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Imagine Communications
Launches the Broadband Industry's Most Advanced PersonalizedTV (TM)
Platform - Backed by Carmel Ventures and Columbia Capital
Other Topics: IPTV Delivery
Platform, IPTV Cellular Streaming
Imagine Communications, Inc.,
May 1, 2006
$9.2 Million Investment Validates Company's Breakthrough
Technology and Solutions for Enabling PersonalizedTV
Company Plans First Public Demonstration at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in
June
Cardiff by The Sea, CA -- Imagine Communications, Inc., a new
digital video technology company, today announced it has developed
the broadband industry's most advanced PersonalizedTV platform for
system operators, and has completed a $9.2 million first round of
venture funding from Carmel Ventures and Columbia Capital.
Imagine's powerful and scalable PersonalizedTV platform allows
operators to deliver advanced digital video programming and services
that fulfill the essence of PersonalizedTV - giving subscribers
content they want, when they want it. Imagine's breakthrough
third-generation statistical multiplexing technology and
software-based infrastructure solutions cost-effectively enable
tremendous bandwidth improvements, enhanced video quality, and
customized service offerings such as targeted ads and personalized
audio. By implementing its technology in software, Imagine is able
to leverage powerful, carrier-grade, off-the-shelf hardware that is
available from multiple suppliers. Imagine's technology can be used
in both a stored VOD (video on demand) and real-time (switched)
environment. |
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Paul Kagan, chairman/CEO of PK Worldmedia, Inc., said "VOD is a
platform that has been waiting for its moment, in a new era of
exploding platforms. The aggressive moves of content owners and
broadcasters to widen their distribution patterns are wakeup calls
to video operators to boost their streaming capacity. The addition
of HDTV to the mix - another emerging platform - increases the
competitive pressure on channel expansion."
"We're on the leading edge of a dramatic shift in television
delivery from traditional linear broadcast to an on-demand,
switched, individualized environment that allows people to watch TV
programming on their own schedules and in a more personalized way,"
said Fred Cary, Imagine's president and CEO.
Cary continued, "This march toward consumer control and flexibility
in program delivery imposes new costs and complexities on operators.
It's critical that operators cost-effectively maximize bandwidth
efficiency and capacity on their networks to ensure the seamless
delivery of high-quality video programming at the instant request
from a subscriber. We are pleased that Carmel Ventures and Columbia
Capital believe in our company, our mission and our ability to
deliver on the promise of PersonalizedTV as we make this profound
transformation a reality over the coming years."
Imagine Communications was founded last year by Ron Gutman, CTO, and
Doron Segev, VP engineering, recognized experts and inventors in the
field of digital video. Joining them are Fred Cary, president and
CEO; Marc Tayer, SVP marketing & business development; and Doron
Mick, VP operations. Together, they create a seasoned management
team with a wealth of industry experience, including digital TV and
statistical multiplexing pioneers and industry leaders who have
decades of experience in developing and deploying successful digital
video products.
"Expansion of VOD, HD-VOD, and other advanced services is the key to
broadband operators' ability to attract and retain valuable
subscribers," said Ori Bendori, general partner of Carmel Ventures.
"With Imagine's technology, operators can dramatically improve VOD
bandwidth efficiency within their existing infrastructure, while
also making new services - such as targeted ads and IPTV - much more
viable."
Imagine's initial product focuses on the MPEG-2 VOD market and
ushers in a totally different way of using standardized tools in the
areas of coding and multiplexing to ensure the best video quality at
the lowest bit rate. The company plans to unveil its initial
solution at SCTE's Cable-Tec Expo, June 20-23 in Denver.
"The future of television involves customizing the delivery of video
and related services based on subscriber demand and demographics,"
stated Phil Herget, partner at Columbia Capital. "Imagine has
developed very unique and advanced technology that enables
personalization of TV in a cost-effective and flexible manner. After
extensive due diligence, we are convinced there is a large and
growing demand for Imagine's solutions, and we're excited to be
supporting their launch and anticipated success in this space."
About Imagine Communications
Imagine Communications has launched the industry's most powerful and
scalable PersonalizedTV™ platform for broadband operators. Imagine's
breakthrough third-generation statistical multiplexing technology
and software-based infrastructure solutions enable tremendous
bandwidth improvements, enhanced video quality, and customized
service offerings such as targeted ads, personalized audio, and
more. Imagine's U.S. headquarters is in San Diego, with R&D and
engineering in Israel. Its strong management team comprises digital
TV and statistical multiplexing pioneers and industry leaders who
have decades of experience in developing and deploying successful
digital video products. For more information, visit
www.imaginecommunications.com
About Carmel Ventures
Founded in 2000 by pioneers and leaders of the Israeli high tech
industry, Carmel Ventures is one of Israel's leading venture capital
funds focused on information technology with $372 million under
management. Led by former entrepreneurs and executives of the
software, communications and investment industries, Carmel provides
active, hands-on support to its Israeli, European and U.S. portfolio
of companies. Carmel, headquartered in Herzliya, Israel enjoys a
worldwide network of industry, strategic and investment resources.
Carmel provides significant capital and support through the growth
cycle of its portfolio companies and is recognized as a true company
building fund in Israel. For more information, visit
www.carmelventures.com
About Columbia Capital
Columbia Capital is a venture capital firm specializing in the
communications and information technology industries. With its
latest $560 million fund, it now has $2 billion under management.
Based in Alexandria, VA and Waltham, MA, Columbia Capital has an
experienced investment team with diverse industry backgrounds in
entrepreneurial ventures, management, finance, regulation and
engineering. Its team has managed investments in approximately 100
companies in the communications and information technology sectors,
ranging from small, early-stage investments to multibillion-dollar
public companies. For more information, visit www.colcap.com |
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