Apple Deliver QuickTime 2.0 for Windows

Full-Screen, Full-Motion Video and Much More Now Available for Windows-based PC Developers and Users

CUPERTINO, Calif., Nov. 9, 1994 -- PRNewswire -- Advancing the company's strategy to offer multimedia standards that are compatible between different computer platforms, Apple Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq-NNM: AAPL) today announced the availability of QuickTime 2.0 for Windows. QuickTime 2.0 for Windows offers developers a cross-platform standard for creating, using and sharing multimedia content between Apple Macintosh and Windows-based personal computers. In addition, it offers Windows-based PC consumers higher-quality video and other multimedia features not currently possible with other Windows-based multimedia software. Apple's QuickTime is the industry-standard multimedia software that makes it possible for users to view and edit video, music, text, animations and other dynamic information on their computers.

Benefits for Developers

Using QuickTime, developers can create multimedia titles once and deliver them to many platforms including Macintosh, Windows, interactive television and Fujitsu's FM Towns. This helps multimedia developers reduce the development time and expense necessary to rework titles for different computer platforms.

Already a number of developers have agreed to use QuickTime 2.0 for Windows in their upcoming products, including Simon & Schuster Interactive for its new "Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual." Voyager, a New York-based multimedia developer, is also utilizing QuickTime 2.0 for Windows in its new titles "Spinal Tap" and "For All Mankind." Both Simon & Schuster Interactive's and Voyager's products take advantage of QuickTime 2.0 for Window's full-screen video and text capabilities -- features not available in other multimedia software products.

"QuickTime 2.0 for Windows allows you to bring the film center stage," said Bob Stein, president of The Voyager Company. "Without it, we wouldn't have been able to produce a CD-ROM like 'Spinal Tap,' which offers near CD-quality stereo sound, multiple audio tracks, and built-in video search capabilities keyed from the text track."

"QuickTime 2.0 for the Macintosh was a quantum leap forward for software-only digital video playback," said Greg Roach, founder of Hyperbole Studios. "With the cross-platform capabilities of QuickTime 2.0 for Windows, QuickTime solidifies its position as the leading digital video standard. HyperBole Studios is thrilled to have the additional features of QuickTime 2.0 for Windows."

"Clearly, at this time, QuickTime is the only solution for multi-platform titles," said Jim Black, vice president of Xiphias, developer of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers CD-ROM title.

More than Just Video

QuickTime 2.0 for Windows includes support for full-motion, full-screen video, and supports MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group), a standard that allows for smoother, higher-quality video. Unlike the "postage-stamp" sized video of years past, QuickTime 2.0 for Windows now makes it possible for users to play full-motion video even on entry-level personal computers. For example, it's now possible to play video at 30 frames per second on a 25 MHz 486 computer with just 4 MB RAM.

"QuickTime is the de facto multimedia standard for Macintosh and Windows," said Duncan Kennedy, QuickTime product line manager at Apple. "Windows users can now enjoy much higher-quality video without additional hardware. Also, for the first time, they can seamlessly integrate virtually any kind of media using industry-standard QuickTime software."

QuickTime 2.0 for Windows integrates and synchronizes photographs, music, computer animation, musical scores, CD-quality audio, text, and digital video opening up new creative possibilities and reducing production time.

QuickTime 2.0 for Windows has new music capabilities that make it easier to include music with CD-ROM titles and presentations -- without requiring a technical understanding of MIDI technology. Using the capabilities of MIDI and sound add-on cards, QuickTime synchronizes MIDI-generated music with video and digital audio. QuickTime 2.0 for Windows also features audio compression which brings CD-quality audio into multimedia presentations -- while using just 1/4 of the space required by uncompressed audio.

It is also easier to incorporate and use words within reference titles and interactive books using QuickTime 2.0 for Windows, due to support for searchable, anti-aliased text.

In addition, QuickTime 2.0 for Windows compression capabilities enable customers with limited hard disk space and no CD-ROM drive to take advantage of multimedia creation and playback. For example, a 20-slide multimedia sales presentation created in QuickTime 2.0 for Windows with compressed high-resolution images, music and text can fit on a single 1 MB floppy disk.

Developer Availability/Pricing

Developers can license QuickTime 2.0 for Windows immediately for redistribution with applications, titles and media clip libraries that support QuickTime. The cost is $300 per year, per title. Developers can license both the Macintosh and Windows versions for $400 per year, per title. For licensing information, contact Apple Software Licensing at 512-919-2645 or via AppleLink at SW.LICENSE.

The QuickTime 2.0 for Windows Software Developers Kit is expected to be available in early 1995 for $195. To order, call 1-800-282-2732 in the U.S., 1-800-637-0029 in Canada, or 716-871-6555 for other countries.

Online Distribution for End-Users

QuickTime 2.0 for Macintosh and QuickTime 2.0 for Windows is available on-line in The Store on ZiffNet/Mac and ZiffNet. ZiffNet/Mac and ZiffNet are the on-line information services all about computing, from Ziff-Davis Interactive, hosted on the CompuServe Information Service. Ziffnet/Mac members can type GO MACSTORE and ZiffNet members can type GO STORE to download the new QuickTime 2.0 extension, a musical instruments extension, sample music movies and version 1.0 of Apple's Movie Player application, for $14.95. The QuickTime for Windows version will have a special introductory price of $7.95 through the end of the year. An alternate package for Power Mac users also includes the QuickTime PowerPlug for full-speed PowerPC performance.

QuickTime 2.0 is also available on the Macintosh Users Group (MAUG) on CompuServe. To access, users can type GO QTIME.

Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the information industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy to use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, online services, and personal digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, Apple develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products, technologies and services for the business, education, consumer, scientific & engineering and government markets in over 140 countries.

NOTE: Apple, the Apple logo and Macintosh are registered trademarks and QuickTime is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Other products or companies mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies and are used with no intent to infringe upon that trademark.

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Related documents about QuickTime 2.0 are available:

-- Press Release: Sneak Preview of "Interview With a Vampire," dated 11/9/94

-- The QuickTime 2.0 for Windows Technical Backgrounder (Press and analysts can receive this document by calling Debby Riveness, Apple Public Relations, at 408-974-5191.)/

/CONTACT: Katy Boos of Apple Computer, 408-974-4451, or email: gillin.k@applelink.apple.com/ 08:06 EST