BroadQ Turns Sony PlayStation 2 into a Digital Media Center
QCast™ Tuner software plays digital music and video on home entertainment systems
Austin, Texas - July 29, 2002 - BroadQ, LLC, www.broadq.com, a software company developing innovative solutions for communicating digital content, today announced QCast™ Tuner software, a content delivery solution that allows users to turn a Sony PlayStation 2* console into a digital media center. The QCast Tuner software is the first practical, easy-to-use, and convenient solution that provides remote access to computer based music, video, images or other digital content on home entertainment systems.
The QCast Tuner software features an easy-to-use, advanced media management interface allowing users to create and manage integrated music and video play lists on their television using a compatible infrared DVD remote control or game pad. The current version supports MP3, MPEG -1, MPEG-2, and MPEG -4/DivX digital media formats. Users will need to purchase a PS2-compatible network card to enable network distribution of digital content, such as the Sony PS2 Ethernet adapter card (available in August). QCast Tuner is optimized for media delivery over wireless 802.11a or 802.11b (WiFi) WLANs using Ethernet-to-wireless adapters.
"There is a nearly infinite supply of digital content available today, and everyone agrees that the problem is how to make it available on the TV. Most solutions involve selling another piece of specialized equipment to the consumer," said Stacy Cook, president and chief executive officer of BroadQ. "With QCast Tuner software, the consumer takes advantage of the electronics they already own. Today, there are over 13 million US homes with Sony PlayStation 2 consoles, and research indicates that 59% are connected to a television in the living or family room. By just adding water, or in this case QCast Tuner software, they have an instant digital home entertainment center."
The QCast Tuner software features:
User Friendly Interface - Easy navigation on the television.
Digital Media Support - MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, as well as MPEG -4/DivX support.
Network Support - Sony PS2 Ethernet adapter support.
Media Management - Integrated play list capabilities (music and video).
Navigation - Sony PS2 game pad or PS2-compatible infrared DVD remote control.
Multiple User Support - Optional user profiles and directory-based content controls.
Dynamic Updates - Compatibility with new players, modules, media and codec support.
"The Sony PlayStation 2 has excellent decoding capabilities and when coupled with the processing power, storage and Internet connectivity of the computer, this combination creates a powerful and affordable thin client digital media center," said Eric Smith, chief technology officer for BroadQ.
System Requirements
The QCast Tuner software requires a Sony PlayStation 2 console, Sony PS2 Ethernet Adapter or other supported network adapter, Pentium II 300 MHz computer with 64Meg RAM, 20MB+ of free hard drive space, Linux or Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP and Internet connectivity. Specific support for Macintosh OS9/OSX is planned in the near future (G3 or G4 processor, 64 Megs RAM and 20MB+ of free HD space required).
Price and Availability
BroadQ is currently accepting online orders for the QCast Tuner software and expects to begin shipping the Preview Edition of the product at the end of August. All orders for the Preview Edition will also receive an upgraded version of the software free of charge. The QCast Tuner software is available for $49.95 and includes a limited time offer of free shipping and handling on orders placed before August 25th, 2002, or while inventories last.
About BroadQ
BroadQ, LLC, is a privately held digital lifestyle and entertainment software company in Austin, Texas, developing innovative solutions for communicating digital content. The company's flagship product, QCast Tuner software, networks the PC to the consumers Sony PlayStation 2 to create a digital media center. BroadQ intends to be the premier choice for the management and delivery of digital content to consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.broadq.com.
BroadQ and QCast are trademarks of BroadQ, LLC.
