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NETGEAR Announces the Digital Entertainer, Featuring Seamless Media Streaming to TVs and Home Entertainment Systems (9/10/2006)

NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) First Digital Media Adapter Verified to Work with Intel Viiv Technology; Two Popular Wireless Routers Also Verified to Enable Access to Content and Services through Home Networks

NETGEAR, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, today introduced the first Intel Viiv technology-verified digital media adapter (DMA), the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700), bringing home computers and home entertainment systems together. The sleek and stylish Digital Entertainer enables consumers to stream digital media content, applications and services from PCs, network storage devices, USB devices, and the Internet via a home network to TVs and home entertainment systems.

NETGEAR has also received Intel Viiv technology verification for its best-selling RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless Router (WGR614), which enables an easy installation process with the Digital Entertainer and Intel Viiv technology-based PCs.

"Where people store their files and access the Internet shouldn't limit where, when or how they enjoy their digital entertainment," said Vivek Pathela, NETGEAR's vice president of product marketing. "Previously you used your PC, but now you can also enjoy the same videos, photos and music on your TV, in the comfort of your family room. We've dedicated considerable effort to ensure options for high-quality video streaming for hours of uninterrupted video playback, so digital media and services can be delivered from the PC to home theatres across multiple rooms. Like other NETGEAR products, our Digital Entertainer and wireless routers verified to work with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs are characterised by their elegance, reliability and simplicity."

Intel Viiv technology is Intel's new brand for in-home entertainment PCs designed to transform how consumers manage, share, and enjoy a growing assortment of movies, programs, music, games, and photos. The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer enables TV viewers to access digital videos, music and photos stored on the Intel Viiv technology-based PC via their home network. The Digital Entertainer also supports services and applications through the Intel Viiv Zone, which will provide over time a growing choice of on-demand, Internet-delivered premium content including music and music videos, information services, sports and TV shows, full-length movies, and other entertainment. Other Intel Viiv technology features supported include the ability to wake a sleeping PC from the Digital Entertainer, and simplified device set-up via Intel Hub Connect Technology Ñ which also requires a verified router such as the NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless Router (WGR614).

"We are pleased to announce that NETGEAR has completed the verification process for the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer, and it will carry the 'Enjoy with Intel Viiv technology' logo," said Gerald Holzhammer, vice president, Digital Home Group and general manager of Intel's Consumer PC Platform Group. "Intel Viiv technology-based PCs, together with verified content, Internet-delivered services and verified connected devices such as the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer, enable consumers to enjoy the in-home digital entertainment experience."

Consumers connect the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer to their existing home networks through wired Ethernet for best results, or through an 802.11g wireless standard-compliant router such as the Intel Viiv technology verified NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824) and 54 Mbps Wireless Router (WGR614). For a proven wired Ethernet alternative, consumers can use the NETGEAR 200 Mbps Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB101) to stream high quality video across multiple rooms in the house to ensure hours of uninterrupted video playback.

User-friendliness is a hallmark of NETGEAR products. The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) features an intuitive TV user interface that enables families to browse their digital movie, video, music and photo files using a single remote control. In addition to Intel Viiv technology based-PCs, the NETGEAR Digital Entertainer supports access to content on standard Windows XP PCs through Windows Media Connect as well as other Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) media servers such as TwonkyMedia. The Digital Entertainer can also stream content via the home network from the NETGEAR Storage Central (SC101), associated with a PC, and many USB storage devices such as flash drives, digital cameras and iPods. With its smooth burnished platinum casing, similar in size to a standard DVD player, the Digital Entertainer is a stylish addition to entertainment system cabinets.

"Twenty-five percent of U.S. homes now have a home network. Any appliance that simplifies downloading, storing and viewing of the types of digital entertainment consumers create or buy should perform extraordinarily well in the marketplace," said Harry Wang, a research analyst with Parks Associates, a Dallas-based market research firm that specialises in residential and small office technology analysis. "The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer EVA700 promises to be an excellent conduit between PCs and TVs - and many other kinds of digital devices and formats that are on the network."

The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) decodes many leading audio formats (MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC), video formats (MPEG1/2/4, WMV, XviD) and image formats (JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF). It integrates a 10/100Base-T Ethernet controller, support for 802.11g wireless networking, and a USB 2.0 port for additional connectivity with flash memory, digital cameras, iPod, or other portable music and video players. The Digital Entertainer also includes RCA connectors for composite and component video outputs with HD video support, stereo RCA audio ports, an S-video port, and a SCART connector for regions that require it. The Digital Entertainer complies with multiple interoperability standards, including UPnP AV, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), and emerging digital rights management technologies such as DTCP-IP and Microsoft¨ Windows Media DRM 10 for Network Devices. It supports several security standards including WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK.

The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700) is available now through select retailers, e-commerce sites and value-added resellers. Backed by a one-year warranty and 24/7 technical support, it has an MSRP of £200. The NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless Router (WPN824), 54 Mbps Wireless Router (WGR614), and 200Mbps Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter Kit (HDXB101) are already widely available.

www.netgear.co.uk