Atmel Licenses Hardware Video Decoder from Hantro

Rousset, France and Oulu, Finland (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Multiple Formats Support Next-Generation Video Devices

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) and Hantro, a leader in video
compression and application solutions, announced today that Atmel has
licensed the new Hantro 8170 multi-format video decoder RTL. Atmel
will integrate the decoder alongside an ARM9(TM) processor core in a
chip targeted for multifunctional next-generation video devices such
as personal media players and navigation systems.

"This agreement will enable us to expand our AT91SAM family of
microcontrollers into application-specific devices focused on the
fast-growing multimedia market," commented Alfredo Vadillo, Managing
Director for Atmel's 32-bit Microcontrollers.

Commenting on the agreement, Hantro's President and CEO, Eero
Kaikkonen said, "We are pleased to add Atmel to our growing list of
semiconductor customers. Through them we bring our technologies to
new device markets where the requirement for low powered, high
performance video capability is just being realized."

The Hantro 8170 Decoder. Atmel is the first company to license the
new Hantro 8170 decoder that supports 16MP JPEG, H.263, H.264,
MPEG-2, MPEG-4 simple and advanced simple profile (DivX), XviD
Portable, VC-1 main and advanced profiles up to full HD (1080p)
resolution. The 8170 design is fully configurable allowing the choice
of formats and maximum resolution to be defined prior to integration;
this ensures the best-fit solution for target applications through
the optimal use of external memories and by minimizing the silicon
footprint. The decoder also incorporates a host of post-processing
features that facilitate integration, application development and
further enhance the user experience. High resolution capability,
broad format support and post-processing features such as: cropping,
scaling, rotation and de-interlacing, mean, for devices that use the
new Atmel chip, the ability to play back a huge array of content
without the need for prior re-purposing.

Availability

Application-specific AT91SAM products incorporating the Hantro
8170 decoder will be available in H1 2008.

Glossary
RTL Register Transfer Language, a format for describing the
functionality of an integrated circuit or a modular block
within an integrated circuit.
16M JPEG Still image compression codec supporting up to 16Mpixel
images
H.263, H.264 ITU video coding standards supporting video services from
low bit rate video telephony to high quality broadcast
MPEG-2, MPEG-4 ISO/IEC video coding standards for standard and high
definition video playback and broadcast
DivX Brand name for DivX Inc. video codec commonly used for
encoding ripped DVD video material. Conforms MPEG-4
Advanced Simple Profile.
XviD Open source video codec commonly used for encoding ripped
DVD video material. Conforms MPEG-4 Advanced Simple
Profile.
VC-1 VC-1 is the informal name of the SMPTE 421M video codec
standard originally developed by Microsoft and known as
Windows(R) Media Video.
HD (1080p) High Definition display resolution with 1920 horizontal
and 1080 vertical lines. Commonly referred as "Full
High-Definition".

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets.

About Hantro

A leader in multimedia technology for mobile devices, Hantro's
designs have been incorporated in over 200 million handsets worldwide
with customers in the US, EMEA and APAC markets. Provided as
intellectual property and delivering optimal value and performance,
Hantro's portfolio includes hardware and software MPEG4, H.263,
H.264/AVC and VC-1 video codecs, audio and still image codecs as well
as integration platforms and applications. Uniquely positioned to
deliver technology solutions for silicon providers, device
manufacturers and network operators, Hantro enables camcorder, media
player, video telephony, mobile TV and more. For further information
please visit http://www.hantro.com/.

(C) 2007 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof, and others, are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. ARM(R) and
others are registered trademarks or trademarks of ARM Ltd. Windows(R)
is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the US and or
other countries. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of
others.

Information:

Atmel's AT91SAM product information may be retrieved at
http://www.atmel.com/products/AT91/.

For further information on Hantro's products, go to
http://www.hantro.com.

Atmel Press Contacts:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, Atmel Rousset
Phone: +33-0-4-42-53-61-50, Email: peter.bishop@rfo.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com
Hantro Press Contacts:
Tony Hope, Marketing Director, Hantro Products Oy
Phone +358-0-440-235-107, Email: tony.hope@hantro.com
Web site: http://www.atmel.com
http://www.hantro.com

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Contact:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager of Atmel Rousset,
+33-0-4-42-53-61-50, peter.bishop@rfo.atmel.com; or Helen Perlegos,
Public Relations of Atmel Corporation, +1-408-487-2963,
hperlegos@atmel.com; or Tony Hope, Marketing Director of Hantro
Products Oy, +358-0-440-235107, tony.hope@hantro.com