DigiOn to Develop DiXiM DMA HAK With Support for Microsoft's Next-Generation Windows(R) Media Center Extender, Allowing Users to Experience Windows Media Center on Digital Home Appliances.

FUKUOKA, Japan -- DigiOn, Inc. announced it will develop DiXiM DMA HAK (Hardware Adaptation Kit) Media Center Extender Version, adding support for Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Media Center Extender Technology (or "MCX Technology," code named "Pika") to their home network media player, DiXiM DMA (Digital Media Adapter), used to develop digital appliances for use on a home network. Media Center Extender support will enable users to experience Windows Media Center on digital home appliances such as TV. DiXiM DMA HAK is a development kit for Home Network Digital Electronics. Its Media Center Extender version will be released during the 1st quarter of 2007.

Microsoft's home video game machine Xbox 360(TM) is well known as a Media Center Extender compliant product. By accessing Media Center PCs and displaying the Media Center user interface on TV, Xbox 360 users can experience Media Center using a remote control, wherever the Xbox 360 is located in their home. In addition to the Media Center functionality, Media Center Extender devices can play content stored on Windows XP-based PCs over a home network using Windows Media Connect Technology.

DiXiM DMA HAK already supports Microsoft's Windows Media DRM 10 for Networked Devices, UPnP, PnP AV based Windows Media Connect, and DVR-MS file playback, allowing users to play content such as protected WMV and WMA purchased at the Microsoft on-demand portal "Online Spotlight", and TV programs recorded by Media Center over a home network.

By supporting Media Center Extender, consumer electronics manufacturers developing media receiver products will be able to provide the best solutions combining Media Center PCs and Windows Media-based online services. The consistent user interface for PCs and media receivers will also allow users to easily enjoy content stored on Media Center PCs.

Commenting on DiXiM DMA HAK support for Media Center Extender, Mr. Hisatoshi Taura, President of DigiOn, said: "A vast amount of copyrighted content protected using Windows Media format and Windows Media DRM10 has now been distributed in the PC and internet arena. We believe that the demand for the Windows Media format will also increase in the home network field. We are delighted that our total media receiver solution for PCs and online content services will be realized through supporting Media Center Extender and the DLNA Guidelines."

In addition, Mr. Dave Alles, General Manager, eHome devices of Microsoft, said: "The Japanese market appears to be the current leader for intelligently connected consumer electronics devices, and DigiOn is the most respected middleware company in Japan in that field. With DigiOn's great work on their DiXiM DMA HAK, we can ensure high-quality Media Center Extender capabilities quickly make it into the market."

DiXiM is a software solution allowing users to enjoy music and video without being concerned about where content is stored, or what devices are being used for playback. DiXiM products are DLNA CERTIFIED, and the DiXiM solution has been adopted for use in various devices, such as PCs, media receivers, and network-enabled TVs.

DigiOn, Inc. is a software developer with experience in the development of multimedia, storage and networking products, and has established a firm position in the home network field. DigiOn, established in 1999, has its headquarters in Fukuoka and branch offices in Tokyo (Akasaka) and Taiwan (Taipei).

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