STARBAK Introduces the Next-Generation Gateway for Streaming H.323 Video conferences over any IP Network

Powerful, Multi-Format Platform to be Unveiled from April 8th to April 11th at NAB in Las Vegas and at the e-Learning Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C., at Booth #1110

Columbus, OH - April 4, 2002 -- STARBAK Communications, the leader in award-winning, robust streaming media solutions, today announced the release of the Torrent VCG Video Conferencing Gateway™, for high-performance, multi-format streaming of H.323 Video conferences over any IP network. Designed with the requirements of end users in mind, the Torrent VCG provides corporations, government, academic and medical organizations with a powerful, yet easy-to-use and cost-effective solution for the widescale deployment of IP communications over their existing infrastructure.

The Torrent VCG streams, records, and archives any H.323 video conference over any IP network, for viewing in Windows Media Technology, RealPlayer, and Apple QuickTime. It is the next-generation platform of STARBAK’s Torrent CE, the world’s first and only H.323 videoconferencing to streaming media gateway, and winner of Internet Telephony’s Product of the Year Award. The Torrent VCG is ten times more powerful than the Torrent CE, supporting up to 20 live streams simultaneously and can saturate up to 1 Gigabit Ethernet.

"This announcement of our new Torrent VCG platform reflects our commitment to delivering cutting-edge products with the goal of accelerating the widescale deployment of streaming media to the desktop," said Garrett Dreier, STARBAK’s President and CEO. "With this powerful yet elegant solution, end users can finally enjoy the benefits of streaming media access at their fingertips, without making significant investments to their existing infrastructure. And with viewing availability in Windows Media, RealPlayer, and Apple QuickTime, we can honestly say that anyone, anytime, anywhere there’s a connection to the Internet, can view Video conferences off the Torrent VCG!"

The Torrent VCG will be unveiled from April 8th to 11th at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, NV, and at the e-Learning Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C., at booth #1110. To schedule a meeting at either show, please contact karen@starbak.com.

About VideoCentric Ltd
VideoCentric is a UK Reseller and International Distributor of a comprehensive range of video communications solutions. VideoCentric supplies award-winning products ranging from desktop videophones and set-top group systems to enterprise-wide IP video networks involving gateways, multipoint controllers and video-PBX software. It employs staff with almost 20 years videoconferencing industry experience making it one of the most knowledgeable sales channels in the United Kingdom. VideoCentric's multi-vendor solutions are tested for international standards compatibility and the Company offers installation, training and extended support for all of its products. Headquartered in Berkshire, England, VideoCentric markets its products and services primarily in the UK and Middle East but has also formed associations with other Companies worldwide to facilitate the global supply and support of major corporations.

About STARBAK
STARBAK Communications, privately funded, is dedicated to reducing the cost and complexity of delivering streaming multimedia to customers, employees, and business partners. The company has implemented high performance Windows Media and RTSP streaming and cache proxy engines running under various UNIX operating systems including Linux. These solutions are easily integrated into existing network infrastructures while providing performance far superior to competitive products, including the ability to stream multiple formats from a single unit. The company was founded last year in Cleveland, Ohio, and its first product, the Torrent Streaming Media Network Appliance, was launched in Q2 of 2001. STARBAK's Torrent CE Videoconferencing Gateway is the winner of Internet Telephony's prestigious Product of the Year Award.

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