World's First MP3 CD-Player Unveiled; Pine Technology Takes MP3 Technology One Step Further and Develops the MP3 CD-Player

Business Wire, Sept 8, 1999

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 1999--

Pine Technology USA Inc., (www.pineusa.com) the global computer components manufacturer, this week unveils the latest in MP3 hardware technology, the 'D'music' portable MP3/audio CD player. This is the first product of its kind to be brought to market.

The SM-200C is similar to the popular Discman product and plays back ordinary audio CDs as well as MP3 CDs. It can hold over 100 MP3 tracks on one CD. This is also the first MP3 hardware device which does not require a computer or Internet connection, as MP3 CDs will be available from mainstream retail outlets.

The player boasts features such as title display, anti-shock with a buffer of 10 seconds, remote control and repeat and auto search functions. It has an equalizer that can be adjusted for different music formats such as pop, classical, jazz or music requiring that extra bit of bass.

"This CD-player extends the boundaries of MP3 music more than ever," said Brian Hamilton, national sales manager for Pine Technology USA. "The ability to store over 100 songs on one disc has never been achieved before so this is good news for all music lovers."

The SM-200C is priced at $299 and will be available in November. The CD-player is the second in Pine's family of MP3 digital products. The digital MP3 portable recorder, 'D'music', is already available, priced from $188. For more information, visit www.pineusa.com.

MP3 is a file format which stores audio files on a computer in such a way that the file size is relatively small, but the song sounds near perfect. For more information go to http://www.mp3.com/faq.> For further product and sales information, please contact Brian Hamilton at Pine Technology USA at 510/405-6700, email sales@pineusa.com, or visit www.pineusa.com.

Technical specifications

-- CD Digital Audio MPEG Type

-- Output 1: Headphone Stereo 15mW 15mW

-- Output 2: Audio Line (Level: 0.7V ms - 47K)

-- Analog Volume Control

-- Built-in Charger

-- Battery: 4 x AA (Rechargeable or Alkaline, 8 hours with

Alkaline)

-- Voltage: 5V

-- Display: FSTN LCD (Title display)

-- Dimension (mm): 130 (W) x 138 (D) x 31 (H)

NOTES TO EDITORS

Pine Technology USA Inc., (Fremont, Calif.), a hardware manufacturer since 1992, produces portable MP3 players, CD ROM drives, CD-R & CD-RW media, motherboards, VGA cards, fax modems and sound cards. It has offices in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Taiwan, China and Korea. Research and development is based in Hong Kong & Taiwan. Pine is accredited with the quality standard ISO 9002. The Pine Group's turnover for 1999 is projected to reach 400 million dollars, with 40 employees based in the U.S. Pine offers customers a 24 hour, three year global support warranty.

Please email andyo@lewispr.com if you would like photography of the CD player or product samples (latter when available.)