Video Without Boundaries Introduces MediaReady 4000 Internet/DVD Player

November 2003 — Video Without Boundaries has begun production of its new and more advanced MediaReady 4000 Internet/DVD player. The convergent device, which unifies DVD playback, feature-rich TV, Internet, email, karaoke, and CD/MP3 playback with local and networked digital storage along with a host of possible upgrades and options, is expected to reach consumer electronics shelves in December, 2003.

The biggest change in the MediaReady 4000 is the addition of powerful PC componentry, including an onboard hard drive for storage of digital entertainment. The unit’s new connectivity options, including Ethernet 10B/100BT wired and wireless connections, USB 2.0 and 1394 connectors, enables the device to download, play, and manage digital movies and other forms of digital entertainment from the Internet, or from a home networked PC. An improved Web browser and other feature upgrades ensure that the MediaReady 4000 will be the one-stop entertainment and communications choice for the new age of digital technology.

“The MediaReady 4000 will help define convergent entertainment devices when it debuts later this year,” said Jeffrey Harrell, President of Video Without Boundaries. “Not only will the MediaReady ship with a significant range of capabilities, but its open architecture will support remote software upgrades and typical PC add-ons that will make it highly customizable to the individual’s personal entertainment needs.”

VWB’s recently-announced agreement with Lung Hwa Electronics (LHE), a major consumer products manufacturer, provides production capacity to ensure that significant numbers of the MediaReady 4000 units will be available for the 2003 holiday selling season. The premiere line of MediaReady 4000 units will be launched under the Lafayette brand. VWB & LHE have also arranged for adequate capacity to support private-label OEM models of the MediaReady 4000 devices. Hardware sub-components of the MediaReady 4000 are designed for easy swapping during production, allowing multiple SKUs to be manufactured.

Other features of the MediaReady 4000 will include a full-sized wireless keyboard, 5.1 Surround Sound, picture-in-picture capability, karaoke microphone jack, wireless remote control, and microphone. Similar in size to a standard DVD player, the MediaReady 4000 is expected to retail for $349 (MSRP).

VWB’s MediaReady 4000 will be available via specialty and mass consumer electronics retailers. For more information on the MediaReady 4000 or VWB’s other convergent home entertainment products, please visit www.vwbinc.com.

SOURCE Video Without Boundaries