OmniVision Debuts Two New 2-Megapixel SOC Sensors to Support High-Volume Feature Phone Markets

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today introduced two new system-on-a-chip (SOC) CMOS image sensors, the OV2643 and OV2659. Both sensors are designed to address the increased demand for 2-megapixel resolution cameras in the mid- to low-end feature phone segment, bringing high-definition (HD) video and excellent low-light sensitivity to this high-volume market. With the addition of the OV2643 and OV2659, OmniVision now offers the industry's broadest portfolio of 2megapixel camera solutions, serving a wide variety of applications including notebooks, webcams and gaming and entertainment devices.

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The two new SOC sensors with advanced image signal processing offer quality and functionality comparable to many high-performance digital still cameras, including 720p native HD video at 30 frames per second, excellent sensitivity and high quality image capture. Additionally, they are designed to meet the cost, size and performance requirements of the highly segmented camera phone market.

"We are seeing a clear trend of the mid- to low-end feature phone market migrating to 2-megapixel resolution, with significantly increasing demand from emerging markets such as China and India," said Per Rosdahl, director of product marketing at OmniVision. "OmniVision has invested in a very broad 2-megapixel portfolio to address the full range of size and performance requirements this market segment demands. The OV2643 and OV2659 are the first SOC sensors from OmniVision to offer HD capability at this resolution, providing a critical differentiator over other sensors currently on the market."

Designed for cost-sensitive applications, the OV2659 is built on OmniVision's 1.75-micron OmniPixel3-HS™ architecture, which achieves low-light sensitivity of 950 mV/lux-sec. The OV2659's 1/5-inch optical format and ultra-low profile (4 mm) fits the industry-standard 6.5 x 6.5 mm camera module size for handset applications.

The OV2643 targets more performance-centric applications, implementing OmniVision's advanced 2.2-micron OmniPixel3-HS architecture, which achieves a sensitivity of 1250 mV/lux-sec. This makes it ideal for ensuring excellent video image quality under the most challenging lighting conditions. The OV2643's 1/4-inch optical format also fits the critical 6.5 x 6.5 mm camera module size.

Both sensors offer automatic image control functions, which include automatic exposure control, automatic white balance and automatic black-level calibration. They also feature all standard image quality controls such as color saturation, hue, gamma, sharpness (edge enhancement), lens correction, defective pixel canceling and noise canceling. The OV2643 also features black sun cancelation.

The OV2643 and OV2659 come with interfaces for standard serial camera control bus and digital video port (DVP) parallel output, offering support for UXGA, SVGA and 720p with programmable controls for frame rate as well as video operations.

The OV2643 and OV2659 are sampling now and are expected to enter mass production in Q4 2010.

About OmniVision

OmniVision Technologies (NASDAQ: OVTI) is a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions. Its award-winning CMOS imaging technology enables superior image quality in many of today's consumer and commercial applications, including mobile phones, notebooks and webcams, digital still and video cameras, security and surveillance, entertainment devices, automotive and medical imaging systems. Find out more at http://www.ovt.com.

Safe-Harbor Language

Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the expected benefits, performance, capabilities, potential market appeal, and anticipated timing of mass production of the OV2643 and OV2659 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 OV2659 and OV2643, customer acceptance, demand, and other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision's annual report filed on Form 10-K and quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.

OmniVision® and the OmniVision logo are registered trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. OmniPixel3-HS™ is a trademark of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE OmniVision Technologies, Inc.