Shark Multimedia to Supply MR/AMR Solutions to Motherboard Manufacturers and Integrators; Technology Supports Motherboards With AC97 and AMR Interface

Business Wire, July 19, 1999

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 1999--

Shark Multimedia announced the availability of AMR and MR cards for AMR-ready motherboards. AMR (Audio/Modem Riser) and MR(Modem Riser) is a specification defined by Intel Corporation and developed in cooperation with a number of PC industry partners including Shark Multimedia.

The reason for the development of AMR is due the emergence of extremely low-priced PCs and the need to find areas to increase profit margin. The release of the Audio/Modem Riser specification has made this possible. MR/AMR puts most of the modem or modem and audio functionality onto the motherboard. The analog I/O components are the only piece not on the motherboard. These analog I/O components are what make up the MR or AMR card. The same technology is available for notebook computers. In notebooks the technology is called MDC (Mobile Daughter Card). Shark is also supplying these.

The advantages to the OEM or system builder are as follows. The obvious advantage will be price. By reducing the number of components on the riser the cost advantage is significant. In an AMR, according to some sources, the sound quality is better due to the separation of the analog components. For companies doing business internationally, they can use the same motherboard worldwide, while changing only the MR/AMR card for different countries.

Included with the MR/AMR is Shark's DialTone software, the 32-bit all-in-one PC telephony software solution. V.80 compliant, the modem will operate with any H.324 videophone system to provide low cost video conferencing over ordinary telephone lines. Shark's MR/AMR solution turns the PC into an advanced, all-purpose desktop communications system. With the Shark's solution, conference room calls sound as if they were made with top-quality handsets. The full duplex speakerphone provides acoustic echo cancellation for exceptional audio quality. The internal connection to an existing audio card supports music on hold, microphone in, and speaker out. The voice mail options permit business professionals to work at their best. Users may create a virtually unlimited number of voice mailboxes, each with separate passwords and unique greetings. Automatic paging lets the user know when they have an incoming message, and remote access ensures the traveler is never out of touch. In addition, the modem offers phone book dialing, call forwarding, conferencing, and voice broadcasting among its other advanced features.

Shark Multimedia has started building MR/AMR solutions for a number of major motherboard manufacturers and system builders. The product will be distributed in one of two ways. The motherboard company will either source the MR/AMR solution for its customers, or the system builder will need to find its own MR/AMR source.

Shark Multimedia was founded in 1995 with the vision of creating the best multimedia products on the market. Shark Multimedia has four product lines, serving Audio, Telephony/FAX/Modem and Videoconferencing and Telephony software product needs. All Shark products are innovative, easy-to-use and cost effective.

For further information contact: Shark Multimedia 3040 Oakmead Village Drive Santa Clara, CA 95051 Phone: 800/800-3321 Fax: 408/987-5415 http://www.sharkmm.com