SMART Modular Technologies Division Delivers MPEG-1 PC Card to Panasonic

Business Wire, Dec 10, 1996

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1996--The Apex Data Products division of SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMOD) today announced it will OEM its full-featured Media Express MPEG-1 PC Card under the Panasonic name in the United Kingdom.

The Media Express MPEG-1 PC Card offers full-motion, full-screen, 30-frames-per-second video and CD-quality sound, making it ideal for applications such as interactive training, video conferencing, distance learning and presentations.

Earlier this year, SMART announced it was shipping the Media Express MPEG-1 PC Card under the Toshiba name for Toshiba ZV-capable notebooks. In addition, SMART's Apex Data Products division markets its MPEG-1 PC Card as a branded product under the Media Express name. It is now available through major distribution channels bundled with CD-ROM applications, with a suggested retail price of $249.00.

"Zoomed Video continues to be a major trend in notebook computers and we are delighted to work with Panasonic on this product," commented John Chess, General Manager of SMART's Apex Data Products division. "The PC Card format is an ideal method of adding desktop quality multimedia capabilities to portable computers."

The Media Express MPEG-1 PC Card slides into the PC/ZV (Zoomed Video) Card slot in a portable computer and works in combination with the computer's existing graphics controller to deliver full multimedia capability. It allows users to take full advantage of a portable computer's ZV Port, a new enhanced video standard.

The standard delivers 1.2 Mbits per second (MBPS) for full-screen video and 250 kilobits per second (kbps) for 2-channel, 16-bit stereo audio.

Based on Sigma Designs' REALmagic Explorer chip set, the Media Express MPEG-1 PC Card is Open MPEG-1 (OM-1), REALmagic, Windows 3.x and Windows '95 compatible. The Card will allow ZV capable notebooks to comply with new MPC3 standards for multimedia systems and fully supports the ActiveMovie API from Microsoft.

SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer of specialty memory modules, standard memory modules, embedded processor modules and PC cards with memory and communications functionality. SMART offers over 400 products under the SMART and Apex Data brand names to leading OEMs and distribution channels in the computer, networking and telecommunications industries.

The Apex Data Products division is a supplier of award-winning PC card connectivity and wireless solutions. SMART has manufacturing facilities in California, Puerto Rico and Scotland, a design center in India and sales organizations worldwide. -0-

Note to Editors: Apex Data and Media Express are trademarks of SMART Modular Technologies, Inc. REALmagic is a trademark of Sigma Designs, Inc. ActiveMovie is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

CONTACT: SMART Modular Technologies, Inc.

Apex Data Products Division

Becky Takeda, 510/624-8195

or

Morgen-Walke Associates, Inc.

Suzanne Craig, Lisa Laukkanen, 415/296-7383 (investor)

Emily Dupree, 212/850-5600 (investor)

Bud Cole, 415/296-7383 (press)