Sorenson Media Adds High-Quality MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 Encoding to its Easy-to-Use Squeeze Video Compression Software

Business Wire, May 13, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2003

New Sorenson Squeeze 3.5 Compression Suite for Windows Features

Include DVD-Quality MPEG Encoding, Support for Windows Media 9,

and Ability to Save Filter Settings

Sorenson Media(TM) announced today the immediate availability of Sorenson Squeeze 3.1 for Macintosh(R) and Sorenson Squeeze(TM) 3.5 for Windows(R), the latest versions of the award-winning video encoding software. Sorenson Squeeze 3.1 and 3.5 now enables video producers to save and reuse their own video and audio filter settings to quickly batch process video files through the use of Watch Folders.

Additionally, the Windows version of the Sorenson Squeeze 3.5 Compression Suite includes support for MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 (including Visual Simple Profile and Visual Advanced Simple Profile), Apple(R) QuickTime(R), Macromedia(R) Flash(TM), RealNetworks(R) RealMedia(TM) 9, and Microsoft(R) Windows Media(TM) 7, 8, and 9 formats. As a result, video producers can quickly compress and produce high-quality video into a wide variety of popular formats for streaming, progressive download, and portable media including DVD, VCD and SVCD delivery.

"This release marks our ongoing commitment to create compression solutions that significantly improve the workflow for video producers," said Matt Cupal, vice president of business development and strategy at Sorenson Media. "Two of our most frequently requested features for Squeeze include DVD-quality MPEG encoding and the ability to save filter settings. When we decided to add support for MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 encoding we selected MainConcept because they shared our vision to provide the marketplace with high-quality encoding tools."

"We are pleased to partner with Sorenson Media to provide support for MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 encoding within Sorenson Squeeze," said Markus Moenig, founder and CEO at MainConcept. "Squeeze has quickly become an industry-leading video compression tool, and our collaboration blends high-quality MPEG encoding with an easy-to-use application."

Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite won Best of Show at Macworld 2003, named a 2003 Finalist by Network Computing for Well-Connected Award, and nominated 2003 Best Performing Video Application by the readers of Streaming Magazine. Furthermore, in an evaluation article in the April 2003 issue of DV Magazine by video compression methodology and codecs expert Ben Waggoner, Sorenson Squeeze 3 for MPEG-4 was selected as the best encoder among competing MPEG-4 tools including Apple, Envivio(TM), Dicas(TM) and Discreet(R).

Pricing and Availability

Sorenson Squeeze 3.1 (Macintosh) and 3.5 (Windows) are available immediately by purchasing an electronic copy or by downloading the free upgrade after a boxed copy of Squeeze 3 has been installed. Free Squeeze 3.1 and 3.5 upgrades are available for current users of Sorenson Squeeze 3 products. For additional information about purchasing Sorenson Squeeze 3.1 or 3.5, or to find a reseller, call 888/767-3676 or visit www.sorenson.com.

About MainConcept

MainConcept (www.mainconcept.com) AG is a worldwide leader in multimedia technologies for the PC and beyond. Founded in 1993, the company has successfully created video editing software for the Amiga, OS/2, Windows and Linux platforms. MainConcept supplies core technology to other companies, enabling them to create and enhance applications for PCs, set-top boxes and other devices with minimal investment in research and development. The company is especially renowned for its video codec (compression/decompression) technologies. Global headquarters are in Aachen, Germany. A U.S. subsidiary, MainConcept LLC, was established in 2001 in Beachwood, Ohio.

About Sorenson Media

Sorenson Media (www.sorenson.com and www.sorensonvrs.com) is the recognized technology leader in video services, video compression and video communication to improve the quality of communication over the Internet. The company's products and services include the industry's highest-quality video relay service, award-winning video compression solutions and the market-leading broadband Internet videophone technology.

(C) 2003 Sorenson Media. All products and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.