Sampling of Latest CameraChips™ Targets Cost Sensitive Digital Still Camera Market
SUNNYVALE, CA — August 22, 2002 — OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a market leading independent supplier of single CameraChip™ solutions for high-volume imaging applications, today announced sampling of its third generation 1.3 mega-pixel (1280×1024) CameraChip™ solutions designed for the high volume, low cost digital still and video camera markets. The color OV9630 and black-and-white OV9130 are lower cost versions of OMNIVISION’s popular OV9620 and OV9120 mega-pixel products announced in November of 2001.
“This latest CameraChip™ offering can reduce the design cost for entry level digital still cameras,” said John Lynch, vice president of sales and marketing for OMNIVISION. “With a 1/3 inch lens format, the OV9630 not only has a lower cost point for manufacturers but also allows them to use lower cost lens solutions. These two factors should make digital still cameras more affordable for consumers.”
For digital still cameras, 1.3 mega-pixels are generally considered the level of resolution required for printing keepsake quality digital images. More pixels enable clearer and larger prints. The OV9130 and OV9630 are also designed for cell phone cameras, automotive cameras, security cameras and machine vision applications.
The new single CMOS CameraChip™ competes with current multi-chip CCD chipsets, providing manufacturers with a simplified and lower-cost alternative. This latest offering is pin-for-pin compatible with OMNIVISION’s previously announced OV9620 CameraChip™ and is supported by the same backend processors that support OMNIVISION’s popular 1/2 inch OV9620 CameraChip™. By utilizing a single voltage and drawing a mere 50mA in active mode, digital still camera designs using this latest offering can be smaller, use fewer batteries and be easier to design than competing CCD digital camera solutions.
Pricing and Availability
In volume OEM quantities of 100K units and above, the color OV9630 and black and white OV9130 are currently priced below $9.00. Both CameraChips™ are now available for sampling to qualified OEMs. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
About OMNIVISION
OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc. is an independent CameraChip™ solutions provider. Utilizing proprietary design technology for its highly integrated still-photo and video camera solutions for high-volume imaging applications, OMNIVISION integrates multiple image processing and capture functions into a single CameraChip™ design. With the addition of only a lens, the result is a low-cost CameraChip™ that consumes less power, has a greater environmental functioning range and has a smaller footprint than typical CMOS multi-chip image sensor solutions. OMNIVISION’s CameraChip™ solutions are in cell phones, personal digital assistants, automobiles and industrial machine vision applications, as well as surveillance and biometric security applications. OMNIVISION is based in Sunnyvale, California. For more information about the company, visit our Website at www.ovt.com.
OMNIVISION and CameraChip™ are trademarks of OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc. All other trade, product or service names referenced in this release may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
The foregoing press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the possibility of design costs for entry level digital still cameras, reduced costs for consumers, and other potential benefits related to the third generation 1.3 mega-pixel CMOS CameraChip™. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Factors that could effect OMNIVISION’s operating results, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward looking statements, include: OMNIVISION’s failure to obtain design wins from camera and cell phone manufacturers, which could inhibit the OMNIVISION’s ability to diversify its customer base; any delay in the introduction, manufacture and development of new products, which could adversely affect the OMNIVISION’s revenues, earnings and gross margins as well as its strategy to diversify its customer base; the degree to which intense competition might affect the OMNIVISION’s ability to compete successfully in its current markets and in emerging markets; the OMNIVISION’s dependence upon a few key customers, which could adversely affect its revenues and earnings; a decline in the average selling price of the OMNIVISION products, which could result in a decline in its gross margins; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the OMNIVISION’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, the OMNIVISION’s fiscal 2002 Form 10-K. The forward looking statements contained in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and OMNIVISION undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.