NEWS BRIEFS

New Orleans, LA — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has chosen SGI as a strategic provider to demonstrate its vision for the future of computer entertainment in the broadband network era. The company will use a newly debuted SGI Origin 3000 series server – a breakthrough product in high-performance modular computing – as the broadband server for its GScube demonstrations in SCEI Booth 853 in Hall F at SIGGRAPH 2000, the leading international conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques, held July 25 – 27 in New Orleans.

The real-time technology demonstrations will give trade-show attendees a first-time-ever glimpse at groundbreaking concepts in computer entertainment, e-cinema and the future of in-theater entertainment through networked distribution of digital content.

“We are thrilled that Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has chosen an SGI Origin 3000 series server for this broadband entertainment demonstration,” said Greg Estes, vice president and general manager, Telecommunications and Media Group, SGI. “The SGI Origin 3000 series is a milestone for the industry and for SGI – and this demonstration allows people to see firsthand how SGI technology is a vital part of entertainment and broadband Media Commerce.”

The SGI Origin 3000 series is part of the SGI 3000 family of systems, which employ a breakthrough in modular design and computer architecture that stands to revolutionize high-performance and broadband computing. Available immediately, the SGI Origin 3000 series of servers and SGI Onyx 3000 series of visualization systems promise flexibility, resiliency, overall investment protection and superior performance.

SGI Origin 3000 series servers and SGI Onyx 3000 series visualization systems utilize the unique SGI NUMAflex modular technology, a brick-like system for constructing small to very large configurations from a common set of building blocks. The NUMAflex modular system allows users to build the optimum configuration one component at a time and adopt new technologies that map to their specific business or research needs. In contrast, traditional high-performance and broadband computers may need to be replaced all at once as often as once a year to keep up with competitive demands and technological changes – a costly and cumbersome process.

For SCEI, the SGI Origin 3000 series represents “the kind of power needed to fuel the next generation of broadband entertainment,” said Ken Kutaragi, president and chief executive officer, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “We have a vision of the future of entertainment and SGI is an integral partner in demonstrating that vision.”

SCEI’s booth at SIGGRAPH 2000 offers a glimpse of the framework for the future evolution of the networked digital entertainment market. This environment is divided into quadrants each demonstrating specific GScube applications. These areas include the following: broadband entertainment via the SGI Origin 3400 broadband server, a broadband content production area, an e-cinema theater featuring IMAX projection technology and a home entertainment theater setup.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc (SCEI) manufactures, distributes and markets the PlayStation game console and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these two platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of Sony Corporation.

SGI provides a broad range of high-performance computing and advanced graphics solutions that enable customers to understand and conquer their toughest computing problems. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., with offices worldwide, the company is located on the Web at http://www.sgi.com .

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