OPTi announces new reference design for very low cost audio card; OPTi incorporates 16-bit PC audio technology for under $12

Business Wire, April 9, 1997

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 1997--OPTi Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTI) announced today that it has developed a reference design for an advanced, feature rich audio card which can be built for under $12.00.

The OPTi LQ931 reference design further gives OEMs the ability to rapidly enter production without significant in-house engineering and regulatory certification development costs.

The LQ931 audio chipsets include the OPTiSound 931 Integrated Audio Controller and QSound Lab's QXpander(TM) 3D Surround Sound chip. The OPTiSound 931 chipset provides an integrated audio solution for business audio, educational and entertainment sound, and multimedia applications. Combined with the advanced audio enhancement technologies from QSound, this chipset solution offers designers the best possible sound quality compared to other products on the market today.

"The combination of the 931 and QXpander audio chips brings the 3D audio experience to the PC for under $12 which we believe is the lowest cost achievable in today's market," said Patrick Ang, vice president and general manager of OPTi's Multimedia Business Unit. "Our customers will be able to deliver low cost sound cards with the right features at the right price to PC users."

The OPTiSound 931 is an integrated single chip solution for multimedia PCs with full duplex stereo audio and Win'95 compliant 16-bit PnP. The 931 provides a powerful 16-bit DMA interface, 6 stereo channels, and a fully proven SoundBlaster Pro and Windows sound system controller. The OPTiSound 931 offers compatibility with industrial PC audio standards, and delivers the most advanced PC audio solution for business, education, entertainment, and other multimedia applications.

QXpander is a stereo to 3D enhancement technology which creates a wide and immersive sound from ordinary speakers while maintaining the sonic integrity of the original stereo material. Since QXpander processes any stereo material, it is suitable for a myriad of consumer electronics applications from home stereos and TV to multimedia computers.

OPTi Inc., founded in 1989, is a leading independent volume supplier of multimedia and core logic silicon solutions to the personal computer market. OPTi is headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., and the company's customers include many of the major PC OEMs in the world. OPTi stock is traded on the NASDAQ, National Market under symbol OPTI. For more information about OPTi's products, contact 408/486-8000, or visit our www Home Page at http://www.opti.com .

CONTACT: OPTi Corporate Communications

Janet L. Courtenay, 408/486-8216