ArcSoft Collaborates With VIA Technologies to Offer True HD Audio to Users When Watching Blu-ray Movies on PC

Business Wire, June 10, 2009

Enjoy High-Definition the Way It’s Meant to Be

FREMONT, Calif. -- ArcSoft, Inc. announced today that its universal multimedia player, ArcSoft TotalMedia™ Theatre, now supports the VIA Vinyl HD Audio codecs (VT1828S and VT1818S) to allow AACS protected HD audio output at its full quality, offering users exceptional sound effects when watching Blu-ray movies on their computers.

All Blu-ray movies require Protected Audio Path (PAP) under Windows environment to transmit the 24-bit, 192kHz HD audio. Without PAP, all audio must be downsampled to 16-bit, 48kHz, which results in quality loss.

ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre ensures that the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) rule is respected when transmitting the protected content to components for output while keeping the audio quality to the maximum, supporting HD formats such as Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

"Delivering true Blu-ray content to end users on PC without sacrificing the quality is what raises the threshold in this market," said George Tang, ArcSoft Vice President and General Manager of Video and Home Entertainment Group. “Utilizing HD audio codecs from VIA, TotalMedia Theatre is able to smoothly transmit the HD audio content and brings end users what they are supposed to experience in sound when playing back BD movies.”

“As the PC platform becomes the center piece of home entertainment, VIA is leading the way in providing superior home theatre audio technology that supports the latest HD audio content,” said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Together with ArcSoft, we offer a complete solution that allows end users to experience the full benefits of Blu-ray video on their PC.”

ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre takes advantage of VIA Vinyl HD audio codecs to deliver accurate and exceptional sound effects to users when watching BD movies. For more information about the application, visit www.arcsoft.com/intouch/tmt3viapr.

About VIA Technologies, Inc.

VIA Technologies, Inc is the foremost fabless supplier of power efficient x86 processor platforms that are driving system innovation in the PC, client, ultra mobile and embedded markets. Combining energy-saving processors with digital media chipsets and advanced connectivity, multimedia and networking silicon enables a broad spectrum of computing and communication platforms, including its widely acclaimed ultra compact mainboards. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA's global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world's top OEMs and system integrators. www.via.com.tw

About ArcSoft, Inc.

ArcSoft, Inc. is an industry leading software developer of multimedia technologies and applications across desktop and embedded platforms. Working closely with major OEM manufacturers, ArcSoft offers a full line of imaging and video solutions that enhance the features, performance, and user experience of mobile phones, digital cameras, optical drives, personal computers, and consumer electronics devices. For further details, visit www.arcsoft.com.

© 2009. All rights reserved. ArcSoft and the ArcSoft logo are registered trademarks of ArcSoft, Inc. ArcSoft TotalMedia is a trademark of ArcSoft, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.