HUMAX
USA POISED TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL NEW PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER PLATFORM
TO CONTENT PROVIDERS
Will
Design User-Interface Specific to Each Individual Content Provider’s
Requirements
DIRECTV is First Content Partner On Board, Displaying Product at 2006
ICES
Las Vegas, NV – January 3, 2006 – HUMAX USA,
the “Easy-Digital” company, has developed a new hard drive
based hand-held portable media player (PMP) platform ideal for use by
content and pay TV providers with plans to deliver content electronically
to customers via portable video devices. The first of such partnerships
to be announced by HUMAX is DIRECTV – for its upcoming DIRECTV 2Go
service.
The HUMAX PMP platform
has a 4-inch widescreen LCD display screen with navigation controlled
via an easy-to-use 5-button design. Additional consumer conveniences include
a high capacity hard drive (capacity to be partner specified) and a long-lasting,
user-replaceable battery that provides up to 4 hours of video and 10 hours
of music.
Based on an AMD Alchemy™
Au1200™ processor, the device natively supports many video formats
including MPEG1/2/4, DivX, WMV9 with WMDRM10 support – all at full
D1 resolution (720x480). Moreover, the integration of a DDR1/DDR2 memory
interface, USB2.0 High Speed Host & Device with On-the-Go, and on-chip
AES cryptographic support, provide enabling technology for strenuous media
applications and content protection schemes.
According to HUMAX
USA’s vice president of business development and strategic marketing,
Tony Goncalves, the HUMAX PMP platform will provide consumers a simplified
user-experience with greater entertainment value than is currently available
from similar-type products today. The extensive CODEC and connectivity
support will allow the HUMAX device to directly connect to digital video
recorders, allowing transfer of video content without the need to trans-code
the file through a personal computer, greatly reducing the amount of time
required to download and playback fresh video content.
HUMAX is seeking appropriate
content partners to design, manufacturer and even market the hand-held
PMP devices for. “With the company’s established background
in product manufacturing and marketing within the operator markets on
a global level, we are in perfect position to enable the many content
providers and operator’s poised to deliver exciting new portable
video services. We are prepared to either OEM this device to partners,
or let them take advantage of the established logistics, distribution
and customer support that we have successfully implemented here in the
US,” says Goncalves.
The first content
partner for HUMAX in this venture is DIRECTV. The HUMAX DIRECTV 2Go compliant
PMP device is designed for a direct connection to a DIRECTV DVR, which
will allow the consumer to transfer DIRECTV content recorded at home -
a key benefit of the HUMAX platform. Additionally the device features
DIRECTV branding throughout the User Interface including a DIRECTV approved
playlist interface similar to DIRECTV receivers. In this relationship,
the PMP device is HUMAX-branded, and will be sold at numerous retail and
internet retail outlets. The device is scheduled for release later this
year and in line with DIRECTV’s launch of this new service. In additional
to DIRECTV content device will support music (MP3 and WMA) as well as
photos and other non DIRECTV videos.
“The HUMAX PMP
will allow our customers to take their DIRECTV and experience it when,
where and how they want it,” said Romulo Pontual, executive vice
president and chief technology officer, DIRECTV, Inc. “The HUMAX
PMP device and DIRECTV 2Go will be a seamless experience for our customers
because it uses the same easy-to-navigate DIRECTV user guide they use
and see on their Television at home.”
“Regardless
of OEM or co-branded approach, HUMAX is prepared to support the development
of the specific look and feel of the partner’s user-interface, allowing
them to both extend their brand and be in control of the consumer interactivity
with their content and services – which is exactly what HUMAX set
out to do with DIRECTV’s 2Go product. We feel that customizing a
proprietary UI will expedite early adoption of existing customers, build
brand equity and also promote the content provider’s existing in-home
content service to potential new customers,” furthered Goncalves.
The DIRECTV 2Go PMP
will be on display at 2006 International CES at the HUMAX Suite located
at the Venetian Hotel; the DIRECTV and AMD booths located within the main
hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Content providers
and operators interested in discussing their specific needs with HUMAX
USA can reach HUMAX USA’s vice president of business development
and strategic marketing, Tony Goncalves, at the company’s Fort Lee,
New Jersey Sales and Marketing Headquarters at 201.292.1890.
For all media inquiries,
please contact The Buzz Farm at 718.309.5277, or email media@thebuzzfarm.com.
About HUMAX
Founded in 1989, HUMAX Co. Ltd of Korea is one of the world’s leading
digital satellite set-top box manufacturers, exporting its products to
more than 90 countries around the globe. Listed on the Korean stock exchange
(KOSDAQ), the company’s international headquarters and research
and design facilities are based in Korea with offices in Australia, Germany,
India, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. Production facilities are located
in Korea, India, China and Poland. HUMAX recorded consolidated revenue
of US $470 million in 2004, and has projected consolidated revenue of
over US $600 million in 2005. For additional information please visit
www.humaxusa.com or contact their public relations agency The Buzz Farm
at media@thebuzzfarm.com.
About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative
microprocessor solutions for computing, communications and consumer electronics
markets. Founded in 1969, AMD is dedicated to delivering superior computing
solutions based on customer needs that empower users worldwide. For more
information visit www.amd.com."
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV, Inc. is the nation's leading digital television service provider
with more than 15 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo
are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV (NYSE: DTV) is a world-leading
provider of digital multichannel television entertainment services. DIRECTV
is approximately 34 percent owned by News Corporation.