ViewCast Launches Multi-Application Capture Software, Osprey SimulStream

DALLAS (Oct.3, 2001) - ViewCast Corporation (NASDAQ: VCST), the video communications leader, announced today that Osprey SimulStream(TM) software is available for purchase, giving users of select Osprey Video cards the ability to output multiple video and audio streams with independent capture settings from a single Osprey capture card.

This premium software product, exclusively for ViewCast Osprey� Video capture cards, is available initially for the Osprey-210 and Osprey-220 models. Osprey SimulStream is also provided as part of ViewCast Systems package offerings in Niagara(TM) Streaming Systems that utilize the Osprey-210 and Osprey-220 for their capture engines.

Content creators of streaming media typically encode several different streams of the same media in order to provide the best possible viewing experience over both modems and broadband connections. Different formats -- such as RealMedia or Windows Media -- are often provided to address user's preferences. With existing capabilities, content creators repeat the encoding task for each file or use multiple cards in parallel to speed up the process. When Osprey SimulStream is used, multiple encoding tasks can be launched simultaneously. By taking what used to be four-to-six separate encoding tasks and making it a single session, Osprey SimulStream reduces encoding time up to 83 percent while greatly improving the video and audio on the resulting streams.

Osprey SimulStream also increases the physical density of encoding tasks for major web broadcasters. Other companies provide systems-only offerings limited to four streams per system, while the Osprey SimulStream with a single Osprey Video card allows an infinite number of streams -- limited only by the size of the system's CPU capabilities and specific encoding tasks. This allows previously un-attainable encoder density for professional and large-scale webcasting applications.

"Streaming media production today faces scalability problems. Reaching a broad audience with optimal quality for each viewer requires increased production time and hardware requirements -- both of which cost money,'' said George Platt, president and chief executive officer of ViewCast Corporation. ``Osprey SimulStream answers all of these concerns, enabling content creators to simultaneously deliver content to a variety of formats at a variety of bitrates in real time."

Osprey SimulStream complements current "multi-bitrate" encoding options from companies like RealNetworks and Microsoft. Multi-bitrate encoding is the ability to create a single stream with the ability to "throttle back" the bitrate based upon network congestion. The drawback, however, is that multi-bitrate streams are either encoded optimally for a modem with a small QCIF (160x120 pixel) image resolution, or with a larger image for a broadband stream, but not both. Using the multi-stream capability of Osprey SimulStream, a smaller QCIF image is provided to the modem user, while the broadband user receives the larger CIF (320x240 pixel) image for an improved viewing experience. Multi-bitrate applications can be run with SimulStream to combine the benefits of each.

In addition to allowing for optimized unique encoding sessions with independent resolutions and color formats, Osprey SimulStream also extends to other applications -- such as Virage's VideoLogger with face recognition or Convera's Screening Room -- that may be run concurrently with encoding using only a single Osprey Video capture card.

About Viewcast Corporation

ViewCast develops products and services that provide video networked solutions. ViewCast maximizes the value of video through its core businesses: Osprey® Video provides the streaming media industry's de facto standard capture cards; ViewCast Systems integrates turnkey streaming and video distribution systems; and ViewCast Online Solutions delivers complete B2B solutions and video delivery for online video communications. From streaming digital video on the Internet to distribution of broadcast-quality video throughout the corporate enterprise plus comprehensive "click, create and view" video software applications, ViewCast provides the complete range of video solutions. Visit the company's web sites (http://www.viewcast.com, http://www.ospreyvideo.com and http://www.viewcastonline.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.

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