Weybridge, UK, April 16, 2003 - Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX) today announced a design collaboration with World Audio Visual Entertainment Systems (W.A.V.E.S.), inventors of Kangaroo.tvtm, the world’s first wireless audio visual entertainment system designed to enhance spectator experience at a variety of sporting events worldwide. This new and unique product, containing Xilinxâ low cost Spartanâ Series chips, is a user-friendly handheld device offering access to a broad range of event specific audio and video material.
Beginning in Long Beach, California last weekend, Kangaroo.tv (www.kangaroo.tv) provided fans of the ‘Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford’ event, with the added value of being closer to the action than ever before. This forward-thinking technology, with access to rich interactive content including favorite views of the race, access to on-board or pit cameras, real-time driver standings, replays and interviews, would not have been possible without the reprogrammable nature of the Xilinx Spartan Series chips. To view the device in action, visit www.xilinx.com/company/success/kangaroo.htm.
“The Champ Car World Series is just the beginning. In addition to expanding our reach within the racing industry, we plan to broaden the availability of Kangaroo.tv to spectators at a variety of sporting events. Fans everywhere should keep an eye out for Kangaroo.tv because the possibilities are limitless,” said Alain Charette, vice president of Corporate Development at W.A.V.E.S. “Xilinx provided the low cost high-performance technology we needed to develop this innovative product, and in record time.”
“This is a perfect marriage of racing and technology and we are pleased to offer Champ Car fans the unique interactive service that Kangaroo.tv provides,” said Champ Car vice president of Marketing, Steve Fusek. “Spectators now have the opportunity to be ‘up close and personal’ with the drivers and pit crew as well as the ability to view more than one event at the same time.”
As the ‘Official Interactive Video and Audio Viewing System Provider’ several thousand Kangaroo.tv units will be available through a broad range of rental packages. The Kangaroo.tv service will be available to Champ Car fans at all but the two European races, and at all venues next year. For information on future events visit www.kangaroo.tv
W.A.V.E.S. is the first in the world to converge an innovative Proprietary Video Protocol (PVP) encoded platform with proven analog technology and a new Interactive Viewing Terminal (IVT), to develop the innovative Kangaroo.tv. What makes this new technology unique, according to W.A.V.E.S, is the Ticket to EventÔ Smartcard, which reconfigures the hardware to perform specific functions, as defined by the user through an interactive display.
“Through the power of innovation and partnerships with technology leaders such as W.A.V.E.S, Xilinx can deliver our latest technology to the masses,” said Xilinx vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Sandeep Vij. “Kangaroo TV is a prime example of how our programmable chips are further penetrating the consumer electronics industry.”
About Xilinx Spartan Series FPGAs
Marking a major milestone in the semiconductor industry just yesterday, Xilinx unveiled a new class of 90nm SpartanÒ solutions - the Spartan-3 platform. Ranging from 50K to 5M system gates, the Spartan-3 platform is the world’s lowest cost FPGA with unrivaled price points. The Spartan-3 platform builds upon the proven success of over four generations of Spartan Series solutions. Since its 1998 introduction, the company has shipped more than 50 million Spartan Series devices. Spartan Series products have been broadly adopted in high-volume, high-growth consumer applications – the most difficult high-volume market to penetrate and one historically dominated by ASICs.
About W.A.V.E.S.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Greater Montreal, Canada, W.A.V.E.S. is a company that combines both technological and business hands-on expertise. Prior to W.A.V.E.S. start up operation, its founder Marc Arseneau developed DeltaVision, a leading world manufacturer of CCTV equipment. Areseneau, a sports enthusiast and former Formula 1600 driver, proceeded with his dream to create Kangaroo and its companion, the Kangaroo Broadcasting concept.
About the Champ Car World Series
Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc. (NYSE: MPH) owns, operates and markets the 2003 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford. Veteran racing teams such as Newman/Haas Racing, Player's/Forsythe Racing, Team Rahal, Patrick Racing and Walker Racing will compete with many new teams this year in pursuit of the Vanderbilt Cup. CART Champ Cars are thoroughbred racing machines that reach speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour, showcasing the technical expertise of manufacturers such as Ford Motor Company, Lola Cars, Reynard Motorsport and Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC. The 18-race 2003 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford will be broadcast by television partners CBS and SPEED Channel. CART also owns and operates its top development series, the Toyota Atlantic Championship. Learn more about CART's open-wheel racing series at www.champcarworldseries.com.
About Xilinx
Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX) is the worldwide leader of programmable logic solutions. Additional information about Xilinx is available at www.xilinx.com.