ORLANDO, FL — February 22, 2005 — OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), one of the world’s leading suppliers of CMOS image sensors, reported today that its OV5610 5-megapixel camera chip has achieved eight design wins in the digital still camera (DSC) and video camera markets. These design wins represent the first uses of a 5-megapixel CMOS image sensor to process both still and video images in mass market consumer devices.
The market introduction of the OV5610 last September marked the industry’s first high-end CMOS sensor that competes head-to-head with similar CCD devices. Up to this point, single-chip CMOS image sensors have served the low-end DSC market, while CCD sensors have served the high-end DSC and camcorder markets. With these design wins, the OV5610 will appear in digital still, video and hybrid cameras, and personal media players.
“These design wins demonstrate that our product delivers both the still and video image quality of CCD technology while measurably reducing cost,” said Jason Liu, senior product marketing manager at OmniVision. “They also mark the emergence of CMOS as a viable high-end alternative to costly CCD technology and further reinforce OmniVision’s technology leadership in the CMOS image sensor space.”
The OV5610 architecture is based around OmniPixel® technology. The sensor’s 2.775-micron pixels allowed OmniVision to design its 5-megapixel device with an optical format (footprint) of just 1/1.8 inches. It incorporates a 2592 x 1944 image array and an on-chip 10-bit A/D converter capable of operating at 30 frames per second (FPS) in VGA resolution. OmniVision’s sensor technology utilizes advanced algorithms to cancel fixed pattern noise (FPN), eliminate smearing, drastically reduce blooming and virtually eliminate dark current.
OmniVision and OmniPixel® are trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
About OmniPixel® Technology
OmniPixel® technology is the CMOS image sensor industry’s first no-compromise technology for advanced image-sensor applications. It enables OmniVision’s next generation of image sensors to deliver the light sensitivity, resolution, color fidelity and low noise of advanced CCD products, while also providing the proven advantages that designers have come to expect from OmniVision’s CMOS solutions — low cost, high integration, low power consumption, wide dynamic range and switchable still-image or video capture. OmniPixel® comes complete with premium features such as auto-focus, zooming, panning and mechanical shutter control that position OmniPixel® technology to challenge and displace CCDs in high-end camera markets.
Safe-Harbor
Statement Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the performance and capabilities of and the anticipated demand for OmniVision’s OV5610 5-megapixel CMOS image sensor, and the anticipated demand for products incorporating the OV5610, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forward-looking statements and OmniVision’s results to differ materially, include, without limitation: potential errors, design flaws or other problems with the OV5610 5-megapixel CMOS image sensor; customer acceptance and demand for the OV5610; and the other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision’s annual reports filed on Form 10-K and quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q. OmniVision disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.