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an intel "technology announcement" [still trying to decode the "image" .. djf]
From: David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>
Date: Wed, 4 May 1994 19:18:05 -0400
Prepared by Ken Harper & Mike Richmond Background: As reported in the Wall Street Journal on Friday, April 22, beginning in May, Intel and CNN will be testing "LAN TV" technology at several sites in San Francisco. The attached press release was distributed over BusinessWire this morning at 11:02am. Using technology developed at the Intel Architecture Labs, these beta sites will be receiving via corporate local area networks (LAN) an enhanced version of CNN's 24 hour news service and Headline News. Intel is providing "multicast" technology and CNN is providing the content for these tests. This is TV over "narrow band" LAN, not "broadband" cable. The technical achievement here is that Intel's multicast video technology uses less than 5% of bandwidth on existing Ethernet LANs. Bill Caffery, Director of the Gartner Group's Advanced Technology Group, described this as a "technological tour de force." The multicast technology consists of a Intel486-based gateway (NOT SERVER), which uses an Intel Smart Video Recorder to capture and compress the analog signal from CNN. Also, Intel has developed the enabling software. Indeo (TM) Video is the codec compression -decompression algorithm), the critical software ingredient that enables the compression/decompression and transport of the video "live" to the client PC on the LAN. (I.E., this is "real-time" video, not store -and-foreward video, not video-on-demand.) During the test, users will test various features, including a "virtual VCR capability," enabling users to record and playback the CNN programming. There are program indexing features as well, enabling users to select which stories they wish to view. KEY MESSAGES: 1. This is a technology announcement, not a product announcement. 2. Intel's multicast video technology runs over the existing corporate infrastructure. I.e., Intel has made "video safe for the LAN." 3. This is LAN TV intended for the business environment; i.e., video over existing narrowband (Ethernet) transport infrastructure. This is not to be confused with Intel activity in set-top cable boxes or cable adapters/modems, where the transport mechanism is cable TV. Questions & Answers: 1. What have Intel and CNN announced? Beginning in May, Intel and CNN will be testing "LAN TV" technology at several sites. Using technology developed at the Intel Architecture Labs, these beta sites will be receiving via corporate local area networks (LAN) an enhanced version of CNN's 24 hour news service and Headline News. Intel is providing "multicast" technology and CNN is providing the content for these tests. This is TV over existing "narrow band" LANs, not "broadband" cable. The crowning technical achievement here is that Intel's multicast video technology uses less than 5% of bandwidth on existing Ethernet LANs. Bill Caffery, Director of the Gartner Group's Advanced Technology Group, described this as a "technological tour de force." 2. How does this deal fit into Intel's Corporate Strategy? A. The PC is already the premier information appliance in business. Adding video delivery to the PC platform is an obvious extension of what we are doing in local area networks and in digital video for business. 3. How does this deal fit into CNN's strategy? A. CNN is constantly looking to expand delivery of live news and information to new and diverse audiences. The business PC represents the window into a whole new audience of decision makers at work. 4. Is CNN working with other technology companies for LAN TV applications? A. No. 5. Why is Intel working with CNN on TV for the corporate LAN? A. We believe demonstrating a solution with a single partner is the key first step in developing a market for LAN TV. Our early research pointed clearly to CNN as the first offering business people would expect to see in the workplace. But clearly, the technology is independent of the content and vice versa. 6. When will the product be available and who will sell it? A. This is a trial. We can't discuss what kind of marketing plan might be appropriate for products based on this technology. We will know a lot more after the trial is complete. 7. What will the price of the product be? A. We can't discuss what kind of marketing plan might be appropriate for products based on this technology. We will know a lot more after the trial is complete. The following is an attached File item from cc:Mail. It contains eight bit information which had to be encoded to insure successful trans- mission through various mail systems. To decode the file use the UUDECODE program. --------------------------------- Cut Here --------------------------------- Attachment converted: DUO PcPond:cnn.doc (????/----) (0000D803) [no attachment in this mail from em.. djf]
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- an intel "technology announcement" [still trying to decode the "image" .. djf] David Farber (May 04)