SageTV Media Center Software for Windows Now Available for Linux

[dkardatzke]

SageTV Media Center Software for Windows Now Available for Linux,
Offering Robust Development Platform for OEMs

New Version 3.0 Also Adds Media Extender Enabling SageTV To Be Used on Any TV

LAS VEGAS (2005 International CES, January 6, 2005) --- Frey Technologies, LLC, today announced the expansion of its SageTV Media Center software to the Linux operating system, providing a robust and cost-effective platform for OEMs building media center products. The new Version 3.0 also offers a media adapter that broadens the software’s reach from PCs to TVs, making SageTV’s powerful digital video recorder functionality as well as music and photo sharing capabilities available on any TV in the house via a 10-foot user interface for use from the couch.

With nearly three years in the Windows market, SageTV Media Center is the most mature and versatile system of its kind. It includes an easy-to-use integrated program guide plus the ability to pause and rewind live TV, record a whole season of shows, search for favorite shows by name, actor or subject, and record multiple shows at the same time with multiple tuner support. It also offers parental control features, built-in networking permitting live and/or recorded TV and music to stream to any PC on the home network, and intelligent recording of shows of interest based on household viewing habits. If a user watches reality and police shows, for example, SageTV will automatically record new shows in those categories without user intervention.

Version 3.0 adds:

• A Linux edition that offers the reliability and affordability of Linux without Windows licensing fees or the more expensive hardware required to deploy Windows-based systems. This edition includes a powerful customization and development environment that enables OEMs to create a wide variety of custom-branded media center, set-top, and broadband video on demand products at attractive price points. SageTV Media Center was previously available exclusively on the Windows platform.

• A new SageTV Media Extender that easily connects the SageTV software to any TV in the home through the wired or wireless home network, enabling users to access the full functionality of SageTV Media Center from a 10-foot distance with a remote control included in the package. This small adapter retails for $99 per television with no subscription fees, and can be private-labeled by OEMs to be sold as an accessory to their core products.

With these features, SageTV Media Center offers a complete OEM solution that includes market-leading PC and TV networking capabilities as well as upgradeability and expandability. Any networked PC running the SageTV Client software, or any TV connected with the SageTV Media Extender, can access the SageTV user interface as well as any media available through the software. There is no need to purchase additional digital video recorder boxes to add more recording capability or purchase brand new PCs with Microsoft Media Center Edition to get DVR and media management control.

With the SageTV Media Extender, the product also overcomes the limitations of standard cable or satellite digital video recorders that require programs to be watched on the TV they were recorded on, or permit sharing only by purchasing additional set-top boxes that must be searched to find out which show was recorded on which box.

SageTV Media Center Version 3.0 will also be incorporated into a set-top box for purchase by consumers in early 2005.

“Personal video recording is quickly becoming an essential part of the home entertainment experience, but the products that have been available to date have been hampered by limited functionality, high cost, lack of flexibility, or a combination of all three,” said Dan Kardatzke, CEO of Frey Technologies. “With this new third-generation release of SageTV, we are offering a mature and comprehensive solution at breakthrough price points that offer exclusive features like intelligent recording and PC/TV networking without the need for expensive hardware or subscription fees. This clearly sets us apart for both home users and OEMs.”

Pricing and Availability
SageTV Linux OEM Edition is available for licensing directly from Frey Technologies; quotes can be obtained by contacting oem@freytechnologies.com. Consumer products available at www.sagetv.com include SageTV Media Center software for Windows ($79.95); SageTV Client for Windows, an add-on that allows live and/or recorded media to be streamed to any PC on the home network ($29.95 per PC); and SageTV Media Extender, an adapter that allows the software to be accessed on any TV in the house ($99 per TV).

About Frey Technologies
Frey Technologies, LLC is a pioneer in personal video recording and home media center technologies that combine television, music and related media into a complete, easy-to-use home media experience controlled from an existing PC. SageTV Media Center, the company’s flagship product, is the first PVR solution that operates on both PCs and TVs, can be deployed on either Windows or Linux, and supports multiple tuners, networking and intelligent recording. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. For more information, visit www.sagetv.com.