SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 7, 1999 — Today at Streaming Media West ’99, Microsoft Corp. announced that General Instrument Corp. (GI) will be the cable industry’s first digital set-top terminal provider to support streaming video and audio. This pioneering integration will be accomplished through General Instrument’s built-in support of Microsoft® Windows Media TM Technology on Microsoft TV using GI’s DCT 5000+. The first live demonstration of the product and supporting technology using Windows Media and Microsoft TV will be shown during a keynote address by Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill Gates and in Microsoft’s Booth 224 during the show.
GI’s advanced interactive consumer terminal, the DCT-5000+, will be the first integrated digital media solution that brings broadband Internet video and audio to cable television. The DCT-5000+ enables the deployment of Microsoft TV client software and has built-in support for Windows Media and broadband Internet access via the standard integrated DOCSIS cable modem.
“By integrating and supporting Windows Media, GI is demonstrating another example of how the DCT-5000+ consumer terminal and network are the complete digital media access solution for cable operators and consumers,”
said Denton Kanouff, vice president of marketing for GI’s Digital Network Systems business unit.
“We’re fulfilling the promise of being able to deliver digitally secure streamed Internet content with the best audio and video quality available, and are excited to be the first to do so with Windows Media technology.”
“GI is showing that Windows Media technology extends streaming media beyond the PC to the television,”
said Anthony Bay, vice president, Streaming Media Division, Microsoft Corp.
“As Internet content becomes richer and more expansive with full-motion video and high-quality audio, the television will become a major distribution vehicle for this content. We’re very pleased to be collaborating with GI to make Windows Media available on the DCT-5000+ with Microsoft TV and to be taking advantage of the advanced capabilities of the first true convergent platform.”
About the DCT-5000+
Commercial shipments of GI’s DCT-5000+ consumer terminal began in the third quarter of 1999. GI’s DCT-5000+ advanced interactive digital set-top terminal provides new levels of broadband networking services without sacrificing traditional analog and digital video services. Through a 300+ MIPS processor, 32-bit true color, 3-D graphics, an integrated DOCSIS cable modem, a large memory cache and an optional hard drive, the DCT-5000+ delivers PC-like functionality to the home video environment -enabling operators to offer additional revenue-generating services that require dedicated upstream bandwidth. All of this is integrated with GI’s unique Triple Tuner TM architecture, which will allow consumers to simultaneously watch video, surf the Internet and hold an IP telephone call using GI’s interactive digital cable network. Its rich application environment provides unparalleled flexibility in selecting an operating system for deployment in an interactive network.
About General Instrument
General Instrument Corp. (NYSE
“GIC”
) is a leading worldwide provider of integrated and interactive broadband access solutions, teaming with its business partners to lead the convergence of the Internet, telecommunications and video entertainment industries. For more information about General Instrument, go to Web address http://www.gi.com/ .
About Windows Media Technologies
Windows Media Technologies is the leading digital media platform, providing consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with unmatched audio and video quality. Windows Media Technologies 4, which includes Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and the Windows Media SDK, is available for free* download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ . The Windows Media Player is the fastest-growing media player. More than 50 million copies of the free* Windows Media Player have been downloaded to date – growing by more than one every second.
About WindowsMedia.com
WindowsMedia.com ( http://windowsmedia.com/ ), part of the MSN TM network of Internet services, is among the fastest-growing major audio and video guides on the Internet. WindowsMedia.com provides access to localized audio and video content users worldwide, including major music and video events and entertainment from more than 1,000 content providers.
About Microsoft TV
The Microsoft TV platform is a comprehensive software solution for the television industry that makes television more useful, fun and engaging for consumers and creates significant new economic opportunities for content providers and network operators. The client software, Microsoft TV, operates a range of TV-centric appliances, from advanced set-top boxes to integrated televisions. Microsoft TV Server is a suite of software components that offers network operators the tools to provision, manage and operate a large-scale, commercial-grade enhanced TV service.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.
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Microsoft, Windows Media and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft corp. In the United States and/or other countries/regions.
Triple Tuner is a trademark of General Instrument Corp.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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