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International Entertainment News

Thursday, May 19, 2005

VCinema Unveils Next Phase of Content Strategy with Egami Media Agreement and New Board Appointment

VCinema Unveils Next Phase of Content Strategy with Egami Media Agreement and New Board Appointment

Agreement with Image Entertainment subsidiary provides a variety of programming for VCinema's virtual video library

Gary Marenzi, former president of Paramount International Television, appointed to board -- will assist with future content acquisition and strategy

LONG ISLAND, N.Y., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- VCinema, Inc., today announced the signing of a distribution agreement with Egami Media, Inc., a subsidiary of Image Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:DISK). This agreement enables VCinema to offer a range of programming from Image's video library, including specialty films, television series, music concerts and comedy performances. This announcement, combined with the appointment of Gary Marenzi, former head of Paramount International Television to its board, demonstrates VCinema's commitment to delivering content from its Downloadable Video Store to any VCinema-enabled Digital Video Recorder, multi-functional set-top, personal computer, laptop or Portable Media Player.

The deal with Image provides VCinema with access to literally hundreds of titles, offering consumers a wide variety of content, including recordings of live comedy performances and musical concerts, such as Jamie Foxx, Randy Travis and Heart; television series and specials featuring Matt LaBlanc and Russell Simmons, and specialty films including the spectacular visual imagery of IMAX movies. All of this content will be available to VCinema's customers on either a rental or download-to-own basis, enabling subscribers to create their own virtual video library and manage how and when they wish to watch home video programming. This agreement is the first of many that will provide VCinema with one of the largest video on demand and download-to-own libraries available via a broadband connection.

"The ability for consumers to legally acquire and maintain access to their digital video content in a simple and easy manner, will be a key differentiator as the broadband video services market continues to emerge. As the first in a series of planned announcements, the agreement with Image Entertainment provides VCinema with a solid foundation of video content that will be available at launch for subscribers to rent or download to own. Over the next few quarters we will build on this announcement to offer consumers a variety of quality major motion pictures, films, television shows, educational programming and other video content at the time of VCinema's launch," says Adam Zeitsiff, CEO and co-founder of VCinema, Inc. "The appointment of Gary Marenzi to our board is also a significant development and extremely validating for our company. His experience with the pay-TV industry, extensive content programming and licensing contacts, and over 20 years of expertise in negotiating licensing deals, provides VCinema significant credibility as we move forward with our launch."

"VCinema's Downloadable Video Store service has a compelling combination of features in a single service that will appeal to consumers," said Image President and CEO and Egami Chairman of the Board Martin W. Greenwald. "Delivering content through VCinema's digital platform is a natural for Egami. The rapid rate of broadband adoption is driving the growth of this channel of content distribution. Egami intends to capitalize on that growth."

Mr. Marenzi has had extensive executive management experience serving as president for United International Pictures Pay-TV Group, the MGM Telecommunications Group and most recently for Paramount International Television. His involvement with these organizations has provided him a breadth of executive-level management expertise including licensing negotiations, programming production and financing, and marketing. Mr. Marenzi currently serves on the executive committees for NATPE and the International TV Academy, and is a member of the executive branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Based on an innovative content delivery and management platform, VCinema's Downloadable Video Store makes it easy for consumers to legally and securely download digital programming without having to worry about the complexities of technology. Moreover, VCinema's Virtual Video Library ensures that once a subscriber has purchased video programming, they have personal digital rights to that programming forever, and through their Virtual Library, can access this content from any VCinema-enabled device.

"Unlike online rental services, stand-alone DVRs and Video On Demand or PPV services, VCinema's comprehensive approach to technology and services has been designed to take advantage of the growing convergence among consumer electronics devices, digital content and applications," stated Adam Zeitsiff, CEO, VCinema. "This approach reflects the current shift in people's viewing habits and desire for diversified programming, and represents the future of digital entertainment in the home."

Look for more updates over the coming months as VCinema moves forward with the launch of its Downloadable Video Store and Virtual Library service. Please visit http://www.vcinema.com/ for the latest information and future announcements.

About VCinema

VCinema, Inc. provides an innovative, broadband-enabled Downloadable Video Store and Virtual Video Library management service that allows consumers to legally download, collect and create their own virtual library of video programming. The service can be delivered through almost any VCinema-enabled DVR, multi-functional device (including VCinema's Digital Theater set-top box), PC, laptop and even Portable Media Player, providing the ability to download to rent or own digital video content both in and out of the home. VCinema is a privately held company with headquarters in Long Island, NY and offices in Austin, TX and Los Angeles, CA. For more information, please visit us at http://www.vcinema.com/ or email us at info@vcinema.com

About Egami Media:

Egami Media, Inc. is a subsidiary of Image Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:DISK), a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America. Egami focuses on the aggregation and wholesale exploitation of digital rights to a wide array of video content. Egami has acquired all of Image's current and future digital rights and will independently acquire digital rights to third party content on a going forward basis.

About Image Entertainment:

Image Entertainment, Inc. is a leading independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming in North America, with more than 2,500 exclusive DVD titles in domestic release and approximately 300 programs internationally via sublicense agreements. For many of its titles, the Company has exclusive audio and broadcast rights and, through its subsidiary Egami Media, Inc., exclusive video on demand, streaming video and download rights. The Company is headquartered in Chatsworth and has a domestic distribution facility in Las Vegas. For more information about Image Entertainment, Inc., please go to http://www.image-entertainment.com/.

Source: VCinema, Inc.

CONTACT: David Coates of Brodeur Worldwide, +1-617-587-2927, dcoates@brodeur.com

Web site: http://www.vcinema.com/

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