COMPUSERVE VIEWER BRINGS TV CONTENT TO YOUR PC

Newest product from Future Technologies Division

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 24, 1995 -- A new product under development by
CompuServe Incorporated promises to shift the online communication
paradigm yet again. The CompuServe Viewer brings televised content to the
personal computer in the form of frequently refreshed still video images
and real-time closed-captioned text. This content is enhanced by the
accompaniment of an associated communal "chat" session on the same screen.
General availability of the product is expected in late 1995. The first
business partner to demonstrate an early beta application of the
technology is the Cable News Network (CNN), which uses a CompuServe
Information Service linkup as part of its weekday "TalkBack Live"
interactive town meeting program.

CompuServe and CNN have been testing a linkup whereby portions of CNN
newscasts are available online in real time, with video images refreshed
every 30 seconds and continual closed-captioned text in an adjacent
window. In addition, audio "events" such as dialogue excerpts or special
sound effects are available for download from time to time during
newscasts. Ultimately, when it is available for public release, the
CompuServe Viewer will allow interested individuals to follow newscasts
from their home or office PC and participate in online group discussions
of what they are viewing.

One of the major benefits of this technology is that it will not require
specialized hardware on the viewing end -- only a personal computer class
486 or higher running Microsoft Windows. Video and text images will be
accessible over standard dialup lines at speeds of 9600 bps or faster.

The CompuServe Viewer is the latest product from CompuServe's Future
Technologies Division, a greenhouse sub-unit headed by CompuServe Vice
President Tim Oren. The division's charter is to investigate and apply new
technologies to the converging worlds of online information networks,
photo-conferencing, cable broadband information access, wireless
telecommunication and more. ' The CompuServe Viewer is just the tip of the
iceberg," Oren said. "The technologies that will be possible in just a
couple of years are really staggering. We're testing things today that
will be in homes around the world tomorrow."

The CompuServe Viewer has a multitude of potential applications, including
special events broadcasts (such as the behind-the-scenes at awards show
interviews already online on CompuServe), political debates, sporting
events and much more. Input can come from television newscasts, satellite
feeds, or individuals with video cameras. Other source material such as
graphics, charts and still photos can be combined with video at a central
"producer" station so the end user automatically receives dynamic content
not available anywhere else.

"CompuServe understands that one of the great values of online services is
when people interact with people," Oren said. "The experience is enhanced
when the conversation occurs in the presence of compelling and timely
content, such as that provided by CNN. The CompuServe Viewer is a way for
us to mix the best of online and the best of broadcast to provide a
valuable interactive television experience, today."

CNN also sponsors several areas online on CompuServe. The CNN Online family
of services (GO CNNONLINE) offers news and information related to CNN
programming, sports, entertainment and politics, as well as direct access
to areas including the CNN Online Forum, CNN OJ Forum and CNN Business
Forum. The TalkBack Live Forum (GO TALKBACK) provides a direct,
interactive online connection to CNN's innovative interactive talk show.
It also offers background information such as listings of daily issues,
program transcripts and guest biographies.

The CompuServe Information Service is the world's most popular online
service with 2.9 million members who access the service from more than 150
countries. The undisputed industry leader in innovation, the service
offers global email, the industry's first CD-ROM supplement, libraries of
free software, selected 28.8 kbps access and worldwide Internet services.
CompuServe is recognized globally for its international membership and
diverse content. For a free introductory CompuServe membership, call
800-524-3388 and ask for representative number 664, or access CompuServe's
home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.compuserve.com).

CompuServe's online international newsstand features more than 200 general
interest and niche publications, dozens of syndicated columnists and more
than 900 entertainment, hobby, games and personal computer forums. For a
$9.95 monthly fee, members have unlimited access to more than 120 services
including daily worldwide news, weather and sports reports and three free
hours of Internet access. In addition to the CompuServe Information
Service, CompuServe offers networking, electronic mail and business
information services to major corporations worldwide.

CompuServe is an H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) company.

CompuServe Inc
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd
PO Box 20212
Columbus, OH 43220
614-457-8600

 ============================================================
 From the  'New Product News'  Electronic News Service on....
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) & Delphi (GO COMPUTING PRODUCT)
 ============================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the 
 company or author mentioned. For additional details, please 
 contact them directly at the address/phone number indicated.
 All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
 ============================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  U.S.A.
 Email: RBakerPC (AOL/Delphi), rbakerpc@delphi.com (Internet)
 ============================================================
