COACH 6 Enables More Affordable Cameras with Shorter Click-to-click Time Plus New Connectivity with DVDs and Printers

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zoran Corporation (Nasdaq: ZRAN - News) announced that its highly integrated sixth generation COACH 6 (Camera On A CHip) processor is available in sample quantities to OEM customers.

Zoran will demonstrate the entire range of high-end features enabled by the powerful internal processor of the COACH 6 at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show in Las Vegas from March 1 to 5.

Two versions of the new sixth generation COACH are being offered to digital camera makers. The COACH 6e is targeted toward the CMOS based entry-level camera market and is designed to run digital cameras with up to 3 megapixels. The COACH 6p performance-level solution is designed to power the higher resolution CCD-based cameras offering up to 16 megapixels.

Both versions of the highly integrated COACH 6 are cost-effective solutions that provide the same level of superior performance combined with new high-end features and capabilities that allow camera manufacturers to differentiate their camera offerings. COACH 6-based reference designs from Zoran enable manufacturers to bring these new offerings quickly to market.

The improved image quality delivered by the COACH 6 is due to the enhanced imaging pipeline and to an accelerated sub-second click-to-click time. Zoran's powerful hardware-based image scaling enables digital zooming and image enlargement while maintaining the fraction of a second "click" time, important to digital camera users.

The ClickConnect(TM) capability of the COACH 6 expands the digital camera's connectivity beyond the personal computer. A 32-bit RISC core and an open firmware structure allow third party developers to add compelling applications. An on-chip integrated USB master enables the printing of images directly to USB compatible printers. In addition, the COACH 6 is optimized for both wired and wireless downloading and living room sharing via the DVD player and television without the use of a PC.

"In the second half of this year, Zoran's camera customers will be offering a new generation of affordable digital cameras with features that will impress even the most sophisticated users. The COACH 6 has enabled Zoran to deliver improved image quality and connectivity to DVDs and printers in more affordable digital cameras," said Coby Sella, vice president and general manager, Zoran's Digital Camera business unit. "In the very near future, both wired and wireless image download will be common. Zoran's expertise in both the DVD and digital camera markets allows us to be the first to deliver this connectivity capability to our industry and our customers."

According to In-Stat/MDR analyst Brian O'Rourke, who covers the digital camera market, "Nearly 23 million digital cameras were sold worldwide during 2002 and we expect to see annual unit growth rates at well over 20 percent for the next three years."

Previous versions of the COACH single-chip processor power camera models from manufacturers such as Agfa, Casio, Concord, Kodak, Minolta, Ricoh, Samsung, SiPix, Toshiba and others. New models and brands using the COACH processor are scheduled to be announced during PMA.

About Zoran Corporation

Zoran Corporation, based in Santa Clara, California, is a leading provider of digital solutions-on-a-chip for applications in the growing consumer electronics markets. With two decades of expertise developing and delivering digital signal processing, Zoran has pioneered high-performance processing into various audio, video, and imaging applications. 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 products and digital cameras have received recognition for excellence and are now in millions of homes worldwide. With headquarters in the U.S. and operations in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, Zoran may be contacted on the World Wide Web at www.zoran.com or at 408-919-4111.

NOTE: Zoran and COACH are trademarks of Zoran Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.