Toshiba unveils new AVM79R reference design for media center applications

First Product Demonstration Took Place at CeBIT

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 18, 2003 -- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* today announced a new TX7901 MIPS reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor-based AVM79R reference design. This leading-edge evaluation system is targeted at media center applications. TAEC will make its reference design available starting in April 2003 to manufacturers seeking to reduce development costs and speed time-to-market for digital set-top boxes, media gateways and other multimedia consumer electronic platforms that manage networked home entertainment products. The first demonstration of the reference design took place at CeBIT in Hannover, Germany on March 12, 2003.

Tetsuro Wada, business development and technical marketing director of TX RISC Business Unit at TAEC said, "Based on our overall strategy for Entertainment Home Gateway, we have developed the AVM79R reference design that includes a Toshiba TMPR7901XB superscalar MIPS-based RISC processor, a Toshiba TC86C001FG IDE/USB companion chip and VWEB's VW2010 MPEG1/2/4 CODEC. It enables the customers and software developers to port and integrate required leading-edge software technologies. It can be applied to various applications like set-top boxes, home gateways and personal video recorders."

Mr Hisayuki Suzuki, executive vice president of VWEB Corporation said, "We are very pleased and excited to work with Toshiba, Lineo and multiple other companies to produce the AVM79R reference design. By combining the power of VWEB's MPEG-1, -2 and -4 codec, with transcoding and translating capability, Lineo's Embedded Linux and Toshiba's microprocessor, we have created a complete solution for media home gateway, IP-set-top boxes and video networking."

The TX RISC Business Unit of TAEC is collaborating with a number of software companies to produce the AVM79R reference design. The list includes the following: 

• ACCESS Co. Ltd. (www.access.co.jp), NetFront™ Internet browser
• Macrovision Corporation (www.macrovision.com), Digital Rights management
• Mediabolic, Inc. (www.mediabolic.com), software for networked entertainment devices in the home 
• Lineo uSolutions, Inc. (www.lineo.co.jp) embedded Linux solutions
• Planetweb, Inc. (www.planetweb.com), software applications, graphic user interfaces and integration services for the Consumer Electronics market
• SecureMedia (www.securemedia.com), Encryptonite™ encryption and Digital Rights Management systems
• SNAPGear (www.snapgear.com), gateway protocol stack and system integration
• VWEB Corp. (www.vwebcorp.com) MPEG -1/-2/-4 codec and steaming software
• ZAO Networks, Inc. (www.zaonet.com), interactive set-top box and system integration

About the AVM79R Reference Design

*About TAEC
Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes semiconductors, flash memory-based storage solutions, optical communication devices, displays and rechargeable batteries for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.

TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba, the second largest semiconductor company worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2001 according to Gartner/Dataquest's Worldwide Semiconductor Market Share Ranking. Toshiba is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's website at chips.toshiba.com. For technical inquiries, please e-mail Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com or contact Akira Iwata, TAEC TX RISC Business Unit, email: iwataa@taec.com.