Sigmacom Integrates NxtWave Communications' NXT2000 Receiver Chip Into PC DTV Card

Business Wire, Nov 6, 2000

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

LANGHORNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2000

Receiver Chip to Further Facilitate Digital Broadcast Reception Using

RAVISENT's CineMaster HDTV Software in Mainstream PCs

NxtWave Communications Inc. (nxtwavecomm.com), a developer of broadband communications integrated circuits (ICs) Monday announced that Korea-based Sigmacom, a leading supplier of 3D graphics and multimedia technology for PCs, has chosen the NXT2000 for its line of PC DTV cards in an effort to bring the benefits of DTV to mainstream PCs.

Sigmacom's PC DTV card technology also features RAVISENT's (Nasdaq:RVST) CineMaster(R) HDTV decoder, the industry's first all-software, all-format HDTV solution, supporting ATSC terrestrial broadcast in North America as well as DVB SDTV formats used in Europe.

Consumers will benefit from an enhanced DTV reception brought to the PC that shows full frame rate video with no frame drops and picture clarity of up to 720p and 1080i.

"Sigmacom's work in the PC DTV card industry complements NxtWave's efforts to provide to the mass market a digital broadcast receiving solution," said Matt Miller, president and CEO of NxtWave Communications. "Sigmacom's DTV cards use 1080x1920 scanning lines for optimum resolution -- the NXT2000 furthers this technology with enhanced DTV reception and high quality screen images."

"RAVISENT's expertise in digital audio and video decoding and transport stream management, is at the core of Sigmacom's HDTV solution," said Mike Harris, co-founder and chief technology officer of RAVISENT. "The CineMaster HDTV processes the broadcast signal in all-software and leverages Sigmacom's DTV technology to drive the highest quality output commercially available in the PC market today."

"The NXT2000 chip was selected based on the product's recognition as a leading digital receiving solution," said Kwang-Hyun Joo, president and CEO of Sigmacom. "NxtWave's commitment to the DTV issue also correlates with Sigmacom's development in the digital broadcast receiver card market and with regular broadcasting of digital signals in metropolitan Seoul scheduled for 2001."

About Sigmacom

Based in Korea, Sigmacom is a leading supplier of 3D graphics and multimedia technology and designs, manufactures and markets multimedia solutions as well as graphics components for PCs.

Showcasing its DVD and Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) technologies, the company also produces emerging graphics technologies for digital flat panel displays and set-top boxes and supplies video and 2D/3D graphics accelerators to OEM and retail customers. Major customers include Samsung and TRIGEM SAMBO. Additional information can be accessed at http://www.sigmacom.co.kr/

About RAVISENT Technologies Inc.

RAVISENT provides digital video, audio and Internet appliance technology to industry leading PC, Consumer Electronic and Internet Appliance OEMs, empowering them to deliver highly competitive, cost-effective products with a strong time-to-market advantage.

RAVISENT software and intellectual property is contained in products from Compaq, Dell Computer, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Micron, Elsa, Matrox, Iomega, Fujitsu, Quantex, Sony, Tottori-Sanyo, Vestel, ATi Technologies, C-Cube, STMicroelectronics, Telecom Italia, Met@box, Formenti and IPM.

Founded in 1994, RAVISENT is a global company, with headquarters in Malvern, Pa., and offices in San Jose, Seattle, Canada, Germany and Japan. More information about RAVISENT is available at www.ravisent.com.

About NxtWave Communications Inc.

NxtWave Communications develops broadband communications integrated circuits (ICs) for use in multiple mass markets. Using efficient and robust modulation and demodulation techniques, the company's IC solutions satisfy the requirements of manufacturers of cable modems, interactive set-top boxes, digital TVs and PC video products.

NxtWave Communications leverages proprietary algorithms in its receiver implementations of industry standard transmission formats including QAM, VSB, QPSK and NTSC. NxtWave Communications has headquarters in Langhorne, at One Summit Square, Route 413 & Doublewoods Road, with worldwide marketing and sales headquarters in Irvine, Calif. For additional information visit www.nxtwavecomm.com.