There has been some delays because Super Techno 
Arts broke away from their deal with Synch Point 
(which was being and has since been taken over by 
Broccoli).

However, Super Techno Arts has still released a 
press release stating that the first DVD volume 
will be out Summer/Fall 2002.  They did not 
specify which company will be perform DVD 
authoring and distributing for them.

Their original plan was to release the prequel 
and original series as one contiguous series, and 
with a 13-episode series announced (I guess this 
also answers your first question), this still 
seems to be the case.

Click here for the official press release.

Hope this helps.