Zoran Technology Breakthrough Delivers Entire DVD Recorder Capability On A Single System-On-A-Chip

-- Zoran Corporation announced its Activa 200, an advanced DVD player/recorder system-on-a-chip, integrating the DVD read/write front-end and back-end functions, and its analog companion Activa 250 chip are now sampling to major DVD recorder manufacturers worldwide. This world-leading integration reduces system cost and chip count, while providing a new level of high quality features.

In the Activa 200, Zoran has developed a fully digital, optimized DVD recordable front end technology (read/write channel, servo, data processor, CPU), and integrated it with the audio/video back-end functions (MPEG decode/encode CPU, analog video decoder/encoder, and progressive scan output) on a single system-on-a-chip (SoC). This solution provides world-class audio video quality, excellent playability, and 100 percent standards-compliant recording capability for DVD recorders.

Zoran has also developed the companion Activa 250 analog front-end chip, as an RF signal processing solution, optimized to work with the most popular optical pickup units (OPUs) and loader mechanisms. The Activa 200 and Activa 250 are the main components of a complete turnkey chipset for DVD recording. The solution is delivered with complete system software including an easy to use graphical user interface. This solution allows consumer electronics manufacturers to achieve lower overall product development costs and a shortened time to market for DVD recorder products.

"By developing and integrating all the complex front-end and back-end functions of DVD recording, Zoran has greatly reduced the complexity of the DVD recorder. This technology breakthrough enables reliable high quality recording systems that our DVD recorder customers can deliver at retail prices close to those of DVD players," said Dr. Jinxing (Gene) Liu, senior vice president, general manager DVD division at Zoran. "In addition, this highly- integrated solution helps our customers deliver higher end features such as RGB input recording and digital 1394/DV dubbing in an entry-level DVD recorder product. And Zoran's customer support is dedicated to helping them deliver new models quickly to market."

"The DVD recorder market is expected to exceed 23 million units in 2006 and grow to over 62 million units in 2009. Zoran delivers a significant technological breakthrough for the industry delivering the entire DVD recorder capability on a single SoC. We expect that lower price points and ease-of-use such as that delivered by Zoran's Activa SoC will help drive consumer adoption." Michelle Abraham, senior analyst at In-Stat

On the front end, Activa 200 integrates a versatile, fully programmable digital servo processor. Zoran has implemented proprietary advanced data recovery methods and error handling for improved readability of various disc types. The write channel supports reliable recording to all popular DVD formats, with advanced algorithms to consistently and automatically calibrate new media for use in the system.

On the back end, Activa 200 offers the highest level of integration and peripheral support available. Features include: a best-in-class analog video decoder with native RGB input support, 3D Y/C separation and time base correction; a video encoder, a variety of high end I/O interfaces including an integrated stereo Class D output, a 1394 link, and a USB host controller with physical layer transceiver.

Also included in the Activa 200 is native support for authoring and editing in DVD-Video, DVD-VR, and DVD+VR formats, with full verifier compliant accuracy. The integration of these components allows compatible, reliable recording with editing, lowers overall system cost, and gives consumers a high quality, seamless viewing and listening experience.

DVD recorder manufacturers can deliver a variety of products which address a range of worldwide market requirements with the Activa 200. Additional value-add features such as Gemstar EPG, YesVideo DVD authoring, and certified DivX Home Theater Profile decoding enables new product model opportunities for manufacturers.

Activa 200 is designed for OEMs to easily migrate from previous Activa 150 + Activa 100 solutions, allowing a quick time to market. Zoran expects that Activa 200-based DVD recorders will begin production early next year. The Activa 200 + Activa 250 chipset is priced at $25 in OEM quantities.

About Zoran Corporation

Zoran Corporation, based in Sunnyvale, California, is a leading provider of digital solutions for applications in the growing digital entertainment and digital imaging markets. With two decades of expertise developing and delivering digital signal processing technologies, Zoran has pioneered high- performance digital audio and video, imaging applications, and Connect and Share technologies for the digital home. Zoran's proficiency in integration delivers major benefits for OEM customers, including greater capabilities within each product generation, reduced system costs, and shorter time to market. Zoran-based DVD, digital camera, DTV, multimedia mobile phone, and multifunction printer products have received recognition for excellence and are now in millions of homes and offices worldwide. With headquarters in the U.S. and operations in Canada, China, England, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, Zoran may be contacted on the World Wide Web at www.zoran.com or at 408-523-6500.