OmniVision Launches 1/4-Inch 8-Megapixel Sensor with Video-in-Video Support for Mainstream Mobile Devices

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OVTI), a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today announced the OV8858, a new 1/4-inch 8-megapixel PureCel™ image sensor for the rapidly growing mainstream smartphone and tablet market. The compact and cost-effective OV8858 PureCel™ sensor delivers dramatically reduced power consumption and best-in-class performance, making it a highly competitive solution for the next-generation mobile devices.

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"Industry analysts expect the 8-megapixel sensor market to grow to about 440 million units in 2014, reflecting year-over-year growth of 20 percent[1]. While there are a number of factors that contribute to this anticipation, the main driver is 8-megapixel cameras for mobile devices transitioning from a 1/3-inch optical format to a 1/4-inch optical format to meet consumers' demand for thinner and more cost-effective phones and tablets. On top of that, mainstream mobile devices are expected to upgrade from 1/4-inch 5-megapixel sensors to 1/4-inch 8-megapixel sensors in order to benefit from increased resolution while maintaining the same optical format," said Kalairaja Chinnaveerappan, senior product marketing manager at OmniVision. "The OV8858 is designed to respond directly to our customers' needs in this environment. In addition to delivering industry-leading performance, the OV8858 offers low module height with a wider CRA, increased power efficiency for better battery performance, and simplified deployment of video-in-video functionality. The combination of these benefits and performance enhancements put this sensor at the top of its class."

Compared to OmniVision's previous-generation 1/4-inch 8-megapixel sensor, the OV8858 delivers a number of performance enhancements, including dramatically improved full-well capacity (FWC) and sensitivity for enhanced high- and low-light performance. It also offers a significant reduction in power consumption and form factor.

The OV8858 is equipped with a special video-in-video (ViV™) feature, which allows the OV8858 to stitch together images from the front- and rear-cameras, and send the combined image to the host ISP. In ViV mode, users can capture a portrait scene perfectly alongside their own face, record video while narrating for high quality video blogging, or utilize the feature for video conferencing. This is made possible by a special input MIPI receiver on the OV8858 that can accept image data from a wide range of OmniVision image sensors designed for front-facing camera applications with resolutions of 2-megapixels and below, thus saving a camera port on the host ISP. Furthermore, features such as independent lens correction, color compensation and the option to select various window shapes for ViV have been added to increase the quality of the user's experience.

The OV8858 supports an active array of 3264 x 2448 pixels (8-megapixel) operating at 30 frames per second (FPS) for zero shutter lag to enable high-speed photography. The sensor is capable of recording 1080p high definition (HD) video at 60 FPS, or 720p HD video at 90 FPS, each with additional pixels for electronic image stabilization (EIS). The OV8858, when paired with OmniVision's latest 2-megapixel  sensors, can provide full resolution ViV snapshot images at 15 FPS and preview ViV video at 30 FPS.

The OV8858 fits into an 8.5 x 8.5 mm camera module with a build height of approximately 4 mm. It is currently available for sampling and is expected to begin volume production in the second quarter of 2014.

About PureCel™
OmniVision's new PureCel™ product line of CMOS image sensors deliver best-in-class pixel performance, enabling the capture of extraordinarily detailed images and video even in challenging lighting conditions. PureCel™ image sensors by OmniVision use innovative proprietary packaging and pixel technology to deliver industry-leading photon conversion, full-well capacity (FWC) and light sensitivity, while significantly reducing power consumption compared to previous-generation image sensors. The result is dramatically enhanced image and video quality in both high- and low-light conditions. OmniVision views PureCel™ image sensors as the future of high-performance digital imaging solutions.

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, tablets and webcams, digital still and video cameras, security and surveillance, entertainment devices, automotive and medical imaging systems. Find out more at www.ovt.com.

Safe-Harbor Language
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the expected benefits, performance, capabilities, and potential market appeal of the OV8858 and PureCel™ image sensors, as well as anticipated timing of mass production of the OV8858 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 OV8858, 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. PureCel™, ViV™ and CameraChip™ are trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

[1] Source: TSR "CCD/CMOS Area Image Sensor Market Analysis" June 2013

SOURCE OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

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