iVAST AND CLEARSTAR SIGN MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR DEAL TO DELIVER MPEG-4 INTERACTIVE VIDEO TO CABLE OPERATORS WORLDWIDE

iVAST AND CLEARSTAR SIGN MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR DEAL TO DELIVER MPEG-4 INTERACTIVE VIDEO TO CABLE OPERATORS WORLDWIDE
Enables Cable Operators to Deploy over 5 Million Subscribers by 2005

NAB, LAS VEGAS - April 8, 2002 - iVAST, Inc., the leading provider of end-to-end MPEG-4 solutions, announced that ClearStar USA, a telecom, technology and entertainment company, has contracted iVAST to supply a complete set of MPEG-4 software and systems, enabling cable operators to deploy interactive broadband services globally. This multimillion-dollar agreement follows the successful January demonstration by iVAST and ClearStar of interactive MPEG-4 content being transmitted by satellite and distributed over existing cable networks. ClearStar's use of iVAST's MPEG-4 Platform™ allows network programmers and cable operators to capitalize on both localization and interactivity that go well beyond the capability of existing analog and digital cable systems.

iVAST and ClearStar are currently integrating and developing systems, with a beta deployment planned for May and a full deployment to begin in August 2002. Initial deployments will be in Mexico and Asia/Pacific.

"iVAST's partnership with ClearStar marks our commitment to take the next step in the evolution of the broadcast industry, enabling what others have only talked about until now - the delivery of targeted and interactive content over satellite and cable using MPEG-4," said Ben Silva, iVAST's vice-president of worldwide sales and business development.

Utilizing existing network infrastructure, ClearStar provides cable operators with the ability to deliver a full range of broadband services. iVAST will provide end-to-end MPEG-4 software and systems, from encoding and authoring tools to server systems and player technology embedded in ClearStar set-top boxes. The contract also calls for iVAST to provide professional services, including program management, system integration and creative services.

The ClearStar solution, powered by iVAST, provides the competitive advantages of MPEG-4 technology. MPEG-4's advanced compression allows the delivery of more channels over the same bandwidth, bringing more services to consumers and creating new revenue streams for cable operators. Also, MPEG-4's rich media features allow for full interactivity and customization.

The ClearStar solution allows cable operators to offer the following innovative services to consumers:

Full media-on-demand including entertainment and educational programming with compelling interactive features, similar to those in an interactive CD-ROM or enhanced-DVD.
Localization of national programming with multilingual support. Because the technology supports multiple audio and video streams and customization, network programmers can automatically tailor a national feed with local content at the point of downlink (or the head-end), and personalize network feeds to the household or individual.
"Triple-play" broadband services, including television, telephony and Internet access. Consumers will receive interactive video-on-demand and e-commerce capabilities, educational programming and other satellite channels, along with two lines of telephone service, broadband Internet access, and an advanced set-top box allowing for 5.0 Mbps link to the cable company's operations center.

"Together ClearStar and iVAST will enable cable operators with a complete system to bring 'triple play' services to 5 million subscribers over the next three years," said Joseph Dinnan, CEO of ClearStar, Inc. "Teaming with iVAST, ClearStar will fulfill the promise of an IP broadband system for cable operators."

About ClearStar, Inc.
Headquartered in El Dorado Hills, Calif, ClearStar Communications, Inc. delivers next generation entertainment, communications and networking solutions. iViVo, ClearStar's Internet/Video/Voice "triple play" solution for cable operators, allows delivery of dedicated, high speed broadband services over an MSO's existing infrastructure. ClearStar's satellite bandwidth services utilize the companies' proprietary TruScale technology to deliver high quality, IP based, video, voice, and data content, anywhere in the world, faster, and at less cost, than traditional transmission mechanisms. ClearStar also offers its customers customized corporate WAN/LAN design and operation, and wholesale long distance services. For more information, please visit www.clearstar.tv.

About iVAST, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif, iVAST is the world leader in end-to-end MPEG-4 solutions. The iVAST MPEG-4 Platform™ extends the success of MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 open standards by revolutionizing the distribution of interactive audio/video content across broadband and broadcast networks. The iVAST Platform, built on the ISO/IEC MPEG-4 international standard, is a suite of software products that enable the creation, management, delivery and playback of interactive and enhanced rich media experiences for entertainment, enterprise, and related markets. The platform consists of iVAST Studio™ for encoding and authoring, iVAST Application Server™ for content management, iVAST Media Server™ for intelligent streaming, and iVAST Player™ for media playback and interactivity on an end user device. iVAST also offers creative services through its new, state-of-the-art studio in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.ivast.com.

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Media Contacts:

Jennifer Toton
iVAST, Inc.
(408) 496-0671
jt@ivast.com

Ken Mitchell
ClearStar Inc.
(916) 933-7414
kmitchell@clearstar.tv

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