1998-03-03 , ESC-9857

Philips Components Business Unit Mastering & Duplication (M&D) today announced that its continued development of MPEG technology has culminated in a new range of PC cards. The cards are based on Philips Semiconductors' tremendously powerful multimedia IC, the TriMedia processor.

The range comprises three PCI add-on cards; TriCodec, TriDVD and TriDVD Plus. A PC with TriCodec fitted provides the capability to capture, encode, edit and compose video titles. It also supports DVD playback, and its extensive capabilities include Video-CD authoring.

TriCodec comes with supporting software for audio and video editing, and bundled programs include Adobe Premiere and Adobe Photoshop. Inputs for analog video sources such as composite video or S-VHS from a camcorder or VCR (PAL and NTSC) are provided. For efficient storage, the captured video clips can be compressed to MPEG1 with user selectable bit rates (1.2 Mbit/s to 4.6 Mbit/s). Audio for dialog tracks, sound effects and background music can also be captured from a VCR/camcorder, CD or cassette. The edited composition can be stored on VCR or authored to Video-CD format via a CD-R drive.

The other products in the range, in conjunction with a DVD drive, facilitate DVD-Video and Video-CD playback on a PC. TriDVD allows video display on the PC monitor using a standard VGA video card, and stereo audio is played via the PC's sound card. TriDVD Plus offers the same functionality as TriDVD, with the addition of S-VHS/CVBS outputs for connection to a TV or VCR, and an analog audio output for connection to a VCR, TV or hi-fi system.

Koos Middeljans, manager of M&D said, "These products open MPEG technology up to a wide audience, providing affordable, high quality multimedia power for both home and commercial use."

The TriMedia processor is a very flexible device, and potential applications based on the TriCodec card include PC video conferencing and video data logging for security systems.

Suggested retail prices for the products are: TriDVD $150, TriDVD Plus $300, TriCodec $445.

Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's largest electronics companies, with sales of $41 billion in 1996. Its 262,500 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, semiconductors and components, consumer products, professional products and systems, software and services. Quoted on the NYSE, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges, it is world leader in lighting, colour television sets, electric shavers and recorded music (PolyGram).

TriMedia is a Trademark of Philips Electronics North America.