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June 17, 1999
Following are excerpts from "A Box of Dreams", as appeared in the Corvallis Gazette Times Newspaper
MagicBox, Inc. manufactures the Alphagen, a machine used by hotels, cable companies and other businesses to put text - such as the temperature or event schedules - on TV screens. Chances are you've seen images created by the product on a cable channel or on TV monitors at other businesses.
The product, about the size of a VCR, is also sold to resorts, universities, retirement centers and casinos. Most are sold in the United States.
MagicBox, Inc. has grown steadily the last few years and now hopes to boost business and broaden its market with a new product. The Video Information Player is a smaller, lower-cost (product) and makes messaging available through the use of a personal computer. About the size of a small video cassette recorder.
While the VIP doesn't come with all the features of the Alphagen, features and services can be added to the unit later, some through the Internet.
The new VIP will get its first test this week when company officials take several prototypes to the National Association of Broadcasters annual convention in Las Vegas. Vendors and dealers will get a chance to preview the new unit and check out the Alphagen, too...
The company now has much of its manufacturing done in locations from Hillsboro to Germany. But the final assembly and testing of the Alphagen continues at the firm's (Corvallis office).
Many cable TV systems around the country use it to operate a message board channel, displaying local information, time and temperature and additional information on a crawl at the bottom of the screen.
Golfers staying at hotels near Hilton Head, S.C. check for their tee times at the resorts golf course by tuning into a local cable channel that uses an Alphagen to display the schedule.
Other MagicBox customers include hotels, hospitals, corporate communications, clients and educational facilities.
Some of the company's better known clients include TCI cable, Time Warner Cable, Stanford University, NASA, Walt Disney Corp., Hilton Hotels and the Michelin Tire Company.
In 1997 more than 600 monitors were installed in the SuperDome in New Orleans displaying scores and other information using the Alphagen. The Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas uses the product to provide general resort information and for an in-room guest suite channel.
About MagicBox
MagicBox, Inc. has been manufacturing Character Generators and Video Messaging Systems, for CATV, CCTV, Satellite and Digital Signage applications since 1992. Customers have expanded from cable to include education, government, hospitality, medical, and corporate applications. Product development is focused on ease of use and integration with other systems. For more information, visit www.magicboxinc.com.
MagicBox-Making Digital Signage Simple.
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