New Media Improves Quality of Personalized Audio Recordings

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2000--Smart and Friendly® Inc. an industry leader in optical storage solutions, media, and accessories, announced today a new line of professional quality digital audio CD-Recordable media, Platinum XR 80(TM), capable of holding 80 minutes of audio or music and designed specifically for consumer use.

Platinum XR 80 media is compatible with all audio CD-Recorders and is capable of being played back in any audio CD player or CD-ROM device.

"With our new Platinum XR 80, we believe you will experience exceptional quality and clarity in playback using any standard CD Player," said Perry Solomon, President and CEO of Smart and Friendly. "This advanced media technology provides consumers with an additional six minutes of audio storage over conventional 74-minute CD-R discs. Music lovers can now record their favorite CDs without having to eliminate tracks due to shorter conventional recording capacities."

"Smart and Friendly is dedicated to making CD-Recordable technology affordable to the end user, and that means making media affordable too," continued Solomon. "The 12-Disc Box Set plays a big role in our ongoing campaign to make this technology affordable.

"Not only does it provide a safe, convenient way to transport and store media, it enables Smart and Friendly to provide an even greater level of value to our customers. For all the added functionality of this truly innovative storage system, we are still able to provide our Platinum XR 80 media for just $1.33 per disc."

The first of its kind for CD-R media, the Platinum XR 80 12-Disc Box Set has an estimated street price (ESP) of only $15.99. In addition to the 12-Disc Box Set, Platinum XR 80 media is available in a variety of configurations including a 3-Pack, a 9-Pack Plus, which includes a free, interlocking CD organizer, and a 10-Pack.

Smart and Friendly always gives consumers high-quality, reliable performance and affordability backed by the Smart and Friendly reputation for outstanding products.

Platinum XR 80 media is an ideal product where integrity and reliability are key concerns. This new 80-minute media is fully compliant with today's industry standards, including the latest Orange Book Part II, as modified on March 12, 1999. Such compliance assures users that their Platinum XR 80 media can be played back in any standard home, auto, business or portable CD player, worldwide.

Smart and Friendly products are available at leading retail outlets including Best Buy, CompUSA, Sears, and Wal-Mart, through selected e-commerce sites, and to resellers through all leading national distributors. For a complete list of where to buy Smart and Friendly products, access the company's web site at: smartandfriendly.com/info.html.

About Smart and Friendly: With headquarters in Chatsworth, Smart and Friendly Inc. is the industry's largest privately held manufacturer of complete optical storage solutions, including CD-Recorders with CD-RW ReWritability, CD-ROMs, network storage, media and accessories.

Smart and Friendly was the first manufacturer to introduce 8x speed CD-Recorders into the market, followed by being the first to deliver 12x speed CD-Recorders.

Customers seeking more information on the company's products can reach Smart and Friendly by calling 800/959-7001 or 818/772-8001; by faxing 818/772-2888; or by accessing Smart and Friendly's home page on the Internet at smartandfriendly.com.

Note to editors: Smart and Friendly is a registered trademark and Platinum XR 80 and 12-Disc Box Set are trademarks of Smart and Friendly Inc. Any other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.