HDNet Selects Inlet's Fathom; Advanced Encoding Solution Speeds Production of High-Quality HD Content For HDNet's High-Volume Programming Delivery

Business Wire, April 24, 2006

LAS VEGAS -- Inlet Technologies, a leading provider of advanced encoding solutions for digital media, announced today that HDNet has selected Fathom(TM) as their windows media platform for non-broadcast encoding. With millions of high definition capable laptops already in the marketplace, HDNet wanted to ensure their high definition titles were available to those laptops with the highest possible quality. Fathom made this possible.

"Fathom is one of the few tools we've found that solves the size problem for 1080i content, while maintaining outstanding quality," said Ken Bonzon, Technical Director, Mark Cuban Companies. "When you're producing up to twenty hours of new original programming each week, in the highest quality 1080i HDTV format, you need to select top of the line solutions that scale with technology and production demands. That's what Inlet provides."

Originally optimized for HD, Fathom is a platform solution that delivers the benefits of advanced encoding in the VC-1 or Windows Media formats to real-world production environments. Fathom is a key component of a digital media workflow that makes production and delivery of HD commercially feasible. It combines innovative workflow software with a powerful hardware encoder to produce high-quality HD media. The resulting files sizes and bandwidth utilization are significantly reduced, when compared to the incumbent MPEG-2 encoding format. Inlet customers such as HDNet can realize up to 25x improvement in production throughput and have leveraged these benefits in a range of applications.

"HDNet is a true pioneer in the delivery of HD content to a wide audience," said Neal Page, Inlet found and CEO. "They remain focused on delivering compelling, high-quality HD content so consumers can enjoy the true experience of HD in their homes. Inlet is thrilled to support their vision, offering innovative technology to set the standards for efficient and cost-effective production and distribution of high-definition digital media."

HDNet is using the newly released 2.5 version of Fathom, which offers enhanced functionality such as MPEG 2 file ingest, native encoding of interlaced content and AVISynth support. Full product specifications are available online at http://www.inlethd.com/products/fathom.html.

About Inlet Technologies

Inlet Technologies is one of the world's foremost experts on advanced video encoding technology. The company's innovative solutions enable content providers to drive the proliferation of digital media to a rapidly expanding audience, through a multitude of next-generation distribution vehicles, including video-on-demand, packaged media, broadcast and IP connections.

Inlet's Fathom(TM) was the industry's first real-time encoding platform for SMPTE VC-1 and Windows Media high definition video, setting a standard of innovation that continues today. With Fathom's powerful and flexible encoding, video engineers can reduce file sizes, speed processing time and improve output quality. Advanced tools such as Semaphore(TM) video analysis software and Seen by Scene(TM) segment re-encoding significantly improve workflow, thus reducing production costs and increasing throughput.

Fathom was selected by Millimeter Magazine as one of the most innovative technology products at NAB 2005, and was honored with a Millimeter "Pick Hit" award.

Inlet Technologies is based in Raleigh, NC. For more information, visit www.inlethd.com.

About HDNet

Co-founded by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, HDNet (www.hd.net) provides viewers with exciting and topical news, sports, music and entertainment programming. The 24-hour all-high definition network features up to 20 hours of new original programming each week, all produced in the highest quality 1080i HDTV format - more original high-definition programming than any other network. HDNet news and entertainment programming includes original series "HDNet World Report," "Face 2 Face with Roy Firestone," "Deadline!," "HDNet Concert Series," and "True Music," as well as acquired programs such as every episode of the acclaimed Warner Bros. series "Smallville." Live sports productions include National Hockey League and Major League Soccer games and NASCAR Grand National Division auto racing. HDNet Movies, the company's second network, is the exclusive home of day and date movie releases including the Academy Award nominated "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room," "The War Within," and "Bubble." HDNet Movies also features a wide selection of major studio theatrical releases - all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio - as well as features produced and finished in true 1080i high-definition. The HDNet networks are available on Adelphia, Bright House, Charter, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.