First Solution to Integrate Progressive Scan and DVD Audio Capability on One Chip

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 2000--National Semiconductor Corporation today announced the second generation of its DVD-on-a-chip product family for the rapidly growing DVD player market. Utilizing its extensive hardware and software design expertise, National has taken the high level of integration achieved in the first generation to the next step by providing the first solution on the market with progressive scan video support and DVD-Audio capability in one chip. The National® Mediamatics(TM) NDV8501 chip, the first member of the second generation, provides a unique total system that delivers the high-quality playback demanded by the most discriminating consumers.

Japanese electronics maker Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) is designing the chip into its DVD players. "JVC has adopted Mediamatics' second generation DVD-on-a-chip solution in our new XV-D721 DVD player," said Hiromu Sekiguchi, deputy general manager, JVC Optical DISC Business Division. "Mediamatics' DVD-on-a-chip solution features the most advanced functions, such as Progressive Scan and Point Transform Control, which will enable consumers to experience higher quality audio and video programs through DVD players."

National leads the industry in providing the most flexible and feature-rich single-chip solutions for DVD players with highly integrated system-on-a-chip technology. The new generation of the DVD-on-a-chip product family features a number of audio and video enhancements over existing chips, incorporating Progressive Scan, Video Zoom, SCART support, Point Transform Control, a highly flexible video input/output port, on-chip processing of DTS and the newly released DVD-Audio format.

"The introduction of the NDV8501 signifies a major step in the growth of DVD-on-a-chip technologies for our customers," said Kent Goodin, vice president of National's Mediamatics DVD Hardware Products. "The product integrates all of the video and audio functions of a world-class DVD player, including host processing, video and audio processing, I/O function and video DACs into a single chip. The NDV8501 provides manufacturers with latest DVD audio and video features for this fast growing product market."

The number of players sold since the DVD was introduced in 1997 has already surpassed the sales figure for both VCRs and CD players during their comparable debut period, making the DVD one of the most rapidly adopted entertainment technologies of the last 25 years. Cahners In-Stat Group expects DVD player shipments to reach 16 million units in 2000, increasing to 30 million units by 2003.

The second generation of DVD-on-a-chip is aimed at all feature ranges of DVD, Internet connected DVD and Internet Access applications. The solution includes a complete software developer's kit (SDK) that facilitates customization of the player, based on the manufacturer's preference. This SDK approach allows National's customers to significantly reduce software development time and subsequently their time-to-market.

The NDV8501 single-chip video pipeline operates up to 108 MHz for progressive scan, improving video quality over the conventional interlace scan method. On-chip SCART support provides full compliance with TV standards in Europe. Point Transform Control is designed to allow end-user control of hue, saturation, contrast, brightness and gamma. The NDV8501 is the only product in this market with a bi-directional video I/O port that provides flexible system applications across both DVD recordable platforms, and Internet access devices.

Premium audio features include complete processing for the new DVD-Audio standard including the Meridian Lossless Packing algorithm (MLP). On-chip decoding of DTS Digital Surround, MPEG-2 multi-channel and MP3 formats are now provided along with post-processing effects for Karaoke, 3D stereo surround and Dolby Prologic.

Price and Availability

The NDV8501 Mediamatics single chip is currently in production with volume quantities available on demand. Sample quantities are available at $30 per piece.

About Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC)

JVC, well known for its invention of VHS format of VCR, is a leading international electronics company that has achieved success by combining its excellence in audio and video hardware with its global-scale software business, and also has a growing reputation for its professional equipment. JVC operates several business lines through which it offers a wide variety of devices and solutions. JVC business lines are Video, Audio, TV, Entertainment, Information-related Equipment, and Component Devices. Headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, JVC was founded in 1927. For more information, visit the JVC Web site at www.jvc-victor.co.jp

About National Semiconductor

National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the information age technologies. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the personal computer, communications and consumer markets. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 10,500 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.

Note to Editors: National Semiconductor is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation and Mediamatics is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation.