San Jose, CA – 2netFX, a leading provider of streaming solutions for intranet and broadband Internet media delivery, and Zapex Technologies, Inc. an industry leader of MPEG-2 compression products, have formed an alliance to design and deliver innovative hardware and software broadcast solutions to be used in the IP distance learning market. This HDTV over IP technology is currently under consideration by many for distance learning and diagnosis in the medical market. Surgical procedures via HDTV have the resolution to show the minute detail as well as the ability to be used in locations where there is no trained personnel available. Ultrasound results and other diagnosis methods can be sent to any location on earth via satellite or terrestrial means for a concise diagnosis. It is the only company that offers multicast HDTV over IP that is available now as well as via the Linux platform.

The new solution for Linux-based platform users will be demonstrated at the Streaming Media West show in San Jose, California from December 12-14. The companies will be sharing space in booth #630, displaying several broadcast options.

“This alliance enhances the vision of both companies in bringing intranet broadcast capabilities to any PC-based enterprise,” comments 2netFX vice president of marketing William Reed. “It provides both companies with a solid foundation for penetration into the IP market. Users now have the capability to set up full-motion, full-screen, virtual-television broadcasting stations on IP networks using solutions deriving from our collaborative efforts.”

The first system offered by the alliance is a Linux-based server solution, providing users a viable means to stream broadcast-quality transmissions. It includes 2netFX’s StreamRider client and ThunderCast/IP server software and Zapex’s ZL-330 encoder with Dolby� digital audio and MPEG-2 video. It is the first encoder of its type to achieve Dolby certification for Linux operating systems, and it eliminates inherent lip-sync issues by providing Transport Stream multiplexing within the Zapex encoder. “Together, these products provide a low-cost, high quality, real-time broadcast solution in an easy, ready-to-use package,” remarked Reed.

The ZL-330 produces high quality video images at low bit rates. “The resulting low-bandwidth video stream from the ZL-330 permits an unlimited number of users to access a multicast video,” says Gary Marsh, Zapex vice president of sales and marketing. “Coupled with the 2netFX software, PC users can interactively select which programming they wish to view, then capture and store the video locally. Effectively, customers can select their own viewing schedules, depending on application.”

About 2netFX

2netFX (www.2netFX.com) is a leading provider of streaming solutions for intranet and broadband Internet media delivery. Founded in 1996, 2netFX was the first to offer multicast streaming of HDTV over ordinary networks, advanced client player customization and integration, and fully featured media server solutions with the lowest latency in the industry.

2netFX’s Streaming Media Application (SAM) server and SAM receiver provide complete hardware/software turnkey solutions for delivering and receiving MPEG-1, 2,4,H.263, and HDTV streams from 28Kbps to 25Mbps via satellite, ATM, LAN/WAN, xDSL, cable modem, or dial up.

Designed for a variety of applications, including distance learning, corporate communications, government, education, and the military, 2netFX products are currently bundled by many leading digital video companies and in use at leading organizations including Sprint, Panasonic, Wal-mart, MCI Worldcom, Hughes Networks, NASA, GlobeCast/France Telecom, Walt Disney Studios, Lucent, Echo Star and others.

About Zapex

Zapex Technologies Inc., a company of Brother International, and a leader in compression technology, designs and manufactures MPEG encoding systems for PC platforms, providing digital video and audio solutions for DVD, networking, broadband and storage applications.

The company’s U.S. headquarters is located at 2432 Charleston Road, Mountain View, Calif., 94043. Telephone is 650 930-1300. Fax is 650 930-1399. Web address is www.zapex.net.
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2netFX Contact: William Reed, Vice President, Marketing (408) 232-1691 breed@2netFX

Carol Warren, Account Manager
Public Communications Worldwide
(562) 944-4626 carolw@pc-w.com

All products/services and trademarks mentioned in this release are the properties of their respective companies. Products and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Copyright 2000 2netFX. All rights reserved. (*Media NOW!, Inc. dba 2netFX)