Zoran Introduces Vaddis III -- The World's Most Advanced DVD Decoder IC; Vaddis
III Provides Highest Integration and Quality at the Lowest System Cost
Business Editors/Technology Writers
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1998--Zoran Corp.
(Nasdaq:ZRAN), a leading provider of integrated circuits and software
for digital video and audio enabled by compression, announced today
the availability of the Vaddis III(TM) (ZR36710) DVD decoder IC
optimized for third generation DVD players.
The new Vaddis III decoder further expands the functionality of
the successful Vaddis(TM) by incorporating additional key functions,
essential for designing a competitive DVD product, making it the most
integrated solution in production today. The Vaddis III is priced at
sub-$20 in high-volume quantities.
Based on Zoran's leading MPEG 2 video and Dolby Digital(R) audio
compression technology, the Vaddis III enables supreme quality DVD
players. The Vaddis III integrates the decoding and presentation
functionality required for full implementation of the DVD standard,
into a single chip.
As part of Zoran's StandardPlus(TM) strategy, a 40 MIPS audio DSP
and video features were embedded into the chip thereby substantially
improving audio and video quality. Furthermore, by applying Zoran's
unique SiliconSoftware(TM) concept, smooth and seamless incorporation
of innovative audio algorithms such as 3-D surround, Karaoke as well
as future enhancements are enabled.
"Vaddis III marks a new milestone for DVD integration in the
marketplace," said Dr. Isaac Shenberg, vice president of Sales and
Marketing for Zoran Corp. "Its exceptional flexibility and
price/performance coupled with our dedicated customer support, present
a compelling solution to the leading manufacturers of third generation
DVD players."
About Vaddis III
Highest Quality, Unparalleled Integration
The internal architecture of the Vaddis III, which incorporates
Zoran's field proven programmable Digital Audio Processor technology,
enables the development of DVD systems which meet the highest
standards of audio quality. Including an embedded 40 MIPS high
performance audio DSP, Vaddis III outperforms other solutions that use
16-bit audio technology or non-optimized audio circuitry.
Integrated 3-D Audio, Karaoke -- Reducing System Cost
The powerful Audio capabilities of the Vaddis III allows the
integration of audio features such as 3-D Audio and Karaoke into the
Vaddis III that otherwise require external and expensive circuitry.
3-D audio provides a virtual multi-channel environment from only two
speakers. The consumer of a DVD player incorporating 3-D audio
capability is engulfed in the soundtrack of a movie from the front,
side and rear.
Karaoke is a popular feature for the Asian market. This feature
can be readily embedded into the Vaddis III thereby eliminating the
need for an external karaoke processor. Key functions include Voice
Canceling for unhindered sing along, Echo effects and Key Control to
match music and singer's pitch.
DTS(R)/MPEG 5.1 Playback -- Expanding the Surround Sound World
In addition to Dolby Digital and Pro-Logic(R) surround, Vaddis
III supports the Digital Theater System (DTS) specification, an
audiophile quality, 5.1 channel, digital audio delivery system. DTS
formatted data is transmitted through the digital output of the Vaddis
III for multi-channel decoding by an audio receiver. Support for
MPEG5.1 is also provided via the SPDIF output.
Patented Memory Interface -- Reducing Memory and Cost
The Vaddis III decoder requires only a single 16-Mbit SDRAM
memory for full operation. This Zoran's patented scheme reduces the
memory requirements of a DVD system thus dramatically reducing the
overall cost when compared to competing solutions.
Enhancing Video Quality
Further adding to the video capability, the Vaddis III
incorporates reverse playback functionality to provide seamless
reverse functions in addition to the standard trickplay functions
common to DVD players. The reverse trickplay provides smooth
transitions for a viewer to single step or fast reverse through
scenes.
For close-up viewing of the video content, a zoom function is
provided to enable the user to zoom in on a particular portion of the
video screen.
Flexibility -- Supporting Multiple Standards
The Vaddis III provides the capability to support multiple
standards. For development of a DVD player, backwards compatibility to
CD-DA is provided in addition to VideoCD. Emerging standards such as
SuperVCD can also be supported thereby providing full backwards
compatibility to the popular standards for Digital Video playback.
Packaged in a 160-pin TQFP, Vaddis III is optimized for six
channels or two channels of highest quality audio output. Additional
features include integrated PLL, audio gain control, and integrated
bass redirection circuitry. The integrated OSD hardware provides the
capability for full screen OSD performance.
Field-Proven Technology
The Vaddis architecture was the first integrated Audio/Video
solution to ship in DVD players. Vaddis is field-proven in DVD players
since December 1997 and the Vaddis III is currently in volume
production and will ship with consumer DVD solutions in coming weeks.
Zoran continues to provide production ready solutions to the market,
keeping pace with the industry's rapid progress.
About Zoran
Zoran Corp. develops and markets software and integrated circuits
(IC) for compression enabled digital Audio and Video applications.
Zoran also designs complete reference products based on Zoran's
technology.
Zoran's product lines and Intellectual property (IP) include JPEG
codecs, MPEG, DVD and Super-VCD decoders, IC cores, digital audio
processors for decoding and processing digital audio streams such as
Dolby Digital and MPEG, and real-time DVD and VCD software for PC. All
these standard based products benefit from Zoran's Standard-Plus
technology.
Zoran's software is bundled by PC and graphics-card manufacturers
for software and software assisted DVD/VCD playback on PCs. The
company's ICs are used in numerous digital Audio and Video products.
Leading applications incorporating Zoran's products and IP are
professional and consumer video editing systems, filmless digital
cameras, stand alone DVD/VCD players and PC-based systems, digital
speakers and audio systems.
Zoran is headquartered in Santa Clara with additional operations
in Haifa, Israel; Toronto and offices in Tokyo and Shenzhen, China.
For more information about Zoran call 408/919-4111, or visit our Web
site: www.zoran.com. For our latest press releases please call our
fax-on-demand service at 1-800/PRO-INFO, ticker symbol ZRAN. |
