Cirrus Logic is First With A Logo'd Audio Driver for Microsoft Windows XP

Business Wire, Sept 4, 2001

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2001

Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) today announced another computer audio industry first as the first audio vendor to receive Microsoft Corp.'s Designed for Windows XP logo.

Microsoft certified the just-released CrystalClear(R) PW4100 driver for compatibility with computer systems running the new Windows XP operating system, which launches on October 25. The new driver will deliver significantly improved sound quality, which will further enhance the Windows XP entertainment experience.

"Our latest computer audio `first' is another example of the capability of our computer audio group to quickly deliver what customers want," said Matt Perry, Vice President and General Manager of the Crystal Product Division. "We received certification for the PW4100 driver from Microsoft on August 2."

The CrystalClear PW4100 driver provides two-channel audio for multiple vendors' audio controllers. The modular driver understands the differences between multiple revisions of popular audio controllers, and intelligently supports audio features based on the capabilities of the exact revisions of controller and AC'97 audio codec present in the system. The PW4100 driver provides a rich audio environment, supporting playback and capture for PCM data, sample rates from 8 kss to 48 kss, ACPI power management, software-generated sound synthesis, configurable mixer settings, local language support, digital CD playback and record, and support for both Microsoft's digital rights management protocol and the proprietary Crystal Copy Right protocol for DVD content protection. Like all Cirrus Logic audio drivers, PW4100 provides for both "plug-n-play" and external installation options. The PW4100 driver works with the Crystal(R) CS4299 and CS4201 AC'97 audio codecs and provides support for both Intel (ICH, ICH2, and ICH3) and Via (686A, 686B, and 8231) chipsets.

"We are proud to be the first to market with an audio driver for the ``Designed for Windows'' logo and pleased to have the CrystalClear PW4100 driver wear Microsoft's ``Designed for Windows'' logo," said Scott McDonald, Vice President of Systems and Software for the Crystal Product Division.

"We enhanced the Microsoft logo tests to ensure that all forthcoming Windows XP systems have high-quality audio drivers, providing a trouble-free and crystal-clear audio experience for users of Windows XP," said Trudy Culbreth Brassell, Lead Program Manager for Windows A/V at Microsoft. "Delivering a feature-rich and stable audio and video platform is one of the goals of the Windows XP release, allowing the user's computer to be an entertainment device that can play awesome-sounding DVD movies utilizing Microsoft's DRM protocol for content protection."

Cirrus Logic Inc.

Cirrus Logic is the premiere supplier of high-performance analog and DSP chip solutions for consumer entertainment electronics that allow people to see, hear, connect, and enjoy digital entertainment. Building on its global market share leadership in audio integrated circuits and its rich mixed-signal patent portfolio, the company targets mainstream audio, video and Internet entertainment applications in the consumer entertainment market. Cirrus Logic operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas and major sites located in Fremont, Calif. and Broomfield, Colo., as well as offices in Europe, Japan and Asia. More information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

Safe Harbor Provision

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements that are dependent on certain risks and uncertainties including such factors, among others, as the ability of the new CrystalClear driver to work with Microsoft's Windows XP operating system; the ability of the Company to close its pending acquisitions of ShareWave Inc., LuxSonor Semiconductors Inc. and Stream Machine Company; the ability of the Company to successfully integrate these acquisitions into its operations and realize the anticipated synergies; the ability of the Company to complete future acquisitions to acquire additional technologies; the resolution of the Company's litigation with Western Digital; the Company's shift away from magnetic storage and towards consumer-entertainment electronics; overall conditions in the semiconductor market; the rate of consumer electronics market adoption of new products; customer cancellations of orders, or the failure to place orders consistent with forecasts; hardware or software deficiencies; delays in customer qualification of key new products; final determination of appropriate inventory write-downs based on the outlook at the end of each quarter; actual operational spending; and the risk factors listed in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2001, and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing information concerning Cirrus Logic's business outlook represents our outlook as of the date of this news release, and Cirrus Logic undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new developments or otherwise.