SUNNYVALE, Calif., — March 6, 2007 — OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a leading independent supplier of CMOS CameraChip™ image sensors for high-volume applications, today introduced its first color High Dynamic Range (HDR) CMOS image sensor for mass market applications. Dynamic range refers to the capacity of an imaging system to capture widely differing light levels in a single image and to rapidly adjust to changes in light levels. The new OV10620 is an affordable, single-chip, highperformance camera solution and marks OmniVision’s entry into color HDR commercialization.
OmniVision’s proprietary color HDR technology enables the high-speed OV10620 to function much like the human eye under quickly changing light conditions. It rapidly switches to HDR mode to handle extreme variations of bright and dark conditions within the same scene and automatically switches back to non-HDR mode when conditions return to normal. The new single-chip sensor boasts a spectral light sensitivity of up to 1000 nm, which is near infrared sensitivity. In addition, its 6 x 6 micron pixel size enables it to simultaneously capture and process image data ranging from bright sunlight to dark shadowed regions.
“We believe that the introduction of this new color HDR chip will provide important functionality for many applications,” said Hasan Gadjali, Vice President for Advanced Products at OmniVision. “HDR functionality is especially important in the automotive and security markets, where color recognition can be a critical element in producing useful images.”
Typical automotive applications for the OV10620 would include backup and rearview cameras, lane departure warning and guidance systems, blind spot detection systems and forward looking sensing applications, such as automatic headlight dimming.
In security applications, the sensor will be used in high-performance closed circuit television (CCTV) and Internet protocol (IP) camera systems.
The OV10620 digital sensor comes in a 1/3-inch Wide-VGA (768 x 492) and a ¼-inch VGA (640 x 480) image array operating at 30 frames per second (fps) at full resolution and 60 fps at QVGA (320 x 240) resolution. It offers the flexibility of YUV or RGB Raw output and is capable of performing at a dynamic range of up to 110dB in either color or black and white. The new OV10620 has an operating temperature range of -40°C to +105°C and comes in a standard QFP, CLCC and CSP packages. Customer samples and evaluation boards are now available and the Company expects to begin volume production in the third quarter of 2007.
Safe-Harbor Language
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the performance, achievements and capabilities of the OV10620 CMOS image sensor, markets for which the OV10620 is targeted and timing of volume production, 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 OV10620 CMOS image sensor; risks associated with building customer acceptance of and demand for the OV10620; the development of the market for CMOS 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 and quarterly report filed on form 10-Q. 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.