Toshiba And SkipJam Team Up To Provide TX RISC-Based Complete Solutions For The Networked Digital Home

SkipJam to Port SkipJam iMedia™ Software to Toshiba TX RISC Processors and AVM49R Multimedia Reference Platform

SAN JOSE, Calif. and PORT CHESTER, NY , November 1, 2004 - Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* and SkipJam™ Corp., the developer of the first Network Attached Media solution, today announced a strategic relationship to provide a broad range of complete digital media systems based on the SkipJam iMedia software platform and Toshiba TX System RISC microprocessors. The Toshiba/SkipJam collaboration will provide customers with complete reference designs, operating systems, drivers, middleware and application layers for systems ranging from networked media players to complete personal video recorder (PVR) solutions.

Initially, SkipJam will port its iMedia software platform to the recently announced Toshiba TMPR4938-powered AVM49R Multimedia Reference Platform. The first customer demonstrations of the SkipJam iMedia-enabled AVM49R are planned for CES 2005 in Las Vegas, Nev. in January 2005.

"Following on the heels of our launch of the AVM49R Multimedia Reference Platform, we are pleased to join forces with SkipJam Corp.," said Shardul Kazi, vice president of the RISC Microprocessor and Multimedia Business Unit at TAEC. "With the SkipJam iMedia Platform, the industry's first Network Attached Media solution, our customers can bring a wide variety of products to market faster and get a jump on the competition."

"We are excited to work with Toshiba to provide complete digital media solutions," said Michael Spilo, CEO of SkipJam. "Together with Toshiba we are able to offer OEM customers a wide range of platforms from which to launch next generation digital media devices."

The SkipJam iMedia software platform provides a variety of networked media applications ranging from streaming media access solutions such as PC-TV connectivity, networked audio/video players, and IP set-top boxes, to MP3 music player solutions, and PVR/DVR applications. The SkipJam software offerings are layered, comprising system software, networking and middleware, application software, and user interfaces. SkipJam also provides CODECs for a wide variety of audio and video formats, device drivers, network interface software, and customizable application software which includes on-TV or web-based interfaces which can be controlled via infrared (IR) or through the network. Customers can customize the SkipJam iMedia software as needed.

The flexible and cost-effective Toshiba AVM49R Multimedia Reference Platform is a complete reference design that combines a powerful, highly-integrated 300 megahertz Toshiba TMPR4938 MIPS-based™ RISC processor, a Toshiba TC86C001F PCI-to-ATA66/USB companion chip and the Vweb VW2010 MPEG-1/2/4 audio/video CODEC chip, all running under the MontaVista Linux operating system. Offered in a compact 6.7-inch by 6.7-inch mini-ITX form factor, it supports real-time MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 encoding and decoding.

Pricing and Availability
The Toshiba AVM49R Multimedia Reference Platform Hardware Developer Kit is currently available from TAEC for customers to license at $10,000.00 per license. SkipJam iMedia application software is available for license from SkipJam; please contact OEM@skipjam.com for more information.

About the Toshiba TX System RISC Family of Microprocessors and Platforms
Focusing on the digital consumer, office automation and automotive market segments, Toshiba offers a full family of MIPS-based Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) microprocessors and peripheral circuits. The Toshiba TX System RISC family consists of 32- and 64-bit processors available as standard products or as a custom SoC tailored for an embedded design. The family is comprised of a range of processors from low-power consuming to high-performance and includes special functions essential for the design of embedded products, such as reduced code size and real-time capability. Toshiba offers access to expert technology professionals for design questions and application support.

The AVM49R is a member of a family of Toshiba TX System RISC Multimedia Reference Platforms consisting of hardware, software and system integration tools and documentation based on products from Toshiba. This modular, configurable approach provides a ready-to-use bill of materials and will evolve with the customer's design and industry standards. Customers get a jump on software development and on the competition. Platforms are available for multimedia, industrial-control, mobile and wireless, and other digital consumer applications.

About SkipJam
Founded in 2002, SkipJam is an industry-leading supplier of home media networking hardware and software. SkipJam products power Network Attached Media applications, such as Personal Video Recorders, whole house audio and video distribution, and TV-PC interconnectivity. With offices in Port Chester, New York, and Greenwich, Connecticut, SkipJam powers the networked digital home with digital media and connectivity solutions. For more information, visit www.skipjam.com.

*About TAEC
Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes semiconductors, flash memory-based storage solutions, and displays for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.

TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, one of the five largest semiconductor companies worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2003 according to Gartner/Dataquest's Worldwide Semiconductor Market Share Ranking. Toshiba is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's website at http://chips.toshiba.com. 

Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications. In developing designs, please ensure that Toshiba products are used within specified operating ranges as set forth in the most recent Toshiba product specifications and the information set forth in Toshiba's "Handling Guide for Semiconductor Devices," or "Toshiba Semiconductor Reliability Handbook." This information is available at http://www.chips.toshiba.com , or from your TAEC representative.

All trademarks and tradenames used herein are the properties of their respective holders. SkipJam and SkipJam iMedia are trademarks of SkipJam, Inc.