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To: Stoctrash who wrote (36276)9/28/1998 1:01:00 PM
From: Don Dorsey  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 50808
 
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.



To: Stoctrash who wrote (36276)9/28/1998 1:25:00 PM
From: DiViT  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 50808
 
It's Free! It's That Simple; DISH Network Offers FREE Digital Satellite TV System After Rebate

09/28/98
Business Wire
(Copyright (c) 1998, Business Wire)


LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1998--EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH, DISHP) announced today DISH Network(tm) is offering FREE Digital Satellite TV Systems!

DISH Network is making it simple for consumers to get rid of cable forever and begin watching hundreds of their favorite satellite television channels by offering them a FREE premium digital satellite TV system in combination with DISH Network One-Rate Plan.

DISH Network is now offering new customers an advanced model, 32-bit, multi-room-ready digital satellite TV system FREE, after rebate. Here's how simple it works: Customers purchase the system for $249 and subscribe to DISH Network's convenient One-Rate Plan of $48.98 per month, which requires a one-year commitment to America's Top 100 CD package including their choice of TWO premium movie packages. After customers make their first programming payment, DISH Network will send them a check for $249. That's a FREE digital satellite TV system!

DISH Network One-Rate Plan offers customers the ease of one low price while receiving 100 of their favorite channels including over 30 commercial-free, CD-quality music channels as well as their choice of two premium movie packages from the following:


o HBO The Works Package - Two channels of HBO, two channels of
HBO Plus, one channel of HBO Signature, and one channel of HBO

Family.


o MultiMAX from Cinemax Package - Two channels of Cinemax and one
channel of MoreMAX.


o SHOWTIME Unlimited Package - Three channels of SHOWTIME, one
channel of SHOWTIME Extreme, one channel of FLIX, two channels

of The Movie Channel, and one channel of Sundance.


o STARZ!/ENCORE Package - One channel of STARZ!, one channel of
STARZ!2, one channel of ENCORE and one channel of WESTERNS.


"DISH Network One-Rate Plan makes it easy for consumers to tune into more channels, more choices and more movies, all viewed through a FREE digital satellite TV system," said Charlie Ergen, CEO and chairman of EchoStar Communications Corp. "DISH Network continues to offer the best prices in satellite television and the best choice over the poor customer service and high prices of cable."
The FREE Digital Satellite TV System special is effective Oct. 1, 1998, and runs through Dec. 31, 1998.

DISH Network offers even more savings! DISH Network has slashed the price of a Standard Professional Installation to only $49, or customers can choose to receive a Self-Installation Kit for FREE. That's a savings of $150 off the normal installation price of $199.

DISH Network is the only satellite television company to re-transmit local TV signals, in digital quality, to 13 major cities in the United States: Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Miami and Pittsburgh, and local network TV stations will be available in more U.S. cities soon. If new customers act now, they can receive a FREE local off-air or dish antenna with purchase of a $49 Standard Professional Installation Special and a $50 local network installation. This offer is for a limited time only. Viewers may be eligible to receive their local TV network channels as well as DISH NETS East or DISH NETS West network packages, the flagship network stations from New York and Los Angeles. So call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or your local DISH Network retailer to disconnect from cable and get your local channels seamlessly, either with an off-air antenna or from DISH Network satellites.

You can have it all, with over 300 programming services with crystal-clear, CD-quality audio and video channels providing the best in entertainment television, local broadcast TV networks, and international programming available today by calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

EchoStar Communications Corp., includes three interrelated business units:

o DISH Network(tm), EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system that
offers customers over 300 of digital video and CD-quality audio
programming options, fully MPEG - 2 /DVB compliant hardware,
installation, financing and leasing.
o EchoStar Technologies Corporation (ETC, formerly HTS(TM)- Houston
Tracker Systems, Inc.), designs, manufactures and distributes DBS
set-top boxes, antennae and other digital equipment for DISH
Network and various international customers that include
ExpressVu Canada and Telefonica's Via Digital system in Spain.
ETC also provides uplink center design, construction oversight
and project integration services for customers internationally.
o Satellite Services provides the delivery of video, audio and data
services to business television customers and other satellite
users. These services include satellite uplink, satellite
transponder space usage and other services.

The DISH Network currently serves over 1.5 million customers. DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. HTS is a trademark of Houston Tracker Systems, Inc. DISH Network is located on the Internet at: www.dishnetwork.com

CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corp. Judianne Atencio Communications Director 303/723-2010 e-mail: judianne.atencio@echostar.com or Marc Lumpkin Communications Manager 303/723-2020 e-mail: marc.lumpkin@echostar.com
12:44 EDT SEPTEMBER 28, 1998