THOMSON multimedia Teams Up with PANJA for Home-Theater Applications

Panja, Inc. and THOMSON multimedia today announced that they are teaming up to deliver easily integrated entertainment and information products to the custom-install, home-automation, education, and leisure markets. The announcement came on the opening day of the annual CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) trade show, which targets this growing commercial sector.

As the newest member of the Panja Partner Program (P3), Thomson will work with Panja to support the development of a common interface between Panja's Internet Control System Protocol (ICSP) and Thomson's RCA and PROSCAN professional and custom-home-theatre products. When one of these products is coupled with Panja's ICSP-driven control system, it will automatically identify itself and join the network of electronic components in the application. Once networked, the system server will adapt to the product's specific control properties and personality - essentially transforming RCA and PROSCAN models into plug-and-play products.

"Seamless connectivity simplifies the integration process, and that makes our commercial and custom-home-theatre products an attractive option for professional integrators," said Thomson's Rodger Keeney, Manager of Strategic Channel Sales. "We're pleased to add Panja and their ICSP to the elite group of companies and systems to which these products are readily interfaced."

"Video is the foundation for any total system application, whether it be in a home theater or corporate boardroom," said Joe Hardt, president and chief executive officer of Panja. "Thomson's RCA and PROSCAN brands appear on some of the finest consumer electronics products available, and we are excited to have THOMSON multimedia as one of our distinguished P3 partners."

About Panja
Panja designs, develops, and markets advanced electronic equipment software that extend Internet content to non-PC devices that target both the residential and enterprise markets. These devices deliver information and entertainment direct to existing electronic devices, including stereos and televisions, to optimize the benefits of broadband access. Panja's strategy is to work with leading technology companies, content providers and distribution partners to speed development of compelling streaming media content, further integrate its products with other devices, and lead the creation of solutions that extend the Internet beyond the PC. For more information about Panja, visit www.panja.com.

About THOMSON multimedia
With sales of 6.7 billion Euros (U.S. $6.5 billion) in 1999 and 55,000 employees in more than 30 countries, THOMSON multimedia, is the world's fourth largest producer of consumer electronics. The Group has five principal activities: Displays and Components, Consumer Products, Digital Media Solutions, New Media Services, and Patents and Licensing. THOMSON multimedia engineers, manufactures, and markets display components and consumer products such as televisions, VCRs, audio systems, digital decoders, DVD players and professional video equipment under the popular RCA and THOMSON brand names. THOMSON multimedia is listed in the Paris (Sicovam: 18453) and New York (NYSE: TMS) stock exchanges. THOMSON multimedia is the parent company of the U.S.-based Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. For more information: www.thomson-multimedia.com.

Source: Panja