Sony Demonstrates Next-Generation Interactive Digital Cable Receiver At Consumer Electronics Show

Advanced Features Include Easy-To-Navigate Graphical User Interface, Video-On-Demand, E-Mail, High Speed Interactive Connection And Information-Enhanced TV Developed With Cablevision

10-Jan-01

Sony Electronics Inc. (SEL) demonstrated the next generation digital entertainment and broadband communications platform with Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) for the first time to the public at the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show. The interactive digital cable receiver's advanced features include a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables easy navigation with integrated TV and data, video-on-demand, e-commerce, interactive TV (ITV) applications, always-connected access to a managed Web environment featuring customized Internet and local content, e-mail and a broadband cable modem that provides a high speed bi-directional interactive connection. Especially noteworthy in this initiative is the effort by Sony and Cablevision to work together to provide an ""end-to-end"" suite of solutions. Sony provided system design and software integration for the new platform, which includes both a server-based middleware system and interactive digital cable receivers. Cablevision provided system requirements as well as the broadband and content expertise, and has been working closely with Sony on the development of new services to utilize the new product's capability. ""We are delighted to be able to demonstrate our two companies' progress in the realization of advanced interactive services,"" said Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO, Sony Corporation of America. ""The interactive digital cable receiver is one of Sony's main gateways into the broadband universe, and this is another critical milestone in the deployment of Sony's entertainment and electronics resources to advance its broadband strategy."" ""Sony's interactive digital cable receivers will allow customers to pick and choose from many new products and services, and we look forward to deploying them in our New York market,"" said Cablevision President and CEO James L. Dolan. ""As we move from traditional analog video to an exciting world of digital technology, Sony will help us unlock the limitless potential of Cablevision's state-of-the-art digital platform,"" Mr. Dolan continued. Cablevision plans to begin launching the new digital system later this year throughout its New York metropolitan area cable systems, to a potential customer base of more than four million homes. Key Specifications Of The Sony Interactive Digital Cable Receivers The primary interactive digital cable receiver: - 300 MIPS application processor - 32MB DRAM, 16MB flash memory - DOCSIS and DAVIC cable modem - 3D graphics support - Affinity card slot for e-commerce - i.LINK(IEEE-1394) port with Digital Transmission Content Protection (""5C DTCP"") - USB port x 2 - Digital audio, S-Video, composite video, RF input/output - Smart Card-based security The secondary interactive digital cable receiver: - 100 MIPS application processor - 32MB DRAM, 8MB flash memory - DAVIC cable modem - RF input/output - Smart Card-based security For more information about Sony Electronics Inc., visit www.sel.sony.com. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.

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