The LinkTheater Further Boosts the Consumer Digital Experience as
the World's First Commercially Available Media Player to
Receive Three Key Digital Home Industry Certifications
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) 2007 International CES (BOOTH # Renaissance 26) -- Buffalo Technology, a global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of wired and wireless networking, storage, multimedia and memory solutions, today announced the latest addition to its high performance line of multimedia devices - the LinkTheater Wireless-A&G Media Player (PC-P4LWAG). The device incorporates 802.11a/g dual band technology and complements Buffalo's new award-winning dual band router, the AirStation(tm) Wireless-N Nfiniti(tm) Dual Band Router & AP (WZR-AG300NH). When used together, consumers can effortlessly create a true digital home network without interference. Its dual band capabilities allow users to take advantage of the 5GHz band (802.11a), which is ideal for gaming and streaming multimedia content such as videos and music, while the 2.4GHz band (802.11b/g) is perfectly suited for common Internet activities such as email and web browsing.
The LinkTheater Wireless-A&G Media Player enables consumers to enjoy multimedia content in any room of the home. Its intuitive, TV-based user interface allows consumers to browse their favorite music, photo, and video files and access a variety of Internet-driven applications and services via a remote control. It is the first product to receive three key consumer electronics certifications, which include Intel(r) Viiv(tm) technology verification, Dolby(r) Digital approved, and certification by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA CERTIFIED(tm)). These certifications ensure the LinkTheater is fully interoperable with other digital devices, such as Intel Viiv technology-based PCs, stereo sound systems or network storage devices.
"Consumers are becoming more savvy when it comes to accessing and enjoying digital entertainment content, which necessitates the need for a comprehensive, interoperable solution to manage and distribute that content," said Morikazu Sano, senior vice president of global sales and marketing at Buffalo. "We wanted to create flexible products that incorporate the best that wireless networking has to offer - compatibility on both bands so you get flawless performance without interference. Plus, with three key certifications from leading consumer electronics organizations such as Intel Corporation, Dolby and the DLNA, the LinkTheater is the most interoperable multimedia device on the market today and therefore the perfect device for the digital home."
Intel Viiv technology is Intel's brand for consumer PCs that provide a high performance, great digital media experience. The technology is designed to transform how consumers manage, share, and enjoy a broad and growing assortment of movies, TV programs, music, games, and photos. The LinkTheater has been verified to work with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs and provides the ability for consumers to access not just media but also verified services and applications via the Intel Viiv Zone.
For ease of installation, the LinkTheater includes Intel's Hub Connect technology, which allows you to connect it to your network as long as you have an Intel Viiv technology-based PC and an Intel Viiv technology-verified wireless router, such as Buffalo's AirStation(tm) Wireless-G MIMO Performance(a) Router & Access Point (WHR-HP-G54); the AirStation(tm) Wireless-G High Speed Router & Access Point (WHR-G54S) or Buffalo's new 2007 CES Innovations Award Honoree, the AirStation Wireless-N Nfiniti(tm) Dual Band Router & AP (WZR-AG300NH). To augment its simple set-up, the new LinkTheater also supports AOSS (AirStation One-Touch Secure System), Buffalo's unique push-button wireless installation and security configuration technology, for instant installation and effortless wireless security configuration.
"Intel Viiv technology is Intel's premier PC brand for digital entertainment. Together with verified content services, devices and routers, Intel Viiv technology-based PCs will maximize the consumers' digital media experience," said Gerald Holzhammer, vice president, Digital Home Group and general manager of Intel's Consumer PC Platform Group. "Viiv-verified multimedia devices, like the Buffalo LinkTheater, enable consumers to easily manage, access, and share their content while delivering new home entertainment experiences with their Intel Viiv technology-based PC."
The LinkTheater also satisfied Dolby Laboratories' requirements for its two-channel Dolby(r) Digital decoding. Its DLNA CERTIFIED status verifies the product has been designed to the DLNA's network interoperability guidelines, and has passed the organization's rigid conformance testing. The product also complies with the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) standard and supports emerging digital rights management technologies, such as DTCP-IP and Microsoft Windows Media DRM 10 for Network Devices.
Powered by Mediabolic's standards-based Media Player software, the LinkTheater Wireless-A&G Media Player supports leading music, image and video file formats such as MP3, WMA, AAC, LPCM, JPEG, BMP, PNG, MPEG 1/2/4, WMV 7/8/9, XviD and H.264 for enhanced playback quality and compression. The product includes a 10/100 Ethernet switch and a USB 2.0 port for additional connectivity with flash memory, digital cameras, or portable music and video players. The device includes composite, S-video, and D4 component video output. In addition, after initial boot and when activated, the LinkTheater can remotely awaken an Intel Viiv technology-based PC from its sleeping state.
"Buffalo has always been a forward-thinking manufacturer. They realize there is a baseline of interoperability that needs to be incorporated into networked products so that they will work together regardless of the wireless networking standard or brand," said Daniel Putterman, president and CEO of Mediabolic. "We have built a strong synergy with Buffalo and share the goal of providing consumers with reliability, flexibility and compatibility, thus delivering the finest entertainment experience possible."
Pricing and Availability
Backed by a limited two-year warranty and toll-free 24/7 technical support, the Buffalo LinkTheater Wireless-A&G Media Player (PC-P4LWAG) will be available in January at an estimated street price of $249. For more information about Buffalo and its products, please visit the company's Web site at www.buffalo.jp or www.buffalotech.com.
About Buffalo
Buffalo, Inc., based in Nagoya, Japan, is a leading global provider of award-winning networking, memory, storage, multimedia, LCD and other computer peripheral solutions for the home and small business markets as well as for system builders and integrators. With almost three decades of computer peripheral experience, Buffalo has proven its commitment to delivering innovative, best-of-breed solutions that have put the company at the forefront of infrastructure technology. For more information about Buffalo and its products, please visit www.buffalo.jp or www.buffalotech.com.
Buffalo and AOSS are trademarks of Buffalo, Inc. Mediabolic and the Mediabolic logo are registered trademarks of Mediabolic, Inc. Intel and Viiv are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
(a) This product uses a two antenna/single high power transmitter technology. It is not designed to anticipated 802.11n standards. Based on Buffalo Technology outdoor tests (see accompanying chart), this product outperforms two radio/three antenna MIMO technology beyond certain distances. Buffalo Technology testing also shows that this product equals or exceeds the performance of two radio/two antenna MIMO technology at all distances.