For more information visit http://www.mgisoft.com. For OEM inquiries contact Sean Budnik, Director, OEM Sales, at 905 707 4712 or seanb@mgisoft.com.
MGI Announces SoftDVD MAXô Design Win With S3 Incorporated
MGI Software (TSE:MGI), the leader in Internet imaging and digital video solutions, Thursday announced a worldwide license agreement for MGI SoftDVD MAX with S3Æ Incorporated (NASDAQ:SIII) for their current Diamond Multimedia-branded graphics and audio products, including the new Viperô II. The agreement builds upon MGI Software's existing OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) license of MGI's PC photo and video editing software for bundling with various Diamond Multimedia-branded products, to now include MGI's market leading software-only DVD player. No other terms of the agreement were disclosed. ""This agreement is representative of our long term OEM objectives,"" said Anthony DeCristofaro, President and CEO, MGI Software. ""Our aim has always been to establish and maintain long term, close relationships. By adding software-only DVD solutions to our PC photo and video software, we can extend our existing relationships and attract new business. We are very pleased to be working with S3."" ""MGI SoftDVD Max delivers optimal software support for the advanced DVD hardware acceleration built into our Viper II accelerators,"" said Mark Farley, Director of S3's New Desktop Products Group. ""Working closely with MGI Software, the Viper II provides consumers with unparalleled performance, functionality and image quality on today's most demanding digital video-based applications."" Software-only DVD players, like MGI SoftDVD MAX, work in conjunction with DVD-enabled graphics hardware to replace more expensive hardware chips that are required to decode DVD movies and content for viewing on a personal computer. Since hardware DVD movie decoders typically cost a PC manufacturer about US$50 per system, MGI SoftDVD MAX offers manufacturers a more flexible, cost-effective alternative. ""Shipments of drives with DVD-ROM read capability will increase from six million in 1998 to 150 million in 2003, all needing DVD decoding capability,"" said Michelle Abraham, Senior Analyst, Multimedia, Cahners In-Stat Group. ""MGI SoftDVD MAX offers a cost-effective solution for DVD decoding on the PC."" MGI SoftDVD MAX is a robust software-only DVD decoder that runs on a broad range of PentiumÆ II-class multimedia computers (300Mhz or faster), with support for most of the leading graphics cards, including hardware motion compensation, and audio controllers. Beneath its sleek and intuitive VCR-type interface, MGI SoftDVD MAX supports all of the components of the DVD standard in software, including full DVD player navigation, MPEG-2, video decryption, DolbyÆ Digital (AC-3) decoding and 5.1 surround, 3D audio, and more. These capabilities provide users with smooth, laser-sharp video and crystal-clear audio without any skips or clicks. With immediate support for MicrosoftÆ DirectShowô, Windows 95, 98 and NT-based architectures, and twenty-four languages (including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, and Japanese), MGI SoftDVD MAX provides manufacturers with the flexibility to rollout systems, with various hardware configurations, to a worldwide audience. In addition, MGI SoftDVD MAX is the only DVD playback solution on the market that is Web-enabled. This exclusive feature extends the DVD experience beyond the PC to the Internet, bringing DVD movie enthusiasts together to a hosted online community. About S3 Incorporated Building on the technology, distribution and brand strengths of its Communications, Multimedia and Professional Graphics divisions, S3 is committed to delivering targeted products for the Personal Computer and Consumer/Internet Appliance markets. Rounding out its PC silicon offerings, S3's recent acquisition of Diamond Multimedia adds consumer brands such as the Viper and Stealthô series of graphics accelerators, the Rioô series of Internet audio appliances, the Supra series of modems, and the HomeFreeô line of home networking products. About MGI Software Founded in 1995, MGI Software is one of the world's leading digital media companies. The Company's early focus on delivering digital media editing technology to the mass market has led to leadership in digital imaging and video editing worldwide. MGI Software recently broadened its market to business and online users of photography and expanded its technological leadership to encompass digital entertainment media. Through its ever-growing network of partnerships with major consumer electronics manufacturers, computer hardware and software vendors, photo retailers and the entertainment industry, MGI Software is uniquely positioned to benefit from the digital revolution shaping our lifestyles. MGI Software employs over 200 people with offices in North America, Europe, Pacific Rim, and Japan. MGI Software is publicly traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange.