Quantum Corporation Announces Availability of First IEEE 1394 DVR Subsystem for Consumer Electronics Networks.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CES 2001

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2001

Quantum QuickView Hard Drive Recorder/Player, Featuring Trick Play

and 5C Content Protection, Will be Displayed for First Time in the

United States at CES Show Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas

Quantum Corporation's Consumer Electronics Business Unit, a division of the Hard Disk Drive Group (NYSE:HDD), today announced the availability of its first Quantum QuickView IEEE 1394 DVR Subsystem for consumer electronics products.

This self-contained isochronous digital video recording (DVR) subsystem is available to set-top box manufacturers who want the benefits of a plug and play device that integrates quickly and simply into their system architectures and communicates over the 1394 Function Control Protocol (FCP).

The Quantum QuickView subsystem records, stores and plays back video programs completely on its own without the need for host system management. It will be demonstrated for the first time in the United States at the Consumer Electronics Show, Jan. 6-9, in Las Vegas. The product demonstrations will occur in Quantum's booth (Room No. N222) located in the North Hall inside the Las Vegas Convention Center. Utilizing critical 5C Content Protection, the subsystem is designed to protect high-value information and entertainment content from unauthorized playback and/or re-use.

Quantum QuickView Features and Benefits

The Quantum QuickView drive is the world's first isochronous, A/V (audio/video) recording and playback subsystem featuring an embedded file system and stream manager that provide capabilities including dual stream play and record, trick play, live broadcast pause and live instant replay. Using Quantum QuickView isochronous recording and play back technology, frame accurate A/V streaming is managed within the drive itself without the necessity of a host device.

At CES, Quantum will be demonstrating the ability of the 1394 DVR Subsystem to record and playback to and from a number of set-top boxes utilizing both ATSC and BS-Digital bit streams, in both standard definition and HDTV (high definition television) formats.

"Quantum demonstrated its vision for 1394 technology very early and is now delivering a real product in this area," said Mark Kirstein, vice president of research for Cahners In-Stat Group. "Looking ahead, it is clear that 1394 technology will become the interface of choice among CE manufacturers because of ease-of-use, performance and flexibility. Hard drive vendors like Quantum, who are positioning themselves as leaders in adopting this new interface technology are clearly headed in the right direction."

Quantum QuickView technology with 1394 FCP is capable of performing instant program searches when linked to an electronic programming guide (EPG) and executing simultaneous recording and playback of MPEG content. Addressing the need for quiet operating hard drives in the noise-sensitive consumer electronics (CE) market, Quantum QuickView utilizes Quiet Drive Technology (QDT). Developed by Quantum, QDT combines innovative acoustical advancements and unique drive features that dramatically reduce noise levels.

"One of the most important characteristics of the Quantum QuickView subsystem is that it becomes a platform for new services by meeting the media industry's requirements for the protection of high value audio and video content," said Tex Schenkkan, vice president and general manager of Quantum's Consumer Electronics Business Unit. "Utilizing the 5C Content Protection method, along with the easy connectivity and robust streaming our system affords, Quantum is opening the door for a variety of exciting new products and services that were previously unimaginable."

Quantum Sets the Standard for 1394 Isochronous A/V Hard Drive

Technology

Quantum led the development of two 1394 A/V hard disk drive (HDD) specifications with the collaboration and consensus of the world's leading CE companies. These standards, accepted in late July of 2000 by the 1394 Trade Association, make it easier for CE manufacturers to integrate 1394 HDD technology in products ranging from digital video recorders to cable and satellite set-top boxes, television sets, music jukeboxes and game consoles. The advent of the 1394 Quantum QuickView hard drive subsystem was the result of an ongoing joint development relationship between Matsushita Electric along with its subsidiary Matsushita-Kotobuki Electronics Industries, Ltd. (MKE), and Quantum's Consumer Electronics Business Unit.

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) appliances, solid state systems, hard disk drive appliances for consumer electronics, and DLTtape 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. 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.

The foregoing statements regarding products, technology, performance, features, availability, price, ease-of-use, and the impact of the new technology, products and features on Quantum and the market are forward looking statements and actual results could vary. Factors which could affect actual results include the ability to successfully integrate new technology and features into products in a cost-effective manner, the ability to successfully manufacture and distribute those products at sufficient volume, quality and reasonable cost, the timing of the new product introductions, competition, and the significant uncertainty of market acceptance of the new products, technology and features.

Note to Editors: Quantum and the Quantum logo are trademarks of Quantum Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Quantum QuickView is a trademark of Quantum Corporation.