February 24 2004

DDD Group PLC Awarded Key European Patent Covering 3D Transmission

Patent covers 2D compatible 3D media

SANTA MONICA, February 24, 2004 - DDD Group plc ("DDD") announces that it has received notification of allowance of the encoding component of its key "Dynamic Depth Cueing" ("DDC") patent in Europe. DDC is a core DDD technology that enables video images to be converted for transmission and display in stereo 3D.

The new European patent complements the previously issued DDC patent that allows the conversion of existing 2D content libraries to 3D. The new encoding component allows delivery of 3D enhanced content in a format that remains compatible with today's 2D televisions. The patent addresses the need for studios and broadcasters to transmit one broadcast signal or produce a single DVD disc that can be viewed in 2D or 3D depending on the viewer's preference and television display capabilities.

Dynamic Depth Cueing encoding discretely and efficiently embeds 3D depth data alongside the unchanged 2D image. The technique allows existing broadcast and DVD standards to be used to deliver 3D enhanced programming and movies. Since the original 2D image is delivered unchanged, it can be viewed on a conventional television set. For viewers with a 3D display, the embedded 3D data is used to manipulate the underlying 2D image, allowing 2D images to be transformed into 3D for a wide variety of 3D display formats. This includes the latest generation of "glasses free" 3D displays markets by consumer electronics manufacturers including Sharp Corporation and Sanyo Electric Company.

The addition of the DDC transmission patent brings to 9 the total number of issued patents held by DDD and its subsidiaries. In addition to the 3D transmission patent, DDD has other core patents relating to the offline and real time conversion of 2D images to 3D and the tracking of a viewer's head for 3D display systems. DDD's 3D conversion, transmission and display technologies are marketed under the brand name TriDef®.

DDD Chief Technology Officer Phil Harman said "The notice of allowance of DDC in the Europe complements our European 3D Conversion patent issued in May 2003. We are pleased to have received this additional significant patent coverage in Europe and we are looking forward to building upon this both commercially and technically in the future."

DDD, also known as Dynamic Digital Depth, is transforming the viewing experience with applications for glasses-free 3D displays. Its patented technologies enable 3D viewing without glasses; simple integration of computer graphics applications with 3D displays; supply of 3D content through 2D to 3D conversion; and 3D transmission over existing networks. DDD is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM:DDD). More information is available at www.ddd.com.

COMPANY CONTACT:
Chris Yewdall, President & CEO
310/566-3340
e-mail: info@ddd.com