VIVIDLOGIC LAUNCHES FIREBUS^TM HAVi AND IEEE 1394 SOFTWARE

January 7, 2000 -- VividLogic Inc., a leading provider of IEEE 1394 and Home Audio Video interoperability (HAVi) software, today announced FireBus™ HAVi software, a comprehensive software solution for building Home Networking applications based on HAVi and IEEE 1394 specifications. This new highly portable FireBus HAVi stack, initially available on Wind River Systems’ VxWorks® real-time operating system (RTOS), enables companies to create an industrial-strength IEEE 1394 and HAVi middleware on their target platforms in a few months rather than years. FireBus HAVi Stack will be commercially available after HAVi organization commences its licensing program.

With a tidal wave of IEEE 1394 devices expected to proliferate in consumer electronics and home networks, the need to seamlessly network different devices (set-top boxes, TVs, VCRs, etc.) from many manufacturers becomes very critical. The networking software that integrates the home will enable a new generation of compelling consumer electronics that will create outstanding market opportunities for companies agile enough to get their products to market first.

The giants of consumer electronics (Grundig, Hitachi, Matsushita, Philips, Sharp, Sony, Thompson, Toshiba) have forged a new standard called Home Audio Video interoperability (HAVi) to control IEEE 1394 devices (see www.havi.org for the HAVi Spec). This specification helps different brands of AV electronic appliances to interoperate regardless of brand name or underlying hardware/software architecture. The HAVi standard combined with IEEE 1394 communications establishes the middleware common ground to achieve this vision.

“VividLogic has achieved recognition as the leading independent developer of robust, HAVi software for networked consumer electronics and home networking applications” said Shiva Patibanda, CEO, VividLogic, Inc.

“Sony welcomes VividLogic to the HAVi Community. The HAVi community will benefit from VividLogic’s products and experience in developing IEEE 1394 and HAVi software as used in leading Set Top Boxes,” said Dr. Rodger Lea, VP of Engineering, Sony Electronics.

VividLogic’s FireBus HAVi software enables fast-time-to-market development of IEEE 1394 Firewire-based networked consumer electronics end products. FireBus includes a complete package of ready-to-integrate IEEE 1394 and related protocols (AVC, IEEE 1212r, IEC 61883, EIA 775), Home Audio Video interoperability (HAVi) software, HAVi compliance test suites and sample home network application code.

“Wind River Systems is pleased to see VividLogic develop complete HAVi and IEEE 1394 solutions for embedded systems. VividLogic’s HAVi software and IEEE 1394 solutions combined with the small footprint and real time capabilities of the VxWorks RTOS provides an excellent environment for developing Home Networks using consumer electronic devices such as set top boxes, digital TVs, etc” said Dave Scheaffer, Director of Corporate Product Marketing, Wind River Systems.

“Our experience in developing On Screen Display, Content Protection, HAVi and IEEE 1394 software solutions for leading Consumer Electronics manufacturers and Set Top Boxes gives our customers the necessary edge to quickly develop networked HAVi compliant devices ” said Ram Balaraman, VP Engineering, VividLogic, Inc.

FireBus software uses an OS abstraction layer that renders it highly portable to different operating systems. FireBus software is initially available on VxWorks and will be followed by WinCE and other platforms. The FireBus IEEE 1394 abstraction layer makes the system portable to different IEEE 1394 chip sets from different vendors, allowing our customers choice of IEEE 1394 chipset and OS.

FireBus HAVi software can be scaled down to run as a single controller (typically on a set-top box or digital TV) managing a few consumer electronics devices or scaled up to run in a network with multiple controllers overseeing several consumer electronics and printer devices.

Since interoperability is key to the success of HAVi and Home Networks, VividLogic is currently developing HAVi compliance test suites that verify end-product device compliance to the HAVi specification. VividLogic HAVi compliance test services include administering HAVi compliance testing and verifying end-product HAVi implementations for compliance to the HAVi specification.

HAVi is an enabling technology. VividLogic’s FireBus HAVi stack provides the necessary development and runtime environment needed to create compelling digital home network applications. FireBus HAVi stack will come with sample application code that will help application developers develop the killer applications for the digital home.

About VividLogic

VividLogic Inc. is a leading provider of IEEE 1394 and HAVi software. The company’s innovative FireBus HAVi stack powers the next generation of CE devices in the digital home. FireBus provides the necessary HAVi compliant infrastructure and open APIs for third parties to develop applications that run seamlessly on multiple devices from different manufacturers. VividLogic is based in Fremont, CA with offices offshore in Hyderabad, India. Visit VividLogic on the Web at www.vividlogic.com or by phone at (510) 791 2006

CONTACT: VividLogic Inc.
Sivakumar Patibanda,
510/791-2006
sivakumar@vividlogic.com