ESS Technology Introduces MPEG-1 Chip Targeted for Portable Video CD Market
Integrated Power Management and Small Size Meet Portable VCD Needs
FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- ESS Technology, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ESST) today announced a single-chip MPEG-1 solution with new power
management features and smaller size that targets portable video CD
applications. The new video chip, the ES3210, extends ESS' MPEG video family
of products to cover the full spectrum of stand-alone and portable Video CD
consumer products.
The new ES3210 VideoDrive(TM) chip offers several advanced ESS-developed
features that are integrated into the chip:
-- Power management -- providing ACTIVE, STANDBY, and SUSPEND modes; this
power management feature expands the play time;
-- SmartZoom(TM) allows user to zoom in or out of any selected portion of
a still picture frame;
-- SmartScale(TM) function that automatically scales video images from
NTSC to PAL and PAL to NTSC formats;
-- SmartStream(TM) function enables playback of video CDs that have poor
quality encoding or that have been scratched;
-- Playback Control sequence for interactive Video CD 2.0 applications;
-- Full Screen On-Screen-Display (OSD) feature to display system status
and serve as user interface;
-- Karaoke for sing-along, with key shift and echo functions;
-- DiscScan(TM) function enables the user to scan through a video CD and
display a few seconds of each track in multiple small windows (the user can
select individual tracks and zoom out to play that track on a full screen);
-- TrackScan(TM) allows the user to scan a single track;
-- QuickScan(TM) enables the user to play back a few seconds of each
track on a full screen;
-- Remote Control interface logic which eliminates the requirement of an
external microcontroller for remote control.
ESS also offers a companion chip for the ES3210 decoder, the ES3207, that
integrates most analog function requirements for video CD systems. The analog
functions include echo, surround sound, 3D audio, TV encoder with clock
generator, and audio DAC functions.
With the level of integration we are achieving with the ES3210 and the
ES3207, a complete Video CD 2.0 player can be implemented in the size of a
business card," said Fred Chan, ESS' chairman and chief executive officer.
"With the advanced, integrated power management features, these two chips are
ideal for portable VCD solutions. We're revolutionizing the integration
level, features, board size, and cost structure of a Video CD system. We
believe this will further accelerate the growth of the CD market."
The ES3210 will be available in sample quantities in first quarter, 1997,
and will be priced in the mid-$20 range in OEM quantities. The ES3207 will
also be available in sample quantities in first quarter, 1997, and will be
priced at $8.00 in OEM quantities.
ESS Technology, Inc., headquartered in Fremont, California, designs,
develops and markets highly integrated mixed signal semiconductor and software
solutions for multimedia applications in the personal computer and consumer
marketplaces. The company is the leading supplier of comprehensive mixed
signal PC audio solutions that integrate all essential audio components on a
single chip.
NOTE: VideoDrive is a trademark of ESS Technology, Inc.
The matters discussed in this news release include certain forward looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely
availability and acceptance of new products, the growth in demand for the MPEG
chips, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the management of
growth of the company, and the other risk detailed from time to time in the
SEC reports of ESS, including the report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 1996. Actual results could differ materially from those
projected in the forward looking statements.
CONTACT: Gary Breeding, Director, Corporate Communications of ESS Technology, Inc., 510-492-1792 ESS press releases available through Company News On-Call by fax, 800- 758-5804, ext. 108866, or at prnewswire.com |
