Indianapolis, IN, December 11, 2003 – Escient, the pioneering technology leader in advanced audio/video products that seamlessly meld the power of the Internet with intuitive home-entertainment devices, today announced it has begun shipping its breakthrough FireBall DVDM-100 DVD and CD Music Manager. The ultimate entertainment management system, the easy-to-use FireBall DVDM-100 features a graphical on-screen interface that allows users to easily manage and control more than 1,200 DVDs and CDs that are stored and protected in selected Sony and Kenwood DVD changers. Designed as the ideal companion to Escient’s FireBall E-40 and E-120 Digital Music Managers for streaming MP3s and iRadio to multiple rooms, the DVDM-100 marks a major step forward in lifestyle-enhancing home entertainment management.

In making the announcement Escient President Bernie Sepaniak stated: “Anyone who owns over a hundred DVDs or CDs knows the aggravation of trying to find what they want when they want it. The Fireball DVDM-100 is designed to function as the ultimate nerve center of a home entertainment system, offering instant access to all your DVD and CDs, with a free Internet database service that provides all the information you want about movies and CDs while you enjoy them, and much more. With the release of this product, Escient once again lives up to its ‘We make technology behave’ commitment by providing cutting-edge convergence products that offer tangible lifestyle benefits.”

Just Think About What You Want to Play – The DVDM-100 Does The Rest!
The DVDM-100 makes it easier than ever before to enjoy any DVD or CD in your collection -- practically as soon as you think about it. Here’s how the system works: The DVDM-100 interface appears on a standard TV, touch panel, control system or as text on keypads. Users simply scroll down a list and select whichever movie or music disc they want to play. Then, at the touch of a button, the DVDM-100 utilizes Escient’s patented automatic transport and identification technologies to instantly find and play the desired disc. Best of all, by tapping into Escient’s world-renowned OpenGlobe Entertainment Services and Internet DVD database, as well as Gracenote’sä CDDBÒ music service, the DVDM-100 provides users with an integrated movie guide and player that displays movie titles, cast biographies, ratings, release years, cover art – as well as the physical location for all DVDs in the external changers. While connected to the Internet, customers can also find information about their favorite actors, musicians or bands, filmographies, discographies and more, as well as purchase DVDs and CDs directly from the OpenGlobe Entertainment site.

Organize By Genre; Create Favorite Playlists and More…
For added convenience, the DVDM-100 organizes DVDs and CDs by genre, allowing users to arrange all their movies and music by style. To personalize a collection even further, users can change a genre or even create one of their own, simply by pressing the “Options” button on the remote and following a few easy steps. This feature also makes it easy to create favorite song or movie playlists. The FireBall DVDM-100 also includes an advanced parental control feature that lets parents monitor and place viewing restrictions on their children based on a movie’s rating.

Easy Connectivity; Home Entertainment Compatibility…
The FireBall DVDM-100’s built-in 10/100 Ethernet connector and 56K modem allows easy connection to a variety of in-home, high-speed broadband and wireless networks. The DVDM-100 also allows users to view, manage, and play MP3* music stored on an original Escient FireBall, or the FireBall E-40 and E-120, music servers when connected on the same home network. The DVDM-100 will also play a variety of Internet Radio Stations provided by Sirius Satellite Radio, Radio Free Virgin and others.

The FireBall DVDM-100 provides complete and automatic video and audio switching and pass-through support for up to three DVD or CD changers. This complete audio and video support includes three component, composite and s-video inputs, three digital Toslink and coax audio inputs, and even three sets of 5.1 channel analog audio inputs to support automatic multi-channel and stereo switching for DVD-Audio, SACD, and CD music titles.

The DVDM-100 will also control external A/V receivers switching them to the correct surround mode and multi-channel audio input for the type of disc played. Four serial ports and three S-link ports are included for changer control, touch panel support, and the ability to be controlled by third party controls systems such as Crestron and AMX.

Easily installed in as little as 15 minutes, the DVDM-100 ships with “Quick Set-Up” instructions that show several connection options. Bi-directional protocol and example programming modules are available on the Escient SUPPORT section of this website.

The Fireball DVDM-100 is currently available and carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,999.

About Escient
Escient is a division of Digital Networks North America, Inc. (DNNA), a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M Holdings U.S., Inc., and is the pioneering leader in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, sales, distribution and support of a groundbreaking new category of audio/video products that meld the power of the Internet seamlessly with intuitive home-entertainment devices. Escient’s products and services are designed to enhance the entertainment experience by providing previously unheard-of ways to access music, movies and related content throughout the home. The company possesses a deep portfolio of designs for new products including media servers, DVD systems, remote players and networking and streaming devices, that are brought to market under the Escient brand through a channel of over 800 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Mexico, and in partnership with other leading global consumer electronics brands