ApeXtreme PC Game Console Wins Best of CES in Home Audio & Video

Apex Digital, Inc.'s PC game console, the ApeXtreme (pronounced Apex Extreme), has been honored as the best new home audio or video product introduced at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The award was bestowed as part of TechTV's Best of CES award program.

TechTV chose the best and brightest in 10 categories from more than 5,000 new products making their debut at the 2004 International CES. The contest was only open to exhibitors at the show and only to those products that were introduced at the 2004 International CES or available for sale after Dec. 1, 2003. The TechTV appointed panel of technology journalists selected winners in each category according to their innovative appeal, usability, usefulness, and value.

"Our judges were really impressed with this year's submissions and the level of innovation and design," commented Andrew Hawn, TechTV's product lab director, and coordinator of the contest. "Each year the competition seems to get tougher and tougher, but we know consumers will really love these 10 new products."

The ApeXtreme moves PC versions of electronic games out of the computer room and into the TV room, giving gamers the ability to play their favorite PC-only games on a console machine, with a bigger game image -- on their standard TV.

The device also combines all the most popular features of Apex Digital's successful line of DVD players such as Component, Composite, S-Video and DVI output with everything a gamer could want in a game console like a 1.2 GHz processor, 40GB hard drive and networking capabilities. Additionally, the ApeXtreme boasts 5.1 channel digital audio output, as well as the ability to playback a variety of CD and DVD formats. It will be available to consumers later in the first quarter of this year. Suggested retail price is $399.

"By selecting the ApeXtreme as one of the 'Best of CES,' the judges have told the world what we have known since we began developing the device," said Apex Digital President Steve Brothers, "that this device will be a hit. The positive reaction to the ApeXtreme by our customers and other visitors to our booth was astounding. To be selected as one of the 10 best new products at the show is the icing on the cake."

Just like a proprietary game console, there is no waiting to play games on the ApeXtreme. Unlike personal computers, there's no "boot-up" time with the ApeXtreme -- turn it on, drop in the game CD/DVD and you're ready to play. The device's unique game-play ability is made possible by a patented Drop & Play Engine, developed by Digital Interactive System Corporation (DISC). Apex has partnered with DISC to bring this groundbreaking technology to market.

"We have been excited about the idea of a PC game console since we first patented the concept," said DISC President Avraham DorEl. "We're pleased that the tech-savvy 'Best of CES' judges agree that the market is ready for a dedicated PC game console like the ApeXtreme."