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Intersil, ViXS Collaborate to Deliver Uninterrupted Video Over 802.11g Networks

Monday, June 30, 2003

Technology Collaboration Enables OEMs to Cost Effectively and Quickly Build

Standards-Based CE Devices for Wireless Streaming Video

TORONTO and MILPITAS, Calif., June 30 /CNW/ -- ViXS Systems, leading developer of video networking chipsets and software, and Intersil Corporation (Nasdaq: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog and wireless networking solutions, today announced their collaboration in offering design tools for the transmission of video over standardized 802.11g. The result is a software development kit (SDK) that combines ViXS' XCode(TM) with Intersil's PRISM GT(TM) chipset and PRISM Nitro(TM) technology. The combination of the two chipsets ensures that consumer electronics manufacturers can quickly bring products to market that offer full standard compliance to existing 802.11b systems while delivering high-quality digital video over the same wireless network.

"Video is the most popular form of entertainment and a primary driver of the consumer electronics market," said Larry Ciaccia, vice president and general manager of Intersil's Wireless Networking Product Group. "As we view the growing consumer demand for wireless products, it's increasingly apparent that wireless video delivery will play an important role in expanding 802.11 from a business-centric technology to a common residential technology. By combining PRISM's accelerated 802.11g capabilities with the high-quality of service delivered by ViXS' XCode, Intersil is well positioned to meet the burgeoning market demand for high-speed wireless video."

This joint company collaboration demonstrates the ability of ViXS and Intersil to provide high-quality digital video over industry standard wireless networks without using proprietary, new or untested technologies.

"Because Intersil is a leader in offering complete chipsets designed for 802.11g, it seemed natural for us to team with such a forward-thinking company in creating the first complete 802.11g video system," said Sally Daub, president and CEO of ViXS Systems. "Digital video, such as from a DVD or high-definition television (HDTV), creates exceptional challenges in wireless streaming due to its high bandwidth consumption. By combining our video management capabilities with Intersil's high-speed 802.11g technology, users will have the ability to support intensive video and data to 802.11g-enabled devices."

ViXS' XCode integrated circuit can adjust the bit-rates, resolutions and formats of multiple MPEG video streams in real time, adapting each stream to changing network bandwidth. As a result, products such as digital video recorders (DVRs), media gateways or set-top boxes can distribute high-quality digital video to any networked display device in the home, such as HDTVs, plasma and LCD TV monitors, PDAs, web tablets, personal computers and personal video recorders (PVRs). By managing the video stream, XCode is the first to guarantee 30 frames per second of high-quality video over any type of Internet protocol (IP) network, including 802.11. The XCode SDK is currently available and being used by leading consumer electronics manufacturers to develop next-generation video wireless products.

Intersil's advanced PRISM GT chip set solution incorporates Intersil's SingleSource(TM) Driver Suite with PRISM Nitro technology that delivers up to a 3x improvement in throughput for 802.11g clients operating in mixed-mode wireless networks and up to 50 percent greater throughput performance in 802.11g only networks. PRISM GT is an ideal solution for high-bandwidth applications, such as wireless video streaming.

About Intersil

Intersil Corporation is a global semiconductor leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog and wireless networking solutions. Intersil's product portfolios address four fast growing markets - flat panel displays, optical storage (CD and DVD recordable), power management and wireless networking. Intersil brings added customer value in providing complete silicon, software and reference design solutions to new products that enhance the computing experience for people wherever they live, work or travel. For more information about Intersil or to find out how to become a member of our winning team, visit the company's web site and career page at: www.intersil.com.

About ViXS Systems

ViXS Systems has developed a unique semiconductor chipset and software solution with unprecedented capabilities for distributing broadcast-quality video across local IP-based wired and wireless networks. These products provide manufacturers of consumer electronics, personal computers, and set-top boxes with a proven technology that operates with standards-based local networks. ViXS components offer full support for HDTV, DVD, satellite or cable broadcasts and deliver uninterrupted, full Quality of Service video for consumer entertainment, personal computing applications, and multimedia gateways. Founded in January 2001, the company is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and has filed over 60 patents to date. For further information, please visit us at www.vixs.com.

NOTE: PRISM GT, PRISM Nitro and SingleSource are trademarks of Intersil Americas Inc.

CONTACT:

Ciricia Proulx Alice Borda

ViXS Systems Sterling Communications

416-646-2000 x258 408-395-5500

cproulxvixs.com abordasterlingpr.com

/Web site: http://www.intersil.com /

/Web site: http://www.vixs.com /

For further information: Ciricia Proulx of ViXS Systems, +1-416-646-2000, ext. 258, or cproulx@vixs.com; or Alice Borda of Sterling Communications, +1-408-395-5500, or aborda@sterlingpr.com