I think this Julian Levin would be a good man to have in our corner ... see below ...
IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT (IFE)
In-flight entertainment (IFE) encompasses music, news, television programming, and motion pictures presented through audio/video systems typically embedded into an aircraft. Certain airlines are also beginning to incorporate satellite programming and/or wireless Internet access for their passengers through extensive built-in hardware in certain aircraft on certain routes. According to the Wall Street Journal, airlines worldwide spend approximately $2 billion a year on entertainment
Because the costs to retrofit an aircraft with IFE equipment can be prohibitive, we have developed an alternative IFE system. Our portable IFE player is smaller than a typical laptop computer and has a high-quality color screen and stereo headphones. It will be available to passengers for a small rental fee. We have begun production of our portable IFE units for use by a domestic airline. Although passengers may rent or purchase portable DVD players from outside entities, we have created the first portable video players that can be rented to passengers by the airline. Airlines can provide advertising or other branded content for preloading, and they will collect rental revenues for the system. We believe this type of system is attractive to airlines and other travel-related entities because of its revenue potential, variety of content, and inexpensive implementation
APS (AIRCRAFT PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS) - APS selected e.Digital to design, develop, and manufacture a portable in-flight entertainment (IFE) device for a major domestic airline. The device incorporates a hard disk drive and securely stores and plays back video and audio content to be provided by motion picture studios and/or record labels. The portable device will ultimately be rented to airline passengers as part of an IFE system providing fresh, new movies and music not previously available to in-flight audiences.
In October 2002, we announced a development agreement with Aircraft Protective Systems, Inc. ("APS") to develop and market a portable, hard disk drive-based In-Flight Entertainment, or IFE, system under contract for a leading U.S. airline. The agreement specifies that we will manufacture and sell the customizable digital video player through APS. The agreement includes provisions for non-recurring engineering ("NRE") fees to be paid by APS to us for design services plus licensing fees and royalties. To date, we have received $50,000 in payments under this agreement with respect to NRE fees only, of which $50,000 has been deferred at March 31, 2003. [ NOTE: "The manufacturing costs including parts and labor are being paid for[to Digitalway] by APS." ... per RP e-mail dated 6-11-03 ]
The following is take from a post of mine on another board ...
With regard to our IFE device ... I would think that if we can sell Mr. Levin on the secure delivery of his Company`s content, then we just might be able to sell the other movie companies on the idea as well ... seems to me he could be rather influential based on his position in the WAEA ... and won`t they all be attending the same meeting in early September ??
According to Harvey Applebaum, Vice President, Non-Theatrical Sales; and Julian Levin, Executive Vice President, Non-Theatrical and Digital Exhibition at Twentieth Century Fox, "We have been in discussions with APS on this cutting-edge technology. It has great potential to provide a new and complementary method of delivering In-Flight Entertainment to passengers. It also has the capability to provide entertainment options for children."
"That's what I thought - their most recent on-line literature opens the door to repping portable VOD as part of their ''full line of IFE devices.'' Does this mean they are involved with EDIG, definitely not. But someone is." LL
... and this is what I understood FF to say during the 8-14-03 webcast ... first time I missed the live broadcast ... power went out about 45 minutes before, and had to wait `til late Saturday to hear it for the first time ... kept in suspense for more than 48 hours, but definitely liked what I heard !!
"Our IFE project remains on schedule, and we are working on announcements with several premier partners for release during the World Airline Entertainment Conference in early September. ... The IFE product is being developed, as far as the industrial design, and will be manufactured by Digitalway, our partner."
I would think the major airline and Twentieth Century Fox qualify for two of the "several premier partners" ......
If anybody heard Fred`s statements differently, I will be happy to re-check my tape. Also, I like putting these customer/product/agreement pieces together for my own information and future reference, complete with bolds and underlines ... so no offense intended ... just saw an opportunity to put my 2 cents worth in, FWIW
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
