World Premier of Xploder HDTV Player for PS2 at Games Convention (GC) 2006 in Leipzig, Germany

10th August 2006

News Release - FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Fire International has confirmed that it will be showcasing the new PS2 Xploder HDTV Player (incorporating HDTV Game Player and HDTV DVD Movie Player) at GC, August 23rd - 26th 2006 (Meeting Room D66 - GC Business Centre).

Last week Fire announced the launch of the PS2 HDTV Player - the ultimate PS2 upgrade that unlocks the capabilities of your PS2, allowing you to play games and watch DVDs* in High Definition (HD). Now Fire has confirmed that trade and press delegates will be able to see the application in action for the first time at GC 2006.

Scheduled for release on 1st September with an RRP of £29.99 (49.99), the Xploder HDTV Player will be available for both PAL and NTSC PS2 consoles.

Xploder HDTV Player allows you to:

As well as getting a first look at the Xploder HDTV Player, visitors to Meeting Room D66 in the GC Business Centre will be able to find out more about the new range of Xploder Media software applications, including Xploder Media Centre for XBOX 360, Xploder Movie Player for Mobile Phones and Xploder Media Centre for iPod.

*Xploder HDTV Player PRODUCT UPDATE: Whilst for optimum performance it is recommended that DVDs are played using the 480p Enhanced Definition (ED) Mode, Xploder HDTV Player is capable of playing back movies in higher resolutions including the 720p and 1080i HD modes, providing PS2 owners with even more options for playing DVDs and games, with optimal image quality through the HDTV.

** Requires VGA Cable (available separately from www.xploder.net)

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Important note to Editors

Due to the amazing media response to this launch, Fire is recommending that all Press delegates reserve a specific time-slot for an exclusive demonstration of the PS2 Xploder HDTV Player at GC 2006. Requests should be sent to phil.holmes@fire-international.ltd.uk

HIGH RES IMAGES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM: http://www.xploder.net/img/ps2_hdtv.tif

Attached below are the Xploder HDTV Player FAQs.

PR/Media Contact:

Phil Holmes

Marketing Manager

Fire International Ltd.

phil.holmes@fire-international.ltd.uk

www.xploder.net

office: +44 (0) 1302 325225

cell: +44 (0) 7717 713876

About Fire International Ltd:

Fire develops, manufactures and supplies worldwide a comprehensive range of console and PC based media management and video game enhancement utilities under the Xploder and Blaze brand-names.

As an MPEG4/AAC licensee, Fire provide advanced media conversion of video and music for use on PSP, Xbox 360, PS2, DS, Mobile Handsets and iPod as a single access point. Cross-platform media management solutions are available for all media, whatever the system.

The Blaze brand has been recently been used to re-launch a range of innovative bespoke accessory lines for major videogame consoles, available in sector leading metal packaging.

Proprietary products include: Xploder PSP Movie Player, Xploder PSP Music Studio, Blaze PSP Pro Audio Sound System and Protector Case, Xploder Xbox 360 Media Centre, Xploder PS2 Media Centre, Blaze PS2 HDTV Adaptor, Blaze PS2 Mini Pro Shock Wireless Controller, Xploder DS CheatSaves and Xploder iPod Media Centre.

Fire also provides OEM solutions for own-label product ranges across a wide variety of accessories, hardware and software - Fire technology powers the GameShark brand for Mad Catz in the US, Xterminator for Gametech in Japan and the Limited Edition Xploder Lite software that is bundled with the Lexar Gaming Edition PSP Memory Stick Duo memory card.

® Xploder and Blaze are Registered Trademarks of Fire International Ltd.

® Fire International acknowledges all other game and product names that are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective publishers, manufacturers or licensees.

Xploder HDTV Player FAQs

What is Xploder? And who are Fire International Ltd.?

Fire International (Fire) develops, manufactures and supplies worldwide a comprehensive range of console and PC based media management and video game enhancement utilities under the Xploder brand-name.

Fire's Xploder technology powers the GameShark brand for Mad Catz in the US, Xterminator for Gametech in Japan and the Xploder software that is bundled with the Lexar Gaming Edition PSP Memory Stick Duo, amongst others.

Proprietary products include: Xploder Movie Player and Music Studio for PSP, Xploder Media Centre for XBOX 360, Xploder Media Centre for PS2, Xploder Cheat Saves for Nintendo DS and Xploder Media Centre for iPod, and more

As an MPEG4/AAC licensee, Fire provide advanced media conversion of video and music for use on PSP, Xbox 360, PS2, DS, Mobile Handsets and iPod as a single access point.

Is the HDTV Player changing the code within games so that they display in HD?

No, the Xploder HDTV Player does not change the code within games. It enables progressive scan, so instead of outputting odd/even fields it outputs 448/512 lines to the CRT output.

Does the HDTV player use additional hardware?

The Xploder HDTV Player does not use any additional hardware in converting the signal; it is purely a software product. The disc does comes bundled with a PS2 component cable for the HDTV output, and a VGA Adaptor cable is available separately for those who wish to use a VGA connection.

Does using the software slow games down?

Games render at their native resolution - therefore Xploder HDTV Player does not take-up any additional processing power.

The PS2 hardware isn't capable of outputting 720p and 1080i

Contrary to popular belief, the PlayStation 2 can output 480p, 720p, 1080i modes via a Component cable. In addition the PS2 supports the following VESA modes (via VGA adaptor):

· 640 x 480 (60,72, 75, 85hz)

· 800 x 600 (56, 60, 72, 75,85hz)

· 1024 x 768 (60, 70, 75, 85hz)

· 1280 x 1024 (60, 75hz)

Will games suffer from stretching and distortion?

The 480p mode is recommended for optimum performance on most PS2 games. Some games may experience distortion in the higher resolution modes.

Doesn't my HDTV already up-convert lower resolution signals to High Definition, regardless of the source?

Displaying interlaced video on progressive displays (LCD, Plasma) results in motion artefacts called "combing", the Xploder HDTV avoids this by sending video frames in progressive mode (where possible).

Do the games have to be formatted in HD?

No, the games do not have to be formatted in HD to be used with the Xploder HDTV Player.

You can't increase the quality of the source.

Progressive mode sends twice the number of lines per frame (game permitting), so the resolution is increased vertically (interlaces games need 2 screen updates, or twice the amount of time to send the same video data).

There has been a lot of reference to up-converting/up-scaling and de-interlacing. Which of these best describes the HDTV Player?

Progressive mode and up-scaling best describe the method used by the Xploder HDTV Player.

Does the device interpolate (or add pixels).

The Xploder HDTV Player does not interpolate. It works by enabling progressive scan output, so instead of sending half the lines per frame it sends all of them. This has noticeable improvements in movement, especially on HDTV sets; artefacts such as combing are no long present. The software does not create extra lines (or interpolate).

Will this work with all PS2 games?

We have already successfully tested Xploder HDTV Player with hundreds of games, however there may ultimately be a small number of games that the Xploder HDTV is not compatible with due to circumstances outside of our control. Our comprehensive testing programme will continue as new games are released.

How does the Enhanced DVD player for PS2 work?

Like the Games Player, it works by enabling progressive scan output, so instead of sending half the lines per frame it sends all of them. This has noticeable improvements in movement, especially on HDTV sets; artefacts such as combing are no long present. The software does not create extra lines (or interpolate).

Can I play DVDs in 720p and 1080i?

Yes, DVD movies can be played in 720p or 1080i modes. However for optimum playback on most TVs 480p mode is recommended.

Is there a loss in image quality on DVD playback?

No, there is no loss in image quality on DVD playback, in fact playback is visibly more crisp and significantly enhanced.

Further technical information will be posted on www.xploder.net

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