Cirrus Logic, SGS-THOMSON and Zoran Team Up to Deliver DVD Functionality to Mainstream PCs; New VMI10 DVD Evaluation System Now Available.

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1996--Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS), SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics and Zoran Corporation (NASDAQ:ZRAN) today announced the VMI10 Evaluation System designed to enable OEMs to reduce time-to-market and deliver low-cost, high-performance DVD functionality to desktop PCs.

The VMI10 integrates Cirrus Logic's 64-bit VisualMedia(TM) Accelerator (CL-GD5480), a new 100MHz-SGRAM video/graphics engine, with the SGS-THOMSON MPEG-2 Decoder and the Zoran ZR38521 AC-3 Digital Audio Decoder to make possible a range of emerging video applications, including DVD playback, MPEG-2 playback, and next-generation games and interactive titles for mainstream PC users.

"DVD-based applications, along with affordable desktop videoconferencing, Internet video and data delivered via the TV- broadcast VBI (vertical blanking interval), are the next-wave of advanced digital video applications on PCs," said Art Swift, vice president of product marketing for Cirrus Logic's Graphics Company.

"Consistent with our complete-solutions strategy and our history of partnering with other innovative industry leaders, Cirrus Logic is at the forefront in delivering new video features for these emerging applications."

The VMI10 features the SGS-THOMSON MPEG-2 Decoder and Digital Video Encoder (STi3520A and STv0116, respectively), the Zoran ZR38521 Dolby-certified AC-3 Decoder, and DVD-compatible software drivers integrated with the CL-GD5480 through the industry-standard Video Module Interface (VMI). VMI is an open standard which was initiated by SGS-THOMSON, and jointly developed with Cirrus Logic and other industry leaders.

Performance and Cost Advantages

By connecting directly to the VMI port, the VMI daughter card implementation eliminates the requirement for a dedicated PCI slot on the motherboard, producing an elegant, cost-effective solution.

The VMI direct-video connection uses the CL-GD5480 Video Port and GPIO port to provide highly-optimized digital video paths for the MPEG stream into the graphics subsystem, leveraging the quality and performance of the video data.

Combined with the new video functions of the CL-GD5480, including quality de-interlacing capability and Planar YUV420 support, the implementation produces superior video images while reducing CPU overhead.

"We're pleased to offer the world's first VMI-DVD solution, VMI10," said Chris Lam, market development specialist for PC multimedia at SGS-THOMSON. "VMI10 epitomizes the vision we initiated with VMI -- to provide our customers with PC-centric solutions that leverage our success in MPEG and interface elegantly with products from other industry leaders."

The VMI10 fully supports Windows95(TM) and is optimized for ActiveMovie(TM). The design also employs the industry-standard Video Port Manager (VPM) API software to transport the VMI10 video data into the graphics system. Pioneered by Cirrus Logic, VPM enables OEMs to quickly develop standardized applications, accelerating time-to-market.

"The new VMI10 represents a cost-effective solution for high- performance DVD implementations on the PC," said David Anisman, director of marketing for MPEG products at Zoran. "Zoran is pleased to apply its ZR38521 AC-3 decoder, the leading solution in the consumer electronics market, to this exciting new offering. VMI10 enables OEMs to build and test evaluation systems now and to prepare for the market growth expected for DVD solutions."

The VMI10 Evaluation System is available from SGS-THOMSON and its board development partner Margi Systems, Inc (Fremont, CA).

Cirrus Logic Inc. is a leading manufacturer of advanced integrated circuits for desktop and portable computing, telecommunications and consumer electronics markets. The company applies its system-level expertise in analog and digital design to innovate highly integrated, software-rich solutions. Cirrus Logic has developed a broad portfolio of products and technologies for applications spanning multimedia, communications, mass storage, and data acquisition.

SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics is a global independent semiconductor company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Bourse de Paris. It designs, develops, and manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronics applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products, and industrial automation and control systems.

Zoran Corporation (NASDAQ:ZRAN) develops and markets integrated circuits and software for digital video and audio applications enabled by compression. Zoran's product line includes JPEG codecs, MPEG video decoders, and AC-3 and MPEG audio decoders.

The company's integrated circuits are used in a variety of video and audio products addressing growing consumer multimedia markets.

Current applications for Zoran products include professional and consumer video editing systems, PC-based and stand-alone video CD systems, DVD-ROM and stand-alone players, digital audio systems, and filmless digital cameras. Established in 1983, the company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and has operations in Haifa, Israel.

Additional information about Cirrus Logic and its subsidiaries is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.cirrus.com/or via fax-on-demand at 800/594-6414, (dial 510/249-4200 from outside the United States).

More information about SGS-THOMSON can be found via the World Wide Web at www.st.com

More information about Zoran is available by calling 408/986-1314.

More information about Margi Systems, Inc. can be found via the World Wide Web at http://www.margi.com

CONTACT: Tsantes & Associates for Cirrus Logic, Inc.

Marlo Jones, 408/452-8700

[e-mail]

or

SGS-THOMSON

Chris Lam, 408/451-8133

[e-mail]

or

MCA, Inc. for Zoran

Carey Mitchell, 415/968-8400

[e-mail]