SageTV Releases SageTV Lite PVR Software for Windows Hardware OEMs

[dkardatzke]

SageTV Releases SageTV Lite PVR Software for Windows Hardware OEMs;
First Use Will Be with Plextor’s New Personal Video Recorder
Software Includes Integrated U.S. and Canadian Electronic Program Guide

OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL (July 5, 2005) --- SageTV, LLC, today announced the availability of SageTV Lite, a low-cost personal video recording (PVR) software application designed for OEMs that manufacture TV tuners and MPEG encoding devices for Windows PCs. This PVR-only edition of the comprehensive SageTV Media Center platform will debut this month with Plextor’s new ConvertX™ PX-TV100U Personal Video Recorder, a $99 (MSRP) PC accessory that gives consumers the capabilities of a standalone PVR without the high cost and monthly service fees.

SageTV Lite enables OEMs to produce hardware devices allowing end users to watch, pause, rewind, fast forward and record live TV on their Windows PCs, as well as to access a built-in electronic program guide (EPG) with three days of U.S. and Canadian television listings. The integration of the program guide is a key competitive advantage because it eliminates the need for users to switch to a separate online application to plan their TV viewing and recording. A full-screen 10-foot user interface allows users to access the program guide, select programs to record, and control all other functions on their TVs from the comfort of their couch.

As an additional benefit, SageTV Lite enables OEMs to offer an upgrade path to consumers who want full Media Center functionality. Users can add a 14-day integrated EPG, full-season recording of favorite shows, music and photo management, CD and DVD burning, home network media streaming, and a variety of other capabilities by upgrading to the full-featured SageTV Media Center platform.

“The rise of personal video recording is creating a lucrative new product category for Windows hardware OEMs, and they are looking for a reliable and easy-to-use software platform to support these efforts,” said Dan Kardatzke, President and COO of SageTV. “As a subset of our third-generation SageTV Media Center software, SageTV Lite offers a mature and low-cost solution with the critical inclusion of an integrated electronic program guide that greatly simplifies user operation. This makes it possible — for the first time — to build an affordable PVR peripheral without removing an important function that can mean the difference between success and failure on the retail floor.”

“Three of our key criteria in building our newest ConvertX PVR were low price, ease of use and a built-in electronic program guide. SageTV Lite has made all three features possible,” said Howard Wing, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Plextor. “This is a case where we needed the technology to support our vision, and SageTV was the only vendor on the market that was able to deliver.”

SageTV also offers a Linux OEM edition of its SageTV Media Center application that eliminates Windows licensing fees as well as the more expensive hardware required to deploy Windows-based systems. The Linux edition enables OEMs to create custom-branded standalone media center, set-top and broadband video on demand products at attractive price points.

About SageTV
SageTV, LLC (formerly 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.