RIOPORT TO DEMONSTRATE DIGITAL AUDIO HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE AT CES 2000
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Jan. 6, 2000 - Ushering in a new era in home audio entertainment, RioPort Inc., a pioneer in the digital audio download market, today unveiled a conceptual design of a next generation home audio entertainment system at CES 2000 (LVCC, North Hall 3-4 -- Booth 6338/6340). Designed to access, store and playback Internet-downloaded digital music and spoken audio files, as well as existing music CD collections, RioPort's technical demonstration provides showgoers with an exciting look at how consumers will enjoy digital audio in non-PC environments in the near future.
RioPort's conceptual rack system has the appearance of stand-alone stereo equipment, requiring no PC hook-up, mouse or keyboard. A large LCD display lets the user view song and audio content titles, lyrics, the name of the musician or author, playback status and more. System controls are designed similar to other home entertainment components, making it very easy to use. Additional features may include a CD player, removable memory drive and a modem or DSL connection port. The rack system is capable of storing thousands of songs and audio files which the user can listen to through connected speakers, a home network or a portable player device.
"With the engineering of this innovative home audio technical demonstration, RioPort is utilizing its expertise to bring the Internet phenomenon that has taken the world by storm into the home space," said Anthony Schaller, chief technology officer for RioPort, Inc. "RioPort has been working on this concept for the last 12 months, having recognized early on that in order to grow the market, music and custom audio services must be available to consumers in a format that they are used to -- on stereo-like systems in a non-PC environment. Coupled with our experience in secure content delivery, we believe that we are well positioned to provide enabling technology and services to consumer electronics manufacturers."
RioPort does not intend to produce this conceptual demonstration. Instead, as part of its ongoing strategy to provide business-to-business services to other digital audio companies, RioPort will work with potential OEM partners to provide engineering expertise, design services, imbedded software to enable functionality for secure download delivery to other devices (such as a portable player), content, e-commerce and subscription functions.
RioPort, Inc.
RioPort, Inc. is redefining digital audio by delivering an integrated, secure platform for acquiring, managing and experiencing music and spoken audio programming from the Internet. A pioneer in the digital audio market, RioPort partners with companies to provide them with an easy-to-use platform that includes access to a wide range of digital audio content, customizable software solutions and device design services. For consumers, RioPort provides easy access to a variety of popular and innovative music and word programming through its RioPort.com digital audio gateway site. In addition, RioPort markets the RioPort Audio Manager, an easy-to-use jukebox application for the acquisition, management and playback of digital audio content from the desktop or RioPort compatible portable appliances, which the company licenses to third-parties. RioPort also provides content companies with production services, including encoding and secure packaging, allowing them to easily get their content into the hands of digital audio enthusiasts. RioPort's investment partners include Vulcan Northwest, Oak Investment Partners, MTV Networks Online and S3, Inc. RioPort's Web site is at www.rioport.com.
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