OVERVIEW

The GUIDE Plus+® system is a free, on-screen electronic program guide ("EPG") built into consumer electronics devices such as DVDRs, PVRs, TVs, PCs and more. The GUIDE Plus+ system has been deployed in the United States and Japan since the mid 1990’s, and is currently available in more than 25 million homes in those regions.

The GUIDE Plus+ system was developed to help today’s TV viewers, overwhelmed by myriad viewing choices, find what they want to watch quickly and easily, directly from their TV screen. The GUIDE Plus+ system displays all the major TV channels and programmes available in the viewer’s household. The GUIDE Plus+ system works by receiving TV programme listings data transmitted in the VBI (vertical blanking interval) signals of host stations throughout Europe. The data is then complied and stored for display on the viewer’s TV screen. After an initial purchase of a consumer electronics device with the GUIDE Plus+ system built-in, the on-going updates of TV listings information is free to the user.

When shopping for a GUIDE Plus+ enabled device, consumers should look for the GUIDE Plus+ logo (usually displayed on the front panel of the device).

MAJOR FEATURES

The GUIDE Plus+ system includes the following major features:

• Seamless interaction with all types of TV reception: terrestrial, cable or satellite.
• Programme information for all major channels received in the home.
  
• Programme information covering up to the next 7 days.
  
• Free on-going updates, insuring accurate listings information.
  
• One-button recording: users can record any programme listed in the guide just by highlighting the programme and pressing a button.
  
• Interactive programme searches by category and theme:
  
  • Users can search for major types programs such as Movies, Children, Sports.
    
  • In certain markets, the GUIDE Plus+ system has partnered with the leading TV listings magazine to provide daily recommendations of shows worth watching in each major category. The UK, for example, these recommendations are provided by the Radio Times.
    
  • Within each category, users can also search by subcategory, such as "Comedy" in Movies or "Football" in Sports.
    
  • Users can also perform searches on a list of custom keywords they have created and entered in the "My Choice" Search area.
• A "My TV" area for defining a personal profile of favourite channels, categories and keywords. The GUIDE Plus+ system will search the listings and create a list of viewing recommendations based on this personal profile.
  
• A video window that allows users to continue watching a programme while using the guide.
  

PARTIAL LIST OF EUROPEAN BRANDS LICENCED TO SELL THE GUIDE PLUS+ SYSTEM

• Panasonic
  
• Philips
  
• Pioneer
  
• Sharp
• Sony
• JVC
  
• Nvidia (for PCs)
  

GUIDE PLUS+ SYSTEM LICENSING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Gemstar-TV Guide Europe
8-10 rue de la Fonderie
L-1531, Luxembourg
Luxembourg

Ph: +352 45 33 88 1
Fax: +352 45 26 18


© Gemstar-TV Guide.
GUIDE Plus+® is a registered trademark of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.