nCUBE and RealNetworks Team to Provide Scalable Streaming Media Solutions for Broadband Providers

Business Wire, April 10, 2001

Business Editors/Technology Writers

SAN FRANCISCO & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2001

Collaboration Enables Broadband Providers to Reduce Costs and

Efficiently Deliver Highest Quality Streaming Media

nCUBE's n4 Powered by RealVideo 8 and RealAudio 8 to Be Demonstrated

at NAB2001

nCUBE, a leader in providing scalable broadband streaming media solutions for any network and RealNetworks(R), Inc. (Nasdaq:RNWK), the global leader in Internet media delivery, today announced that nCUBE's n4 broadband streaming media solutions now support RealVideo 8 and RealAudio 8.

For the first time, broadband providers, such as DSL providers and cable modem networks, will be able to leverage the scalability and high performance of n4, nCUBE's streaming media appliance, to cost effectively deliver RealNetwork's industry-leading RealAudio 8 and RealVideo 8. The new solution will be demonstrated at the NAB2001, April 22-26 in Las Vegas, nCUBE Booth No. E3523 and RealNetworks Booth No. I7726, Sands Convention Center.

nCUBE's n4 server media appliance can scale from 100 megabits per second to 128 gigabits per second of streaming media from a single system. The integration of n4 with RealAudio 8 and RealVideo 8 will enable broadband providers to simultaneously deliver high quality streaming media to thousands of consumers from a single n4 server. By delivering RealAudio 8 and RealVideo 8 at lower datarates on n4 servers, broadband operators will greatly reduce their bandwidth costs and dramatically improve the media experience for RealPlayer users.

"As demand and availability of broadband access continues to rapidly increase, nCUBE and RealNetworks are at the forefront of providing the highest quality streaming services," said Michael J. Pohl, president, nCUBE. "By joining forces, nCUBE, whose work in the video delivery business spans eight years, and RealNetworks, the industry leader in streaming media since 1995, together enable broadband operators to expand their business models to include IP-based streaming at the highest level of scalability with the lowest total cost of ownership."

"RealNetworks is excited that the inherent high-quality and economic efficiencies of RealVideo 8 and RealAudio 8 have been deeply incorporated into nCUBE's n4 to help directly address the growing demand for streaming media," said Martin Plaehn, senior vice president of Media Systems, RealNetworks, Inc. "The wide-scale demand for compelling RealAudio 8 and RealVideo 8 content provides a great opportunity to advance nCUBE's scalable and reliable servers and deliver a great streaming media experience to consumers."

About nCUBE

nCUBE (www.nCUBE.com) provides scalable streaming media solutions to all broadband networks. Broadband operators worldwide count on nCUBE to provide solutions for broadband video-on-demand, IP streaming media, and advertising insertion.

The company's core product line, the n4 streaming media appliance, can scale from 100 megabits per second to 128 gigabits per second of streaming media from a single system. nCUBE systems are used by today's leading interactive television companies. nCUBE's distinguished customer and partner list includes: Alcatel, AT&T, Bertelsmann, Enron Broadband Services, Cisco Systems, Charter Communications, DemandVideo, Gemstar-TV Guide, Liberate, Motorola, Scientific-Atlanta, RealNetworks, Telewest Communications and Time Warner. nCUBE is a member of the MPEG-4 standards committee. The company is based in Foster City, Calif., with sales and customer support offices in Colorado, Oregon, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and China.

About RealNetworks

RealNetworks, Inc., is the global leader in Internet media delivery. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks' consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at http://www.realnetworks.com