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Sony Electronics Integrates ViXS Video Processor into New Vaio Desktop PC and Media Server Products


WEBWIRE

LAS VEGAS -- Jan. 6, 2005 -- ViXS Systems
-- XCode II Chip Powers New Multi-Channel PVR, High-Density Video Archiving Capabilities

-- CES Marks First North American Demonstration of These Products in ViXS’ Booth, #31642, LVCC, South Hall

ViXS Systems, the leading developer of video processing and networking chipsets and software, today announced that Sony Electronics has integrated ViXS’ XCode II video processor into its new Vaio Type-X media server and Vaio Type R multimedia desktop PC. Now available in Japan, these products highlight the growing consumer demand for fully functional PCs and consumer devices that can capture massive volumes of TV content and efficiently record video to DVD for sharing with friends or building a home video collection.

As the world’s only video processor that supports multiple-stream video capture, XCode II can record multiple TV channels using less than half the storage space required by other video encoders while preserving broadcast-quality image resolution. Leveraging this new technical capability, Sony developed the Vaio Type-X video recording server to simultaneously capture seven TV channels, 24 hours a day, and store up to a week’s worth of content. Consumers can use the Vaio Type-X’s multi-channel personal video recording (PVR) and DVD-R capabilities to enjoy true time-shift television.

According to Sony, “The ViXS chip is distinctive in that the image quality of this chip at low bit rates is outstanding. In order to capture an entire weeks worth of video at 1.25Mbps, we tried many approaches but could not reach a stable solution. With ViXS’ technology, we were finally able to realize our goal.”

The Living Room PVR Grows Up

Available standard with one terabyte of hard disk storage, Sony’s Vaio Type-X media server provides multi-channel personal video recorder (PVR) capabilities. Using ViXS’ standards-based video encoder, it can capture analog and digital terrestrial high-definition (HD) content and deliver advanced multi-stream video functionality, such as picture-in-picture and watch-and-record. The Type-X represents one of Sony’s first consumer electronic devices in their well-known Vaio product line and on is based on Microsoft’s Windows Media Edition 2005 operating system. In addition to its unprecedented video recording capabilities, this media server also offers a unique electronic programming guide for quick and easy search of programs using key words.

“Sony’s Vaio Type-X product defines the next leap in PVR technology,” said Sally Daub, president and chief executive officer of ViXS Systems. “Current PVR devices require some forethought where you have to pre-program the TV shows you want to record. The Vaio product is television as an afterthought. If you missed an interesting program two days ago, you simply go back and watch it. This concept is the future of television, and by capitalizing on the high quality, low bit rate encoding capabilities of the XCode II video processor, Sony has made it a reality.”

TV for the Desktop

Nearly 100 percent of the new desktop PCs in Japan integrate TV tuner cards. North America appears poised to follow this trend as video encoding quality increases and consumers converge their video and audio home entertainment networks onto their desktop computers. The Sony Vaio Type R product, currently offered in the Japanese market, provides a level of video quality that is indistinguishable from hardwired televisions. ViXS’ XCode II processor gives consumers the power to simultaneously watch their favorite TV show on one channel, record a second channel to the Type R hard drive, and even record a third channel directly to DVD - all with absolutely zero impact on the PC’s central processor or overall performance. Users could even play a video game while doing all of the above. No other video processor comes close to matching this capability.

“Given Sony’s well-earned reputation for product quality, their decision to use ViXS’ video processors for its new Vaio product line is a major validation of our video processor,” said Daub. “They don’t integrate experimental or unproven technologies. Multi-channel PVR capabilities is just one area of networked video home entertainment where ViXS’ technology outshines its competitors. We’re extremely proud to add Sony to our growing list of top-tier manufacturers that have decided to work with ViXS.”

The Sony Vaio Type-X media server and Type R multimedia PC are being demonstrated in the booth of ViXS Systems (#31642, South Hall, Upper Level, LVCC).

About XCode II

ViXS’ XCode II video processor increases the performance of video processing and provides consumers with a high-quality viewing experience. XCode II is the first chipset that can encode and transrate multiple streams of analog and digital content -- including high definition and standard definition video -- at speeds of 8X-24X real time. The video content can come from any source because XCode II processes video in any standard format, from MPEG1 to MPEG4. In addition, the encoding technology integrated into XCode II can process video frame information with much better quality and at a lower bit rate than previous processors. This benefits consumers by reducing the amount of memory required to store video and makes this technology ideal for PVRs and DVD-Rs.

About ViXS Systems

ViXS Systems has developed a unique semiconductor chipset and software solution with unprecedented capabilities for distributing broadcast-quality video across local IP-based wired and wireless networks. These products provide manufacturers of consumer electronics, personal computers and set-top boxes with a proven technology that operates with standards-based local networks. ViXS components offer full support for HDTV, DVD, satellite or cable broadcasts and deliver uninterrupted, full Quality of Service video for consumer entertainment, personal computing applications, and multimedia gateways. Founded in January 2001, the company is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and has filed over 85 patents to date. For further information, please visit us at www.vixs.com.



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