New Genesis Chip Helps Reduce LCD Monitor Cost for Largest Market Segment; Genesis Maintains Leadership Position With Feature-Packed, Low-Cost gmZAN1 Chip - Genesis Microchip's Genesis Microchip zmZani

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Jan 17, 2000

LCD monitor manufacturers and their customers will all benefit from lower monitor costs, now that Genesis Microchip Wednesday announced its latest video/graphic-processing integrated circuit.

The new gmZAN1 is a cost-effective, feature-enhanced integrated circuit for LCD monitors. Monitor makers can reduce their costs by utilizing the chip's numerous leading-edge integration features. Solution costs are further reduced by key components such as new dithering logic and an innovative scaling approach, which allow monitor makers to select low-cost LCD panels (without sacrificing image quality) when addressing the mainstream, cost-sensitive XGA market.

"The analog XGA market is still growing and remains the single largest LCD monitor market segment -- this is expected to continue throughout 2000," said Ross Young, President of market research firm DisplaySearch. "Volumes will increase even more if the sticker prices come down. As reported by DisplaySearch in December, Genesis is the leader in this market."

Genesis Marketing Manager Andre Bouwer added: "DisplaySearch recently reported the analog XGA segment will remain greater than 50% of the total LCD monitor market for the year."

The gmZAN1 combines the latest algorithms and architectures from the industry-leading gmZ4 and gmB135 chips and "pieces together" the best technology the company has to offer. This includes Genesis's well-received (and patented) gmZ4 scaling process, which offers unparalleled image quality. The chip's proven 8-bit triple analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is courtesy of the gmB135. The gmZAN1 will support resolutions from SVGA to SXGA.

In addition to superior scaling and the on-chip ADC, further integration highlights include:

-- Outstanding dithering, enabling true color on low-cost, 6-bit panels

-- Adaptive Contrast Enhancement (ACE) filtering

-- 10-bit programmable gamma correction

-- Support for multiple sync modes, including sync-on-green

-- Enhanced on-screen display, for more flexibility

"This new chip solidifies our leadership position and helps give the LCD monitor market an additional push," said Bouwer. "Manufacturers will use this technology as a way to attract end users back to the market. Many consumers have been turned off LCD monitors because of their comparatively high prices -- we expect this chip will help push down consumer monitor prices."

The gmZAN1 is pin-compatible with the gmB120 chip and is available in a 160-pin PQFP package.

Genesis Microchip Inc. (Nasdaq:GNSS) -- an ISO9001-registered company -- designs, produces and markets highly integrated semiconductors for flat panel displays, home theater equipment, projection systems, video workstation gear and dozens of other applications. You can find Genesis chips in products from Acer, Apple Computer, Daewoo, Dell, Fujitsu, IBM, In Focus Systems, Hitachi, LG Electronics, Mitsubishi, NEC, Philips, Samsung, SGI, Sharp, Sony, Tatung, ViewSonic and more than 200 other companies. Genesis Microchip is headquartered in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, while its U.S. subsidiaries are located in San Jose and Mountain View, Calif. Further information is available at: http://www.genesis-microchip.com.

Acronyms:

-- LCD (liquid crystal display)

-- PQFP (plastic quad flat pack)

-- SVGA (super video graphics array)

-- SXGA (super extended graphics array)

-- XGA (extended graphics array)