HTI DEBUTS SOFTWARE-ONLY VIDEO COMPRESSOR FOR CD-ROM DEVELOPMENT ON PCs,
MACs

TrueMotion-S Compressor Can Be Implemented Without Extensive Desktop
Upgrades

NEW YORK, New York, June 20, 1995, PC Expo Booth #357 -- Horizons
Technology, Inc. (HTI) of San Diego, Calif., is introducing today the
TrueMotion-S Compressor, a shrink-wrapped, software-only program allowing
CD-ROM title developers and other multimedia professionals to compress
video on their existing desktop computers.

With a suggested retail price of $499, the TrueMotion-S Compressor runs
smoothly on a 486/33-based PC or Quadra 800 Macintosh without requiring
expensive upgrades, works efficiently across multiple platforms (PCs or
Macs), and provides superior video editing and quality control
capabilities through an intra-frame compression algorithm. On higher grade
machines such as Pentium-based or Power Macintosh computers, TrueMotion-S
performs two to four times faster than alternative compression
technologies, with an unmatched 20:1 compression time ratio.

The software is targeted to CD-ROM title developers, corporate video
departments, post-production houses/studios and advertising agencies, and
for applications such as CD-ROM publishing, kiosk video generation,
business training and sales presentations, cataloging and archiving.

"The TrueMotion-S Compressor allows multimedia developers to conveniently
and cost effectively compress video right on their own desktop computers,
eliminating the need to send their video to specialized compression
service centers or install costly add-in boards to support
hardware-assisted compressors based on MPEG and Motion-JPEG," said Cynthia
Mordaunt, vice president of marketing for HTI. "Most importantly, the
TrueMotion-S Compressor delivers the same superior-quality video as these
expensive alternatives, and it provides a much higher quality video
compared to other software-only compressors, including Intel's Indeo and
Radius' Cinepak."

Intra-Frame Compression Provides Easy Implementation, Superior Video

HTI's new product is the first software-only intra-frame video compressor,
a combination that makes installation of the TrueMotion-S Compressor
completely turnkey.

The TrueMotion-S Compressor is easily implemented on a developer's existing
486/33-based PC or Quadra 800 Mac because it requires a great deal less of
the CPU's computational power. The competing software-only video
compressors are "inter-frame algorithms," employing a complex strategy of
looking at each new frame and passing on data for only those aspects of
the frame that have changed. The TrueMotion-S Compressor, however, is
based on an intra-frame algorithm, a process in which every frame is
individually compressed without referring to a preceding or following
frame.

Intra-frame compression is also the starting point for easy interactivity
and editing. The TrueMotion-S Compressor runs under the most popular video
editing programs, including Adobe Premiere on PCs and Macs, and VidEdit
(in Video for Windows) on PCs.

With each frame compressed individually, the developer has complete,
interactive editing powers. The user can access any video frame and play
in reverse or forward from any frame. "Trick Play" features, such as zoom,
can be used on any frame as well. All of these capabilities are difficult
or not possible using competing video compressors.

The TrueMotion-S Compressor gives the developer extensive control over the
final video data rate (size of the compressed video file) and quality upon
playback. The developer can match compressed video to the needs of
specific applications through a variety of unique quality controls,
including "Dithering" -- the process of introducing noise to reduce more
serious issues, such as posterizing. In addition, the TrueMotion-S
Compressor allows the developer to make quality trade-offs to suit the
need, such as reducing video resolution in order to increase the data
rate.

Because less processing work is required of a system's CPU to compress
video, the TrueMotion-S Compressor also reduces "jerky" or "blocky" motion
to produce very smooth images.

Using HTI's new desktop video compression software, the developer can
display full-screen (640 x 480 pixels) smooth-motion video at more than 20
frames per second.

Compressor Works Across Multi-Platforms, Multi-Operating Systems

The TrueMotion-S Compressor permits the developer to produce either MOV or
AVI video files. These files may be played back on IBM-compatible PCs
operating under QuickTime 2.0 for Windows or Windows 3.1 with Video for
Windows 1.1; or Macintosh computers operating under System 7+ with
QuickTime 2.0. The multi-platform, multi-operating system capabilities of
the compressor allow developers to create a single CD-ROM disk that can
run on their customers' PC or Mac.

For PCs, recommended minimum system requirements include a 486/33 CPU, 16
MB RAM, a 16-bit capable display adapter, A/V-capable hard drive (540 MB),
Windows 3.1 with Video for Windows and a video capture card capable of
YUV-12 or M-JPEG output to hard disk.

For Macs, minimum requirements include a Quadra 800 or higher (PowerMac
recommended), 16 MB RAM, A/V input via Apple internal or Radius Video
Vision Studio 2.0 card, A/V-capable display architecture and, with Radius
or other MPEG solution, a RAID or A/V drive capable of 5 MB per second
sustained transfer rate.

The TrueMotion-S Compressor is available immediately and may be ordered by
calling HTI directly at 1-800-828-3808.

For game and set top box applications, TrueMotion-S is available from the
Duck Corporation. For all other applications, contact HTI.

Horizons Technology, Inc.

Horizons Technology, Inc. (HTI) is a multimedia software development and
systems integration company headquartered in San Diego, California.
Founded in 1977, HTI specializes in the development of multimedia
applications and video compression software and services, and is the
exclusive worldwide provider of TrueMotion video used in desktop
applications. HTI has more than 450 employees with other major offices in
Boston, Massachusetts and Alexandria, Virginia. HTI's European
headquarters is located in the Netherlands.

Horizons Technology Inc
3990 Ruffin Rd
San Diego, CA 92123
619-292-8331,  fax 619-292-7321

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