Arima Computer Corporation Announces New Line of VGA and 1.3 MegaPixel Camera Modules for the Cell Phone Market; New Modules Use IC Media's Latest CMOS Image Sensors.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Arima Computer Corporation today announced the availability of camera modules based on IC Media Corporation's VGA and 1.3 Mp CMOS image sensors and Arima's world class capabilities in module design and assembly. Arima's new modules are designed to meet the growing demand for smaller form factor cameras with outstanding image resolution for a new generation of cell phones.

Arima's new VGA module, the D0301 in a 7.4mm x 7.4mm x 5.3mm footprint, outputs data up to 30fps in RGB raw Bayer pattern. The 1.3Mp module, the D1301, with a 9mm x 9mm x 6.50mm footprint outputs data up to 30fps in RGB raw Bayer pattern format. Both modules have ideal form factors suited for the camera phone market with a high degree of compatibility with image pipelines for higher performance.

IC Media's VGA and 1.3 MegaPixel image sensors significantly reduce the BOM with higher quality by providing on-chip electronic exposure control, programmable color gain, dead pixel removal, low light sensitivity and a flexible interface for wide acceptance and compatibility in the industry. Their reduced size and wide acceptance angles allow for smaller modules making them the ideal sensors for slim-style camera phones.

"IC Media is an established volume supplier of high-quality high-resolution CMOS image sensors. Their expertise in developing the optics to optimize the abilities of their sensors is unsurpassed," said Peter Ju, Arima, senior vice president and general manager of NetCom & Multimedia Business Unit "Our modules are designed for a wide variety of cameras and phones, and IC Media's proven, scalable architecture allowed us to provide multiple alternative solutions to meet each customer's specific needs. Arima has dedicated substantial resources to the effort: developing its own high quality aspheric lens and image processing chip. We are also working with third party lens suppliers and image processors to give our customers access to the widest possible variety of solutions. Arima has constructed a world class volume production facility where the modules can be manufactured and assembled. When this facility is in full production, we will be able to provide three million modules a month."

The cell phone/camera phenomenon has become a worldwide market with an estimated 200 million units shipping this year growing to 600 million by 2008. What was once an amusing add-on device has now become a useful tool and a required feature. Image quality is one of the drivers leading to its wide acceptance. In key markets such as Japan, the sale of low-cost digital cameras is dropping in favor of higher quality cell phone cameras.

"Arima is ideally positioned to meet the demands of this booming market. They are known for the quality of their products and for bringing together leading suppliers to design and produce innovative consumer devices," said Richard Char, IC Media's president and CEO. "Today Arima builds handsets for a number of leading cell phone companies. As Arima further penetrates the camera module business we are proud to be Arima's sensor supplier for their mass market camera modules."

ABOUT ARIMA GROUPS, Inc.

Arima is a leading global provider of product design and manufacturing and logistic services for many of the world's leading mobile terminal, information technology and consumer electronics companies. Since establishment in 1989, Arima has continually invested in new and emerging technologies while producing quality products that remain at the forefront of innovation. Arima is headquartered (www.arima.com.tw) in Taiwan with global operations spanning over China, Europe, Japan and North America. Arima offers Original Design Models (ODM), Joint Design (JDM) and Contract Manufacturing (CM) and maintains the highest quality assurance standards.

ABOUT IC MEDIA CORPORATION

IC Media is an established volume supplier of leading high resolution CMOS image sensors for cell phones, digital still cameras, PC cameras, and other mobile imaging applications. Today, IC Media ships CIF, VGA, 1Mp, 2Mp and 3Mp CMOS image sensors designed in 0.25 micron process technology with pixel sizes down to 3.45um and has completed development of 3Mp image sensors using a .18 micron mixed signal CMOS process with an industry leading 2.8um pixel size. The privately-held Company was founded in 1998 with headquarters in Santa Clara, California, an R&D center in Mesa, Arizona, and offices in Chu-Pei and Taipei, Taiwan and Beijing, Shanghai and Shen Zhen, China. For more information on the company and its products, please visit the IC Media website at www.IC-Media.com.