Microsoft/Intel bring digital video computing to the mainstream

Microsoft announces Video for Windows, which uses Intel video technology

San Francisco -- November 10, 1992 -- (Business Wire) -- Microsoft Chairman and CEO William H. Gates III, and Andrew S. Grove, president and CEO of Intel Corp., announced at a news conference Tuesday the two companies' shared vision for the next wave in personal computing, called digital video computing.

Microsoft announced Video for Windows, which incorporates Intel Indeo technology, that will allow users to integrate digital video information into applications that run on the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Although digital video has been available on desktop computers for several years, its acceptance has been slowed by the high cost and incompatibilities created by add-in cards required to support digital video.

Video for Windows addresses this issue by making digital video available on any Windows-based, Intel386 or Intel486 microprocessor-based computer, with or without additional hardware.

The two companies have worked together to deliver ``scalable video,'' which simply means the quality of the video automatically adjusts itself depending on the performance and configuration of the computer being used.

The Video for Windows software product is currently available for a suggested retail price of $199. It contains tools for playing back, incorporating, editing and creating compressed digital video.

Video for Windows can be used to play back video on all implementations of the Windows operating system version 3.1, from the Modular Windows operating system on consumer devices through Windows 3.1 on desktops to the Windows NT operating system on workstations.

Intel's software technology is embedded in Video for Windows. Intel's Indeo technology can provide either software-only or hardware-accelerated digital video. By adding a video camera and an add-in board using Intel's video processor chips, Indeo technology also allows users to record video on a PC in one simple step.

``For years, the necessary ingredients for digital video computing have been coming together like elements in a chemical reaction,'' Grove said. ``We already have an installed base of tens of millions of PCs, Windows and Windows-based applications, and a rapidly growing number of networks. Now we have added Indeo technology to ignite a reaction that will turn a standard PC into a digital video computer. The best news about it is that it's available to anyone who already owns an Intel386 or Intel486-based PC.''

``Video information in digital form will have a far reaching impact on the way people communicate and access information,'' said Gates. ``Intel and Microsoft share this vision of digital video computing, and as a result, we are pleased to be incorporating Intel's Indeo technology in Video for Windows.''

Intel is an international manufacturer of microcomputer components, modules and systems.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows, Modular Windows and

Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corp..

Intel is a registered trademark and Indeo, Intel386 and Intel486 are

trademarks of Intel Corp.

CONTACT: Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash. Collins Hemingway or Marty Taucher, 206/882-8080 or General Sales and Product Information, 800/426-9400 or Intel Corp. (California) Pam Pollace, 408/765-1435 or Waggener Edstrom, Portland, Ore. June McLaren or Alison O'Brien, 503/245-0905 14:09 ET NOV 10, 1992