, today announced a new addition to their Geode-based MPEG Set-top box lineup, the Discovery 7.

The Cocom Discovery 7 is a next generation web-enabled set-top box, which doubles as a Video-on-demand (VOD) box. The Discovery 7 is a National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM) System-on-a-Chip solution coupled with a Sigma Designs (Nasdaq: SIGM) MPEG decoder focusing on the high demand for low-cost Set-top boxes.

The Cocom Discovery 7, which boosts National's new Geode SC1200, "IA-on-a-Chip," is a highly integrated Set-top box (STB) that utilizes Sigma Design's EM8400 MPEG-streaming decoder, Broadband connectivity, a PCI slot for unlimited expandability, InfraRed support, and several other desired features. Viewable at Comdex, the Cocom unit is designed for OEM/ODMs who want a Geode SC1200 solution today, but will also be ready for high-volume production in the near future. A sleek plastic case is available alongside the Discovery 7 for ISPs, Telcos, and OEMS who want to re-badge it and provide value-added services with the unit.

Similar to the National's SP1SC10 design, the Discovery 7 provides state of the art video-on-demand (VOD) entertainment through a television set. By combining the Sigma Designs EM8400 and the National Semiconductor SC1200's TV-out features, this product is designed for both domestic (NTSC) and international (PAL) TV formats. It is also very versatile in its ability to run multiple operating systems, thus allowing a much wider audience for Set-top Box technology. It is capable of running Windows CE with Windows Media Player, Liberate, Linux, Microsoft TVPAK, Embedded NT, OpenTV and several others.

Mark Commet, marketing manager at Cocom, stated, "Mixing National's Geode-based SC1200 Single-chip solution with Sigma Design's MPEG Decoder enabled us to achieve new heights in terms of breaking technological barriers. Because of its low power consumption and low-heat dissipation, we are now able to build a fanless Set-top box where the customer's needs and wants are easily met, while still achieving our engineering and production requirements."

"Not only has Cocom answered the Time-to-market question with a SC1200 MPEG STB solution today, but they have also answered the Time-to-volume question at the same time. Cocom has displayed that our Video streaming solutions are a proven technology in the IA marketplace." said Ken Lowe, Sigma's Vice President of Marketing. "Sigma Designs MPEG chipset together with Cocom's turn-key products will bring total solutions to our customers in record time."

About Cocom Group, Inc.

Cocom Group, a worldwide leader in design and manufacture of Internet Appliances, serves Fortune 500 and emerging tech companies by providing turnkey solutions and services from the design to final integration of customized software to the production line. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use; each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of computing in every day life. Founded in 1994, Cocom has offices in London, UK, Seattle, USA, China, Taiwan, and Germany. Cocom can be found at www.cocomgroup.com.