LynuxWorks' BlueCat Linux Powering Protocom MPEG-4 Audiovisual CODEC for new Class of Mobile Consumer Devices

BlueCat Linux provides a highly flexible, low-cost open-source platform for consumer-electronics developers building next-generation video-capture devices and applications

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, Jan. 8, 2004—LynuxWorks™ today announced that its BlueCat® Linux® operating system is on-board Protocom's PR818, the world's first single chip MPEG-4 audio video (A/V) CODEC for high-quality video capture and display in the mobile consumer electronics (CE) industry. LynuxWorks' BlueCat Linux is a single source of stable, commercial-grade embedded Linux technology that provides the flexibility and cost benefits of embedded open-source software for a wide range of development applications from small form-factor CE devices to large-scale systems. Utilizing BlueCat, Protocom customers can leverage a reliable Linux open-source platform to develop high-performance applications for mobile video devices, making it an optimal solution for high-quality, cost-sensitive and high-volume applications.

Protocom's revolutionary PR818 MPEG-4 A/V technology gives the OEM manufacturer the power to fully meet both performance and feature requirements in the CE space all in a very flexible, cost-effective single-chip A/V CODEC. The PR818 is a hard-wired MPEG-4 solution that compresses and decompresses video data in both NTSC and PAL formats providing the highest quality video at the lowest bit rates and power consumption available in market. These are essential requirements for developers designing tomorrow's multi-purpose CE devices. The device, currently in full production, is ideal for a full range of CE devices including, personal video recorders (PVRs), set-top boxes, digital camcorders, and hybrid digital still cameras.

Serving as a highly pliable software platform supporting Protocom's advanced and patented architecture, BlueCat Linux provides Protocom's OEM customers with an embedded operating system that is unmatched in the industry—open-source, royalty-free and fully supported throughout the entire embedded product lifecycle. BlueCat's unique enhancements and comprehensive set of tools and board support packages (BSPs) provides Protocom's OEM customers immediate productivity in designing, debugging and deploying Linux into their embedded CE projects.

Linux emerging as unstoppable force in CE industry

Linux is rapidly becoming the embedded operating system of choice among CE developers due to its royalty-free open system platform, availability of source code and exploding base of software and hardware support. As a result, many developers are turning to Linux operating systems for their embedded projects to meet aggressive time-to-market constraints and reduce overall system costs. LynuxWorks' support of Protocom's innovative and advanced MPEG-4 technology provides further proof of this shift to Linux in the CE industry.

The wide availability of source code, and software applications, device drivers and tools, both open-source as well as commercial, are critical requirements for Protocom's CE manufacturers. The BlueCat Linux development environment and commercial grade tools like VisualLynux™ and SpyKer™ make it easier and more efficient for developers to make enhancements and modifications during the design process. Furthermore, the high level of support available from the broader Linux community enables developers to quickly introduce their CE products to market.

"Working with LynuxWorks allows our customers to develop GUIs around the Linux operating system using BlueCat, rather than being tied to one of the many proprietary solutions that are fragmenting the market," said Isaac Van Kempen, vice president of marketing, Protocom. "Our MPEG-4 CODEC solution combined with BlueCat Linux is an extremely powerful teaming of technologies, delivering the next generation of high quality video technology to the market. As more CE customers continue their rapid migration from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 technology, BlueCat Linux will undoubtedly be a critical factor in enabling our customers in a rapidly growing range of applications in both current and emerging CE vertical market segments."

"We are continuing to see a tremendous shift in the marketplace for Linux in embedded systems as developers look to meet aggressive time-to-market constraints and reduce overall system costs," said Dr. Inder Singh, CEO and chairman, LynuxWorks. "We anticipate BlueCat Linux and other open platforms will gather momentum in the CE industry. In fact, we firmly believe that Linux has an infinite horizon, which is why LynuxWorks will continue to help fuel innovation across many industries, including the CE arena."

About Protocom

Protocom Technology Corporation was established in 1999 and provides robust MPEG-4 A/V CODEC solutions to top-tier players in the hybrid camcorder, cellular phone, PVR, DVD and set-top box and homeland security markets or wherever high-performance image processing and A/V compression is critical. Protocom Technology is located in Cupertino, California and is privately held.

About LynuxWorks

LynuxWorks is a world leader in the embedded software market, providing operating systems, software development products and consulting services for the world's most successful communications, aerospace/defense, and consumer products companies. Established in 1988, the company is a technology leader in the real-time operating systems (RTOS) industry, and a founding member of the Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC). LynuxWorks' headquarters are located in San José, California.

LynuxWorks is a trademark and LynxOS and BlueCat are registered trademarks of LynuxWorks, Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

LynuxWorks press contacts

Kirsten Long Director, Marketing Communications LynuxWorks, Inc. USA +1 408-979-4404	Barbara Stewart Patterson & Associates USA 480-488-6909
Hamid Mirab Managing Director EMEA LynuxWorks Ltd. United Kingdom +44 208-906-9506	Peter van der Sluijs Neesham Public Relations Europe +44 1442-879222