Digital Harmony Sponsors First CES 1394 Technology

PavilionDigital Harmony Technologies, L.L.C., a Seattle-based company dedicated to making Digital Harmonyô software and technology available to a broad spectrum of consumer electronics manufacturers, created the first 1394 Technology Pavilion at the 1999 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), in Las Vegas.The core of the Pavilion was a 1394 technology extravaganza - a demonstration of how a complex home entertainment system consisting of audio, video and computer devices from many manufacturers can be simplified through the use of only a single cable connection running between each of the components, and with Digital Harmonyís interoperability technology in each device. A single touch screen provides a graphical user interface and intuitive control of the entire system, including lighting.This is the first time a complete home entertainment system - utilizing audio, video and control functions on the same cable - has been exhibited publicly. Digital Harmony believes it will let consumers, retailers and the media more clearly see the compelling benefits of truly interoperable entertainment products from a variety of manufacturers. Digital Harmony licensees and partners contributing products to the demonstration system include AMX/Phast, California Audio Labs, Cirrus Logic, Denon, Harman/Kardon, Loewe, Meridian, Monster Cable, Pioneer, Stellar One and Whitejay International.A large exhibit area in the Pavilion was devoted to displaying 1394-related products and services available this year, and to showing how a manufacturer can obtain a complete end-to-end solution to create compelling 1394-enabled products by the end of this year.""We feel that all-digital entertainment systems can be created that are significantly simpler to set-up and operate than todayís systems,"" said Mark Bridgwater, Digital Harmony Director of Marketing, and Chairman of the 1394 Technology Pavilion. ""But this will only happen with a tremendous, cooperative industry effort to create the compelling connectivity needed to launch a new age of innovative entertainment products.""To help realize this vision, Digital Harmony Technologies created the Digital Harmony Protocol Suite, which is designed to add critical ""system level"" technology to middle and lower software and hardware layers. The system levels are new to most entertainment systems, yet offer a solid platform for combining new products without the complexities created by brand, model, component and manufacturer diversity.The Protocol Suite is a complete solution that runs on Digital Harmony-compliant integrated circuits, which will be available later this year from various leading semiconductor companies. When coupled with Digital Harmony's manufacturer-neutral certification process, this combination assures manufacturers of compatibility between their own and each others products, no matter who made them.To the consumer, this means the Digital Harmony logo can serve as a sign of assurance that any products carrying it are fully compatible with all others bearing the logo, and that they can enjoy an increased measure of freedom to choose the products that best suit their needs, desires and budgets. In addition, if a Digital Harmony certified controller is in a system, it will automatically recognize Digital Harmony certified devices and maintain the consumer's easy command of anything in the system.Further details about Digital Harmony technology can be found on its webpage at www.digitalharmony.com or contact Stan Pinkwas at 718 788 7777.New Digital Harmony Licensees and Pavilion PartnersAdvanSysBoston AcousticsCirrus LogicDenon/Nippon ColumbiaHarman/KardonMark LevinsonLeviton TelcomMeridian AudioMonster CableNewnexPhilips SemiconductorReplayTVStellar OneThomson Consumer ElectronicsAMXCalifornia Audio LabsCrystal SemiconductorHarman InternationalMadrigalIBM SemiconductorLoeweMicrosoftNECPhast by AMXProceedSiCore SystemsTexas InstrumentsWhitejay International Zenith