KiSS DP-450 and DP-500 are first CE devices to play back all versions of DivX Video; DP-500 equipped with Ethernet connection and KiSS PC-link software lets anyone easily download a protected movie and watch it on their TV.
Hannover, Germany—March 10, 2003— KiSS Technology, a leading manufacturer of DVD products throughout the world, and DivXNetworks, Inc, the company that created the revolutionary patent-pending DivX ® video compression technology, today announced the release of the first fully DivX Certified DVD players at the CeBit computer show in Hannover, Germany. The DP-450 and DP-500 from KiSS Technology are the first DVD players to support high-quality playback of all versions of DivX video content. The devices are on display at the KiSS Technology booth at CeBit in Hall 20, Stand E33.
The KiSS DP-500 and DP-450, powered by the EM 8500 DVD decoder chip from Sigma Designs, are the first publicly released consumer electronics products to pass the rigorous certification process developed by the DivXNetworks team of video engineers. The certification process ensures that the devices offer playback of all versions of DivX technology (5.xx, 4.xx and 3.xx) at the highest possible quality levels and fully support digital rights management technology developed by DivXNetworks.
The revolutionary KiSS DP-500 is the first network-capable DVD player to offer DivX playback, enabling users to download DivX content from the Internet and then play it directly on a television. DivX video, which offers DVD-quality video at 7-10 times greater compression than MPEG-2, is the world’s most popular MPEG-4 compatible video compression technology with over 75 million worldwide users. A wide range of DivX-certified consumer electronics devices, from portable video players to DVD players and set-top boxes, are scheduled to hit the market in 2003.
“The release of the KiSS DP-500 represents a real milestone for millions of DivX users all over the world. Now anyone can easily download a protected movie and watch it on their TV, not just the computer,” said Kevin Hell, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer at DivXNetworks, Inc. (www.divxnetworks.com) “As the first device to enable high-quality playback of all versions of DivX video with full support for DivX digital rights management technology, the DP-500 is the model for a true ‘convergence’ device that represents the future of consumer electronics. And because it is a connected device, the DP-500 will allow the consumer to easily move secure content through the connected home.”
“The DP-500 sets a new standard for networked consumer products bringing digital content into our everyday life. Things like download and playback of DivX movies on-demand, listening to Internet radio, viewing digital images and sending instant messages was until today something that was done in front of the PC. Now anyone can easily do it anywhere in their home,” said Bo Lustrup, Marketing Manager of KiSS Technology (www.kiss-technology.com)
In addition to supporting all versions of DivX video technology, the DP-500 offers a number of cutting edge features including progressive scan, Ethernet 10/100, support for DVD, SVCD, VCD, CD, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, CD-RW & DVD-RW playback, and a photo album feature that enables users to view digital photos on a television. For more information on the DP-500, visit www.kiss-technology.com.
DivX Certification includes a full DivX software development kit to help third parties make their existing solutions compatible with DivX technology, or to help them create new solutions from scratch. The DivX Certified Partner Program was created to enable the development of official DivX-enabled consumer electronics products to meet the global demand for high-quality DivX convergence devices. For more information on DivX certification process, visit www.divx.com/certified.
About DivXNetworks DivXNetworks is a consumer-focused video technology company positioned at the center of multimedia convergence. The company’s core offering is the DivX ™ video codec, the world’s most popular MPEG-4 compatible video compression technology with over 75 million users worldwide. Often called “the MP3 of video,” the patent-pending DivX video technology offers DVD-quality at 10 times greater compression than MPEG-2 files, enabling full length films to easily fit on a CD or be delivered over broadband connections. DivX video technology powers a range of applications that span the convergence value chain, from a secure IP-based video-on-demand solution to next-generation consumer electronics products and video software applications. DivXNetworks is headquartered in San Diego, California, with a satellite office in Los Angeles. For more information, visit https://www.divxnetworks.com.
About KiSS Technology KiSS Technology A/S was founded in 1994 and has established itself as one of the leading manufacturers of DVD products and DVB-receivers throughout the world. KiSS Technology headquarters is in Hoersholm, Denmark. KiSS Technology A/S has four principal activities: DVD solutions, Plasma and TFT Displays, DVB solutions, and distribution of multimedia products. Please visit the company’s web site at www.kiss-technology.com.