iCompression issues its MPEG-2 encoder press release (again). Why announce it twice? -- This puts them in the same camp with Innovacon and Sigma..........
iCOMPRESSION DEMONSTRATES TECHNOLOGICAL
LEADERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY'S FIRST SINGLE-CHIP MPEG-2
VIDEO/AUDIO/ SYSTEM ENCODER
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 1998--
-- Company Targets Consumer and Communications Markets with Vivace-izC -- First Product in Vivace Line Empowers
Web Video, DVD-RAM, DVD+R/W, Video Conferencing, VCR Replacement and Home Video Editing Applications --
Technological Advancements Include Temporally Sequenced Encode/Decode Functions, Enhanced Motion Estimation
iCompression Inc., a developer and marketer of video and audio compression technologies for the communications and home
electronics markets, delivers the industry's first single-chip MPEG-2 video, audio and system encoder with today's
announcement of the Vivace-izC. With technical advancements including temporally sequenced encode/decode functions and
enhanced motion estimation, the first member of the Vivace semiconductor product family powers consumer applications such
as Internet video, video conferencing, video editing, digital camcorders and VCR replacement. Building on iCompression's
stellar engineering background, the chip allows PC and consumer electronics manufacturers to deliver high-quality digital video
applications based on high density hard-drives or DVD-RAM, DVD R/W and DVD+R/W. Vivace-izC is sampling now, and
will be shipping in late 1998. Pricing has been set at $195 in small production quantities.
"Our team has worked with the single goal to bring a highly integrated, cost-effective audio and video encoding solution to
market," said Govind Kizhepat, founder and CEO of iCompression. "The Vivace-izC delivers what no other solution on the
market can: a single-chip MPEG-2 encoder encompassing audio, video and system functions. Our partners in the consumer
electronics and PC spaces are enthusiastic about the product, and we expect to see iCompression-powered products on the
retail shelves by year-end."
DIGITAL VIDEO REACHES CONSUMERS
Consumers are becoming aware of the expansive entertainment possibilities offered by digital technology as opposed to their
existing analog electronics devices, and the market for digital TV satellites, DVD recorders and players for games and movies,
digital camcorders, video e-mail and conferencing is growing rapidly. This market expansion is fueled by low-cost,
high-function semiconductors which maximize the performance of these digital devices. Once the domain of large, vertically
integrated companies, the consumer semiconductor market is being advanced by smaller, technically savvy vendors such as
iCompression.
"In the multimedia semiconductor marketplace, many vendors claim to have highly integrated and highly functional products
that end up never making it to market," said Jonathan Cassell, senior semiconductor industry analyst for Dataquest.
"iCompression's Vivace-izC is here and now, and delivers high-quality video and audio compression and playback from a
single chip."
VIVACE-izC DELIVERS HIGH-QUALITY VIDEO COMPRESSION
Vivace-izC's high level of integration is achieved by a number of patent-pending technological advances, such as a highly
optimized motion estimation architecture and highly tuned temporally sequenced encode/decode operations. Other
technological advancements include two small, high-performance processor cores capable of executing Java Virtual Machine
instructions and DSP functions. Also included in the solution are six dedicated processors that can give up to 1 teraflop's
worth of performance each. Merely 10MB of SDRAM are required for all pre- and post-encoding operations. Vivace-izC
includes support for both PAL (720x576) and NTSC (720x480), 4:2:0 chroma, 30 frames/s at up to 30Mb/s, MP@ML,
MP@LL and SP@ML as well as IBBP encoding. To improve system performance many advanced editing features are
included, frame accurate start and stop, picture user data insertion, and automatic scene change detection. The on-chip host
and PCI bus makes the izC suitable for both PC and standalone applications.
ABOUT iCOMPRESSION
iCompression Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based developer and marketer of video and audio compression technologies for the
communications and home electronics markets, and the first to provide a single-chip MPEG-2 video, audio and system or
transport stream encoder, the Vivace izC. With a history of engineering successful audio and video, CPU and high-speed bus
products at such industry leaders as Sun Microsystems, Silicon Graphics, IBM, LSI Logic and S3, iCompression's core of
technical and management staff is designing highly integrated, industry-first, low cost silicon solutions. The company has
employed several patent-pending technologies which enable it to combine many functions onto a single chip, ensuring the low
cost and small form-factor required by the makers of consumer devices. iCompression's Vivace line MPEG-2 encoding
products will begin shipments in late 1998, and will be sold through the company. iCompression was founded in 1996. More
information on the company and its products can be obtained at www.icompression.com, or via phone at (408) 727-5077,
x23. -----
iCompression, Vivace and Vivace-izC are trademarks of iCompression, Inc. Other product names mentioned herein are for
identification purposes only and may be trademarks and or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT: McGrath/Power Public Relations
Carolyn Rohrer, 408/727-0351
carolyn_rohrer@mcgrathpowerpr.com
or
Kevin Toyama, 408/727-0351
kevin_toyama@mcgrathpowerpr.com
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