ESS Technology and Hansung Elcomtec Sign Strategic Agreement
Wednesday December 17, 7:31 am ET
Hansung to Use ESS's VGA Sensors in Its Next Generation Camera Phone Modules
FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ESS Technology (Nasdaq: ESST - News) a leading provider of silicon solutions for digital imaging, video and audio consumer electronics, today announced that it has entered into a strategic relationship with Hansung Elcomtec Co., Ltd., a leading consumer electronics manufacturer. The purpose of the agreement is to combine ESS's VGA technology with Hansung's module technology to produce a lower cost, more flexible product offering for camera phone OEMs.
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According to the agreement, ESS will supply its CMOS VGA image sensors to Hansung for the manufacture of camera-phone imaging modules. ESS's VGA sensors can be used in the smallest available VGA modules and have a flexible architecture, allowing OEMs to easily customize display controllers to their specific requirements. In addition, ESS's sensors provide a very low cost direct connection to baseband processors by eliminating the standard YUV conversion and focusing on key sensor processing.
"Handset designers are calling for VGA camera modules that integrate image signal processing functions into display controllers and baseband modems, thus reducing overall system costs," said Mr. Jong-Jin Lee, VP of Business Development of Hansung.
"ESS's VGA sensor is optimized for the next generation of camera-phones. Good low-light performance and a direct 2.5V compatible 10-bit Bayer RGB interface ensure a very cost-competitive solution. ESS's reputation for providing manufacturing excellence and cutting-edge development will help us capture market share in this rapidly growing market," Mr. Lee concluded.
"We are excited about combining ESS's VGA sensor solutions with Hansung's module technology. Together, our two companies can provide volume production to Korean camera phone makers and allow them to address the rapidly expanding camera-phone market. The first design win from this partnership is currently sampling and is expected to begin volume production in the first quarter 2004," said John Gerard, executive director of marketing for ESS Technology.
ESS recently announced the establishment of a new design center in Korea to provide local support and fast response time to OEMs.
About ESS Technology
ESS Technology, Inc., designs and markets high-performance digital video processor and imaging sensor semiconductors for the consumer digital entertainment, digital photography, cellular phone and digital home markets. ESS products include highly integrated chips for DVD players, DVD recorders, VCD players, digital media players, digital audio systems, digital still cameras and camcorders, and camera-enabled cellular phones.
ESS, headquartered in Fremont, California, has approximately 400 employees in North America and over 100 employees in the Asia providing R&D, sales, and technical support worldwide. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.esstech.com
About Hansung Elcomtec Co., Ltd
Hansung Elcomtec Co., Ltd was founded in June 1983 and specialized in the manufacture of electronic components for the telecommunication industry. Hansung is headquartered in Korea with factories in Korea and China. For more information, visit the Hansung's website at www.hselcomtec.co.kr
The matters discussed in this news release include certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the timely availability and acceptance of ESS's new products, the possible reduction of consumer spending occasioned by general economic conditions, the dependence on continued growth in demand for consumer multimedia products, the possible reduction of consumer spending occasioned by terrorist activity and armed conflict, and the other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of ESS, including the reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
NOTE: All trademarks mentioned in this news release are owned by their respective holders and are used in this news release for identification purposes only.
Source: ESS Technology, Inc. |
