Here is the RealNetworks press release that explains what the Real System is all about. This press release is about the new G2 system but the concepts apply to all RealSystem products:

"SEATTLE, WA, September 28, 1998 — RealNetworks, Inc. (NASDAQ "RNWK"), the recognized leader in streaming media, today announced the widespread availability of the second beta release of RealSystem G2, the next-generation media delivery system for the Internet and corporate intranets. This is the first beta release of RealSystem G2 where the encoder and server are ready for production use and evaluation, and is available immediately for download at http://www.real.com.

The beta 2 release of RealSystem G2 incorporates Intel's Web Streaming Video technology, providing content producers with a new level of performance and quality in streaming video production, while providing consumers with enhanced playback performance, smoother Web video, and better CPU scalability. Additionally, the end-user experience is further improved through a number of audio and video enhancements. Finally, content production efficiency is increased, and Web-based administration for network and server management is added. Also announced today, America Online will distribute RealPlayer G2 as the streaming media solution of choice with AOL 4.0 Gold, initially distributing the RealPlayer 5.0 and later the final version of RealPlayer G2.

Benefits for Consumers and End-Users

Beta 2 of RealSystem G2 improves the user experience, with the following new features: RealPlayer users can now enjoy broadcast quality frame rates of up to 30 frames per second (fps). A new technology called FRU (frame rate upsampling) produces smoother video playback for Internet bitrates by increasing the frame rate without requiring additional bandwidth. Additionally, stereo and near-CD quality capabilities have been added to the G2 Music Codec.

"RealSystem G2 offers unparalleled abilities to deliver rich media experiences to our audience, and by using the improved video performance and SureStream we'll be able to reach an even wider audience," said Andy Sharpless, senior vice president for Interactive Media, Discovery Enterprises. "Additionally the dramatically increased production efficiencies of RealSystem G2 will allow us to produce much more content, including Live broadcasts, using our existing resources."

"Today's release of RealSystem G2 is evidence of our commitment to providing our customers with the highest quality streaming media experience available on the Internet and corporate Intranets today," said Len Jordan, senior vice president, Media Systems, RealNetworks, Inc. "We've been very pleased by the response to RealSystem G2 and expect today's announcement to only further accelerate its broad scale deployment."

Benefits for Content Creators

Beta 2 of RealSystem G2 speeds production times and reduces deployment costs, with the following new capabilities: With the inclusion of Intel's Web Streaming Video technology, video encoding is now up to four times faster. A single Pentium II PC can now simultaneously encode live video for bitrates spanning 14.4Kbps to 1Mbps. By taking advantage of SureStreamä support for both live audio and video broadcasters can reduce costs by using a single encoding machine. Finally, support for MPEG files as an input format allows rapid conversion of existing video into the RealVideo® format.

Benefits for Broadcasters

Beta 2 of RealSystem G2 increases scalability and adds powerful network and server management with the following new features: The RealServer G2 now offers a completely Web-based administration and monitoring interface, which is extensible both through HTML and a server side API. Scalable multicasting has also been added, extending RealServer's existing multicasting support to allow broadcasting to an unlimited number of clients.

About RealNetworks

RealNetworks, Inc. (NASDAQ, "RNWK"), based in Seattle, WA, is the recognized leader in the streaming media market. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. RealNetworks can be found on the World Wide Web at www.real.com.

RealAudio, RealVideo, RealPlayer are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. All other companies or products listed herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. RealFlash is a trademark of Macromedia, Inc. and RealNetworks, Inc. Macromedia and Flash are registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc."