Zoran Vaddis IV Decoder IC Shipping in New Toshiba DVD Players

Business Wire, Jan 7, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CES 2000

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2000

Co-developed with Fujifilm Microdevices Co., Ltd., the Vaddis DVD

Decoder is Shipping in Several New Toshiba DVD Players with Enhanced

Audio and Video Capabilities.

Zoran Corporation (Nasdaq:ZRAN), a leading provider of integrated circuits (ICs) and embedded software for digital video and audio applications enabled by compression, today announced that Toshiba Corporation is using Zoran's Vaddis IV(TM) DVD decoder chip to power its full line of new generation DVD players (SD-K330TA, SD-2109TA, SD-3109TE, and SD-K520).

These exciting additions to Toshiba's DVD product line boast an expanded set of features including enhanced audio and video quality, enabled by the Vaddis IV. According to market research firm Dataquest, worldwide production of DVD players is expected to reach over 6.4 million units in 1999, and over 10.3 million units in 2000.

"The Vaddis IV decoder IC provides all of the necessary features for our DVD player design," said Adachi, Vice President of Advanced Imaging & Video Products Division for Toshiba. "Due to the integrated video encoder, high flexibility, and rich feature set of the Vaddis, we are able to deliver advanced features such as MPEG5.1, High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD(TM)), and other audio processing capabilities at a competitive price. The work we have accomplished with Zoran's Vaddis support team was instrumental to the success of our new-generation players."

Zoran Corporation's President and CEO, Dr. Levy Gerzberg, said, "We are very proud that Toshiba is utilizing our Vaddis IV in its new line of DVD players. With these new models Toshiba underscores its position as a leading member of the industry-wide alliance credited with creating and promoting the DVD standard. The features and quality of Toshiba new-generation DVD players are of the highest caliber, and we are honored to be associated with such products."

"Fujifilm Microdevices Co., Ltd. is honored to participate in the DVD revolution with leading consumer electronics companies such as Toshiba Corporation," said Norihiko Katoh, CEO, Fujifilm Microdevices Co., Ltd. "Our successful alliance with Zoran is yielding leading-edge products such as the Vaddis DVD decoder IC, and we intend to continue on this path of innovation to provide competitive solutions to our customers."

Based on Zoran's experience in compression technology, the Vaddis IV is the industry's most advanced Integrated DVD Decoder. This single-chip solution incorporates software programmable video and audio processors, allowing this chip to support a vast array of features, such as video zooming and a variety of trick play functions. In addition, it has the ability to take advantage of Zoran's extensive SiliconSoftware(TM) library, giving it access to a wide variety of innovative audio algorithms.

This enables the development of DVD players that incorporate 3D virtual surround, 3D headphones, Karaoke and leading audio algorithms such as Dolby Digital(TM), HDCD(TM), and MPEG5.1 playback. In addition, the Vaddis IV incorporates an NTSC/PAL video encoder and 10-bit video Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), eliminating the need for an external chip. Vaddis decoders are currently shipping in Toshiba DVD players worldwide.

Visit Zoran at the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Booth No. D3859 (Las Vegas Convention Center). Toshiba is exhibiting in Booths No. D3573, No. S109, and No. S110.

About Toshiba Corporation

Toshiba Corporation is a leader in information and communications systems, electronic components, consumer products and power systems. The company's integration of these wide-ranging capabilities assures its position as an innovator in multimedia components, products and systems. Toshiba has 197,000 employees worldwide, and annual sales of approximately US $50 billion. Toshiba's web site is at www.toshiba.co.jp.

About Fujifilm Microdevices Co., Ltd.

Fujifilm Microdevices Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. with headquarters in Sendai Industrial Park, Japan. It is dedicated to the design, manufacture and marketing of multimedia products including: CCD image sensors, JPEG codecs, MPEG, Audio and DVD decoders, high-speed serial bus interfaces (IEEE 1394) and others.

About Zoran Corporation

Zoran Corporation develops and markets integrated circuits (ICs), IC Intellectual Property (IP) cores, and embedded software for digital video and audio 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 still camera system on a chip and digital audio.

All these standard-based products benefit from Zoran's Standard Plus(TM) technology. Zoran's ICs are used in numerous digital video and audio products. Leading applications incorporating Zoran's products and IP include professional and consumer video editing systems, filmless digital cameras, standalone consumer DVD players, SuperVCD players, digital speakers and audio systems.