Ligos Technology Acquires Indeo Media Software from Intel Corporation; Offers Serverless Alternative for Streaming Internet Video

Business Wire, June 27, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2000

Newest Member of Ligos CODEC Family Offers Quality

Internet Video Without Expensive Streaming Video Servers

Ligos Technology, a leading developer of software-based video encoding solutions, announced today that it has acquired Indeo media software from the Intel Architecture Labs. Indeo video and audio compression software offers an attractive alternative to complicated Internet streaming video solutions.

With Indeo media software, Ligos is taking a new approach to the challenges of delivering digital video and audio over the Internet. Indeo video allows high-quality video to be played over the Internet without the need for expensive, dedicated video servers; it also plays through firewalls without any reconfiguring. Because this technology automatically adjusts with the ability of both the machine and Internet connection capabilities, and is less expensive than any of the other options currently available to web publishers, it can allow more sites to easily incorporate video clips. From the PC user perspective, Indeo video offers even dial-up users a satisfying Internet video experience as it eliminates the frustration of having to wait before viewing the video clip.

"Many sites avoid large video clips because of the expense, and the potential frustration of PC users with slow Internet connections," says Peter Forman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ligos Technology. "We believe the future of video over the Internet is serverless video streaming. Indeo media technology is one of the ways we can make it happen... and make it happen now."

The acquisition of Intel's Indeo software interests expands upon Ligos Technology's strategic relationship with the Intel Architecture Labs (IAL), which began with Ligos licensing MPEG and DV technologies from IAL last month.

"The integration of Indeo media software with Ligos' suite will make it easier for small web publishers and individuals to use video on their web sites," said Dave Ryan, Director of Technology Marketing at the Intel Architecture Labs. "We see serverless video as a way to accelerate the pervasive use of video on the Internet."

Ligos Focuses on Future for Indeo Media Software, Expands Support "We are enthusiastic about the potential for 'cross pollination' between Indeo audio and video and our MPEG codecs, providing exciting possibilities for consumers and developers of digital video products," says Court Shannon, Senior Vice President of Ligos Technology. "Indeo media software, and our other Intel Architecture Labs technologies, will allow us to deliver a more complete digital video solution to our OEM customers."

Ligos MPEG video compression software already enables top-selling PC video products from ATI, Avid, 3dfx, Cinax, Compaq, CSK Research, Dazzle, Gateway, Guillemot, Hauppauge, Matrox, MGI and Ulead.

As a reflection of the priority the company is placing on Indeo software, Ligos is expanding the level of support for the technology, and will be providing SDKs and more tools, plus expanded consulting to developers. Customer requests for support for Indeo media software are now being directed to the Ligos Technology web site at http://www.ligos.com.

Ligos will continue the Intel practice of distributing Indeo video decoders free of charge to all PC users; OEM customers can incorporate them into products royalty-free.

About Indeo Video Software

Indeo video 5 is the current release of the Intel video compression and decompression (codec) software. It features greatly improved visual quality, better compression, and playback performance enhancements. Indeo video 5 also incorporates audio compression offering near-CD quality sound at an 8-to-1 compression factor. Indeo video and audio technologies are already installed on millions of Windows and Macintosh PCs as part of DirectShow and QuickTime.

Indeo Video's Progressive Download Reduces Internet Video Download

Frustrations

Indeo video's Progressive Download enhances the user experience because it enables them to begin watching a video download immediately, even at dial-up speeds. While the user is watching, the download continues in the background, with the image quality and frame rate improving as the download and playback continue. When the complete video has been downloaded, quality is uniformly excellent. If they wish, users can then view the clip again at top quality from the beginning. Users with high-speed connections get full-quality video almost immediately. With Indeo video, developers only need to create one video file, which scales automatically to the user's connection rate.

About Ligos Technology

Headquartered in San Francisco, Ligos Technology is a leading worldwide provider of real-time software-only video encoding and decoding technology. Founded in 1997, Ligos developed the GoMotion(TM) codec, which has the ability to compress high-quality MPEG-2 video in real-time, using software only, on a Pentium-based PC. GoMotion offers Ligos customers the distinct advantages of speed and affordability, when compared to more expensive hardware-based MPEG solutions. For more information on Ligos Technology, its products or licensing, access its Web site at http://www.ligos.com or call 888/464-8765.