HIMX Himax Technologies Inc

Licenses Spur Adoption of PPDS as a Standard; New LCD TVs Will Feature True 10-bit Color for a Cinema-Quality Experience SAN FRANCISCO, Society for Information Display (SID) Conference, June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National Semiconductor (NYSE:NSM) today announced that Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:HIMX), MagnaChip Semiconductor Ltd. and STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) have licensed National Semiconductor's PPDS(R) (point-to-point differential signaling) display technology to develop column drivers for next-generation liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions. In addition, Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp. (CMO) has agreed to incorporate National's PPDS technology into its upcoming LCD TV modules. "National's PPDS technology enables CMO to deliver higher color depth, cinema-quality motion video and high resolution to the consumer in a simple, cost-effective manner," said Wen-Tsung Lin, director of the LCD TV Division at Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp. "These features are critical to the success of large LCD TVs." National Semiconductor's PPDS technology allows panel manufacturers to offer superior, front-of-screen performance at significantly lower cost than competing technologies. As monitors and televisions transition to offer consumers amazing billion-plus color depth, LCD panel, monitor and television makers need an intra-panel interface that supports true 10-bit color without burdening their products with extra cost and complexity. "LCD TV shipments are forecasted to grow from 41.7 million units in 2006 to 96.9 million units in 2009, with the bulk of the growth coming from those LCD TVs with high-definition resolutions," said Ross Young, president of DisplaySearch, a research firm focused on flat panel displays. "National's PPDS technology is well-suited for LCD TV applications that demand the highest level of color control and accuracy that provide the best viewing experience for the end user." National Semiconductor will demonstrate the PPDS timing controller and column driver chipset in booth 1302 at the Society for Information Display (SID) conference in San Francisco from June 6-8. The SID conference is the premier international gathering of scientists, engineers, manufacturers and users in the electronic-display industry. National's display experts will be available for customer, press and industry analyst interviews throughout the conference. To schedule an interview at SID, please contact Gayle Bullock at 408-464-2516 or . About the PPDS Architecture National Semiconductor developed PPDS display interface standard to improve visual performance, lower system cost and provide increased flexibility in the design of LCD panels. Recognized by the International Engineering Consortium (IEC) with a DesignVision award in 2005, National's PPDS technology is a migration from RSDS(R) (reduced swing differential signaling) technology to a new architecture capable of driving large LCD panels up to 90 inches in diagonal at resolutions up to 1920 by 1080 lines (full high definition). PPDS technology brings brilliant colors, cinema-quality motion video and high-resolution to next-generation large screen panels. For more information on National's PPDS technology, visit http://www.national.com/appinfo/fpd/ppds.html . About National Semiconductor National Semiconductor, the industry's premier analog company, creates high-value analog devices and subsystems. National's leading-edge products include power management circuits, display drivers, audio and operational amplifiers, communication interface products and data conversion solutions. National's key analog markets include wireless handsets, displays and a variety of broad electronics markets, including medical, automotive, industrial, and test and measurement applications. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $1.91 billion for fiscal 2005, which ended May 29, 2005. Additional company and product information is available at http://www.national.com/. Supporting Quotes Himax Technologies, Inc. "With support for next-generation features such as 120 Hz and true 10-bit color, National Semiconductor's PPDS display technology offers panel vendors advanced panel capabilities at the lowest system cost," said Dr. Bu, Director of Design at Himax. "Himax designs, develops and markets critical components for flat panel displays. Choosing to license PPDS technology will allow us to continue providing the best product solutions to our customers." http://www.himax.com.tw/ MagnaChip Semiconductor Ltd. "The combination of National Semiconductor's PPDS display technology and Magnachip's design and manufacturing capability provides customers with cutting edge column driver solutions," Seung Eun Kam, Vice President of Display Solutions Division (Large Application Marketing) at Magnachip. "As a supplier of complex, high-performance, mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for fast growing consumer markets such as LCD TV's, MagnaChip must provide its customers with innovative and cost effective solutions, and we believe National's PPDS technology meets our customers' next-generation product requirements." http://www.magnachip.com/ STMicroelectronics "As one of the world's largest semiconductor suppliers, ST recognizes that National's PPDS technology has enormous potential to be a new industry standard," said Philippe Berger, General Manager of ST's Display Division. "ST believes that adding this technology to its vast IP portfolio will allow the company to offer its customers the best column driver solutions for the LCD television market." http://www.st.com/ Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp. http://www.chimei.com.tw/ CONTACT: Gayle Bullock National Semiconductor +1-408-721-2033 DATASOURCE: National Semiconductor Corporation CONTACT: Gayle Bullock of National Semiconductor, +1-408-721-2033, or Web site: http://www.magnachip.com/ Web site: http://www.st.com/ Web site: http://www.chimei.com.tw/ Web site: http://www.himax.com.tw/ Web site: http://www.national.com/appinfo/fpd/ppds.html Web site: http://www.national.com/

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