Trident Announces New-Generation HiDTV(TM) Pro Family to Bring Uncompromising Video Quality to HDTV

Trident Announces New-Generation HiDTV(TM) Pro Family to Bring Uncompromising Video Quality to HDTV

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trident Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRID), a worldwide leader in the development of advanced digital TV technology for the consumer digital video marketplace, today announced its second-generation HiDTV(TM) Pro Digital Video Processor Family. Tailored for the era of high-definition content, the HiDTV(TM) Pro Family has the ability to simultaneously decode two high-definition video streams and drive the most demanding high-definition video displays. The HiDTV(TM) Pro Family achieves a breakthrough in high-definition video quality by incorporating a sixth-generation, twelve-bit implementation of Trident's DCRe(TM) video processor. Fabricated using 0.13um technology, the HiDTV(TM) Pro Video Processor Family sets a new standard for image quality, features and total system development cost in the increasingly competitive high-definition digital TV market. The HiDTV Pro(TM) Family will be demonstrated by Trident at the CES show in Las Vegas, which will be held January 5 to January 8.

"Once again, Trident has leap-frogged the industry in video performance, features and system design cost-reduction by providing a fully-integrated, system-on-chip (SOC) incorporating both digital decoding and video processing" said Dr. Jung Herng Chang, President of Trident. "By integrating our sixth-generation DCRe(TM) video processor with dual-channel, high-definition digital decoding and high-definition display support, the HiDTV(TM) Pro family meets the demands of our Tier-1 OEM customers for uncompromising video quality and aggressive system-level cost reduction. Leveraging our mature, production-proven digital television software developed with our first-generation HiDTV(TM) products, the new-generation HiDTV(TM) Pro family will offer TV OEMs the ability to rapidly develop compelling high-definition digital TV systems."

The HiDTV(TM) Pro Family features advanced MPEG2 decoding, system processing and video processing features to deliver exceptional video fidelity and system functionality. The HiDTV(TM) Pro family includes:

-- Dual, 250MHz, 32-bit, MIPS processors to handle the most demanding
system and application software.
-- Dual, HD-level MPEG2 video decoding engines.
-- Up to twelve-bit display control to support the most sophisticated
flat-panel displays.
-- Twelve-bit, dual-channel scaler to ensure crisp images regardless of
the display resolution.
-- Twelve-bit, dual-channel color processor with blue-stretch, green-
stretch, skin-color correction and white-balance control to offer
vivid, bright colors previously available only in the most
sophisticated internally-developed designs of consumer electronics
OEMs.
-- Advanced, content-adaptive 3D noise reduction to dramatically reduce
the popping and crackling that is especially prevalent on today's LCD
TVs.
-- Enhanced horizontal and vertical sharpness controls that set a new
level in sharpness for advanced TVs.
-- Full-screen, 16-bit, bit-mapped OSD powered by a high-performance 2D-
graphics accelerator to enable beautiful, intuitive, windows-based user
interfaces that enhance the functionality of advanced TVs.

Designed to meet the maximum video and data processing requirements for today's advanced digital television applications, the HiDTV(TM) Pro Family has three products to meet a broad range of cost and feature targets. The Family members and target applications are:

HiDTV(TM) Digital Video Display Support Applications
Pro Version Streams Decoded

Pro-LX 64 2, HD 1920 x 1080 Premium Flat TV
over 50"
Pro-LX 68 1, HD 1920 x 1080 Premium Flat TV
under 50"
Pro-PX 68 1, HD 1366 x 768 Mainstream Flat
and CRT TV

The HiDTV(TM) Pro will sample to lead customers in February.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the company's expectations for the DPTV(TM) market and designs for the DPTV(TM) product. The forward-looking statements above are subject to certain risks, and actual results could vary materially depending on a number of factors. These risks include, in particular, trends in the television industry, the results of Trident's sales and shipment activities to television manufacturers, Trident's ability to timely introduce new or follow-on products, Trident's success in implementing planned production, competitive pressures, including pricing and competitors' new product introductions. Additional factors that may affect the Electronics' business are described in detail in the Electronics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Trident Microsystems, Inc.

Trident Microsystems, Inc., with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, designs, develops and markets digital media for the masses in the form of integrated circuits for HDTV, LCD TV, PDP TV, DLP TV, and DCRT. Trident's products are sold to a network of OEMs, original design manufacturers and system integrators worldwide. For further information about Trident and its products, please consult the company's web site: http://www.tridentmicro.com/ .

Source: Trident Microsystems, Inc.

CONTACT: press, Peter Wicher of Trident Microsystems, Inc.,
+1-408-991-8800, or public_relations@tridentmicro.com, investors,
investor@tridentmicro.com, or technical support, techsupport@tridentmicro.com

Web site: http://www.tridentmicro.com/

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