Wave Issue 2005 1/31/00 Article 1-04

***Sony Announces Digital Network Recorder
(January 5)

According to Internet Wire, Sony Electronics introduced a digital
network recorder integrating TiVo technology and service. The
Sony SVR-2000 will be available this spring. It incorporates a
30-gigabyte hard drive that records up to 30 hours of television
programming or up to nine hours at high quality (DVD-Video)
settings.

By employing hard disk technology, the network recorder enables
consumers to play, pause or rewind live television broadcasts as
they are being watched. To enhance the home entertainment
experience, it also is designed to work with standard definition
terrestrial broadcasts, as well as digital satellite systems and
cable programming services.

TiVo's personal television service can suggest programs for
recording based on personal preferences by using an integrated
program guide that features a thumbs up/thumbs down option. This
can establish preferences for a specific genre of programs or for
individual programs broadcast at different times of the day. All
preferences are stored in the system's memory. Keywords can be
used as other options for finding programs.

By utilizing TiVo's personal television service, the SVR-2000 can
record favorite shows while another prerecorded program is being
watched. The SVR-2000 also allows users to transfer recordings
via one-touch dubbing to Sony VCRs for archival purposes.

Additionally, the digital network recorder enables users to
browse within groups of related programs by including a Sony
Showcase area, which can link viewers to different content from
Sony entertainment companies. Once shows are recorded, the SVR-
2000 offers one-touch access via the List button on the supplied
remote commander.

Sony anticipates building upon the hard-disk drive platform by
introducing several combination or hybrid products, which can
integrate TiVo technology with DirecTV and digital set-top box
products. These products will have the capability of storing
high-definition broadband digital content in the future, and will
feature the i.LINK (IEEE-1394) digital interface protocol which
employs the Digital Transmission Content Protection system.

The SVR-2000 will be available in April and is expected to sell
for approximately $400.