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Affordable MPEG-2 Codec and Insta-Replay PCI Card Bring High-Quality Video to Networked PCs

There are two significant advantages to Insta-Replay's hardware encoded and decoded MPEG-2:

-- Streaming media over the network is provided as real-time video distribution, with minimal delay -- essential for effective interactive visual communications such as distance learning and video conferencing.

-- Using an industry standard video-audio format eliminates the need for proprietary hardware or software and enables the large installed base of low-end PCs to be video-enabled (in contrast to the software decoder solutions that only function on higher-end).

``High quality at low bandwidth is a major benefit even when potentially high bandwidth networks are being used,'' said Stream Machine's president and CEO, Michael Canning. ``Using Stream Machine's new Insta-Replay PCI card, DVD quality video/audio can be achieved at just 2Megabits per second, which not only reduces the stress placed on the network by the streaming video but also enables lower cost networks to move into the era of visual communications.

Technology Breakthrough

This breakthrough is made possible by Stream Machine's single chip MPEG-2 video CODEC solution, the SM2210. SM2210 supports real-time video encoding and decoding using a single-pass variable bit rate MPEG-2 encoding technique -- providing higher video quality than traditional constant bit rate MPEG-2 encoding.

Because the single chip SM2210 is a true CODEC, performing both encode and decode functions, the total system cost is reduced compared to chip sets with separate MPEG-2 encoders and decoders. The SM2210 further reduces parts count and system cost by combining a high-degree of system integration with ease of design. For example, SM2210 eliminates costly glue logic by directly interfacing with popular NTSC/PAL video decoders, NTSC/PAL video encoders, microcontrollers for embedded applications and PCI interface chips for PC applications. The SM2210 also cuts costs by requiring only 4 MBytes of SDRAM for full resolution NTSC 30 frames per second MPEG-2 encoding.

About The Insta-Replay Reference Design

The Insta-Replay reference design is a complete MPEG-2 encoding and decoding PCI card. It is used as a platform to accelerate the development of PC-based digital video and audio add-in board end products, for applications that include: network streaming video, TV tuner board with time shift and digital VCR capability, video capture and playback, consumer video and editing, video surveillance and video email. The Insta-Replay reference design comes complete, including software/firmware, schematics, bill of materials (BOM), Gerber files, and user documentation to enable products based on these reference designs to be brought quickly to high volume manufacturing.

Availability

The SM2210 single chip MPEG-2 video CODEC is in full production and available now. Pricing for SM2210 is $49 in 4,000 unit orders. The Insta-Replay reference design is available now for $5,000. Estimates street price of a productized PCI board based on the SM2210 and the Insta-Replay reference design for networked streaming video applications is expected to be less than $200.

About Stream Machine Company

Stream Machine Company provides audio and video solutions for the Internet, consumer electronics and personal computer markets. Stream Machine uses proprietary technology and techniques to bring to market cost effective semiconductors that implement industry standard audio and video algorithms, such as MPEG-2. Please visit the Stream Machine website for additional information: www.streammachine.com

Contact:

     Stream Machine
     Kirby J. Kish, 408/435-7170
     kkish@streammachine.com
            or
     Watson-International
     Ray Ivatt, 415/567-6753
     rivatt@watson-international.com