ATI Shows Groundbreaking High Definition Digital Cable PC Re

[Gregg Lengling]

ATI SHOWS GROUNDBREAKING HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL CABLE PC RECEIVER

2006 International CES demonstration heralds new era in media PCs

ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX:ATY - News; NASDAQ:ATYT - News) today announced a preview of the revolutionary (HD) digital cable PC receiver. Available later this year, the ATI OCUR (open cable uni-directional receiver) product will allow Media Center PCs that run on the forthcoming Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, to receive High Definition premium digital cable TV content on the PC, ushering in the next level in functionality and opening new avenues for PC entertainment. The new device will also offer traditional analog TV and free-to-air HD broadcast reception to the PC. ATI demonstrated this new technology at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 5 to 8, 2006.

The ATI OCUR product opens a crucial barrier to making the PC ubiquitous for the ultimate entertainment PC. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, almost 68 per cent of the North America market is served by cable operators(1), and now these end users will be able to access premium content. This new OCUR product is designed to support any cable television system in North America on the PC.

"We're working with Microsoft and other industry leaders to drive Media Center PCs to be more intuitive, powerful and robust than standalone consumer electronics devices," said Godfrey Cheng, director of marketing, multimedia business unit, ATI Technologies Inc. "The forthcoming OCUR PC receiver is powered by ATI's Avivo(TM) technologies which means that not only will the Media Center PC have a new level of functionality but also the highest available video quality. ATI is proud to work with Microsoft to demonstrate this new OCUR PC receiver for a new era of media PCs."

"Microsoft strives to provide our customers with the most compelling TV experience possible on Windows Media Center," said Dave Mendlen, director of Windows Consumer Marketing at Microsoft Corp. "We're excited to work with ATI on this project, based on the company's industry-leading expertise in both multimedia PC solutions and the digital TV marketplace."

ATI will exhibit its solutions at International CES 2005 at booth 30779 at the South Hall, Upper Level, Las Vegas Convention Center, January 5 to 8, 2006.

Microsoft Windows Media Center delivers advanced computing plus easy-to-use integrated digital entertainment, including live and recorded television, movies, music, photos and radio, that consumers can enjoy when and how they want. It provides a central hub for digital entertainment and productivity, accessible on either a PC monitor or TV display, using a single remote control.

About ATI Technologies

ATI Technologies Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and digital media silicon solutions. An industry pioneer since 1985, ATI is the world's foremost graphics processor unit (GPU) provider and is dedicated to deliver leading-edge performance solutions for the full range of PC and Mac desktop and notebook platforms, workstation, set-top and digital television, game console and handheld device markets. With 2005 revenues of US $2.22 billion, ATI has more than 3,400 employees in the Americas, Europe and Asia. ATI common shares trade on NASDAQ (ATYT) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (ATY).

[waterhead]

Here's a link to a review on the card:

ATI OCUR

I had already posted it in the HDTV Equipment thread last night.

[TPK]

HOOOOOORAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does this mean that someday soon I will be able to make my own hih-definition PC based DVR for cable television???

Or will TWC, the MPAA, the RIAA, and a few other big media conglomerates cripple the thing and make it impossible or useless???