Zoran's
3rd Generation Software DVD Decoder Raises the Bar for Playback Quality and Adds
AutoSense(TM), Automatic Configuration for Optimal Performance
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 1999-- Zoran
Corporation, a leading provider of integrated circuits (ICs) and software for digital
video and audio applications enabled by compression, announced today the availability of
its new, 3rd generation, software DVD player, SoftDVD III(TM).
With SoftDVD III, Zoran, the creator of the DVD software
player market, is once again setting the standard for video and audio quality, and
automatic sensing and handling of different PC configurations. SoftDVD III is now
available for use by qualified PC OEMs, graphics card suppliers, DVD ROM drive
manufacturers, system integrators and PC game developers.
"Zoran's no-compromise approach with SoftDVD III has
resulted in a new level of video picture quality and audio performance," stated Dr. Isaac
Shenberg, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Zoran. "By taking
advantage of the latest Intel and AMD processors, SoftDVD III will enrich the end user DVD
viewing experience."
Ultimate Video Quality
With SoftDVD III, Zoran is utilizing the maximal MPEG-2
video decoding algorithmic precision to deliver a no-compromise solution for software DVD
playback on today's PCs. These full precision calculations combined with Zoran's advanced
software de-interlacing result in a clear, sharp picture, even in the most rapidly moving
video sequences.
AutoSense(TM) -- Dynamically Configuring SoftDVD to Match System
Capabilities
PC OEMs and system integrators use a wide array of
graphics solutions, audio capabilities and CPUs. They require a single software package to
support these varying configurations. Zoran developed AutoSense(TM) to address this
requirement. SoftDVD III uses AutoSense(TM) to automatically sense its environment at
run-time, and automatically configure itself to match the current system capabilities.
This includes enabling 3DNow instructions for K6 machines as well as selecting SoftDVD III
software implementations of video functions (scaling, bob & weave, alpha blending,
motion compensation) to compensate for deficiencies in the PC's graphics system.
Unequaled Audio Support
Audio playback is another key strength of SoftDVD III.
Whether it is stereo with virtual 3D audio, 4 point surround, full 5.1 channel Dolby
Digital or S/PDIF pass through, Zoran's latest software enables all these environments.
AutoSense(TM) detects the audio subsystem and configures SoftDVD to match the system audio
capabilities. A single version of SoftDVD III will provide the optimal audio solution,
even if the end-user later upgrades the system's audio capabilities from stereo to 4 or
more speakers or S/PDIF pass-through for the full 5.1 channel Dolby Digital experience.
SoftDVD III is now available for use by qualified PC OEMs,
graphics card suppliers, DVD ROM drive manufacturers and PC game developers. Contact Zoran
for more technical and licensing information.
ABOUT ZORAN
Zoran Corporation develops and markets software,
integrated circuits (ICs) and IC Intellectual Property (IP) cores for digital audio and
video applications enabled by compression. Zoran also provides complete reference designs
based on Zoran's technology. Zoran's product lines and IP include JPEG codecs, MPEG and
DVD decoders, digital audio processors and real-time DVD software for PCs. All these
standard-based products benefit from Zoran's Standard Plus(TM) technology. Zoran's
software is bundled by PC and graphics-card manufacturers for software and software
assisted DVD playback on PCs. The company's ICs are used in numerous digital audio and
video products. Leading applications incorporating Zoran's products and IP include
professional and consumer video editing systems, filmless digital cameras, stand-alone and
PC-based DVD players, SuperVCD players, digital speakers and audio systems.
Zoran is headquartered in Santa Clara, with additional
operations in Haifa, Israel, Toronto, Canada and offices in Tokyo, Japan and Shenzhen,
China. For more information about Zoran call 408/919-4111, or visit our website:
www.zoran.com
. For our latest press releases
please call our fax-on-demand service at 1-800-PRO-INFO, ticker symbol ZRAN.
SoftDVD, AutoSense, Standard Plus, and SiliconSoftware are
trademarks of Zoran Corporation.
All other terms and product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners, and are hereby acknowledged.
Contact:
At Zoran Corporation:
Yizhar Ganor, 408/919-4286
[email protected]
World Wide Web Site:
www.zoran.com
or
At The Financial Relations Board:
Cathy Kawakami (investors), 415/986-1591
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