IFA, Berlin, Germany (September 3, 2005) -- Nero, market leader in the field of technology for digital media and Grundig, one of the leading manufacturers of consumer electronics, today announced the launch of new DVD players that support Nero Digital™. Grundig's GDP 3550 and GDP 3570 players can play back video files created and compressed using Nero Digital™.
Further Grundig DVD players from the middle and top ranges will support the Nero Digital™ format in the future. Nero Digital™ compresses video data to up to one-fifth of the original file size without perceptible loss of quality. This allows video enthusiasts to burn the material they have created on their PC to DVD and enjoy it on their TV set – one DVD, for example, can hold several hours of home movies. The superior playback quality ensures real home cinema pleasure.
The Nero Digital™ format was jointly developed by Nero and Ateme. It is the leading technology for the compression of audio and video data and includes professional functions such as chapter stops, subtitles and multichannel surround sound. The solution is based on the MPEG 4 standard, which means that Grundig DVD players can also play back other MPEG 4 content.
"In Grundig we have acquired one of the best-known partners in the field of entertainment electronics for our Nero Digital™ audio and video technology", reports Jim Corbett, Executive Director of Nero AG. "This enables us to extend the standard to DVD players, which means that users can transfer their data from a PC to a home cinema without difficulty."
"Nero DigitalTM certification offers our customers real value added", explains Hubert Roth, Managing Director of Grundig. "For Grundig this certification is a significant argument in competition and an important step in the consolidation of the multimedia network."
Customers purchasing Grundig DVD players are also offered a free 30-day trial of further Nero programs. Each Nero Digital™-certified DVD player comes with a CD with test versions of three programs: Nero Recode, which facilitates the direct import of most video file formats and DVDs without copy protection for coding and/or transcoding in Nero Digital™; Nero ShowTime, which plays all digital recordings (films, TV programs, home movies and DVD formats) in excellent picture and sound quality; and finally Nero MediaHome, which allows users to stream videos, music and pictures.
Price and availability
The Grundig DVD players GDP 3550 and GDP 3570 with Nero Digital™ are now available in stores. Grundig's recommended retail price is €109 for the GDP 3550 and €129 for the GDP 3570.
The players will be demonstrated live at IFA at the Nero stand (hall 1.1, stand 203) and the Grundig stand (hall 23, stand 201).
Further information on Nero Digital™ and Grundig can be found at www.nerodigital.com and www.grundig.de.
About Nero
Nero provides state-of-the-art software solutions for the global digital media market. Since the company was founded in 1995, its products have established a loyal clientele of more than 180 million users throughout the world.
Nero offers the industry's most reliable CD/DVD software applications. Its award-winning flagship product, Nero 6, includes all applications and functionalities needed in the digital media field. Other Nero products include the MPEG 4 based audio/video technology - Nero Digital™, the simple and complete photo solution - Nero PhotoShow Elite, and SIPPS™ and SIPPSTAR PBX, which provide voice-over IP solutions for private and business customers.
Nero products are globally distributed by leading hardware manufacturers, international distribution partners and online portals, as well as directly via www.nero.com. Nero Inc. in Glendale, California, USA and Nero K.K. in Yokohama, Japan are subsidiaries of Nero AG, based in Karlsbad, Germany.
About Ateme
ATEME is headquartered in France (www.ateme.com). It is a world leading provider of hardware and software solutions for video and signal processing in the embedded market. ATEME delivers custom services on top of its boards and algorithms.
Since 2002, ATEME has centered its strategy on applicative reference designs which target the specific markets of video security, broadcast and consumer electronics.
The result to OEM is faster product design, a shorter time to market and reduction of total costs. ATEME operates worldwide thanks to its distribution network.
About Grundig
GRUNDIG is a globally recognized consumer electronics brand with a comprehensive range of CTV, audio/hifi and video products that also includes CD players, DVD players and recorders, DECT telephones and – within the framework of a license agreement – mobile telephones. In Germany, marketing, sales, research and development departments as well as service activities are grouped under the umbrella of GRUNDIG Intermedia GmbH based in Nuremberg. GRUNDIG Intermedia GmbH is a subsidiary of GRUNDIG Multimedia B.V., Amsterdam, which is owned 50/50 by the British/Turkish consortium Alba/Beko. This consortium purchased the Home Intermedia division, the traditional consumer electronics division of the insolvent GRUNDIG AG, at the start of 2004.
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Nero®, Nero Digital™ and SIPPS™ are trademarks of Nero AG and its subsidiaries. Any other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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