LAS VEGAS, NV — March 28, 2007 — Today at the International Security Conference (ISC) West in Las Vegas, Nevada, OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a leading independent supplier of CMOS CameraChip™ image sensors for high-volume applications, introduced its first color High Dynamic Range (HDR) CameraChip sensor for security market applications. The new single-chip OV10620 can provide security camera manufacturers significant cost savings over existing multi-chip CCD camera solutions with HDR capability as well as superior performance versus competing CMOS color HDR systems.
HDR refers to an imaging system’s ability to capture widely differing light levels in a single image and to rapidly adjust to often instantaneous changes in light levels. OmniVision’s proprietary color HDR technology enables the high-speed OV10620 to function much like the human eye under quickly changing light conditions, making it ideal for a range of commercial security camera applications. The OV10620 boasts a spectral light sensitivity of up to 1000 nm, which is near infrared sensitivity, and is capable of performing at a dynamic range of up to 110dB in either color or black and white, challenging the performance of existing HDR sensors on the market.
A 6 x 6 micron pixel size enables the OV10620 to simultaneously capture and process image data from bright and dark regions, making it highly suitable for use in high-performance closed circuit television (CCTV) and Internet protocol (IP) security camera systems, where rapidly varying light conditions should not affect the ability to identify all objects in a scene or image. Applications include camera monitoring at ATM machines, inside banks and hotel lobbies, in parking facilities, and other commercial and domestic security systems.
“Higher levels of security are becoming more important to an increasingly larger audience both in business and in domestic environments,” said Hasan Gadjali, Vice President for Advanced Products at OmniVision. “With the introduction of the OV10620 to the security market, we believe we are delivering optimized performance in a high quality single-chip package that makes HDR technology a realistic solution for a wider range of security products.”
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 comes in a standard CLCC package. 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 security and surveillance 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.