archives

o Interactive Television Software Developer Myrio Raises $20.5 Million
o News Corp. To Consolidate Websites, Lay Off Half of News Digital Staff
o DataPlay Releases Digital Media Storage Discs For Portable Devices
o Bertelsmann Names Rolf Schmidt-Holtz CEO of BMG Entertainment
o Liquid Audio Releases SDMI-Compliant Software For Device Manufacturers
> Digital Media Wire Networking Event: Future of Music Policy Summit
o Briefly Noted: Nokia Media Terminal, Musicnotes.com - Elton John,
DigMedia, Snap2, Ch. 1, iTVr, Adelphia
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> Job Postings: Technology Manager, SW & FPGA Engineers, Sales Rep.,
PR Professionals

> Events: Master the Technology, Potomac Tech Wire Seminar Series,
iHollywood Forum

Full Job/Event descriptions listed below "Briefly Noted" section or at
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/postings.html

To Post a Job: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html
To Post an Event: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html
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o Interactive Television Software Developer Myrio Raises $20.5 Million

Kirkland, Wash. -- Myrio, a developer of software for interactive
television, announced on Friday that it has raised $20.5 million in its
second round of venture capital financing. New investors NeoCarta Ventures
and Alexander Hutton Venture Partners led the investment round; previous
investors Ridgewood Capital, CC Communications and GVNW also contributed.
Washington-based Myrio develops software used by telecommunications
providers to offer their customers interactive television through existing
phone lines. The software enables DVD-quality video-on-demand and
high-speed Internet access on televisions, accessible through a wireless
keyboard. The company said the funds will be used for additional product
development and in marketing its product nationwide to telecommunications
providers.
http://www.myrio.com/html/news/release.cfm?ID=33
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o News Corp. To Consolidate Websites, Lay Off Half of News Digital Staff

New York -- News. Corp is scaling back its News Digital Media division,
moving its Fox.com, FoxSports.com and FoxNews.com websites back under
their respective divisions within the company, the Wall Street Journal
reported on Friday. Half of the company's 300 employees are expected to be
laid off as a result of the decision. "The reason we're doing this is that
we have no faith in the economic model that's driving these stand-alone,
advertising-based websites," said News Corp. COO Lachlan Murdoch. The
company is expected to save at least $30 million in costs as a result of
the consolidation.
http://www.newsdigital.com/
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o DataPlay Releases Digital Media Storage Discs For Portable Devices

Las Vegas – DataPlay, a developer of storage media, announced on Friday
the release of its universal media storage discs which can be used in
portable music players and recorders, digital cameras, portable games and
other handheld devices. The discs are about the size of a quarter, and can
hold either 250MB or 500MB of video, audio or applications. Nearly 50
companies -- including Samsung, Toshiba, Creative Labs and Sonicblue --
will be displaying devices capable of supporting the discs at the Consumer
Electronics Show. Colorado-based DataPlay has raised $64 million total in
venture capital financing from investors that include Universal Music
Group, Toshiba and Samsung.
http://www.dataplay.com
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o Bertelsmann Names Rolf Schmidt-Holtz CEO of BMG Entertainment

New York -- Bertelsmann AG on Friday announced the appointment of Rolf
Schmidt-Holtz to the position of CEO of BMG Entertainment. Schmidt-Holtz
was appointed after Rudi Gassner, who was expected to fill the position,
died last month. Most recently, Schmidt-Holtz served as chief creative
officer at Bertelsmann and CEO of the company's European commercial
broadcasting network. The Wall Street Journal reported that although
Schmidt-Holtz has dealt with the creative community in the film and
television industries, he has no experience in the music industry. "One of
first things I will do is create an executive committee of BMG's top
executives from all territories," said Schmidt-Holtz, in a statement.
"With the committee, I will be able to draw on the tremendous experience,
wisdom, and talent within BMG's senior ranks." The Journal cited industry
executives who said that Schmidt-Holtz's lack of music industry experience
could give EMI more leverage in talks over a proposed merger with the
label. Schmidt-Holtz’s role at BMG will become important when Napster
launches its planned paid subscription service with the company. BMG’s
former CEO Strauss Zelnick resigned from the company following the
announcement of its partnership with Napster. Along with German indie
label Edel Music, music from BMG's catalog is the only content thus far
announced to be a part of the service.
http://www.bmgentertainment.com/news/articles/01052001.html
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o Liquid Audio Releases SDMI-Compliant Software For Device Manufacturers

Redwood City, Calif. -- Liquid Audio, a distributor of digital music,
announced on Friday the release of software approved by the Secure Digital
Music Initiative (SDMI) that can prevent the unauthorized copying of
digital music from the Internet onto recordable CD drives and portable
digital music players. Manufacturers including Aiwa, IOData, SANYO, TDK
and Toshiba have implemented the company’s technology into their consumer
devices. The SDMI is a consortium of electronics manufacturers and music
industry companies that has been working to develop a secure means of
digital music distribution that allows for copyright protection.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010105/ca_liquid_.html
http://www.liquidaudio.com
http://www.sdmi.org 
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> Digital Media Wire Networking Event: Future of Music Policy Summit

Washington, D.C. -- Digital Media Wire will host its next networking event
on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at the Future of Music Policy Summit in
Washington, D.C. The event will be for subscribers, conference attendees
and those interested in the convergence of entertainment, technology and
the Internet. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served and there will be a cash
bar.

Sponsors:
Morrison & Foerster, LLP
Coalition for the Future of Music

Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Georgetown University Conference Center
3800 Reservoir Road, NW - Washington, D.C.

To register for the networking event:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/dc.htm

To register for the Future of Music Policy Summit:
http://www.futureofmusic.org/events/summit0101/
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o Briefly Noted:

(Las Vegas) Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia on Friday announced that it
will showcase its first interactive television product at the Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Media Terminal is a set-top box that
combines digital video broadcast satellite service, Internet access and a
personal video recorder (PVR). The device runs on the Linux operating
system, and uses a web browser developed by the open source group Mozilla.
http://press.nokia.com/PR/200101/803670_5.html
http://www.mozilla.org

(Madison, Wisc.) Musicnotes.com, an online sheet music retailer, announced
on Friday that it has acquired the digital rights from Warner Bros. Music
to distribute sheet music versions of Elton John compositions.
Wisconsin-based Musicnotes.com allows educators and musicians to download
and print sheet music and features a player that lets users interact with
compositions, changing the tempo as they play along on instruments.
http://www.musicnotes.com

(Las Vegas) DigMedia, a developer of Internet appliances, announced on
Friday the release of its DigRadio stand-alone Internet device, designed
to play both FM radio and MP3s from streaming radio stations. The device
can connect to the Internet through either a dialup or built-in Ethernet
adapter for broadband. Consumers can connect to the company’s website and
store MP3 and WMA files, and then stream the songs they upload to the
device. Carlsbad-based DigMedia’s digital locker service uses digital
rights management technology from Santa Clara-based InterTrust.
http://www.digmedia.cc

(Des Moines, Iowa) Snap2, a developer of software for digital set-top
boxes and in-flight entertainment, announced on Friday the release of
Snap2 Games for interactive television, Internet appliances and portable
devices. Single and multiplayer versions of board, card, arcade and
children’s games can be stored locally on a hard drive or downloaded from
the Internet. Iowa-based Snap2 has partnerships with airlines including
Air France, Delta Air Lines and Aer Lingus to provide the games for
in-flight entertainment systems.
http://www.snaptwo.com/newPR33.html

(Las Vegas) Ch. 1, an interactive television developer, announced on
Friday its built-in interactive television product. The technology allows
users to access the Internet on a digital television through a
picture-in-picture window-- which in many televisions allows viewers to
preview one channel in a small window on the screen while watching
another. The service will be built in to sets with both 36 and 27-inch
screens, and will cost $8.95 per month. Orange County-based Ch. 1 said
that both dialup and high-speed connections will be supported.
http://www.ch1.com

(Houston) iTVr, a developer of personal video recorder (PVR) technology,
announced on Friday that it will demonstrate its PVR device at the
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The device allows viewers to
digitally record and store television programs. With a capacity of 40GB,
the device will hold about 40 hours of programming. Houston-based iTVr
said the product will cost around $399, and that it will be released in
China in the first quarter of 2001, with a European and U.S. release
scheduled for mid-year.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010105/tx_ivg_itv.html

(Buffalo, N.Y.) Cable company Adelphia announced on Friday the launch of
its interactive television services in upstate New York. The service uses
Alameda-based Wink’s set-top box, manufactured by RCA.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010104/ca_wink_ad.html
http://www.adelphia.com
http://www.wink.com

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Job Postings:
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To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html

> Washingtonpost.com, Technology Manager

Washingtonpost.com, the region's most popular destination for everything
Washington, is seeking a Technology Manager. Join our hot team of
professionals and enjoy advanced classes in the latest technologies,
networking at industry events, working for a solid world-class
organization with a future, and making your mark on our award-winning
website. Send resumes to jobstech@wpni.com or visit
http://www.washingtonpost.com and click on Join Us.
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> Convergent Companies, Inc., SW & FPGA Engineers - Greenbelt, MD

We are developing break-through video compression technologies for the
Internet and are looking for FPGA and Software engineers with 1-8 yrs
experience. BSEE/CS familiarity with C++, image processing, object
programming. FPGA position, exp FPGA programming, DSP architectures esp
w/Xilinx. Check out Employment section of our website for details.
Send resumes to jobs@convergentcompanies.com
http://www.convergentcompanies.com
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> Intervise, Sales Representative - DC Metro

Responsible for selling IT Consulting Services to Fortune 1000 companies
and Internet startups. Sales Professional must have 3+ years experience in
selling IT Professional Services. Package includes base salary and
commissions, 401K and Health and Dental insurance.
Send resumes to cgriesbach@intervise.com
http://www.intervise.com
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> KG Communications, Public Relations Professionals - McLean, VA

KG Communications specializes in launching start-ups in the telecom field.
Opportunities exist for candidates with strong writing and communications
skills, knowledge of high-tech trade & business media, analysts and
events. A minimum 3 years' experience in high-tech PR-telecom a plus.
Highly competitive compensation, benefits and perks.
Send resumes to kay.handrahan@kgcom.com

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Event Postings:
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To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html

> Master the Technology that is Changing the World - GW Virginia Campus

The George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science
will hold an informational session at the Virginia Campus in Ashburn from
6-8 p.m. on January 11th . This is a great opportunity to find out about
cutting edge graduate engineering degree programs including: Computer
Security and Information Assurance; Multimedia, Animation, Graphics and
User Interfaces; Software Engineering and Systems; Computer Architecture,
Networks, Parallel and Distributed Computing; Wireless and Mobile
Networks; Telecommunications and Computers. Contact: scason@va.gwu.edu
http://www.seasva.gwu.edu
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> Potomac Tech Wire Seminar Series: Doing Business with Israel

Sponsor: Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. On Thursday, Jan. 11, Potomac Tech
Wire and Jones Day will host a panel discussion on DC technology firms
doing business with Israel. Panelists include: Daniel Epstein, Executive
Director of US-Israeli Business Exchange; Emanuel Friedman, Chairman and
Co-CEO of Friedman, Billings & Ramsey; Philip Garfunkle, Former President
of Yazam; Stephan Mallenbaum, Partner, Jones Day (Moderator); Additional
Panelists To Be Determined. When: 7:30-8:00 a.m. - Registration and
Breakfast; 8:00-9:30 a.m. - Panel Discussion and Q&A; Where: McLean
Hilton.
To Register for this Event: http://www.potomactechwire.com/Israel.htm
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> iHollywood Forum: How Adult Entertainment Profits From the Internet

Whatever one's attitude toward adult entertainment, one fact is
undeniable: it's the only segment of the entertainment industry that
consistently makes money on the Internet. Panelists include: Larry Flynt,
Publisher of Hustler Magazine; Gail Harris, CEO and President of Falcon
Foto; David Schlesinger, Vice President of Internet Marketing at Vivid
Video; Fred Lane, Author of "Obscene Profits: The Entrepreneurs of
Pornography in the Cyber Age" (Routledge 2000); Mike Rick, Co-founder of
Cybersynergism (Webmaster Superstore for Online Adult Entertainment) and
kSEXRadio.com. When: Wednesday January 17, 6:00 pm-10pm; Where: Santa
Monica Doubletree.
To Register: http://www.ihollywoodforum.com/new/events/jan17_2001.htm
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