Monolith Media Player Development

A Proposal for
Volume Network

Volume Network: Next Generation Media Player Program

55-Day Development
USD $15,000
For Confirmation
01 — Background

Background

Volume Network and C2W have an established supply relationship built around the UHD PRO2 CEC media player, which remains in production. Monolith is the next generation product in that line, scoped through the technical exchanges between our teams during May and June 2026.

The technical feasibility assessment for Monolith is complete. Every feature in the agreed scope has been confirmed as feasible, and the engineering route for each has been defined. This proposal sets out the development scope, deliverables, timeline, commercial terms, and the intellectual property position for taking Monolith from confirmed specification through to production representative samples.

Monolith has been engineered as a single product covering the full feature set discussed across the program, including all functions of the combined board explored in the earlier workstream. The combined board remains available as an optional variant and can be discussed separately at a later stage if useful.

02 — Development Scope

Development Scope

The Monolith development covers the following confirmed features, building on the proven UHD PRO2 CEC platform.

Dolby Vision. Integration of the S905X4-J processor, adding Dolby Vision support.
USB-C power. USB-C Power Delivery input replacing the existing barrel jack DC input, including the associated board redesign. This also fully resolves the PSU connector issue identified on the previous platform.
Illuminated button. Front button with addressable LED halo and programmable five second press behaviour, as agreed with Alex.
Status indicators. Three additional addressable indicator LEDs.
Audio outputs. Two additional audio conversion ports, extending the audio output capability already developed.
Memory. 2GB RAM as the default specification, with 4GB available as an optional upgrade. The 4GB option can be confirmed at any point before development or production start, with pricing confirmed against current memory market rates at that time.
Product labelling. Bottom label redesign incorporating Volume’s updated artwork.

Alongside the feature work, our engineering team is reviewing the retail acceptance criteria worksheet supplied by Volume. Volume’s custom features are generally compatible with the criteria as drafted, and any cost or timeline impact arising from the detailed review will be confirmed during the design phase before it affects the program.

03 — Deliverables

Deliverables

The development concludes with delivery of the following pack. The balance payment in Section 5 is tied to delivery of this pack in full.

Completed Monolith development across the full feature scope in Section 2.
Three production representative Monolith samples.
Sample test report covering functional validation of each feature.
Retail acceptance criteria review summary.
Updated product documentation reflecting the final Monolith specification.

Following delivery, Volume has a 14 day review window to assess the samples and documentation. Any issue identified within that window that falls inside the development scope is corrected at no additional cost.

04 — Timeline

Timeline

55 days from order confirmation to sample delivery.

The early weeks of the program focus on electronic design and layout. Sourcing of the S905X4-J processors for the three development samples runs in parallel with that design phase, so chip procurement does not delay the start of development. Should market availability delay securing the chips beyond the design phase, sample delivery may extend, and we will keep you informed with weekly updates throughout. The supply position on this component is set out in Section 7.

05 — Commercial Terms

Commercial Terms

The Monolith development is offered at a single all-in price of $15,000 USD. This covers the full development scope in Section 2, the engineering and program management to deliver it, supplier coordination, the three production representative samples, and the complete deliverables pack in Section 3.

Stage Fee Payment Trigger
Development commencement $7,500 USD On order confirmation
Balance $7,500 USD On delivery of the full deliverables pack set out in Section 3

The balance is payable on delivery of the deliverables pack and is not held against the review window. Any in-scope issue identified during the 14 day review is corrected under the development regardless of payment status.

06 — Intellectual Property and Exclusivity

Intellectual Property and Exclusivity

The Monolith development outputs belong to Volume. Specifically:

Volume holds global exclusivity on the Monolith product. Neither C2W nor our manufacturing partners will offer the Monolith product or its combined feature specification to any other client, in any market.
The customised feature designs funded under this development belong to Volume and will not be reused for any other client.
Volume’s label, branding, and retail acceptance configuration remain Volume’s property and will not be reused in any form.
Non-disclosure agreements covering the program are in place across the supply chain.

The underlying platform on which Monolith is built remains licensed for Volume’s production in the normal way, consistent with the existing UHD PRO2 CEC arrangement.

07 — Component Supply: Dolby Vision Processor

Component Supply: Dolby Vision Processor

The S905X4-J processor that enables Dolby Vision is in severe global shortage. Supply is allocation driven, with inventory released to the market intermittently and typically taken up within days. A technically suitable alternative component exists, but at approximately five times the current price it is not commercially viable, and we do not recommend it.

For the three development samples, our sourcing runs in parallel with the design phase as set out in Section 4. For production, we recommend Volume authorises a pre-purchase of 1,000 units of the S905X4-J in parallel with this development. A previous opportunity to secure production stock at this volume passed before a decision was reached, and the market has tightened since. Acting within an availability window, rather than waiting for sample approval, is the single most effective step Volume can take to protect the production timeline.

If Volume wishes to proceed with the pre-purchase, we will confirm pricing against the live market rate at the point of order and manage the procurement and holding arrangements on your behalf. We will report chip market availability to you weekly throughout the development.

08 — Exclusions

Exclusions

The $15,000 USD development price covers everything set out in Sections 2 and 3. The following sit outside it.

Label artwork, which is supplied by Volume. Artwork can be finalised at any point before production and does not affect the development schedule or sample delivery.
The 4GB RAM upgrade, which is quoted separately once confirmed, as memory pricing is linked to the live component market.
Production unit pricing, which is provided following sample approval. Given current volatility in the chip market, production pricing is confirmed at the point of order against prevailing component rates.
The S905X4-J production pre-purchase described in Section 7, which is quoted separately if Volume elects to proceed.
The combined board variant, which is available as a separate discussion.
Shipping costs for samples between China and the UK.
Extended warranty beyond the standard 12 months. Two year and three year options are available and quoted separately.
09 — Next Steps

Next Steps

01
Volume confirms acceptance of this proposal.
02
C2W issues the invoice for the first payment of $7,500 USD.
03
On receipt of payment, development begins with the electronic design and layout phase, with chip sourcing running in parallel.
04
Samples and the full deliverables pack are delivered within approximately 55 days of order confirmation.

Mark Jacobs (CEO) and Sourya Ghosh (Head of R&D) are available for a call to walk through any part of this proposal before confirmation.

This proposal is intended to give Volume complete clarity on scope, cost, and what the Monolith development will deliver. If you are happy with the direction, we can move to invoicing at your convenience and begin immediately.

Best regards,

Mark Jacobs

CEO, C2W Group / Shield Works

June 2026