SIMGE Silicon Image (MM)

Silicon Image Opens DVI Compliance Test Center SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Silicon Image, , a leader in multi-gigabit semiconductor solutions for the secure transmission and storage of rich digital media, today announced the opening of its new Digital Visual Interface (DVI) Compliance Test Center (CTC). An industry first, the DVI CTC promotes greater interoperability among DVI-enabled devices by providing comprehensive and impartial compliance test services to manufacturers of DVI components and end-user products implementing DVI. To kick off the service, Silicon Image is offering all DVI host manufacturers, such as PC system and graphics card makers, complimentary standard compliance testing of one device per manufacturer through April 2004. "DVI has become such a popular feature that it's available on almost every mainstream and high-end graphics card," stated Dr. Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research (Tiburon, Calif.). "Unfortunately, not all DVI implementations are created equal. Some products shipping today claiming DVI functionality are not even DVI compliant. This can cause major interoperability problems resulting in visible noise on the display. By promoting consistent quality among DVI products, Silicon Image's new program provides a valuable service to the industry and should boost DVI adoption - it's kind of like a Good Housekeeping seal." "To meet the growing demand for digital LCD monitors, DVI-enabled graphics cards are growing in popularity, and end users want the confidence of knowing their DVI output will provide a consistently high-quality visual experience on their flat panel display," noted Bob O'Donnell, research director, device technology for IDC. "With high-resolution 17" SXGA and 20" UXGA monitors, the benefits of a perfect digital interface are more readily experienced. These benefits can only be realized if the DVI electronics are designed to be compliant, and thus, interoperate properly. The DVI CTC should promote DVI adoption by helping assure end users have a positive, consistent experience with any DVI product." Compliance testing or certification is not a strict requirement of the DVI license. Until now, limited options have existed for companies wishing to evaluate the compliance of their DVI products. Manufacturers can self-test for DVI compliance, but the necessary equipment costs upwards of $75,000, making it prohibitive for many. Furthermore, testing accuracy is dependent upon the test engineer's skill level, so extensive experience and training are necessary. The only alternative has been plug testing at VESA-sponsored PlugFests, which is limited to basic interoperability between DVI-enabled source and display devices provided by participating companies. The DVI CTC performs testing in accordance with the DVI Test and Measurement Guide specification published by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG). Initially, the CTC will accept DVI source devices such as graphics cards, desktop PCs and notebook PCs for testing. Compliance test services for sink devices such as LCD monitors and projectors as well as interconnect devices such as cables and connectors are also planned in the near future. The comprehensive DVI CTC test protocol includes Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS(R)) eye diagram performance, skew and jitter measurements, EDID 1.3 interoperability, hot plug functionality and TMDS receiver interoperability stress testing. The CTC will provide customers with a complete test report detailing results of all tests performed. All test results are confidential per the CTC non-disclosure agreement. "Until now, DVI compliance testing has either been too costly or too difficult, so many manufacturers have neglected this important step," noted Parviz Khodi, vice president of digital PC/display products at Silicon Image. "Non-compliant products cause interoperability problems and can visibly impact display image quality. This lack of consistent quality has become increasingly problematic now that DVI-enabled products are prevalent. Given our significant DVI interface and systems application expertise, and our proven track record with PanelLink(R), many of our customers have requested an easy and affordable alternative. The DVI CTC fulfills this need quickly and confidentially, providing an unbiased evaluation of DVI compliance." "As a leader in the PC graphics market, ATI Technologies recognized early on the growing demand for the DVI interface," said Raymond Li, Vice President, Hardware Engineering, ATI. "All of our mainstream graphics products support DVI as a standard feature. Since users demand seamless interoperability with high-resolution LCD monitors, all of our DVI-enabled products are designed to provide 165 MHz DVI-compliant performance. ATI is committed to using the DVI CTC as a means to assure that our customers experience consistently high quality with the popular DVI interface technology." "At ASUS, quality is of the highest importance. With the DVI CTC, we now have a low-cost, professional service to help ensure that our graphics card products meet or exceed the requirements for DVI compliance," said Kent Chien, Director of Marketing, Multimedia Business Development, ASUS. "A significant portion of our graphics card products are equipped with DVI as a standard feature," stated Richard Chou, AVP of RD at Leadtek. "The DVI CTC helps us continue to raise the bar for quality and performance for customers demanding perfect image quality on a high- resolution digital LCD monitor." The fee for testing a typical DVI host device is $1,000. All host devices will be tested for compliance at 165 MHz, the maximum DVI single-link resolution and the de-facto market requirement for all DVI-enabled PCs and graphics cards. If the product does not pass at 165 MHz, lower frequencies will be tested until the highest passing frequency index is achieved. The DVI CTC is accepting products for testing now. Participating manufacturers must provide the DVI device to be tested, along with any additional hardware and software required to bring the device up. On average, a two-week turnaround time is anticipated for most standard PC devices. More details on the CTC submission and testing process and fee can be found on the Silicon Image website at http://www.siliconimage.com/ or by contacting . About Silicon Image Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Silicon Image, Inc. designs, develops and markets multi-gigabit semiconductor and system solutions for a variety of communications applications demanding high-bandwidth capability. With its proprietary Multi-layer Serial Link (MSL(TM)) architecture, Silicon Image is well positioned for leadership in multiple mass markets including PCs, consumer electronics, and storage. Silicon Image is a leader in the global PC/display arena with its innovative digital interconnect technology and is now emerging as a leading player in the consumer electronics and storage markets by offering robust, high-bandwidth semiconductors. For more information on Silicon Image, visit http://www.siliconimage.com/ This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of federal securities regulations. These forward-looking statements include statements related to anticipated increases in standards adoption, growing demand for the DVI interface and Silicon Image's position as a market leader. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those described from time to time in Silicon Image's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. In particular, standards may not be adopted, and demand for the DVI interface may not grow, at the rates anticipated, and Silicon Image may not achieve leadership status. Also see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Factors Affecting Future Results" in the most recent Annual Report, Form 10-K or 10-Q filed by Silicon Image with the SEC. Silicon Image assumes no obligation to update this forward-looking information. NOTE: Silicon Image, SiI, TMDS, PanelLink, MSL and http://www.siliconimage.com/ are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Silicon Image, Inc. in the United States and other countries. DATASOURCE: Silicon Image, Inc. CONTACT: Sheryl M. Gulizia, Manager, Public Relations of Silicon Image, Inc., +1-408-616-1553, or Web site: http://www.siliconimage.com/

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