Intel Press Release

Linksys, Intel Unveil Standards-Based Product That Distributes Protected Premium Content In The Home

The Linksys New Wireless-G Media Link Enables Wireless Streaming Video, Music and Pictures to Play from the PC to the Entertainment Center

IRVINE and SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Jan. 4, 2005 - Linksys®, a division of Cisco Systems, Inc., and Intel Corporation today announced the Linksys new digital media adapter that will enable broad, mainstream consumer adoption of on-line, on-demand video services. The new product includes support for DTCP-IP (Digital Transmission Content Protection over IP), an industry standard framework for media adapters to move Internet-based premium content from the PC to other devices on a wired or wireless home network. With this standard, the new Linksys Wireless-G Media Link (WMLV54G) will help allow consumers to enjoy premium movie and music services from such companies as Movielink and RealNetworks Inc. on TV and stereos around their home in the future.

Home networks now offer consumers much more than just sharing an Internet connection among PCs. The proliferation of digital content and broadband Internet adoption has spurred rapid innovation in consumer electronics devices that will enable the sharing of PC and Internet content on any TV and stereo in the home. The emerging category of digital media adapters is an important element in delivering this capability to mainstream consumers.

The Linksys Wireless-G Media Link for video, music and photos is the next product in a line of wireless entertainment devices from Linksys that brings consumers exciting new capabilities such as support for premium online movie and music services, high-definition photos and video, and the most advanced media formats, including MPEG4 and WMV. With the Linksys Wireless-G Media Link, the Digital5 middleware solution, and a high-performance PC based on the Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with Intel Hyper-Threading (HT) technology, consumers will be able to wirelessly send a broad selection of personal and protected premium content stored on the their PCs or pulled from select Internet services to their TVs, stereos, entertainment centers and other PCs throughout the house.

"Intel and Linksys share the common vision to bring consumers premium Internet content from online services anytime, anywhere, and on any device in the home," said Robert Crooke, general manager, Desktop Marketing & Strategic Planning and vice president, Desktop Platforms Group, Intel Corporation. "Developed through close collaboration among Intel, Linksys and other industry innovators, the Linksys Media Link provides a significant step forward in delivering the digital home vision to consumers."

"Industry standards such as DTCP-IP that Intel and other industry leaders have developed can help drive consumer adoption of convergence devices like our Wireless-G Media Link," said Malachy Moynihan, Linksys vice president of engineering and product development. "Without a standard for home network content protection, it will be difficult for consumers to build the networks they need to move Internet-based protected content from the PC into the living room. Our collaboration with Intel provides customers with a more enhanced home digital experience."

The Wireless-G Media Link sits by the television and stereo and connects to each using standard A/V or component, composite or S-Video cables. Then the product connects to a home network by Wireless-G (802.11g) wireless networking, or if users prefer, it can be connected via standard 10/100 Ethernet cabling. The Media Link also works in peer-to-peer mode (direct connection between the media link and a wired or wireless enabled computer) so no Internet service is required if customers only want to move content from a PC to the entertainment center.

The Linksys Wireless-G Media Link also offers support for high-definition (HD) content and leading-edge media formats such as MPEG4 and WMV, a step further than most available adapters. This allows consumers to realize benefits provided by their high-definition televisions and to enjoy high-definition video content and high-resolution photos when available.

The Wireless-G Media Link provides the following features and benefits:

  • Moves music, photos, Internet radio and video from the PC to the TV and provides Stereo HD Support (1280 X 720 resolution)
  • Equipped with Wireless-G radio, Ethernet port, USB 2.0 port
  • Infrared remote controller included for operation and configuration
  • Support for UPnP-based auto-discover of content on the network, which may reside on PC, media server, Linksys router/gateway, networked hard drive storage or other digital media devices
  • Support for Quality of Service (QoS) protocol to ensure continuous data transmission and content quality
  • Minimum OS requirements: Windows XP* or 2000*
  • Recommended PC requirements: Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with HT technology
  • The Linksys Wireless-G Media Link comes complete with an infrared remote, audio/video cable, S-video cable, Ethernet cable, power cable, setup CD-ROM and installation guide. The WMLV54G will be available in the second quarter of 2005 through North American retail, online resellers, distributors and direct response. Price will be released at time of availability.

    About Linksys
    Founded in 1988, Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the global leader in wireless and Ethernet networking for both consumer and SOHO users. Linksys is dedicated to making networking easy and affordable for its customers, offering innovative, award-winning products that seamlessly integrate with a variety of devices and applications. Linksys provides award winning product support to its customers. For more information, visit www.linksys.com.

    Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries.

    Intel is mark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

    * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.