MediaWorks Announces Media Player Reference Designs Based on Innovative MediaFlex(TM) Platform Architecture

MediaWorks Announces Media Player Reference Designs Based on Innovative MediaFlex(TM) Platform Architecture

Production-Ready GOLD and ZIPP Products Feature Video MP3 at MP3 Player Prices

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- MediaWorks Integrated Systems, Inc., an innovator in fabless semiconductor products, today announced the availability of two production-ready reference designs making use of the company's patented MediaFlex(TM) System-On-A-Chip (SoC) platform architecture. The two designs, both for portable media player/recorders, not only deliver DVD-quality video and MP3 playback at MP3 player prices, but also offer the ability to be end-user upgraded after purchase to enable new features, functions and applications.

The MediaFlex(TM) platform, announced in January at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, is a fully C programmable, low power SoC consisting of multiple heterogeneous, configurable processors. A true innovation in SoC design, MediaFlex(TM) multi-core processors can be dynamically powered down individually as needed using software commands, thereby optimizing power during diverse computing needs. Products based on the platform can also be easily upgraded as needed via firmware upgrades.

MediaWorks' two reference designs, GOLD and ZIPP, leverage the power of the MediaFlex(TM) platform to deliver remarkable performance at affordable price points. GOLD is a Video MP3 Personal Media Player offering a 2.5" color display and 720 x 576 resolution video playback with MPEG4, Windows Media Video, and DivX 3.11/4.0/5.0 support. ZIPP, also a Portable Media Player, utilizes a larger 3.5" LCD and has similar video playback capabilities. In addition, it includes a 1.8" hard drive for personal storage of user movies, TV programs, still images, and music; it will act also as a high speed USB 2.0 portable storage device.

"Our groundbreaking MediaFlex(TM) platform has generated an incredible response from OEMs due to its flexibility and low system cost. For consumer electronics manufacturers looking for an even faster time-to-market, our new GOLD and ZIPP reference designs offer a complete and market-focused solution," said Dennis Cocco, Co-founder, President and CEO of MediaWorks. "These two attractive products provide very high performance and can be customized by our customers as needed."

GOLD

It is expected that products based on this reference design will sell for $129 and below by Q3 of 2006. This video MP3 device features USB 2.0 connectivity, internal flash memory and an SD card slot for storage of media content. Recording in MPEG4 and playback of MPEG4, DivX, WMV, H.264, MPEG2, MPEG1 video is supported at D1 (DVD) resolution and frame rates up to 30 fps. Audio (MP3, AAC, WMA with DRM) and still image (JPEG/BMP) is also supported.

GOLD is a consumer-friendly unit with simple audio playlist creation. Firmware upgrades, to enable additional features and functions can be installed easily by end users.

ZIPP

Offering a larger 3.5" AU screen and an internal hard drive, ZIPP is a powerful multimedia device for movie and TV recording and playback as well as MP3 music. It is expected that ZIPP can reach retail prices of $249 and below by Q3 of 2006.

Like the GOLD, ZIPP is capable of playing and recording up to full D1 resolution video with concurrent audio at 30 fps. ZIPP can be customized to accommodate particular OEM specifications and is completely field programmable.

The GOLD and ZIPP design kits include schematics, a working prototype with housing, layout guidelines, a sample users' manual and a bill of materials. Software development kits will soon be available for both devices that allow OEMs to add features independently.

Camcorder, Security Camera Designs

MediaWorks also is developing working reference designs for other applications including a PMP with camcorder and security camera. For more information on these products, the GOLD and ZIPP reference designs, and the MediaWorks MediaFlex(TM) platform, contact Douglas Cebik, Director of Sales and Marketing, at doug.cebik@mediaworks-isi.com, or visit http://www.mediaworks-isi.com/ .

About MediaWorks Integrated Systems, Inc.:

MediaWorks is a fabless semiconductor company focused on driving the transition to digital video. The company's first SoC product -- a fully C programmable media-centric processor -- is targeted towards portable multimedia products, lowering the cost and time-to-market for its customers while providing best-in-class image quality. The Company targets ODMs and OEMs for products in the digital portable media recorder/player, solid state digital video camcorder, and digital video security and surveillance markets. MediaWorks' highly integrated SoC technology, based on its patented MediaFlex(TM) platform, enables high quality video, with advanced compression standards, such as MPEG-1, -2, -4, H.264, and WMV at DVD resolution, and high quality digital still images with best-in-class performance at a very low end user price point.

Underscoring this technology is an unparalleled customer service model. MediaWorks offers a partnership approach enabling collaboration on all development efforts - design (including complete turnkey reference designs), BOM reduction, and development time minimization. MediaWorks is located in Irvine, California and can be accessed via the Web at http://www.mediaworks-isi.com/ .

Source: MediaWorks Integrated Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Brad Sowell of S&S Public Relations, +1-800-287-2279,
bsowell@sspr.com

Web site: http://www.mediaworks-isi.com/

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