Diamond Multimedia ships the first K56FLEX modems for Macintosh Computers

Business Wire, April 8, 1997

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 1997--

- SupraExpress 56 With K56flex Technology Delivers Fast,

Easy Internet Access for Mac Users -

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc., (Nasdaq: DIMD), a leader in Internet multimedia, today announced the availability of the SupraExpress(TM) 56e, an analog external modem designed exclusively for the Macintosh and capable of data download speeds of up to 56,000 bits per second (bps). SupraExpress 56 modems incorporate Rockwell and Lucent's new K56flex technology, which is endorsed by Ascend Communications and Cisco Systems, as well as by over 300 Internet Service Providers (ISPs). In addition, the SupraExpress 56e Mac modem is designed with flash memory, making upgrades to the latest firmware improvements virtually effortless.

With an estimated retail price of $189.95 (U.S.), the external SupraExpress 56e is available through leading retail stores including CompUSA, Computer City, Fry's Electronics and Micro Center, as well as through Diamond Multimedia's commercial distribution partners including Ingram Micro, Tech Data, SED and Synnex. The product will also soon be featured in mail-order catalogues throughout North America, including Mac Warehouse, Mac Zone, Mac Connection and Creative Computer.

The SupraExpress 56e Mac modem will be available later in Europe, pending completion of various localized designs and individual country approvals. Macintosh speakerphone versions are expected to ship to the North American market before the end of April.

"Diamond Multimedia is committed to the Mac modem market and continues to be early to market with new technology - 33.6 Kbps, V.80 video phone-ready, and now, the first K56flex modem," said James Cutburth, vice president of marketing for Diamond Multimedia's Communications Division. "SupraExpress 56e Mac modems will allow Internet-savvy Macintosh consumers to receive graphics-intensive data reliably from the World Wide Web at up to almost twice the speed of 28,800 bps modems."

Designed For 56,000 bps

The SupraExpress 56e Mac modems are designed by Diamond Multimedia specifically to be easily upgradeable over the Internet with the newest firmware revisions incorporating the latest in K56flex algorithm improvements. SupraExpress 56e Mac modems include Flash ROM upgradeability, static RAM for accelerated processing, high-speed data line drivers for up to 230 Kbps throughput, and a new phone line interface for clear signal reception.

"We designed the SupraExpress 56e modem to give Mac users easy, online access to the latest innovations in high-speed K56flex technology, which we believe is the emerging defacto 56,000 bps modem standard supported by most major industry players," said Jim Cady, vice president and general manager for Diamond Multimedia's Communications Division. "Our engineers worked closely with their counterparts at Rockwell's Multimedia Communications Division to design this modem from the ground up. Our twin objectives were to achieve easy online upgradeability and to optimize K56flex performance, accommodating the complexity and speed of the 56,000 bps signal. And since Rockwell and Ascend have the majority of the modem connection ports in the Internet Service Provider market, we believe Diamond Multimedia's customers will have the best ISP support today and in the future. Unlike x2 technology, which is today limited to 53 Kbps by FCC regulations for line voltage, Diamond Multimedia's SupraExpress 56e modems can operate at up to a full 56 Kbps without exceeding FCC voltage regulations."

Customer Satisfaction Program

The U.S. digital switched telephone network infrastructure is still undergoing development, deployment and improvement. Actual performance of 56 Kbps modems are expected to vary depending on telephone network conditions, including geographic location of a specific call, network quality and line noise at the time of the call, and the path or route assigned to the call. Since digital network technology may require new firmware releases and additional support over and above V.34 (33,600 bps) technology to achieve full performance, Diamond Multimedia has established the "Supra56 Satisfaction" program for those customers who experience difficulties due to their particular telephone network conditions and call routing.

For example, SupraExpress 56e Mac modems will soon ship with "The Diamond Channel" client software. Based on new Internet "push" technology from BackWeb Technologies, Inc., "The Diamond Channel" uses "background bandwidth" available on the Internet to automatically provide subscribers with the latest updates. "Diamond Multimedia's firmware engineers are continuously working to advance SupraExpress 56 modem performance under various network configurations," said Jeff Orr, product line manager for Diamond Multimedia's Communications Division. "By working with BackWeb and establishing The Diamond Channel, Diamond Multimedia will be among the first of the major Internet multimedia suppliers to incorporate World Wide Web 'push' technology into our Mac modem products, giving our Mac customers automatic downloading and easy installation of all our latest firmware innovations and algorithm improvements." The Diamond Channel Mac OS client software will also be available for download from Diamond Multimedia's web site at www.diamondmm.com as soon as the BackWeb Mac OS client is released. Customers may sign up for e-mail notification of the Mac OS client through Diamond's web site or at http://www.backweb.com .