TEMPE, Ariz. and SAN JOSE, Calif., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Circuit Research Labs, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CRLI), parent company of CRL Systems, Inc. dba Orban/CRL, and Wowza Media Systems, an emerging leader in streaming media server software, have introduced new capabilities that empower Web broadcasters to take advantage of the new MP4 and HE-AAC capabilities introduced in Adobe(R) Flash Player 9.

By deploying Orban's Opticodec 1010 Series of Enterprise MP4 (AAC) and HE-AAC encoders in conjunction with Wowza Media Server(TM) Pro, netcasters will now be able to stream live audio to the Flash player using the most efficient and best-sounding codecs on the market, HE-AAC (High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding) and AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), at bitrates and costs as much as 66% lower than MP3 or Windows Media Audio (WMA).

The Orban Opticodec 1010 line of MP4 (AAC) and aacPlus (HE-AAC) encoders were the first in the industry to bring high-quality, low-bitrate audio to IP Radio and the new 3G networks, allowing stations to transmit HD quality audio over the Internet and to the new generation of mobile devices.

Wowza Media Server Pro is award-winning Flash media server software that delivers industry-leading performance and economics along with unique features that enable creative streaming applications targeting the ubiquitous Adobe Flash player.

"These new capabilities go beyond just playing better audio; they're also about accessibility and savings," said Greg Ogonowski, VP of New Product Development for Orban. "With Flash readily available in more than 98% of all Internet browsers, netcasters can now provide a seamless HD audio listening experience without forcing their audiences to use clumsy external players. Netcasters can also now deliver better quality at lower bitrates, an innovation that translates into significant cost savings."

"With HD TV and radio gaining significant momentum, it is clear that audiences will not be satisfied with the sub-par quality of most Internet audio for much longer," added David Stubenvoll, CEO and Co-Founder, Wowza Media Systems. "The exceptional quality of the Orban encoders and the streaming versatility of Wowza Media Server Pro make HD audio available to Internet broadcasters and their listeners everywhere today."

About aacPlus (HE-AAC)

aacPlus (HE-AAC) is an audio codec developed by Coding Technologies that delivers high-quality 5.1 multichannel audio at 128 kbps, near CD-quality stereo at 32 kbps, and FM quality stereo at 24 kbps. It is widely adopted by many international standardization and proprietary bodies, including 3GPP, MPEG-4, ISMA (Internet Streaming Media Alliance), DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting), the DVD Forum, Digital Radio Mondiale, HD-Radio and MediaFLO.

Circuit Research Labs, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Management's anticipation of future events is based upon assumptions regarding levels of competition, research and development results, raw material markets, the markets in which the company operates, and stability of the regulatory environment. Any of these assumptions could prove inaccurate; and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate.

About Circuit Research Labs, Inc.

Circuit Research Labs, Inc. is a manufacturer of high-quality digital and analog audio processing, transmission encoding, and noise reduction equipment. Circuit Research Labs, Inc. supplies radio, TV and Internet audio processing. As technology evolves, Circuit Research Labs continues to innovate with state-of-the-art audio processing products for DAB, DTV and streaming media. The Company purchased Orban(R) in May of 2000. Orban was founded in 1970 by Bob Orban, who is the world's foremost expert in transmission audio processing for broadcast. Orban leads the industry in the design and manufacture of audio processors for radio, television and Internet broadcasting. Recognized for its standard-setting Optimod(R) digital audio processors and the Opticodec(R) codecs, the Orban name has become synonymous with reliable, high performance products. Today, its versatile audio processing equipment and codecs are the products of choice in fast-paced production environments worldwide.

About Wowza Media Systems

Wowza Media Systems, a software company headquartered in San Jose, CA, is a developer of interactive streaming media server software. Its flagship product, Wowza Media Server Pro, features an innovative server architecture that delivers unmatched performance, functionality, and scalability at a total cost of ownership up to 75% less than the leading alternative, Adobe Flash Media Server. Wowza Media Server Pro enables customers like Macy's, Thomson Learning, and Julius Blum GmbH to deliver interactive and entertaining Flash applications and content, including video on demand, live video distribution, video recording, and chat. It is finding application in a broad range of industries, including entertainment, social media, advertising, enterprise, education, government, and Internet commerce.

Wowza and related marks are trademarks of Wowza Media Systems. Adobe and Flash are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Wowza Media Systems