PHILIPS
TO SUPPLY DVD DRIVES FOR XBOX VIDEO GAME SYSTEM
Philips has been
selected by Microsoft as one of the key suppliers
for its new Xbox video game system. The Philips
involvement focuses on the system's custom DVD
drive, to be supplied by the Optical Storage
group of Philips Components.
The unique
architecture of Xbox includes a dedicated
graphics processing unit (Xbox GPU), 733 MHz
central processing unit (Xbox CPU), a custom
designed media communications processor (Xbox
MCP), a broadband Ethernet connection for fast
data transfer plus an internal hard disk for
storage of game information. In the hands of the
world's greatest game developers, the Xbox
technology frees up the artist to create
unprecedented gaming experiences.
"This supply
contract with Microsoft underlines our capability
to handle total functions based on our
world-leading optical storage technology",
said Hein van der Zeeuw, CEO of Philips Optical
Storage. "We have the ability not only to
design a specific DVD solution that is optimized
for the demands of the Xbox application, but also
to get it into volume production within the short
timeframe demanded by Microsoft. We are proud to
be involved in this landmark project and look
forward to the market launch and the expected
major impact that this product is expected to
have on the fast-growing market for
high-performance games systems."
"We are
excited to have the support and involvement of
Philips", said Todd Holmdahl, General
Manager of Xbox Hardware. "As a leader in
the optical storage market with proven technology
capabilities in consumer DVD Video, we expect
Philips will make a significant contribution to
the Xbox as we launch this Fall."
DVD to be key
Xbox functionality
DVD will be a key
functionality for Xbox, providing enhanced
storage capacity for complex and realistic games
content, as well as the ability to store large
amounts of realistic video material. Philips
Optical Storage is a world leader in the supply
of complete DVD drives as well as separate
modules for use by other leading OEMs.
The Xbox
application further expands the support for the
DVD platform, which is already enjoying
unprecedented success in the consumer electronics
market. With more rapid growth than any other new
media format in the history of the industry, it
is rapidly becoming the new consumer standard for
high-quality prerecorded video program material.
In addition, DVD is gaining rapidly increasing
acceptance as the new standard for multimedia
data storage in the PC area. DVD's unique
combination of high storage capacity for all
kinds of multimedia content now also makes it the
ideal medium for the future generation of video
game systems led by Xbox.
Philips
Components, headquartered in Sunnyvale,
California, is a world-leading provider of
integrated digital electronic solutions in the
areas of displays, storage, connectivity and
imaging and sensing. Its global customer base
covers the consumer electronics,
telecommunications and automotive industries,
amongst others. Philips Components had annual
revenues of over EUR 6.3 billion for the year
2000, and employs more than 40,000 people in 39
countries around the world.
www.components.philips.com
Royal Philips
Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the
world's biggest electronics companies and
Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 37.9 billion
in 2000. It is a global leader in color
television sets, lighting, electric shavers,
color picture tubes for televisions and monitors,
and one-chip TV products. Its 219,400 employees
in more than 60 countries are active in the areas
of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic
appliances, components, semiconductors and
medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE
(symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and
other stock exchanges.
|
