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Silicon Optix and Runco International Bring Hollywood Home with Customized ViViX Powered Realta HQV Chip (14/2/2005)

New Advanced Technology Partnership Will Set New Benchmark for Video Excellence on Programmable Microchips

Runco International, Inc., the world leader in high-end home theater video display technology, is once again advancing its technological edge by sealing a partnership with Silicon Optix, a leading microchip manufacturer headquartered in San Jose, California. Under the new agreement Silicon Optix's Realta chip featuring Hollywood Quality Video(TM) (HQV) technology will power Runco's Next Generation ViViX(TM) enabled display devices. Starting the fourth quarter of 2005, the enhanced ViViX powered by HQV chip - a version specially developed by Silicon Optix for Runco - will be the catalyst to raise the picture quality of the full line of Runco products. ViViX is a propriety technology of Runco, its video decoding and processing capabilities upconvert standard definition sources to virtual high definition for the ultimate in widescreen viewing perfection.

"This is going to be quite a technological coup for us," said Sam Runco, Founder and CEO of Runco International, Inc. "Our forward thinking philosophy requires that we constantly consider technical integration that will enable us to deliver superior products to our customers. Partnering with Silicon Optix and blending these two ground-breaking technologies will allow Runco to effectively raise the bar in continually engineering simply the best video processing display devices available in the market."

Realta is a highly integrated advanced SOC (System on Chip) that enables a new benchmark standard of video excellence known as Hollywood Quality Video, or HQV. Its architecture incorporates the industry's first fully software programmable video array processor capable of performing over 1 trillion operations per second, an Image Fidelity Enhancement Engine, and end-to-end true 10-bit image processing. These core technologies combine together to enable the simultaneous processing of dual high-definition image streams, delivering quality video into home entertainment and professional video display products including plasmas, RPTVs LCD TVs and front projectors.

"Our award-winning Realta chip originates from Teranex's $60,000 broadcast and post-production platforms to deliver a new standard in image quality," said Paul Russo, Chairman & CEO of Silicon Optix Inc. "To partner with 'The World's Finest Home Theater Products' manufacturer validates our leadership position in the display processing market and enables both companies to drive the next wave of the digital video revolution and bring digital cinema quality to the consumer markets."

Since its launch in September 2004, the Realta HQV processor has already won five awards including CES 2005 'Best of Innovations', 'Best of the Year' from the Perfect Vision, 'Best Buzz' of CEDIA from Insight Media, AVGuide Monthly's 'Best Product Overall,' and Red Herring's top 100 Innovators Award.

www.siliconoptix.com
www.runco.com