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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- October 29, 2002
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Report: Sony Will Continue to Lead Video Game Console Race
o RealNetworks Releases Source Code for Media Delivery Technology
o Despite Piracy Concerns, Sony to Release PlayStation 2 in China in 2003
o Avid Acquires Assets of Digital Asset Management Firm IKnowledge
o Major Label EMI to Use Audible Magic's Audio Fingerprinting Technology
o Reuters Denies Hacking Allegation By Swedish Firm
o Media Management Software Firm EMotion Gets $2.5 Million, Names New CEO
> Digital Media Wire Event: "iTV Visions" | NYC | Nov. 14
> Featured Event: Post-Enron Corporate Seminar
o Briefly Noted: VU Net for Mobile, HP Media Center PC, "Grand Theft Auto:
Vice City," TV Linux Alliance, "Phantasy Star Online" - GameCube, XM
Satellite Radio - Southeast Toyota Distributors, Emuzed, Fathammer,
Networks - PVR commercial-skipping
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> Jobs: East Coast Sales Rep.
> Events
> Marketplace: Homeland Security Directory, Interest-Based Navigation
Full Classifieds located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.
To post a Classified Ad:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/mainpostingpage.html
or contact David Peebler at david@digitalmediawire.com
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o Report: Sony Will Continue to Lead Video Game Console Race
Scottsdale, Ariz. -- The video game console market reached 31.8 million
units shipped and revenues of nearly $7.4 billion in 2001, according to a
report from Arizona-based market research firm In-Stat/MDR. The firm
predicts that Sony's PlayStation 2, which recently shipped its 40
millionth unit, will remain as leader in the space for several years over
Nintendo's GameCube and Microsoft's Xbox. The report also said that the
upcoming release of franchise Nintendo games like "Mario" and "Zelda"
"should go a long way to determining the overall success of the GameCube."
An In-Stat/MDR consumer survey found that nearly half of all console
owners were interested in online console gaming -- which all three
manufacturers will soon offer -- with half of these willing to pay at
least $5 a month and one-third willing to pay $10 for the service. The
survey also found almost one-third of console owners watch DVD movies on
the devices.
http://www.instat.com/press.asp?ID=390&sku=IN020041ME
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o RealNetworks Releases Source Code for Media Delivery Technology
Seattle -- RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technology, on
Tuesday released the source code for its Helix DNA Client, the basis for
its audio and video player technology, to the developer community. The
release allows Mac, Linux and Windows developers to create their own
products using Seattle-based RealNetworks' technology as the foundation.
"It will enable thousands of developers to standardize on a single open
media player architecture and bring that architecture to millions of
digital consumer appliances from dozens of different manufacturers around
the world," said RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser. The code is free for
research and development purposes; fees are assessed when distributing new
software that contains RealNetworks' technology. Consumer electronics
firms and chipmakers including Acer, Hitachi, NEC, Nokia, Openwave,
Philips, STMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments have said they will use
and support the Helix DNA technology.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021029/sftu079_1.html
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021029/sftu080_1.html
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-963704.html?tag=fd_top
http://www.helixcommunity.org
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o Despite Piracy Concerns, Sony to Release PlayStation 2 in China in 2003
Shanghai -- Despite the rampant piracy present there, Sony Corp. plans to
release its PlayStation 2 video game console in China next year, The
Financial Times reported. The company did not provide an exact launch
date, but said it would actively seek out Chinese game developers in the
meantime. "We have to encourage and attract Chinese creators to write the
programs for us," Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei told FT.com. "We can introduce at
any time the hardware to the market but the successful line-up of the game
content is more important. Of course, piracy is a big issue but we don't
focus too much on it. Look at the US -- it always criticizes China as a
'pirate country'. Now, all the kids there download music free." Imported
PlayStation consoles sell in China for around $338, while pirated copies
of games can be found for as little as $1.
http://search.ft.com/search/article.html?id=021028001463&query=
playstation&vsc_appId=totalSearch&state=Form
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o Avid Acquires Assets of Digital Asset Management Firm IKnowledge
Tewksbury, Mass. -- Avid Technology, a provider of digital video editing
hardware and software, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired the
assets of IKnowledge, a developer of enterprise content aggregation,
distribution and syndication solutions. Financial terms of the deal were
not disclosed. Massachusetts-based Avid said it will immediately begin
selling a new digital asset management and distribution product based on
the technology acquired from IKnowledge.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021029/290379_1.html
http://www.iknowledge.com
http://www.avid.com
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o Major Label EMI to Use Audible Magic's Audio Fingerprinting Technology
Los Gatos, Calif. -- Audible Magic, a provider of content management and
media information services, announced on Tuesday that EMI Recorded Music
has signed an agreement to use its audio fingerprinting technology. The
two companies anticipate implementing an initial project yet this year
that utilizes Audible Magic technology, which can monitor and identify
songs in digital formats, including MP3. Under the agreement, EMI will
provide music for inclusion in Audible Magic's database of 3.4 million
songs on an ongoing basis. Audible Magic will also provide EMI with
technical consulting on content management and media issues that can be
addressed using audio fingerprinting. "We believe that this agreement
demonstrates EMI's vision for enhanced online marketing and promotional
activities and the ongoing protection of its copyrights," said Audible
Magic CEO Vance Ikezoye.
http://www.emigroup.com
http://www.audiblemagic.com
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o Reuters Denies Hacking Allegation By Swedish Firm
London -- Reuters, the world's largest financial information provider, on
Tuesday rejected allegations by Intentia International, a Swedish
information technology company, that its journalists hacked into
Intentia's web site last week to get a look at the company's financial
results. Reuters said the results had been freely available on Intentia's
site.
http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/021028/250/dd9t3.html
http://www.intentia.com
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o Media Management Software Firm EMotion Gets $2.5 Million, Names New CEO
Vienna, Va. -- EMotion, a provider of digital media management software
and services, announced on Tuesday that it has raised $2.5 million in new
financing, and named Tech TV founder Richard Fisher as its new CEO. The
financing was provided by existing investors Wasserstein & Co.,
Constellation Ventures, Chartwell Capital and Crossbow Ventures, and is
part of an ongoing round. The company's media management software is used
by customers including CBS King World, ABC Television, Diageo and
Discovery Communications. Virginia-based EMotion will use the new funds
for product and service development. The company expects to achieve
profitability in the second half of 2003.
http://www.emotion.com
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EVENT -- DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE Presents...
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iTV Visions: Technology Transforming Entertainment
New York City | Thurs. November 14 | 1:30-7:30 PM
In association with the Interactive Television Alliance
Sponsors: Etronica | ITA | Filter Media | AIM
This half-day executive forum will present views on the future of
entertainment based on next generation interactive television technologies
emerging today. Thought leaders from leading edge companies that are
driving these technologies into the marketplace will gather to show how
entertainment is on the verge of yet another radical transformation.
For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/itv_visions_111902.htm
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==================
FEATURED SECTION
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Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
What are businesses doing to survive and thrive after Enron?
Find out on Friday, November 1st at "The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Life and
Liability after Enron," a San Diego seminar designed to answer your
questions about the tough new regulations facing corporate America.
Presented by Ross, Dixon & Bell, L.L.P. and the California Western School
of Law. To register and for more information:
http://www.rdblaw.com/Registration/SignUp.html, or call: 619-557-4329
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Briefly Noted:
(London) Universal Music International and Vivendi Universal Net have
launched a new joint venture, VU Net for Mobile, which will distribute
Universal-controlled music to wireless network operators in the form of
ringtones, logos, dedications, and mailbox personalization. Business units
will initially be established in France, the U.K., Germany, the
Netherlands, Spain and Italy. Cedric Ponsot was named CEO of the joint
venture, while Universal Music International's Richard Ganter will serve
as liaison between the venture and labels and artists on contractual
matters.
http://www.vivendiuniversalnet.com
(Palo Alto, Calif.) HP on Tuesday announced the release of its HP Media
Center PC, one of the first products to run Microsoft's new Windows XP
Media Center Edition operating system. "The HP Media Center is a new way
for people to experience their favorite pastimes, whether it's watching
DVDs, listening to music, watching TV, sharing and managing digital
photos, or all of the other things PCs are normally used for, in one
easy-to-use, integrated system," said HP CEO Carly Fiorina. The PC will
retail for between $1,349 and $1,999.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021029/290099_1.html
http://www.hp.com/go/mediacenterpc
(New York) Rockstar Games, a division of Take-Two Interactive Software,
announced on Tuesday that its anticipated and controversial title "Grand
Theft Auto: Vice City" for Sony PlayStation 2 has been shipped to
retailers. The game, whose release coincides with the release of seven
game soundtrack albums from Sony Music, will debut in Europe on Nov. 8.
"Grand Theft Auto 3," the game's predecessor, has to date sold 8 million
units worldwide.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/021029/292247_1.html
http://www.take2games.com
http://www.rockstargames.com/vicecity
(Austin) The TV Linux Alliance, a consortium of digital media technology
suppliers established to define standards for Linux-based digital set-top
boxes, on Tuesday announced the release of its first specification,
version 0.8. The initial specification version provides developers with
basic functionality for tuner level and device definitions, and
standardized application programming interface (API) functions for those
devices. Members of the alliance include ACTV, Concurrent, Liberate,
Motorola, Pace Micro, ReplayTV, STMicroelectronics, Sun and TiVo.
http://www.tvlinuxalliance.org
(San Francisco) Game developer Sega on Tuesday announced the release of
"Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II," the first online-enabled game title
for Nintendo's GameCube video game console. The game may be played by up
to four players off-line, or else players may use a dial-up modem or
broadband adapter for the GameCube to sign up for the online service for
$8.95 per month at Sega.com. Players of the online version will receive
access to seasonal quests, downloads and special in-game items.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/223020138&ticker=
http://www.sega.com/games/gamecube/post_gamecubegame.jhtml?PRODID=10113
(Washington) XM Satellite Radio, a provider of satellite-delivered digital
radio programming, announced on Tuesday that Southeast Toyota Distributors
will offer XM Radio as an option on select vehicles sold at its 164
dealerships. Earlier this year, Washington-based XM announced a similar
agreement with Gulf States Toyota, another independent distributor.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/021029/dctu015_1.html
http://www.xmradio.com
http://www.buyatoyota.com
(Fremont, Calif.) Emuzed, a provider of MPEG-based multimedia products,
said on Tuesday that its Maui PCI PVR, a TV tuner and video compression
capture card, will be used with Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center
Edition software to power the personal video recorder functionality of
HP's new Media Center PC.
http://www.emuzed.com
http://www.hp.com/go/mediacenterpc
(Helsinki) Fathammer, a provider of advanced 3D graphics and game
technologies for mobile devices, on Tuesday announced the availability of
its X-Forge 3D Game Engine, a development product for mobile devices. The
product supports Symbian OS, Microsoft Pocket PC and Smartphone 2002,
Mobile Linux and other mobile operating systems. Helsinki-based Fathammer
said that two X-Forge Powered games will be included with the retail
launch of the Sony Ericsson P800 Smartphone.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/223020307&ticker=
http://www.fathammer.com
(New York) The New York Times on Tuesday reported on the tactics some
networks are taking to combat the ability of personal video recorders to
skip through commercials and dilute their advertising revenue. Fine
Living, a Scripps network channel, is basing its advertising on program
sponsorships, as well as "take-aways" and "essentials" -- one-minute
interludes where products are featured within an actual program,
accompanied by on-screen corporate logos.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/29/business/media/29ADCO.html
http://www.fineliving.com
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===================
CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
===================
To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm
East Coast Sales Rep - Imaging and Music Software Firm
Imaging and music software firm is seeking an independent, East Coast
sales representative. We have great products - you have strong
relationships with camera and computer hardware manufacturers and
marketers. Significant OEM experience strongly preferred. Position offers
a retainer and generous commissions. Interested parties should forward
their resume to David McKie at: david@simplestar.com
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====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm
_____________________________________________
==========================
CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
==========================
To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
Only 90 copies remaining of Directory of Homeland Security
This is your company's final chance to purchase the inaugural edition of
the Directory of Homeland Security: a 160-page book that lists all federal
and state agencies involved in homeland security. The directory includes
names of over 1,500 homeland security officials, profiles of 500 agencies
involved in homeland security, and a detailed list of technology companies
in this sector. The directory is sponsored by NETSEC, Greenberg Traurig,
AT&T and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
To purchase the directory, go to: http://www.homeland-directory.com
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New!! Advanced Search & Personalization Technology by Etronica
Etronica has developed a unique software toolset to enable "Interest Based
Navigation" of digital content. The Patent Pending technology provides for
automated tagging, indexing, and categorization of content. The software
toolset can be incorporated into content websites and portals, installed
in TV settop boxes or integrated as OEM components into various software
platforms and technologies. An Etronica Enabled(TM) site greatly enhances
the user experience. Contact us to learn more: info@etronica.com
http://www.etronica.com
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Copyright 2002 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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