Nero 6 Major Update Now Included with Philips Jack Rabbit 4

Business Wire, Jan 7, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2004

Ahead Software:

-- Ahead introduces major updates to the Nero 6 OEM Digital

Media Suite and systematically raises the stakes in

superior DVD recordable solutions for drive and PC

manufacturers

-- Recode 2 and Nero Digital debut in latest Philips Portable

DVD Burner

Ahead Software, leaders in digital media technology, today announced that their award-winning DVD/CD recording software, Nero 6, will now be bundled with Philips' portable DVD burner, Jack Rabbit 4.

The Philips Jack Rabbit 4 is the first product to be sold with the updated Nero 6 OEM suite including the powerful DVD-Authoring suite NeroVision Express, the feature-rich DVD-playback software Nero ShowTime and furthermore including Nero Recode 2, the World's most compelling DVD re-quantizer and transcoder. Powered by Nero Digital, Ahead's MPEG-4 video and HE AAC audio solution, Recode 2 can re-author, copy, re-process and recode MPEG-2 streams, (DVD-9 to DVD-5), and transcode 'non-protected' DVD movies or DVD folders keeping chapters, sub-titles, and surround sound audio.

The Jack Rabbit 4 provides mobile PC users and entertainment enthusiasts alike the ultimate storage and playback solution for enjoying video, music, and more on the move. The Jack Rabbit 4 can be used to burn DVD+RW/R discs containing up to 4.7 Gb of data, such as videos, which can then be played back on the vast majority of DVD-Video and DVD-ROM drives and players currently in the consumer marketplace. In addition, the Jack Rabbit 4 is capable of burning CD-RW and CD-R discs, as well as playing back DVD-Video, DVD-ROM and audio CDs (including MP3-CDs). The Jack Rabbit 4 also allows you to playback your DVD-video's on TV giving home users and travellers the same ease-of-use they would expect from a full-sized living room DVD or CD player.

The drive can also be used as a photo viewer, enabling the playback of both Picture CDs and JPEG collections on a PC or a TV, either as slide shows or individually. For DVD movies as well as Audio CD/ MP3-CD playback, the Jack Rabbit 4 also handles 5.1 digital surround sound and includes a headphone connection for discreet music listening.

"Philips selected the Nero 6 suite because of its wide range of unique features and its recognised ease of use", says Michiel Hagoort, Product Manager for BCU Peripherals & Accessories, Philips Consumer Electronics, "We feel the Nero 6 suite enriches the user experience with its user friendly and intuitive solution for editing and viewing any kind of digital content."

Ahead Software is the recognized leader in CD and DVD recording, consistently pushing the technological barriers. "We are delighted to introduce the Nero 6 OEM suite and to be bringing such a formidable product offering to the DVD Recordable market" says Jim Corbett, Executive Director of Ahead Software AG.

About Ahead

Ahead Software AG, headquartered in Karlsbad, Germany with its subsidiary Ahead Software Inc. located in Glendale, California, develops comprehensive applications serving the digital media markets worldwide. Dedicated to exceptional customer service, Ahead Software continually strives to meet the needs of its consumers and corporate customers.

With over 120 million users World-wide, Ahead's premier product, Nero, has transformed the CD and DVD recording landscape since its inception in 1995. Famed for its power, stability, and intelligent approach to any recording task, Nero has become the software of choice for the World's leading drive manufacturers and PC makers in their bundles. Please find more information at www.nero.com.

Ahead Software Inc. is located in Glendale, CA. USA Technical Support is available by phone: (888) 309-4212 or Email: retail-support@nero.com.