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Nagase Picks BridgeCo Processor & Firmware for Network Audio Player; Japanese Conglomerate Offers Latest Digital Home Technology To European and Asian Consumers

Posted on: Monday, 15 May 2006, 09:01 CDT

BridgeCo Inc. (www.bridgeco.com), a leading provider of digital home networking solutions, announced that Japanese multi-national Nagase & Co., Ltd. has chosen BridgeCo's processor and middleware for Nagase's new Transgear APX-300 Audio Network Player. The APX-300 allows consumers to listen to music streamed from the Internet or downloaded on a PC using any audio system in their home.

Supporting both wireless WiFi(R) or wired Ethernet connections between PCs, Internet gateways and stereo systems, the APX-300 is built on BridgeCo's processor and middleware platform, which is DLNA(TM) CERTIFIED and conforms with Microsoft Windows(R) Media Connect requirements to assure the highest level of compatibility between devices. Using BridgeCo's proven platform, MP3, WMA, LPCM, WAV, PLS, M3U and ASX audio file formats are all supported by the APX-300. The APX-300 is bundled with Nagase's original DLNA CERTIFIED server/client software, called Ultimate CS. Ultimate CS incorporates real time trans-coding, enabling the APX-300 to support additional audio codecs like AAC, Ogg and Real Audio. Ultimate CS is compatible with Windows 2000 as well as Windows XP.

"Connecting consumer electronics to computers and the Internet allows users to enjoy audio content whenever--and wherever they are in their home," said Koh Hiratsuka, of the TransTechnology Division of NAGASE & CO. "After evaluating several solutions, we decided that BridgeCo offered the most mature and richly-featured platform for home media networking. Their comprehensive solution, incorporating both hardware and software, enabled Nagase to enter this market very quickly with a reliable and cost-effective product offering."

Founded in 1832, Nagase is a global manufacturer with over 100 subsidiary companies engaged in the Chemical, Plastics, Electronics and Healthcare industries. Headquartered in Tokyo and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nagase had total revenues of 460 billion Yen in FY2005.

"Nagase's tradition of carefully choosing technology partners has proven itself for over 170 years," said Gene Sheridan, CEO of BridgeCo. "We are honored that they have chosen the BridgeCo media networking platform as the vehicle for penetrating the exciting and rapidly emerging digital home market."

About BridgeCo

BridgeCo, a digital entertainment networking pioneer, offers the world's most comprehensive, cost-effective and highly integrated processor and software platforms for connecting Internet media sources, computers and consumer electronics throughout the home. BridgeCo platforms are used in a wide range of innovative and legacy products produced by the multi-billion dollar global consumer electronics industry, including digital media players, audio/video adapters, DVD players, musical instruments and breakout boxes. Its silicon and middleware platforms were among the first anywhere to be DLNA(TM) CERTIFIED, and its solutions are used by leading consumer electronics manufacturers worldwide.

Using BridgeCo's processor and bundled software, OEMs can offer stand-alone media network products, or embed networking capabilities directly into consumer products, at competitive retail price points. The company also offers market-leading solutions for FireWire(TM) audio interface systems used by musicians and other content creators.

BridgeCo is an ISO 9001-certified company with headquarters in Los Angeles, California, and operations in Zurich, Switzerland. Its key investors include Benchmark Capital, Cipio Partners (formerly Infineon Ventures), Earlybird, Fidelity Ventures, Intel Capital and Wellington Partners. For more information, please visit www.bridgeco.com.

All trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Source: Business Wire

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