Escient Convergence Corp. Introduces TuneBase Pro MK-III

State-of-the-Art Music Management System Merges Most Popular Features from TuneBase Pro Series and TuneBase 100 for Dealer-Driven, Next Generation Product

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Cedia Expo '01 Booth #132 - September 7, 2001 - Escient Convergence Corp., a leading force in developing innovative products that combine consumer electronics with the Internet to enhance home entertainment, today introduced the TuneBase Pro MK-III. The new model is the latest in the line of state-of-the-art music control systems that allow users instant access to their entire music collection through Escient's simple, yet powerful, graphic user interface which can be displayed on any standard television or specific control panels and keypads.

Leveraging years of integration experience and Escient custom installer feedback, the new MK-III model provides an RS-232-enabled complete solution to address integrated, whole house audio needs. The MK-III maintains the same high quality features and functionality found in previous models of the TuneBase Pro line, but also goes beyond its predecessors by offering an enhanced interface consistent with Escient's TuneBase100 and PowerPlay families of products. In addition, the MK-III is housed in a new chassis for broader custom installer appeal.

Targeted specifically to custom installers, TuneBase Pro MK-III allows easy navigation throughout even the most involved installations. As with previous models in the Pro series, the unit's controller can automatically identify and display music and houses two external RS-232 ports for simultaneous bi-directional communication. These ports enable simple integration with leading multi-room audio and external control systems from a multitude of manufacturers who are close Escient partners. As a result, users can find, choose, and play any disc or individual tune in their collection with just the press of a button on a wall keypad or touch panel from anywhere within the home.

The MK-III is specially designed to facilitate full access to even the largest music collections. Users can daisy chain up to 15 Sony CDP changers as one example, providing an astounding capacity of 6000 discs in total. As with previous Pro models, the MK-III is the optimum interface for multi-disc changers from Sony, Denon, NSM, and Pioneer, as well as specific hard-disc based music players from Arrakis Systems. The Pro MK-III also utilizes Escient's IntelligentLink auto-recognition technology and dial-up features to provide text information and cover art through Gracenote's CDDB database, delivering the ultimate enhanced music experience.

Bob Pankratz, President of Escient Convergence, said, "The TuneBase Pro MK-III is designed to meet the ever-evolving home entertainment demands of our customers and distribution channel. Through offering a full range of innovative features taken from both the Pro series and TuneBase 100, the MK-III successfully merges the best of both worlds. The enhanced interface that we have incorporated into the MK-III comes as a direct result of constant communication with, and feedback from, our dealers. We are dedicated to understanding the channel's needs and then responding to those needs. Preserving the highly perfected integration capabilities of the previous Pro series, while adding our latest and most user-friendly interface, the TuneBase Pro MK-III addresses the demands of our customer base."

Cat Fowler, Vice President of Marketing for Escient Technologies added, "Over the years, Escient has become renowned in our industry for consistently delivering products to market that are "category-firsts." As another first, yet also a significant and requested product enhancement, the MK-III blends many of our core competencies into one winning solution. Our mission is not only to continue to introduce groundbreaking new products, but to continually listen to our Dealer's feedback and enhance the products in our existing lineup accordingly. In doing so, we are helping to ensure continued success in the marketplace for our dealers and our company."

The TuneBase Pro MK-III will be available on September 6 at a suggested retail price of $5000, and is a direct replacement for the existing TuneBase Pro MK-II product. The product will be demonstrated at the CEDIA EXPO in the US on September 7, 2001 in Escient's booth # 132.

About Escient Convergence Corp.

Escient Convergence is the pioneering leader in the design, manufacture, sales and marketing, support, and distribution of a groundbreaking new category of audio/video convergence products that meld Internet power with intuitive home entertainment devices. These products and services are designed to enhance the entertainment experience by providing previously unheard-of ways to access music, movies and related content throughout the home. Currently these include the company's acclaimed TuneBase family of music management solutions, its video-server product, PowerPlay, and its unique, simplified user interfaces for entertainment devices. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Escient Convergence serves the needs of mid-range to high-end audio/video installers and, distributes products through a premium channel of more than 680 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Mexico.

About Escient Technologies, LLC.

Escient Technologies, the parent company of Escient Convergence, is a high technology management company and accelerator that channels promising new technologies into strategic positions in the marketplace. One Escient Technologies' affiliate, Gracenote, formerly known as CDDB, Inc., is a powerhouse of services for the exploding marketplace of digitally downloaded music and features the world's largest and most comprehensive music database on the Internet. Escient Technologies' other companies offer a variety of high-tech, user-friendly products and services for home entertainment, data storage, and the Internet. Visit Escient Technologies online at www.escient.com.

TuneBase is a registered trademark of Escient Convergence Corp. PowerPlay is a trademark of Escient Convergence Corp. CDDB is a registered trademark of CDDB, Inc. d/b/a Gracenote. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.