Panasonic And Sigma Collaborate To Demonstrate The First PC-Based DVD-RAM Video Recorder

29-Jun-00

Sigma DesignsÆ (NASDAQ: SIGM), a recognized leader in digital video decoder solutions, demonstrated at PC Expo in conjunction with Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a PC video recording product jointly developed and based on Panasonic's next-generation 4.7GB DVD-RAM drives and media. Sigma Designs demonstrated the PC equivalent of Panasonic's DVD video recorder, model DMR-E10. This demonstration was the result of a joint development wherein Panasonic provided their DVD-RAM drive, video recorder technology, and software to record to DVD-RAM, while Sigma provided their REALmagic DVR PC add-in card, supporting the new Video Recording (VR) format, to create a PC solution that is fully feature and function compatible with the DMR-E10. REALmagic DVR can simultaneously preview and record real-time in VR compliant format. Content created with DVD-RAM on the PC, consumer DVD recorders, DVD-Video players and disc camera recorders is now fully interchangeable. Consumers and corporate users can, for the first time, record video on DVD-RAM discs and enjoy playback of multiple digital entertainment formats. ""Having Panasonic select our DVR hardware to provide the same quality experience on the PC platform as their consumer products, represents a true validation of our REALmagic product quality."" stated Thinh Tran, Sigma's Chairman and CEO. ""Furthermore, establishing a solution that unifies DVD media across Panasonic's consumer DVD video recorders and players, as well as PC-based recorders and players demonstrates convergence in action, which is well matched with Sigma's product direction."" Additionally, Sigma Designs demonstrated its set-top box with equivalent DVD recording capability. This unique configuration of Sigma's STB 2000 reference platform includes a REALmagic DVR PC add-in card and the Panasonic DVD-RAM drive, and offers the same functionality as the Panasonic PC equivalent. Sigma Designs is a leader in the fast-growing digital video market. Sigma specializes in digital video decoding for DVD playback applications, as well as for streaming video over corporate intranets and extranets, and for the emerging interactive digital set-top box Internet information appliance market. Sigma's products are designed to advance digital video technology in high-speed, high-bandwidth transmission for business, home, and education markets. Sigma Designs' products, marketed under the REALmagic trade name, are sold worldwide through a direct sales force, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). For additional information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.sigmadesigns.com. Panasonic is the best known brand name of Osaka, Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), one of the world's leading producers of electronic and electric products for consumer business and industrial use. Additional information on Panasonic and Matsushita Electric is available at http://www.panasonic.com.

Read More:
http://www.panasonic.co
http://www.sigmadesigns.com