ZRAN Zoran Corp. (MM)

Zoran Corporation (NASDAQ: ZRAN), the world leader in providing system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for hundreds of millions of digital cameras, announced that its highly integrated COACH 14 digital camera processor platform is available to qualified manufacturers of 3D, Full HD video, hybrid and interchangeable-lens cameras.

CMOS Rolling-Shutter Correction Technology "This fourteenth generation of the COACH product line is designed to power the growing breed of 'Hybrid' CMOS sensor cameras, as well as CCD-based cameras, and to enable excellent still and Full HD video capture. In addition, its enhanced video engine delivers improved detail resolution of video content while enabling a 40% smaller file size and improved compression for real-time web connectivity," said Ohad Meitav, senior vice president and general manager, Zoran's Mobile division.

The 1080p video quality of most cameras has typically suffered from video artifacts introduced by the in-sensor "binning" of the high-megapixel sensor data. Zoran's COACH 14 SoC eliminates this problem by processing the raw sensor data to create a crisp, full resolution, full-color video stream.

Live, real-time video streaming is supported with exceptional high-quality, low-light sensitivity along with remote camera control through a web browser, as well as multi-channel video feed and bit-rate control for dynamic bandwidth adaptation.

CMOS Sensor Camera Market Size "Adoption of CMOS sensors is accelerating in the digital camera market because they support faster capture speeds and higher quality 1080p video. In 2013, CMOS sensors are forecast to overtake CCD sensors with 70 million CMOS sensors shipping to market versus 65 million CCD sensors," according to Tetsuo Omori, analyst at Techno Systems Research Co., Ltd.

Digital Video Stabilization for Connected Cameras Zoran's COACH 14 product platform delivers smooth, steady video due to its proprietary Digital Video Stabilization technology, a real-time compensation solution for hand shake, tilting of the camera, or moving objects. The COACH 14 product's digital motion analysis technology eliminates the need for a gyro, saving manufacturing costs, while providing the best image quality video.

State-of-the-art Image Processing Pipeline & Algorithms The COACH 14 processor boasts a range of advanced multi-frame algorithms for higher dynamic range and sensitivity. Proprietary image alignment and ghost removal techniques, allow photographers to use these technologies in a variety of scenes without the use of a tripod.

COACH 14 is equipped with a new set of lens correction technologies, contrast enhancements, and a new generation of noise reduction capabilities, which improve low-light capture for both still and video photography.

Fully Integrated 3D Camera Technologies The COACH 14 SoC also includes dual-sensor support for 3D still and video encoding as well as a direct connection to 3DTVs via an HDMI 1.4 port, decreasing the system cost of a 3D camera.

Zoran's COACH processors power digital still and video camera models from the world's leading camera manufacturers including Casio, Fujifilm, GE, Kodak, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Sony, and Vivitar among others.

COACH 14 Digital Camera Platform The COACH 14 development platform includes flexible software architecture and all the necessary hardware and middleware required to enable manufacturers to develop differentiated products with shortened time-to-market:

• Enhanced video engine supports Full HD, H.264, multi-stream compression
• Multi-CPU-DSP architecture provides processing power for additional software applications
• Latest generation photography image processing pipeline; produces best image and video quality using a variety of sensors and lenses for challenging conditions, such as low-light and high motion scenes
• Motion Compensated Temporal Filter reduces noise and improves low-light performance while eliminating blur due to object motion
• Powerful lens distortion correction unit eliminates a variety of distortions
• Hardware graphics acceleration allows camera manufacturers to design advanced user interface on high resolution touch-enabled screens

The COACH 14 solution is currently available to qualified digital camera manufacturers and is being designed into multiple camera models that are planned for production in Q1 2012.

About Zoran Corporation Zoran Corporation, based in Sunnyvale, California, is a leading provider of digital solutions in the digital entertainment and digital imaging markets. With over two decades of expertise developing and delivering digital signal processing technologies, Zoran has pioneered high-performance digital audio and video, imaging applications, and Connect Share Entertain™ 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 DTV, set-top box, broadband receivers (silicon tuners), DVD, digital camera, and multifunction printer products have received recognition for excellence and are now in hundreds of millions of homes and offices worldwide. With headquarters in the U.S. and additional operations in China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the UK, Zoran may be contacted on the World Wide Web at www.zoran.com or at 408-523-6500.

Zoran, the Zoran Logo and COACH are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zoran Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All other names and brands may be claimed as property others.

Contact Information Betty Watkins Zoran Corporation 408-523-4373 Email Contact