OmniVision Announces Availability of Low Cost JPEG Compression Chip for Mobile Applications

Business Wire, July 1, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:OVTI), a market-leading independent supplier of CMOS CameraChip(TM) solutions for high-volume imaging applications, today announced availability of the OV528 JPEG compression chip designed for mobile phones and PDA's. Designed specifically to address the need for a simple, low cost compression solution for clip-on and embedded cameras in cellular handsets and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), the OV528 provides standard JPEG compression capabilities with a serial or SPI interface.

"This latest JPEG compression companion chip offering by OmniVision underscores our commitment to address the needs of mobile customers developing add-on and embedded camera solutions," said John Lynch, vice president of sales and marketing for OmniVision. "With the release of the OV528, OmniVision can provide its customers with simple, small, power efficient solutions that will not burden their customers' CPU's with the demands of file compression."

The OV528 was designed to work seamlessly with OmniVision's standard and custom CameraChips and modules and can be integrated into cell phone and other mobile consumer electronics.

The OV528 is a Serial Bus compression chip. It has preview capabilities where the image is scaled down to the format of small screens generally designed into mobile phone handsets and PDAs. Images received from the OmniVision CameraChip(TM) are compressed into the industry standard JPEG file format. In preview mode, the chip preprocesses the image data in a size and pixel format capable of being displayed by the TFT-LCD panel on the mobile device.

The OV528 can be programmed by mobile device manufacturers with proprietary protocols to customize the interface between the camera and the host. Protocols are the communications standards used between electronic devices to exchange information. The OV528 has a built in 8051 micro-controller to process the program, which can be stored in an EPROM on the camera or downloaded directly from the host. In addition, the OV528 has an integrated memory buffer for temporary storage of compressed images. This temporary buffer allows the compressed file to be slowly transferred to the host using the standard serial interface.

The OV528 supports up to VGA (640 x 480 pixels) resolution. Depending on the configuration, the complete camera power consumption is approximately 100 mA at 2.8 Volts. The chip is available in 12x12 (mm) 64pin TQFP or 16x16 (mm) 100 pin TQFP package. The 100 pin TQFP packaged version of the chip can support external memory to expand the buffer capabilities of the camera design and allow for storage of more images prior to transfer to the host.

The OV528 is available immediately for sampling. Initial volume pricing will be below $6.00 US.

About OmniVision

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. is an independent CameraChip solutions provider. Utilizing proprietary design technology for its highly integrated still-photo and video camera solutions for high-volume imaging applications, OmniVision integrates multiple image processing and capture functions into a single CameraChip design. With the addition of only a lens, the result is a low-cost CameraChip that consumes less power, has a greater environmental functioning range and has a smaller footprint than typical CMOS multi-chip image sensor solutions. OmniVision's CameraChip solutions are in cell phones, personal digital assistants, automobiles and industrial machine vision applications, as well as surveillance and biometric security applications. OmniVision is based in Sunnyvale, California. For more information about the company, visit our Website at www.ovt.com.

Note to Editors: OmniVision and CameraChip are trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. All other trade, product or service names referenced in this release may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the characteristics and pricing of the OV528 are forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forward looking statements and OmniVision's results to differ materially, include, without limitation: the timely introduction, manufacture and continued development of the OV528; the risk of latent defects or other quality problems in the OV528 and the other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision's quarterly reports filed on form 10-Q. OmniVision disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward looking statement.