Rockford Corporation will introduce its new product lines for 2003, for the mobile, professional, and home theater audio markets, at the CES Show in Las Vegas on January 9-12.

Gary Suttle, president and chief executive officer commented, “This should be a very exciting show for us. We have five great mobile audio brands introducing many new products. We have been awarded five Innovations 2003 Design and Engineering Honoree Awards and one Mobile Audio Best of Honoree Award for our new Omnifi product co-designed by Rockford Fosgate and SimpleDevices. We are very proud to introduce Omnifi, which we believe offers the next generation of connected consumer electronics providing unsurpassed performance and convenience. Simply explained, Omnifi uses the popular Wi-Fi home-networking technology to stream digital music from the PC to the home stereo and to deliver digital music and information to a hard-drive based entertainment system in the car.”

Mr. Suttle, continued, “We are also very pleased to be introducing new home theater products at the show for Fosgate Audionics, MB Quart and NHT. NHT is our most recently acquired brand for home theater and we are excited to have it as part of our family of brands. With superior electronics products from Fosgate Audionics and outstanding speaker products from MB Quart and NHT, we believe we should see a lot of momentum in our home theater lines this year.”

About Rockford

Rockford is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of high-performance audio systems for the mobile, professional, and home theater audio markets. Rockford’s mobile audio products are marketed under the Rockford Fosgate, Lightning Audio, MB Quart and Q-Logic brand names. Rockford’s home theater products are marketed under the Fosgate Audionics, MB Quart and NHT brand names. Rockford recently completed an investment in SimpleDevices, which licenses its standards-based SimpleWareT and SimpleMedia ServicesT software to consumer electronics, PC, automotive and network equipment OEMs.

Rockford Corporation Web Site

In its January 2003 issue, ProSound News has named Anders Fauerskov, CEO of the TC Group, “Person of the Year.”

ProSound chose Mr. Fauerskov for his successful efforts to elevate TC Electronic to the position of a dominant player in the studio hardware world. TC has also diversified by restaking its claim in the SR and MI markets, both in hardware and software, and by purchasing the TGI group of businesses this year.

At a time where many businesses are reducing operations, the TC Group under Fauerskov’s leadership has managed to grow and prosper, thus providing a role model for other pro audio companies.

ProSound says that based on its success to date, the TC Group will be a company to watch for years to come.

D-BOX Technology announced today that they will be showing a four-row version of their new Odyssee(TM) XL (for Xtra Lift) Motion Simulator system in conjunction with JVC at the Mandalay Bay Resort during next month’s 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. This will be the first public demonstration of the recently released Odyssee XL system in a multi-row configuration and will be featured as part of a complete 20-seat home theater within the JVC exhibit in South Pacific Ballroom “J” at the Mandalay Bay Resort, 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South during CES from January 9th through the 12th.

Michel Jacques, D-BOX Technology president and founder, said, “We met some key JVC personnel at last summer’s D-VHS(R)/D-Theater(R) Movie Festival at Widescreen Review and they asked if we’d be interested in participating in their off-site exhibit at CES. We felt that this was an excellent opportunity to showcase our new Odyssee XL systems, particularly with an innovative technology leader like JVC whose exciting new D-VHS/D-Theater high definition movie format we’re already supporting with our proprietary Odyssee motion programming.”

D-BOX began shipping their patented, award-winning Odyssee Motion Simulation systems in January of 2001, and there are already over 100 systems installed in high-end home theaters around the world. Each system consists of a Kinetron(TM) Motion Controller and at least four motor-driven Kinetron Actuators and utilizes proprietary motion codes which automatically synchronize with standard DVD and D-VHS movies to produce highly realistic motions in three planes (Up/Down, Left/Right, Front/Back) at up to 2 Gs of acceleration. The D-BOX team of highly skilled motion programmers create these motion codes frame-by-frame for specific movies and the firm now has over 150 blockbuster movie titles programmed for Odyssee with 8-10 new titles currently being added monthly and shipped to registered owners on CD-ROM disks.

About D-BOX Technology, Inc.

Founded in 1992, D-BOX Technology, Inc., an international leader in innovative, cutting-edge products and services for the growing home entertainment industry, markets state-of-the-art home entertainment products, including amplified subwoofers and home theater speaker systems. D-BOX’s latest technology, the patented, award-winning Odyssee Motion Simulation Systems transform home theater systems into virtual reality experiences and are available through select custom installers and audio/video specialty retailers throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

D-BOX Web Site

Event to be Held at Surround 2002 Conference, December 13 in Los Angeles

Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Graham Nash has been named Surround Music Artist of the Year by the First Annual Surround Music Awards (SMAs) for his breakthrough DVD-Audio disc Songs for Survivors (DTS Entertainment). The recording, his first solo album in more than 15 years, was actually released in the new surround sound format prior to its stereo Compact Disc introduction.

Nash will be formally recognized along with the winners of the 11 other Surround Music Award categories in a ceremony hosted by producer Phil Ramone during the Fourth Annual Surround 2002 Conference & Showcase on the evening of December 13 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Ramone will also present the First Surround Pioneer Award to “the Godfather of 5.1 Mixing” Elliot Scheiner.

Finalists for the Surround Music Artist of the Year award included Pete Townshend for Music From Lifehouse [Eel Pie Productions/Image Entertainment]; Ringo Starr for The Best of Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band So Far [Image Entertainment]; and Alexandr Jero for Space or Dream of Life [Surround Records].

Other award nominee highlights include:

Live at Royal Albert Hall – The Who & Special Guests, which led the nominations with a total of five including Best of Show (DVD-Video) Nitty Gritty Sound – John McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson w/Jennifer Warnes, four nominations including Best of Show (DVD-Audio) A Night at the Opera – Queen, also four nominations including Best of Show (DVD-Audio) On the strong showing of A Night at the Opera, DTS Entertainment garnered a total of 10 nominations edging out Image Entertainment, which received nine. 5.1 Entertainment took home eight nominations while Sony Music totaled six. The final nominees in each category were selected by a blue ribbon judging panel of industry professionals from submissions entered by record companies, studios, and recording artists. The Nominees for the First Annual Surround Music Awards are: BEST OF SHOW Nitty Gritty Surround – John McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson w/Jennifer Warnes [AIX Records] (DVD-Audio) Live at Royal Albert Hall – The Who & Special Guests [Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) A Night at the Opera – Queen [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Audio) Opaline – Dishwalla [Immergent Records (5.1 Entertainment)] (DVD-Audio) Ziroq – Ziroq [Silverline Records (5.1 Entertainment)] (DVD-Audio) BEST MIX: NON-ORCHESTRAL Live at Royal Albert Hall – The Who & Special Guests [Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) A Night at the Opera – Queen [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Audio) Ziroq – Ziroq [Silverline Records (5.1 Entertainment)] (DVD-Audio) Night Sessions – Chris Botti [Sony (Columbia)] (SACD multichannel) Tiangolo – Michael Camillo [Telarc] (SACD multichannel) BEST MIX: ORCHESTRAL Beethoven Symphony No. 6 / Respighi Pines of Rome – New Jersey Symphony Orchestra – [AIX Records] (DVD-Audio) Handel’s Messiah – Mormon Tabernacle Choir – [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Audio) Music from Lifehouse – Pete Townshend [Eel Pie Productions / Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique – Paavo Jarvi / Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra – [Telarc] (SACD multichannel) The Hound of the Baskervilles – Rob Lane [Hear No Evil] MOST ADVENTUROUS MIX Nitty Gritty Surround – John McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson w/Jennifer Warnes [AIX Records] (DVD-Audio) A Night at the Opera – Queen [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Audio) Awaken – Various [Electromatrix (5.1 Entertainment)] (DVD-Audio) Concert for NY – Various [Sony (Columbia)] (SACD multichannel) Headhunters – Herbie Hancock [Sony (Legacy)] (SACD multichannel) BEST MADE FOR SURROUND TITLE Nitty Gritty Surround – John McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson w/Jennifer Warnes [AIX Records] (DVD-Audio) Dig Up the Astroturf – Jeff Trott [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Audio) In the Flesh Live – Roger Waters [Sony (Columbia)] (SACD multichannel) Space or Dream of Life – Alexandr Jero [Surround Records] (DTS 5.1 Surround) Latin – Los Angeles Guitar Quartet [Telarc] (SACD multichannel) BEST HI-RES STEREO-ONLY PROGRAM Let It Bleed – The Rolling Stones [ABKCO] (SACD Hybrid) Leon Russell – Leon Russell [Hi Res Music] (DVD-A 2-channel) Trio – Monty Alexander, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis [Hi Res Music] (DVD-A 2-channel) Brazilian Soul – Laurindo Almeida and Charlie Byrd [Hi Res Music] (DVD-A 2-channel) BEST STANDARD RESOLUTION TITLE Live at Royal Albert Hall – The Who & Special Guests [Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) Music from Lifehouse – Pete Townshend [Eel Pie Productions/Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) Candyman – Steve Lukather [DTS Entertainment] (DTS 5.1 Surround) The White Elephant Sessions – Various [3 Bone Audio] BEST MENU DESIGN Songs for Survivors – Graham Nash [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Audio) Awaken – Various [Electromatrix (5.1 Entertainment)] (DVD-Audio) Opaline – Dishwalla [Immergent Records (5.1 Entertainment)] (DVD-Audio) Ziroq – Ziroq [Silverline Records (5.1 Entertainment)] (DVD-Audio) Foreigner 4 – Foreigner [Warner Bros.] (DVD-Audio) BEST ADDITIONAL FEATURES Live at Royal Albert Hall – The Who & Special Guests [Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) Nitty Gritty Surround – John McEuen and Jimmy Ibbotson w/Jennifer Warnes [AIX Records] (DVD-Audio) Songs for Survivors – Graham Nash [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Audio) Opaline – Dishwalla [Immergent Records (5.1 Entertainment)] (DVD-Audio) Magnification – Yes [Warner Bros.] BEST CONCERT VIDEO Live at Royal Albert Hall – The Who & Special Guests [Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) Music from Lifehouse -Pete Townshend [Eel Pie Productions/Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) The Best of Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band So Far – Ringo Starr [Image Entertainment] (DVD-Video) Live in NY – Bruce Springsteen [Sony (Columbia)] (DVD-Video) The Fabulous Thunderbirds Live – The Fabulous Thunderbirds [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Video) BEST MULTICHANNEL REISSUE A Night at the Opera – Queen [DTS Entertainment] (DVD-Audio) American Beauty – Grateful Dead [Warner Bros.] The Last Waltz – The Band [Warner Bros.] “Who Are You” – CSI – The Who [Hear No Evil] JT – James Taylor [Sony (Columbia)]

Spruce Technologies, Inc., DTS (Digital Theatre Systems, Inc.) and Minnetonka Audio Software today announced the first integrated solution for encoding, previewing and authoring DTS digital surround audio within DVD productions.

The announcement pairs Spruce’s DVDMaestro DVD-authoring system with Minnetonka’s new Surcode DVD Professional software, which recently met the rigorous requirements of DTS certification. Surcode DVD Professional allows users to encode uncompressed audio into the DTS algorithm for use in a DVD, eliminating cost and time for sending material out of house for encoding.

Spruce will offer Surcode DVD Professional as an option to DVDMaestro, its professional DVD authoring solution for Windows NT. In addition, the most recent software release of DVDMaestro, Version 2.8, supports preview of DTS-format audio content during authoring, using the Netstream 2000 board from Sigma Designs. DVDMaestro 2.8 with the Netstream 2000 card and Surcode DVD Professional option provide DVD authors a complete, easy, end-to-end solution for DTS audio on Windows NT-based systems.

“Until recently, it’s been costly and time consuming for authors to incorporate the preferred sound of DTS in their DVD productions, because all the encoding was done by DTS or third party encoding houses,” said Gary Hall, Spruce senior product manager. “The Spruce, DTS and Minnetonka agreement expands the market potential for DTS by offering convenience, control and significantly lower costs.”

Hall added that a key benefit for users of the new encoding option is the ability to monitor the production from within the system and make changes before formatting a final DVD. “In DVD production there are three key elements: quality control, quality control, and quality control. Without monitoring capability built into the system, authoring with DTS has been a shot in the dark, with no chance to check video/audio sync, etc. until the discs come off the burner.”

As a primary alternative to Dolby audio AC-3 for 5.1 surround on DVD, DTS digital surround audio is growing rapidly in adoption, with support from leading Hollywood directors and music lovers worldwide. With the affordability and unhindered access to DTS offered by the Spruce- Minnetonka-DTS option, DVD authors can now easily leverage DTS 5.1 audio to meet customer demand for advanced audio fidelity in DVD production.

“We recently put together a 10-minute promotional piece on Alpine’s high-end surround systems for cars, and we wanted to leverage the fidelity of DTS,” said John Torcello, president of SpeeDVD, a southern California DVD authoring service facility which was assigned the project by producer Fletcher Murray of The Association, www.theassociation.tv, in Burbank, Calif. “We used DVDMaestro with the Minnetonka Surcode DVD Professional, and turned the production around in record time. Being able to monitor the project without burning discs saved us days and helped meet our deadline with Alpine.”

“With the introduction of the Minnetonka DTS encoder board and Surcode DVD Professional, Minnetonka is providing the real missing piece in DVD authoring-user driven, affordable surround encoding,” said John Schur, Minnetonka president and CEO. “Our partnership with Spruce and DTS allows us to provide DTS quality audio to a broad DVD authoring market.”

“We’re very excited that Spruce customers now have an easy, seamless, end-to-end solution that makes DTS encoding very simple,” said Brian Caldwell, marketing director, Pro Audio and Broadcast, DTS.

Along with all Spruce authoring systems, DVDMaestro incorporates Spruce’s advanced data abstraction, which not only makes authoring simpler but provides major improvements in productivity. Rather than dropping back into code writing, as users of competing systems frequently do, Spruce users spend their time on creative decisions or making more titles

About Minnetonka Audio

Minnetonka Audio Software has been making software for professional sound recording and editing since 1990. Minnetonka’s specialty is Surround Sound, being the first company to offer an integrated application for Surround Sound recording and editing, and the first company to offer both Dolby(r) and DTS(r) licensed software encoders for Surround Sound.

About DTS

DTS is an international digital technology company specializing in multi-channel audio. DTS is featured on more than 20,000 motion picture screens worldwide, in a variety of products from all major consumer electronics manufacturers, in automobiles, in computers, on games for DVD-ROM, and on films and music for DVD and CD. DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc. of Agoura Hills, California. International offices for the company are located in the United Kingdom and in Japan. For further information, visit www.dtsonline.com.

About Spruce Technologies, Inc.

Spruce Technologies, Inc. is a global market leader in DVD authoring applications for the creation of interactive broadband content. At the core of every Spruce application is a modular authoring architecture known as the SpruceCore, supporting the most complex commercial DVD projects without requiring extensive programming expertise. Spruce’s award-winning solutions include: DVDMaestro(tm), the market leading professional DVD authoring solution; DVDTransfer(tm), the world’s first automated system for unattended conversion of videotape to DVD; DVD Performer(tm), the first professional yet affordable integrated DVD encoding and authoring solution; and SpruceUp(tm), the first full-featured personal DVD authoring solution for Windows PCs. These applications support SpruceLink(tm), a breakthrough WebDVD technology for installation-free playback of Web-enabled DVD titles on CD-ROM and DVD-ROM equipped PCs. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Spruce Technologies is a privately-he! ld company with a track record of profitable growth since its founding in 1996. For more information, contact Spruce at 408-861-2200, or visit our Website: http://www.spruce-tech.com.