SONICblue Rio Products Compatible With pressplay 2.0; Allows Portable Downloads To Rio MP3 Products

Business Wire, August 1, 2002

Business/Technology Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2002

SONICblue(TM) Incorporated (Nasdaq:SBLU) today announced the compatibility of the Rio(R) 600, Rio 800, and Rio 900 with pressplay's enhanced music service, pressplay 2.0. Rio users will now be able to digitally download content directly from the pressplay service to these Rio devices via their computer.

"The range of SONICblue's compatible products highlights that our players are built with tomorrow's technology in mind," said David Huffman, vice president, audio products, SONICblue. "We believe that the Internet will offer consumers many new benefits for music distribution. We're confident that Rio portable players will grow even more popular as services like pressplay 2.0 become easier and more attractive to consumers. Consumers who have been buying the Rio players for the last two years have an exciting new use that other brands of players may not offer."

pressplay 2.0 provides members with unlimited streaming and downloading that can be listened to on or offline, and remain accessible as long as the member is an active subscriber. Pressplay 2.0 also gives subscribers the ability to permanently keep music downloaded from the service via "portable downloads" that may be burned to CDs and transferred to portable devices that support the Microsoft(R) Windows Media format and Windows Media digital rights management including the Rio 600, Rio 800 and Rio 900 models.

About the Rio 600, Rio 800 and Rio 900

Key features of the Rio 600, Rio 800 and Rio 900 include:

-- Support for MP3, Windows(R)Media (WMA) and Audible(R) formats gives users the freedom to choose music, audio books or other digital content at the quality and playtime they desire.

-- Upgradeable memory backpacks allow users to simply snap on a 32MB, 64MB or 128MB memory pack to further increase the storage capacity of Rio players (sold separately).

-- No moving parts means the Rio players can't skip, making them the perfect solution for extreme listening activities.

-- Ability to upgrade software allows Rio players to be kept up to date.

About SONICblue Incorporated

SONICblue is a leader in the converging Internet, digital media, entertainment and consumer electronics markets. Working with partners that include some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics, SONICblue creates and markets products that let consumers enjoy all the benefits of a digital home and connected lifestyle. SONICblue holds significant financial assets, global marketing capabilities and a focused technology portfolio that includes Rio(R) digital audio players; ReplayTV(R) personal television technology and software solutions; and Go-Video(R) integrated DVD VCRs, Dual-Deck(TM) VCRs, and digital home theater systems.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements predicting the increasing popularity of SONICblue products, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing and of alternative technological advances the availability of digital audio content and consumers' willingness to adopt new technologies such as digital media, and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of SONICblue Incorporated, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2001 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2002. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. SONICblue disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Note to Editors: SONICblue and Dual-Deck are trademarks of SONICblue Incorporated. ReplayTV, Go-Video and Rio are registered trademarks of SONICblue Incorporated. All other products and brand names as they appear in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. All specifications may be changed without notice.