SUNNYVALE, Calif. — September 28, 2005 — OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), the world’s leading supplier of CMOS image sensors, today introduced the OV3630, a high performance 3.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor for digital still image and video/still camera products. Incorporating OmniVision’s new 2.2 micron OmniPixel®2 technology and a lens format of only 1/3.2 inches, the OV3630 enables a very compact auto focus and zoom camera module size and makes it possible for handset makers to bring 3 megapixel camera phones into the mainstream handset market.
“This is the first product to showcase OmniVision’s new OmniPixel®2 technology,” said Jess Lee, Vice President of the Mainstream Products Business Unit at OmniVision. “The 2.2 micron pixel technology is the new standard for OmniVision. It represents two years of development work in productizing this new technology and making it ready for mass production.”
“The OV3630 operates at 15 frames per second at full resolution, enabling the use of an electronic shutter instead of the traditional mechanical shutter,” Lee added. “Eliminating the mechanical shutter saves cost, but more importantly for the camera phone makers, it reduces the mechanical envelope needed, giving early adopters of this technology a competitive edge in their quest for thinner and sleeker phones. With the design win traction that we already have, we envision its widespread adoption into the high-end mobile handset market.”
The OV3630 features built-in OmniQSP™ technology which provides high-grade picture processing and features traditionally only found in digital still cameras. The OV3630 offers stunning resolution, light sensitivity, superior dynamic range and power efficiency in a small, integrated design that is rich with features such as support for auto focus, zoom and digital shutter.
The OmniPixel®2-powered OV3630 incorporates a 2048 by 1536 pixel array and an on-chip 10-bit A/D converter capable of operating up to 15 frames per second in full resolution mode and 30 frames per second during LCD preview mode while drawing minimal power. Additionally, the control registers and rich programming toolset allow for flexible control of timing, polarity and camera-chip operation, manipulation of automatic exposure control, automatic gain control, automatic white balance, windowing and auto black level calibration. The OV3630 supports both a standard 10-bit parallel interface and a high speed serial interface compliant with the second generation compact camera port interface standard (CCP2).
“Less than a year ago,” Lee concluded, “OmniVision introduced its first OmniPixel® sensor and set new milestones for imaging performance. Since that time, OmniPixel® technology has won many converts from CCDs and established a new standard for image quality. OmniPixel®2 and the OV3630 represent another important step in making high-end digital photography available to a wider range of mobile devices.”
The OV3630 is currently available for general sampling.
Safe-Harbor
Language Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the performance, achievements and capabilities of OmniVision’s OV3630 CMOS image sensor, and its adoption by the mobile handset market are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forwardlooking statements and OmniVision’s results to differ materially, include, without limitation: potential errors, design flaws or other problems with the OV3630 CMOS image sensor; risks associated with building customer acceptance of and demand for the OV3630; the development of the market for 3 megapixel sensors in the camera phone market as well as in markets for other portable applications incorporating image sensors; the rapid changes in technical requirements for camera phone products; competitive risks; as well as other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision’s most recent annual report filed on Form 10-K. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.