[RETURN HOME]

Press Release: Music Republic Preview Station Rocks to the VIA C3 Rhythm

Posted By Kathy Smith

Date: January 9, 2002

Music Republic first to deliver broadband music to connected music stations using the totally cool VIA C3™ processor.

Taipei, Taiwan, 9 January 2002 - VIA Technologies, Inc. a leading innovator and developer of core logic chipsets, microprocessors, multimedia and communications chips, today announced that Music Browser, Inc. (MBI), the foremost broadband music appliance developer, has selected the VIA C3™ processor to power its line of Music Republic Preview Stations™.

The Music Republic Preview System™ is the first broadband music delivery and promotion system for music retail stores. Music Republic Preview Stations allow retail store customers to listen to any CD in the store in its entirety and view information such as album pictures, song lyrics and album notes. In addition, the Preview Stations employ MBI’s proprietary Music Assistant™ engine to recommend additional albums based on each user’s selections, making each session a unique and fun experience for users while increasing the sales potential for the retailer. This unique software combined with the VIA C3 processor can easily play three simultaneous videos while streaming MP3s with additional processing power for future expansion. Targeted on-screen video advertising increases product sales as well as third party product visibility. Measuring less than 3" deep, Music Republic Preview Stations are mounted on walls and store fixtures with minimum footprint. The Music Republic Preview System operates on a dedicated broadband network and is remotely updated and maintained over the network.

MBI’s management team chose the VIA C3 processor from a field of competitors due to its small size, ultra low power consumption and quiet performance. “By using the VIA C3 processor we are able to maintain our required processing power while reducing the footprint of the Music Republic Preview Station to under 3” deep, including all components and the 15” TFT display. The music preview experience is greatly enhanced due to the processor’s power and cool, quiet operation.” said George Wong, Director of Product Development for MBI “MBI’s deep knowledge of the music technology industry coupled with VIA’s market leading technology make the Music Republic Preview Station the perfect product for an interactive music experience.”

“You’ll find customers spending more time on Music Republic Preview Stations because its such a great experience using this system,” commented Dan Havey, U.S. Marketing Director for VIA Technologies, Inc. “This is a perfect example of where the ‘Cool Processing’ VIA C3 enables greater innovation in system designs and the introduction of exciting new products on the commercial entertainment market.”

About VIA C3™ Processor

Available at speeds of up to 933MHz, the VIA C3™ processor is the first processor in the world to be manufactured using leading-edge 0.13 and 0.15 micron manufacturing processes and boasts the world's smallest x86 processor die size. As the coolest running processor on the market today, the VIA C3 processor delivers ultra low power consumption and world class levels of stability. It is fully Socket 370 compatible and comes with 128KB Level 1 and 64KB Level 2 full speed cache, as well as support for a 100/133MHz Front Side Bus and MMX™ and 3DNow! multimedia instructions, to ensure robust levels of performance for all the most popular mainstream software and Internet applications.

About VIA Technologies, Inc.

VIA Technologies, Inc. is a leading innovator and developer of PC core logic chipsets, microprocessors, and multimedia and communications chips. VIA delivers value to the PC industry by designing, marketing, and selling high-performance VIA Apollo core logic chipsets for the full range of PC platforms, and cost-effective VIA C3 processors for Value PCs and Internet Appliances, as well as developing complete solutions for the PC platform through its VPSD Business Unit. Its customers include the world's top OEMs, mainboard manufacturers, and system integrators. VIA is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, at the center of the Greater China high-tech manufacturing engine, and has branch offices in the US, China and Europe. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE2388), and achieved annual revenues of nearly US$1 billion in 2000. Additional information can be found at www.via.com.tw.

About the Music Republic Platform™

The Music Republic Platform™ is a dedicated music platform that combines specialized hardware with powerful music applications and music management tools into music listening devices for businesses and consumers. The Music Republic Platform allows for fast and efficient development of superior digital music preview and listening products. Currently, the Music Republic Platform is implemented into the Music Republic Preview Station™ for record retail stores.

About Music Browser Inc. (MBI)

Founded in 1998, Music Browser Inc. (MBI) is a music technology company focused on developing solutions for interactive music preview and listening products. MBI is headquartered in New York, NY, with development facilities in Urbana, Illinois. More information can be found at www.musicrepublic.com.

VIA PR Contacts

Note to reporters, editors and writers: VIA is written in ALL CAPS.

===================================

===================================

[RETURN HOME]