InterActual® StoryDrivers™ Now Support Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition

“Secondhand Lions” the first DVD title to ship with custom StoryDriver special features for Windows XP Media Center PCs

SAN JOSE, CA, (January 8, 2004) – InterActual Technologies, Inc. announced today the release of the StoryDrivers for Media Center Edition 2004 PCs. StoryDrivers are a set of enhanced DVD-ROM computer features that enable moviemakers to add highly interactive activities to their value-added materials.

“Secondhand Lions” from New Line Home Entertainment (available in stores February 3, 2004) is the first title to ship with the powerful StoryDriver software included on the disc that can be accessed both in the traditional DVD-ROM computer experience as well as within the Windows XP Media Center Edition experience. StoryDriver features on this title include Scene Medleys that enable producers to combine multimedia assets like text, audio, and graphics to custom playlists within a video title. Other exclusive features include an enhanced photo gallery and a highlighted digest version of the director’s commentary track.

“We like how InterActual designed the StoryDrivers to add compelling experiences and activities that are relevant and enhance the storytelling capability of our DVD titles,” said Michael Mulvihill, VP of DVD Production at New Line Cinema. “We are really excited to see Windows XP Media Center Edition migrate these powerful features into the living room.”

The StoryDriver Suite is modular in design so studios can pick and choose options from a menu to fit the particular needs of a title. StoryDriver modules make creating content quick, easy and inexpensive, and also offer huge advantages such as requiring minimal disc space and reducing the risk of technical problems in the field. StoryDriver Feature applications include standard methods to marry the original feature program with synchronized media such as text or graphics to create for example; comic strips that roll in real time with the movie, or read-along applications for children’s titles. InterActual took particular care to make the StoryDriver Features forward looking to set-top integration and the 10-foot experience provided by the Media Center.

“Microsoft looks forward to the creative ways DVD producers and developers will use StoryDrivers to design exciting new content that can be enjoyed through Media Center PCs,” said Brad Brooks, director of marketing, Windows eHome division at Microsoft Corp. “Windows XP Media Center Edition provides a strong and powerful platform for delivering innovative and exciting digital experiences in the home. As a result, audiences can now enjoy enhanced and interactive DVD computer features, all with the ease of use and convenience provided by Media Center Edition.

More people are making the DVD player part of their PC and home entertainment systems, so it is no secret the DVD industry is exploding. According to recent data compiled by Centris, more than 30 million U.S. consumer households have DVD-ROM enabled PCs. This number is expected to double by the end of 2006 according to Adams Media Research.

ABOUT INTERACTUAL

InterActual Technologies, Inc. (<http://www.interactual.com>) is the leading provider of software and services that enhance DVD movie viewing on computers and next-generation consumer electronics devices. InterActual offers an exclusive line of platform-based solutions for integrating DVD content with the Internet and additional on-disc bonus features. The InterActual platform enables DVD producers to augment the original feature program with compelling and relevant features and activities. InterActual has become the de facto standard for DVD-ROM content creation and integration, shipping on over 1000 major DVD titles representing hundreds of millions discs. Incorporated in 1995, the company is headquartered in San Jose, California and has satellite offices in Los Angeles, California.

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InterActual, the InterActual spotlight logo, and/or other InterActual products referenced are trademarks or registered trademarks of InterActual Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. © Copyright 2004 InterActual Technologies, Inc.