Tripath Chosen by Panasonic for Highest Power in-Dash Car Audio Head Unit

Business Wire, Jan 7, 2005

LAS VEGAS -- TCD6001 and TPS4100 are Featured in the 2nd Generation of High-Power Head Units

Tripath Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:TRPH), creators of Class-T(R) Digital Audio Amplifiers, announced today that its TCD6001 and TPS4100 will power Panasonic's new automotive in-dash head-unit, the CQ-C901UL. Three other units will also feature Class-T outputs.

Tripath's digital amplifier solution, including the TCD6001 Class-T controller and TPS4100 Class-T power stage, provides head units with more power then possible before. The 4-channel power stage can produce 100W square wave per channel, into 4 ohms. The TCD6001 digital-interface Class-T controller accepts a digital input and provides 4 Class-T modulated outputs and stereo line outputs. By accepting the digital input, the TCD6001 eliminates the need for additional digital-to-analog converters and simplifies system design. The combination of Tripath's controller and power stage provide a compact, efficient, and extremely powerful combination.

Last year, Panasonic released the CQ-C9800U, which was the first 70W x 4-channel car audio head unit, setting a new power record; it also introduced the CQ-C9700U at 60W x 4. Both units used Tripath's TPS4070 Class-T power stage. The added power in these head units eliminated the need for consumers to install an external power amplifier when upgrading their car stereos. This year Panasonic will extend the 70W x 4 power rating to 4 models, including one in-dash video display.

"We are pleased that Panasonic has released a second generation of in-dash car audio with Tripath's digital amplifiers," said Mr. Graham Wright, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Tripath. "We believe Tripath's digital amplifier helps Panasonic to provide value and performance to their end customers."

Because of their high efficiency, Tripath's Class-T digital amplifiers can provide more then twice the normal power from a head unit. The TPS4100 produces only 1/8 the heat of a traditional Class-A/B amplifier under normal operating conditions. So even with the extra power output the unit stays cooler then a traditional amplifier. Class-T also preserves signal fidelity significantly better then other switching amplifiers, allowing it to be used for full-bandwidth applications like Panasonics head units.

Tripath will be demonstrating the new Panasonic head units using the TCD6001 and TPS4100 along with other new digital amplifier products at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 6th through the 9th. Tripath's display will be at booth #21839 in LVCC South Hall.

About Tripath Technology

Based in San Jose, California, Tripath Technology Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company that focuses on providing highly efficient power amplification to the digital media, consumer electronics and communications markets. Tripath owns the patented technology called Digital Power Processing (DPP(R)), which combines modern advances in digital signal processing and power processing. Tripath's current customers include consumer electronic companies, such as Aiwa, Denon, Hitachi, Motorola, Onkyo, Samsung, Sharp and Toshiba, as well as DSL communications equipment providers, such as Alcatel, who use Tripath's power efficient line drivers for central office applications. For more information please visit Tripath's web site at www.tripath.com.

About Panasonic (Matsushita Electric Industrial)

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., best known for its Panasonic, National, Technics and Quasar brand names, is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronics products for a wide range of consumer, business and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated sales of $62.19 billion (U.S.) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. In addition to the Tokyo and other Japanese stock exchanges (6752), Matsushita's shares are also listed on the Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, New York, Pacific (NYSE/PCX "MC") and Paris stock exchanges. More information is available on the Matsushita Web site at http://www.panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this release concerning Tripath's long-term outlook are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results could differ materially from those stated or implied from the forward-looking statements. Tripath's ability to grow depends on many factors, such as silicon wafer pricing and the availability of foundry and assembly capacity and raw materials. Also, the availability and pricing of competing products and technologies would effect sales and pricing of Tripath's products. Tripath may experience fluctuations in the manufacturing yields of its third party semiconductor foundries and other problems or delays in the fabrication, assembly, testing or delivery of its products. Tripath may not be able to specify, develop or acquire, complete, introduce, market and transition to volume production new products and technologies in a timely manner. Further information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is included in Tripath's United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings.