Thomson Launches End-to-End Media Asset Management Service.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 2003

Thomson (TMS)(TMM.PA)(Euronext Paris:18453)

Technicolor Media Asset Management Services Utilize Industry-Leading

Content Management Systems and Infrastructure to Store, Manage,

Access, Process and Distribute Digital Assets Globally

As part of its strategy to provide content owners and network operators with the digital building blocks necessary to manage data in a digital world, Thomson (Euronext Paris:18453)(NYSE:TMS), the worldwide leader in video technologies, products and services, today announced the launch of its Technicolor Media Asset Management (MAM) service offering. The new service, leveraging both in-house Thomson expertise and a content management system from IBM and its strategic partner Ancept, provides an integrated platform for the digital storage, management, access, processing, and distribution of all forms of entertainment content.

Thomson, through its Content and Networks division, is committed to progressing its digital media strategy to meet the growing demand for digital content creation services. From high-definition and digital intermediate mastering services to DVD authoring, digital cinema compression and encryption services, Thomson has pioneered digital enabling technologies for the motion picture and broadcast industries. The development and launch of Technicolor MAM is another step toward advancing and enabling the digital revolution for Thomson customers worldwide.

By creating a Digital Master file for content (feature film, broadcast, cable, commercial advertising, studio theatrical trailers, visual effect shots, etc.) and storing all associated elements (audio tracks, formatting instructions, metadata and editorial decisions), Technicolor MAM is able to efficiently create, manage, and re-create all versions derived from that title with consistent, pristine quality. The system further allows Technicolor's customers to place processing and fulfillment orders on-line after reviewing information about the specific content they need. The Technicolor MAM gives content customers unprecedented storage, access, flexibility and worldwide distribution capability from a single system.

Core components of the Technicolor MAM service offering include:

-- Asset Storage: A central, common Storage Area Network is used

as a repository for various creative elements, including

images (typically at high resolution), audio tracks, and edit

decision lists.

-- Asset Management: A storage and retrieval system, based on IBM

Content Manager middleware and the Ancept Media Server, allows

Technicolor to ingest customers' digital assets (image, audio,

processing instructions, and metadata), perform searches,

preview assets, and initiate retrievals for delivery.

-- User Access: Enhanced features allow authorized users, from

their desktop, to securely search, manage, view, and listen to

lower bit-rate proxies and make decisions that require both

picture and sound. This module is linked to an Order Entry

System.

-- Content Processing: Using tools that perform electronic pan

and scan from data, audio functions, aspect ratio and

standards conversion, MAM delivers high-quality content on

demand from a unique Digital Master in all traditional

distribution formats.

-- Content Distribution: An internal, secure, high-speed network,

Technicolor Production Network (TPN), enables distribution of

production assets to Technicolor facilities in North America,

Europe and Asia. In addition, Technicolor has developed

intuitive applications to securely distribute those assets

worldwide. Technicolor will continue to support both analog

and digital asset formats via physical distribution of

traditional videotape or electronic file transmission.

"Thomson and Technicolor continue to provide a diverse array of solutions for content creators and owners, enhancing the value of our customers' assets and content libraries by making them more accessible and easily repurpose-able," stated Lanny Raimondo, Senior Executive Vice President for Thomson's Digital Media Solutions division. "This initiative also eases the transition of Technicolor's customers from a strictly physical world (using film, videotape, and legacy machinery) to a robust and secure data-centric environment closely integrated with Technicolor's traditional post-production capabilities, service offerings, and worldwide facilities."

About Thomson

Thomson (Euronext Paris:18453)(NYSE:TMS) provides a wide range of video (and enabling) technologies, systems, finished products and services to consumers and professionals in the entertainment and media industries. To advance and enable the digital media transition, Thomson has four principal divisions: Content and Networks, Consumer Products, Components, and Licensing. The company distributes its products under the Technicolor, Grass Valley, THOMSON and RCA brand names. For more information: www.thomson.net.

Technicolor Entertainment Services (TES), part of Thomson's Content and Networks division, is the number one processor of motion picture film worldwide and a leading provider of creative/post-production, cinema distribution and digital cinema services. With facilities worldwide, TES service lines include:

-- Technicolor Release Print Services processes and prints

16/35/65/70 mm formats, dailies, answer prints, intermediates,

and trailers.

-- Technicolor Creative Services provides production,

post-production and post post-production services ranging from

film and audio restoration and preservation, in both analog

and digital formats, to DVD compression and authoring, VOD 

encoding, to episodic television and commercial advertising

completion.

-- Technicolor Cinema Distribution Services provides high-quality

distribution and logistics management services for motion

picture release prints and advertising collateral through

state-of-the-art technologies and an efficient distribution

pipeline.

For more information: www.technicolor.com