ESS Technology's DVD Chipset Enables Polaroid(R) Consumer Electronics' Recordable DVD Players
Monday July 14, 7:30 am ET
ESS Vantage(TM)-Vibratto(TM) Chipset Powers New Video Features
FREMONT, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ESS Technology (Nasdaq: ESST - News) a leading provider of silicon solutions for digital imaging, digital video and digital audio consumer electronics, today announced the availability of a Polaroid® recordable DVD unit featuring ESS Technology's MPEG-2 Vantage(TM) video encoder and Vibratto(TM) decoder solutions. The Polaroid® brand is licensed exclusively to the Petters Group, LLC to develop and sell consumer electronics. The Polaroid® DVD-DVR is now available in major retail stores at a suggested retail price of $399.
In addition to traditional DVD playback functions, Polaroid's DVD-DVR records up to four hours of content onto a DVD+R or DVD+RW disc and has a built-in TV tuner that allows simultaneous viewing and recording of two separate programs. The ESS Vantage(TM) chip performs the MPEG-2 video encoding function while the Vibratto(TM) chip handles the MPEG-2 video decoding. With combined Vantage(TM)-Vibratto(TM) video encoder and decoder capabilities, the Polaroid® DVD player/recorder enables recording of live or pre-selected broadcast programs at various video qualities and recording lengths, and playback in any DVD player.
The Polaroid® DVD recorder/player also includes an A/V input for video archiving of existing VCR or camcorder programs. Other unique advanced encoding capabilities available with the ESS solution include Time Base Correction which permits the recording of fast-forwarded VCR video content without any A/V synchronization loss, and a feature that permits the recording of closed-captioning information. Additionally, a progressive scan output offers a sharp and flicker-free display and Dolby® Digital decoding enables multi-channel high-quality audio output.
Cord Christensen, executive vice president of Petters Consumer Brands stated, "The recordable DVD market is expanding rapidly and we are pleased to partner with ESS to develop the Polaroid® DVD player/recorder to meet the demand for more affordable DVR product. Our strategy of providing advanced, high-performance, feature-rich products is realized with this partnership that enables Polaroid to quickly bring the latest and greatest DVD features to market."
Victor Ren, vice president of marketing at ESS Technology said, "We congratulate Petters Consumer Brands on their success with the Polaroid® DVD player/recorder. The ESS MPEG-2 encoder/decoder solution is designed to provide consumers with the highest level of entertainment and satisfaction, with easy-to-use, full-featured and affordable products."
"ESS is committed to making DVD recorder/players common consumer electronics devices, and by teaming up with Polaroid's® brand strength and brand equity in the consumer market, we are helping to make this new product affordable and accessible to all," Mr. Ren concluded.
About ESS Technology
ESS Technology, Inc., is a leading supplier of high-performance feature-rich chips for the rapidly expanding DVD, digital imaging and digital entertainment markets. The company is also a leading provider of solutions for applications in the growing consumer entertainment market. ESS provides advanced products that enable the emergence of digital home systems that deliver and manage entertainment and information in the home.
ESS, headquartered in Fremont, California, has R&D, sales, and technical support offices worldwide. ESS Technology's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ESST. ESS Technology's web site address is: esstech.com .
About Petters Group, LLC
Petters Group is a new global model for buying, selling, and financing consumer merchandise. The group consists of multiple operating companies that all deal in consumer merchandise, including Petters Consumer Brands. Petters collection of companies includes retail, wholesale and sourcing companies. For additional information visit www.pettersgroup.com.
About Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid is the worldwide leader in instant photography. The company supplies instant photographic cameras and films; digital imaging hardware, software and media; identification systems; and sunglasses to markets worldwide. Additional information about Polaroid is available on the company's Web site at www.polaroid.com.
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, the effect of SARS on the global economy, 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 |
