Zoran's Multi-Standard Digital Audio Processor IC, Certified by DTS; Zoran Adds DTS Algorithm to SiliconSoftware Library

Business Wire, March 30, 1999

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 1999--Zoran Corporation (Nasdaq:ZRAN), a leading provider of integrated circuits and software for digital video and audio applications enabled by compression, announced today that Digital Theater Systems(R) (DTS) has certified their DTS(R) algorithm to run on Zoran's ZR38650 Digital Audio platform.

Digital Theater Systems, Inc., Agoura Hills, Calif., is a leading worldwide supplier of digital sound systems for motion pictures and digital compression algorithms for consumer and PC products. With the DTS certification, Zoran's digital audio processor can now provide unparalleled solutions to products such as A/V receivers, digital speaker systems, DVD-Audio players, Digital TVs and Internet audio appliances.

Patrick Watson, director of Technical Sales for DTS, commented, "The ZR38650 adds a very popular and flexible processor to the growing list of DTS certified solutions. We are pleased to be able to provide top-level digital surround fidelity to users of Zoran digital audio products."

Paul Goldberg, Zoran's vice president for audio products said, "It has been a pleasure working with Digital Theater Systems on the DTS certification of the ZR38650. The addition of DTS to our SiliconSoftware(TM) library now gives our OEMs the ability to select from all of the major, high quality, digital multi-channel formats currently available. The powerful ZR38650, digital audio processor, can do them all."

About the ZR38650

The ZR38650, a fourth generation, programmable audio platform, is based on the pioneering work on multi-channel digital audio done by Zoran, starting in 1992. It is micro-code compatible with all earlier versions of Zoran audio processors which are used in digital speaker systems, A/V receivers and wireless headphones by manufacturers such as Altec-Lansing, Boston Acoustics (Nasdaq:BOSA), Creative (Nasdaq:CREAF), Denon, Toshiba and others.

In addition to DTS, the ZR38650, is capable of decoding practically every digital audio standard, including AAC (Advanced Audio Code), Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic(R), MLP(TM) (Meridian Lossless Packing), MPEG5.1, MP3 (MPEG1 Level 3), and HDCD(R) (High Definition Compatible Digital).

It also has the distinction of being able to provide full DTS decoding, including bass management and time alignment, in a single chip, making it possible to provide full DTS functionality with a single digital audio processor. These features make the ZR38650 the industry's most versatile and flexible digital audio engine, representing the most economical way of handling the uncertainty and complexity of today's multi-standard digital audio market.

The ZR38650 comes in a 144 pin package and has a full 32 bit external memory interface, with a 32 bit address bus, thus allowing it to easily connect to inexpensive SRAM. This provides the ZR38650 with the ability to execute new digital audio algorithms as they emerge and become important to the consumer audio market. When using the ZR38650, there is no need to change platforms to take advantage of the latest digital audio technology.

About Zoran

Zoran Corporation develops and markets software, integrated circuits (ICs) and IC Intellectual Property (IP) cores for digital audio and video applications enabled by compression. Zoran also provides complete reference designs based on Zoran's technology. Zoran's product lines and IP include JPEG CODECs, MPEG and DVD decoders, digital audio processors and real-time DVD software for PCs.

All these standard-based products benefit from Zoran's Standard Plus(TM) technology. Zoran's software is bundled by PC and graphics-card manufacturers for software and software assisted DVD playback on PCs. The company's ICs are used in numerous digital audio and video products. Leading applications incorporating Zoran's products and IP include professional and consumer video editing systems, filmless digital cameras, standalone and PC-based DVD players, SuperVCD players, digital speakers and audio systems.

Zoran is headquartered in Santa Clara, with additional operations in Haifa, Israel, Toronto, Canada and offices in Tokyo, Japan and Shenzhen, China. For more information about Zoran call 408/919-4111, or visit our website: http://www.zoran.com.

Note to Editors: ZR38650, Standard Plus and SiliconSoftware are trademarks of Zoran Corporation. DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc. Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. All other trademarks are the property of their owners.