SONY OFFERS ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY, PRIVACY AND PICTURE QUALITY FOR ITS NEWEST LINE OF VIDEOCONFERENCING SOLUTIONS

Version 2.0 Software for PCS-1 System Offers Television-Like Picture Quality, Internet Privacy Protection and Ability to Connect Different Networks on Same Call

PARK RIDGE, N.J., Nov. 17, 2003- Building on the success of its PCS-1 series of videoconferencing solutions, Sony Electronics is now announcing the availability of the next generation software, offering such performance enhancements as a television-like picture quality, encryption capabilities for privacy and the ability to connect various IP, LAN, and WAN networks on the same call.

"Since the June launch of the PCS-1, users have enjoyed the high-quality picture, data collaboration capabilities and ease of connectivity that have helped us to present videoconferencing as a mainstream business tool," said Mary Abram, Sony's marketing manager for conference products. "Our version 2.0 software takes that concept a few steps further to make the system even easier to use, and the transition to IP-based conferencing an even more viable option."

Impoved Picture Transmission and Quality Enabled by Version 2.0 Software

Fully compliant with the a newly ratified ITU-T industry standard known as H-264, the PCS-1's version 2.0 software achieves improved picture quality on half the bandwidth, meaning a videoconference call placed using a bit rate of 384 Kbps can now exhibit the picture quality of a 768 Kbps bit rate call. This approach significantly improves picture quality while overcoming network congestion problems or bandwidth limitations with the lower bandwidth demand.

The picture quality is further enhanced in version 2.0 through interlaced video coding, which enables 60 fields per second rather than 30 fields per second, resulting in sharper images and smoother, more life-like movement.

New "Bridging" Options Provide Flexibility in Conference Calls

The optional multi-point conference bridge has been expanded in the PCS-1 version 2.0 software to facilitate the connection of both ISDN (H.320) and IP (H.323) connections on a conference call without the use of a third-party bridging service.

Optional multipoint software packages for both ISDN (PCS-320M1) and IP (PCS-232M1) can be installed to connect up to six sites using any combination of ISDN or IP connections. For IP-only conference calls, users can now connect up to 10 sites by cascading two of the PCS-1 and PCS323M1 systems.

New Encryption Capabilities Offer Improved Security

In order to protect the security of private information discussed on a conference call, PCS-1 version 2.0 software offers industry-standard AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) protection commonly used by both government and private sectors. AES provides protection from unauthorized access for audio, video and data transmitted through the PCS-DSB1 data solutions device. Generally available as an option only on the highest-end videoconferencing systems, AES encryption will now be standard on the Sony PCS-1 series.

Operational Upgrades Simplify Visual and Data Collaboration

Visual collaboration is upgraded through Sony's PCS-1 version 2.0 software through the implementation of XGA (Extended Graphics Array, 1,204 x 768 pixels) dual-stream transmission on ISDN calls. The dual streaming is achieved with H.320, which conforms to the industry-standard H.239.

Sony's QoS (Quality of Service) technology including proprietary Adaptive Rate Control (ARC) and Auto Repeat Request (ARQ) has also been upgraded in version 2.0 to be maintained in multi-point conference calls and on a wider variety of network hardware. QoS technology will quickly "shrink" the bandwidth of the call to adjust for Internet congestion and implement automatic repeat of "skipped" images. The result is fewer interruptions and better performance while conferencing on the public Internet or on LAN/WAN networks.

New Functions Streamline Call Set-Up and Implementation

Call set-up can be streamlined with new version 2.0 functions. Video phone numbers can now be saved to Sony Memory Stick ® flash media in a "phonebook" format. When one of the numbers is registered as auto-transmission, it is instantly dialed when the Memory Stick media card is inserted in the PCS-1 unit.

Improved user interface options include the ability to re-name video inputs on the menu and to set the size and position of the mimio Xi ™ whiteboard without going to an administration menu. Additional features include more options in the LAN set-up menu that make it easier to customize the calls to fit a specific LAN, improved error messages that signal when a call cannot be achieved and a shortcut to the administrator menu during a call.

Version 2.0 Software Upgrade Offered at No Additional Cost

PCS-1 videoconferencing systems installed with version 2.0 are now available through authorized Sony dealers. Existing PCS-1 users can obtain the new version 2.0 software at no additional charge by visiting the Sony videoconferencing web site at www.sony.com/videoconference, or by calling 1-800-883-6817.

PCS-1 configured systems include:

Sony PCS-1 Videoconferencing

First introduced in June, the PCS-1 videoconferencing product line was designed to broaden the appeal of videoconferencing to companies of any size and industry by combining advanced technologies with practicality and ease of use. A distinctive two-piece design (codec and separate camera) enables integration into a variety of spaces and installation into a variety of displays. Data collaboration capabilities enabled by a "plug in" data solutions box (PCS-DSB1) make it easy to share PC files on even multi-point calls, while hand-written data can be transmitted and displayed via a dedicated interface for Virtual Ink's mimio Xi whiteboard recorder. An optional document camera (PCS-DS150) can transmit even detailed artwork and blueprints.

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Editor's Note: For Sony press releases and digital images, please visit www.sony.com/news. Customers looking for product information can click on www.sony.com/videoconference. More information regarding the nearest Sony authorized dealer or service location is available by calling 1-800-686-SONY.