TriGem selects Sigma Designs' Explorer chip set for MPEG video card for new Pentium-based notebook computer; major design win underscores Sigma's dominant position in the fast growing notebook market in Korea

Business Wire, Sept 18, 1996

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 1996--Sigma Designs Inc. (NASDAQ:SIGM) today announced that its Explorer chip set was selected by TriGem Computer Inc., Korea's leading supplier of personal computers, for their new ZV (Zoomed Video) featured DreamBook notebook computer.

TriGem is incorporating Sigma Designs' REALmagic Explorer chip set in a Type II PCMCIA Card to provide high-quality MPEG-1 digital video and audio to notebook users.

Korea has grown rapidly as a leading technology supplier for notebook PCs worldwide. In addition, Korea has a very strong and growing domestic market for notebook PCs and TriGem has been a leading supplier in both the Korean and international market. This introduction of a Zoomed Video enabled notebook by TriGem underscores their technical and marketing leadership in the market.

Zoomed Video is an innovative architecture that gives new meaning to portable multimedia. ZV, a new PC Card standard that greatly increases the video and audio quality of multimedia presentations available to the business traveler for all business applications developed with MPEG, including interactive training, education, and presentations. There are over 1,200 business applications developers and over one 1,000 business applications and entertainment titles available on the market that can be used with ZV enabled notebook computers.

"Our DreamBook customers are very pleased with the video solution based on Sigma's REALmagic chip set incorporated into our ZV card," said K.S. Song, manager of New Business Team of TriGem Computers. "The quality of Sigma's chip set and software enabled us to provide notebook users with a complete MPEG playback solution."

"TriGem's selection of our chip set is a confirmation of the growing demand for digital video applications amongst portable computer users," said Prem Talreja, vice president of marketing of Sigma Designs. "Full motion MPEG video is a powerful feature that is being used to deliver compelling presentations, life-like product demonstrations, and interactive training and education."

Sigma Design's REALmagic Explorer chip set delivers MPEG digital video in the new ZV port PC Cards for notebook computers. All cards developed with the REALmagic Explorer chip set are fully Open MPEG-1 (OM-1), REALmagic, Windows 95 compatible and permit ZV port capable notebook PCs to comply with the new MPC3 standards for multimedia systems. The chip set is in full production and is shipping in volume.

TriGem Inc. designs, manufactures and markets innovative, quality-built notebook and PC solutions, in Korea and worldwide. Established in 1980, TriGem has grown to become a major computer supplier in Korea. In 1995, TriGem manufactured over 600,000 PCs, with recorded revenues in excess of US$850 million. For additional information, TriGem can be reached at the New Business Team in Seoul at 82-2-3774-3260.

Founded in 1982, Sigma Designs has been a driving force behind the advancement of the MPEG technology used in the multimedia PCs on the market today. The company's products include affordable MPEG chip sets, 2D/3D graphics chips and the industry's richest line of MPEG software titles. Sigma's MPEG products are in use by leading computer manufacturers. The Explorer chip set for zoomed video applications has won designs with Toshiba, Smart Modular, Kingmax, Centennial Technologies, and Visiontek.

All Sigma Designs products are sold worldwide through a direct sales force, manufacturers representatives and distributors. For more information, call 510/770-0100, fax 510/770-2640, or visit the company's Web site at http://www.sigmadesigns.com.

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CONTACT: S&S Public Relations Inc.

Lauren Finkelman, 415/773-5359

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