Trident Unveils the World's First Integrated 240 Hz Digital TV SoC for Android-Based Smart Televisions

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Trident Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRID), a leading provider of set-top box and TV semiconductor solutions, today announced its new Fusion HiDTV family of DTV system-on-chips (SoCs) designed for the next generation of Smart-TVs with 200/240Hz video frame rate capabilities running on the Android platform.  The Fusion HiDTV family integrates multiple CPUs and Trident's patented MEMC technology to deliver outstanding picture quality, OpenGL 2.0 3D graphics capabilities, Android OS support, and the ability to display to 21:9 screens for a true cinematic experience.

The connected home market has been driving the emergence of innovative features such as 3D-TVs and 240Hz televisions.  The higher refresh rates of 240Hz TVs deliver significantly better picture quality, particularly in larger screen TVs, and 240Hz is also an essential element for delivering quality 3D content.  With its new Fusion HiDTV family, Trident is well positioned to emerge as a leader in connected TVs, which market research firm Display Search predicts will represent 43% of the total worldwide market by 2014.  

"We believe that the Fusion HiDTV family will fuel our growth in the highly connected Smart TV market segments with its outstanding CPU and graphics performance, superior picture quality, 3D performance and 21:9 cinemascope viewing ability," said Dr. Bami Bastani, CEO and President of Trident.  "The TV market continues to be driven by new innovations such as connectivity and 3D, and Trident is well positioned to lead this technology evolution with its feature-rich TV platform."

About the Fusion HiDTV Family

The Fusion HiDTV family is a highly integrated SoC platform that includes multiple CPUs, ATSC/DVB-T/DVB-C/ISDB-T and analog demodulators, a secure programmable transport stream demultiplexer, a high performance 3D graphics engine, a 3D-TV-capable multi-standard multi-stream HD video decoder, an HD video encoder, and a programmable audio decoder with post processor that supports several of Trident's industry-leading audio processing algorithms.

The Fusion HiDTV family integrates an HDMI 1.4a receiver and high speed ADCs to support up to 1080p digital and analog video inputs. Multiple USB2.0 transceivers are available to connect USB hard-drives to the TV for PVR functionality, USB camera modules for video call and WiFi modules. With its low-IF inputs, the Fusion HiDTV family can be directly connected to silicon tuners to create worldwide software programmable platform solutions.

Availability

The Fusion HiDTV family is scheduled for commercial production in the first quarter of 2012.

About Trident Microsystems, Inc.

Trident Microsystems, Inc., with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, is a leading force in the digital home entertainment market, delivering an extensive range of platform solutions that enhance the consumer experience in the Connected Home.  As one of the top-three semiconductor providers to both the TV and set-top box markets, Trident's solutions can be found in the products of leading OEMs and channel partners worldwide.  The company has an extensive IP portfolio of patents that stem from key innovations in video processing, image quality, 3D TV, low power consumption, and 45nm SoC designs. For further information about Trident and its products, please consult the Company's web site: www.tridentmicro.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the adoption of Trident's Fusion HiDTV SoC for use in the Smart TV market. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause Trident's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. These risks include, without limitation, that customers may not perceive that Trident's Fusion HiDTV product provides superior picture quality; that Trident may not attain a leadership position in the connected TV market; that the Fusion HiDTV product may not fuel Trident's growth in the Smart TV market segment and that competitors may provide similar or more cost competitive offerings.  The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release; Trident does not undertake any obligation to publicly revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the statement was made. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause results to differ can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recently filed Reports on Form 8-K, Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which are available at http://www.sec.gov.

NOTE: Trident, Trident logo and Fusion HiDTV are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Trident Microsystems in the United States and /or other countries.  All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

TRID-IR

SOURCE Trident Microsystems, Inc.