ZiLOG On-screen Controller Delivers Powerful, Display and Control Options; Advanced OSD Enables Enhanced Language Capabilities, Reduced Inventories, Faster Time-to-market.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2000

ZiLOG Inc.(R) (formerly ZLG on the NYSE), the Extreme Connectivity(c) Company, today announced the newest member of its innovative eZVision(TM) CMOS controller family, the Z90376 advanced on-screen display (OSD) microcontroller for the high-end progressive-scan television market. The 16-bit Z90376 allows TV manufacturers to achieve a bitmap graphics-like solution at the price of a character-based OSD. This ability allows manufacturers to differentiate their progressive-scan televisions with enhanced multi-language display and control options for either direct-view cathode ray tube Television (CTV) or projection television.

"This controller leverages the superior quality of progressive-scan television screens into the appearance and functions of the OSD," said Steven Lau, director of ZiLOG's TV Business Line. "Since progressive-scan models are more expensive, advanced installation, control features and user-customizable on-screen features allow manufacturers to add significant value to their products. Also, with 64K Word on-board memory to support multiple languages, plus interchangeability with the ZiLOG controller for interlaced TVs, the Z90376 enables manufacturers to reduce inventory and streamline production."

Z90376 advanced control features include the ability to incorporate an electronic owner's manual and installation guide, making it easy for end users to correctly set up interaction between TVs and accessories such as VCRs and cable antennas. The chip also delivers dynamic searching, enabling users to point and click on features and functions, rather than having to scroll through multiple pull-down menus.

The Z90376 features both Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus and Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) outputs, delivering a choice in addressing peripheral devices and low-cost digital-to-analog conversion of OSD data. The 16-bit, single-cycle instruction execution, digital signal processor (DSP) processing power enables vertical blank interval (VBI) data slicing supports required for closed captioning and parental programming control.

Programming the 52-pin Z90376 is facilitated by development support that includes a software macro library with graphical Applications Program Interface (API) for both characters and control functions through use of the ZiLOG Developer Studio (ZDS), a user-friendly Windows-based development environment. The Z90376 includes powerful on-screen display and character effects through a programmable color palette, character sizing, shadowing, scrolling, semi-transparent, multi-character and multi-colon icons, hot buttons, cursors and animation.

ZiLOG's existing eZVision 300 TV OSD controller family complements the capabilities of the Z90376 product by addressing both National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) and Phase Alternating Line (PAL) control requirements of normal interlaced-scan TVs. The Z90376 costs $7.00 ea. @ 100K units. To purchase product, contact ZiLOG's Worldwide Customer Support Center at [e-mail] or 877/945-6427.

    Features

--   Support progressive scan OSD
--   Advanced character effects such as icons, italic, bold,
      underline, shadowing, semi-transparency
--   Programmable color palettes

    Benefits

--   Improved OSD features for product differentiation
--   Large ROM memory allows coverage of multiple language markets
--   Proven development tools for reduced time to market

Note to Editors: ZiLOG is a registered trademark and eZVision is a trademark of ZiLOG Inc. "Extreme Connectivity Copyright ZiLOG 1999." All other product and or service names mentioned herein may be trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.