Viewcast Introduces New Additions To Its Osprey Family Of Streaming Audio/Video Capture Cards

Viewcast debuts new Osprey-210 and Osprey-220 audio/video capture cards 

DALLAS (Dec. 4, 2000) �Viewcast, Inc. (NASDAQ: VCST), a leading provider of Internet and networked video solutions, today announced new additions to its industry-leading Osprey family of audio/video PC capture cards. The new Osprey-210 and Osprey-220 add audio-quality enhancements that enable CD-quality audio and professional analog capture of video and audio signals for the leading streaming media applications. These new products complement recent industry improvements in streaming audio technology, and extend the widely recognized leadership of Viewcast�s Osprey product line for streaming media applications.

RealAudio� 8, sets a new standard of quality, clarity and range for Internet audio,� said Kevin Foreman, general manager, Developer and Partner Relations, RealNetworks, Inc. �Viewcast�s Osprey-100 has long been a preferred card for use with RealNetworks� products. The new Osprey-210 and Osprey-220 deliver enhanced quality audio capture and offer the perfect complement to RealAudio 8, allowing users to experience the full benefit of a rich-media experience through RealPlayer�. We are extremely pleased that our long-time partner Viewcast keeps pace with products that enhance RealNetworks� capabilities in the streaming media market.

Viewcast Osprey video cards are used in Internet/intranet streaming video, videoconferencing, distance learning, business TV, Web-cams, live event streaming and a variety of other digital video applications. The Osprey-210 and Osprey-220 capture products support RealNetworks� RealVideo� 8 as well as Windows Media 7 capture and encoding. This support for the two major streaming media platforms by the Osprey family provides unparalleled flexibility in audio and video streaming applications.

Osprey video capture cards have become the de facto standard in the streaming industry, and with these exciting new products, we are extending our lead in the market and creating the next de facto standard in the industry,� said Neal Page, VP and general manager of Viewcast�s Osprey Video division. �With both significant advancements in streaming audio and video technology from the industry leaders, and rapid increases in broadband deployment, these new additions to the Osprey product provide the foundation for growth in creation of high-quality rich media. The Osprey-210 and Osprey-220 products are the right streaming capture products at the right time in the streaming media market.

The Osprey-210/220 streaming capture products support AVI capture allowing them to be used in conjunction with leading editing applications including Adobe Premiere, Sonic Foundry Vegas Video, Ulead MediaStudio Pro, Media 100 Media Cleaner Pro, and MGI VideoWave III. They can also be used in conjunction with other streaming software applications including Sonic Foundry Stream Anywhere, and Terran Media Cleaner Pro. The Osprey-200 family�s strict compliance with established Windows-based video standards enable them to run at peak performance on almost any video application that uses a standard Windows interface. These products provide driver support for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.x, and Windows 2000.

The Osprey-210 is an analog capture card with a BNC connector for a reliable, lock-on composite video input; an S Video connector; unbalanced stereo audio inputs; and an audio loop-back feature for monitoring of the captured source. The Osprey-210 also features a hardware audio gain control providing enhanced sound capture at lower bitrates and expanded audio sampling rates up to 48 kHz. For even higher quality, the professional-grade Osprey-220 takes the Osprey-210 feature set and adds both a break-out box and balanced-stereo audio inputs via XLR connectors for pro-quality stereo audio inputs.

The Osprey-210 and Osprey-220 products will be available for ordering and shipping Dec. 1. The first public demonstrations of these new Osprey products will be conducted Dec. 12-14 at Booth #609 at the Streaming Media West 2000 exhibition at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, Calif.

About Viewcast

Viewcast enables video communication over the Internet and corporate networks through its components, systems, and turnkey solution products. The company is known as a leading global provider of enterprise-wide, digital video communications solutions for both real-time and on-demand applications. Osprey� video capture cards and codecs, ViewCast� Streaming Video Solutions and Viewpoint VBX System(tm) products deliver a wide array of video solutions for both analog and digital video communication systems. Viewcast has the ability to deliver cutting-edge networked video solutions while delivering systems to transition legacy video communication equipment. Viewcast products are available either directly from the company, or from leading OEMs, system integrators, leading resellers and application developers worldwide. 

Visit the Viewcast Web site (http://www.viewcast.com) for more information.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the Company's current judgment on certain issues. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are described in the Company's reports on Form 10-KSB and 10-QSB on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All trademarks are property of their respective holders.

RealNetworks, RealAudio, RealVideo and RealPlayer are trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc.

Back to News