Pioneer DigitaLibrary to Begin Beta Testing Next Month

June 2002 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today announced its DigitaLibrary home networking product will begin a beta test program with 100 consumers next month, prior to a national commercial launch scheduled for later this year. The new DigitaLibrary will be powered by National Semiconductor (NYSE:NSM) and offer support for Windows Media Audio and Video. Pioneer introduced the concept for the DigitaLibrary, the first product in its line of Digital Network Entertainment devices, at the 2002 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The DigitaLibrary allows users to manage and distribute multi-media content including music, video, photos and Internet content, wirelessly or through wired connections throughout the home. Partnerships with Internet content providers will be finalized based on early feedback from beta testers.

The Connected Home -- Beginning This Summer
The DigitaLibrary is the first step for consumers who want to experience a truly "connected" home. With the power to distribute three video streams and nine audio streams simultaneously, every member of the family can view their favorite material from the DigitaLibrary at the same time. As part of the product development, a test group of 100 consumers will be provided with a DigitaLibrary and a DigitaLibrary Branch for a five-month beta test period. Continual feedback from these consumers will influence the final product that will be launched later this year.

"We're pioneering a new category of product and consumer feedback is critical to make it a success," said Bob Niimi, senior vice president of business development for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "We're looking forward to working closely with our test group to make sure our product is the very best networking device available in this emerging category."

National Semiconductor Geode Technology
National Semiconductor's Geode GX1 integrated processor provides the processing power for Pioneer's DigitaLibrary. The Geode processor's proven x86 technology combines the lowest power consumption, high performance and optimal architecture for a networked entertainment appliance like the DigitaLibrary. Its companion chip, the Geode CS1301 media coprocessor, accelerates Windows Media Technologies and delivers the high-quality audio and video that makes DigitaLibrary so compelling.

"DigitaLibrary is a prime example of how today's technology can deliver entertainment to consumers throughout their house," said David Pederson, set-top box business line director at National Semiconductor. "By taking advantage of the flexible Geode architecture and the audio and video capability of Windows Media Technologies, Pioneer is able to design an end product that is easy to use and delivers what the consumer demands."

Pioneer Selects Microsoft Windows Media
Pioneer selected Microsoft's innovative Windows Media Audio and Video format to provide the audio and video decoding for its DigitaLibrary because of the high quality output in a compressed format. Windows Media Audio makes it possible to store twice as much CD-quality music on the DigitaLibrary hard drive compared to other audio codec technologies like MP3. And for audiophiles the Windows Media Audio Format is capable of delivering superior audio quality at any bit-rate, while still maximizing music storage.

Pioneer also will support Windows Media Video for both streamed and downloadable video. Both technologies are noted not only for their superior quality in the smallest file size, but also their security with support for Windows Media DRM technology for secured music and video playback.

"Consumers want customized media right in their living room and the DigitaLibrary is delivering this vision," said Dave Fester, general manager Windows Digital Media Division, Microsoft Corporation. "Pioneer's decision to build-in support for Windows Media and work with Windows XP demonstrates their commitment to offering the best quality audio and video experience for their customers and seamless access for PC users."

Digital Network Entertainment
Pioneer's vision of Digital Network Entertainment is to fulfill the dream of entertainment and information anywhere, anytime. The DigitaLibrary uses IP over Ethernet to create a connected environment where consumers can fulfill the dream of the connected home. Library "branches" can be placed in various rooms within the house to access content. The DigitaLibrary comes equipped with its own digital "librarian" that makes it easy to transfer content to the system, sort and easily locate any of that content. The core of the network platform upon which DigitaLibrary is being built was developed by Mediabolic, Inc., a San Francisco-based software company, and is licensed to Pioneer.

The DigitaLibrary is a PC-friendly entertainment provider and brings the benefits of digital media on the PC right into the living room.

"Consumers want to be able to enjoy the benefits of the new digital media technologies via their home theatre. The computer is a working environment or what Pioneer calls a lean forward environment. When you're ready to watch your favorite movies or listen to your music, you are in a lean back or kick back environment. Therefore, the center of the networked world we believe will be the living room in a lean back environment and with the DigitaLibrary that environment will be extended throughout the house beyond the living room," explained Niimi.

Pioneer's Home Entertainment Division is the leading manufacturer of plasma and projection televisions, DVD players and DVD recorders, A/V receivers, CD players and CD recorders, speakers and other audio and video accessories. The company markets its products under the Pioneer and Pioneer Elite brand names. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including Digital Network Entertainment.

For more information visit http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/.

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