MIPS Mips Technologies, Inc. (MM)

Industry Leaders Join Forces to Provide High-Quality Video on Portable Devices MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. AND GISTEL, Belgium, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MIPS Technologies (NASDAQ:MIPS) and Sarnoff Corporation today announced that Sarnoff will offer its latest H.264 codecs on the industry-standard MIPS(R) architecture, allowing MIPS Technologies to offer its customers a broad range of video solutions for the first time. This offering enables mobile TVs, cell phones, VoIP terminals, and other portable media devices using the MIPS architecture to encode, decode, and display vivid, high-resolution, full-motion video for television, teleconferences, movies, camcorder features, music videos and other business and entertainment applications. The codecs, part of Sarnoff's line of SelectCores(TM) silicon IP, can accommodate video at up to 30 frames/second and up to VGA resolution (640 x 480). They are compatible with the ITU H.264 and MPEG-4/AVC standards, and offer superior image quality derived from Sarnoff's Emmy(R) Award-winning video technology. Included hardware-based accelerators may be implemented for maximum flexibility. Software-only codecs are also available, optimized for the MIPS instruction set. "This is good news for current and future users of the MIPS architecture," said Will Strauss, president of Forward Concepts, a market research firm in Tempe, AZ. "Adding just enough silicon to speed up a software-based system retains all the advantages of programmability, yet achieves the throughput required. MIPS-Based(TM) cores are widely used as host CPUs, and adding video solutions complements their audio offerings." "The MIPS architecture is the de facto standard in many digital consumer applications that would benefit from intensive video decoding, and we're delighted to support these cores with our codecs," said Bill Mayweather, senior director, IC systems and services at Sarnoff. "Chip designers now have ready access to a highly efficient implementation of H.264 technology that combines design flexibility and the highest quality video with the lowest power consumption." According to Pat Hays, vice president of engineering at MIPS Technologies, the addition of Sarnoff's codecs extends the functionality of MIPS-Based products. "The digital consumer electronics industry is experiencing dynamic change driven by increased demand for more intuitive services and media-rich content," he said. "Bringing H.264 video to the MIPS architecture enables our customers to meet this demand." Sarnoff's H.264 silicon IP draws low power for long battery life. By choosing which of the hardware-based accelerators are implemented, users can optimize the cost/power tradeoffs to the specific device being designed. This allows them to customize device performance and maintain brand differentiation. The IP also allows software or hardware to be used interchangeably for given functions. Device makers can freely integrate proprietary technology with the IP to enable specific functions or boost performance. About MIPS Technologies, Inc. MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry standard processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and business applications. The company drives the broadest architectural alliance that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded RISC solutions. The company licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor companies, ASIC developers, and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies, Inc. and its licensees offer the widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom, semi-custom and application-specific products. MIPS Technologies, Inc. is based in Mountain View, California, and can be reached at 650-567-5000 or http://www.mips.com/. About Sarnoff Corporation Sarnoff Corporation (http://www.sarnoff.com/) produces innovations in electronic, biomedical and information technology that generate successful new products and services for clients worldwide. Founded in 1942 as RCA Laboratories, it develops breakthroughs in ICs, lasers, and imagers; drug discovery, manufacture and delivery; digital TV and video for security, surveillance, and entertainment; high-performance networking; and wireless communications. Its history includes the development of color TV, the liquid-crystal display, and the disposable hearing aid, and a leadership role in creating the new U.S. digital and HDTV standard. Sarnoff also founds new companies to bring its technologies to market. It is a subsidiary of SRI International. NOTE: MIPS and MIPS-Based are trademarks or registered trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are protected herein. DATASOURCE: MIPS Technologies, Inc. CONTACT: Cathy Browne of MIPS Technologies, +1-650-567-5178, or ; or Lisa Kanda of Sarnoff Corporation, +1-609-734-2670, or fax, +1-609-734-2040, or ; or Henk DeBlaere of Sarnoff Europe, +32-0-59-275-917, or +32-0-59-275-916, or Web site: http://www.sarnoff.com/ Web site: http://www.mips.com/

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