Inlet Technologies Using Altera's Stratix FPGAs for Real-Time High-Definition Video Encoding

NAB2005, Las Vegas, April 14, 2005 — Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) today announced that Inlet Technologies is leveraging the performance of Altera’s Stratix® series of FPGAs for its Fathom product. Fathom is the industry’s first professional real-time encoding solution for VC-1, an advanced compression format for high-definition video content. Inlet’s Fathom solution combines Stratix-based hardware acceleration with workflow and analysis software to make next-generation distribution methods such as Blu-Ray, high definition (HD)-DVD, video-on-demand, and digital dailies a reality today. The solution delivers performance, precision, and productivity to the post-production market. Inlet will demonstrate the latest version of Fathom in booth SL5829 at this week’s NAB2005, the annual National Association of Broadcasters Conference.

“We chose Altera’s Stratix series of FPGAs to off-load critical functions from the DSP processors in order to achieve high-quality, real-time HD video encoding,” said Scott Labrozzi, Chief Technology Officer of Inlet Technologies. “Besides high performance, the flexibility provided by Stratix devices allows us to rapidly develop industry-leading video compression products and respond to customer needs by adding hardware-based feature upgrades. In addition, Altera offers a low-risk path to future increased cost optimization and higher performance via their HardCopy® structured ASICs.”

HD video production requires significantly more processing horsepower than standard definition (SD) video. Without hardware acceleration, HD video encoding can take hours, which significantly lengthens workflows and increases the cost of production. By relying on Stratix FPGAs to accelerate key arithmetic functions associated with HD video processing, Inlet delivers the most cost-effective solution for real-time HD encoding.

“The higher data rates and processing challenges associated with HD video production require the levels of performance and flexibility that Stratix FPGAs offer,” said Todd Scott, senior director of Altera’s broadcast and consumer business unit. “Altera’s products enable broadcast equipment innovators like Inlet Technologies to get to market quickly, while addressing the changing needs of an increasingly dynamic market.”

For more information on how customers are using Altera’s products in broadcast applications, go to www.altera.com/broadcastsuccess.

About Altera

Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) is the world’s pioneer in system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions. Combining programmable logic technology with software tools, intellectual property, and technical services, Altera provides high-value programmable solutions to approximately 14,000 customers worldwide. More information is available at www.altera.com.

About Inlet Technologies

Inlet Technologies provides professional encoding solutions for next-generation content distribution. Inlet's Optimized Compression, Encoding and Analysis (OCEAN™) platform combines advanced compression formats with a proprietary encoding engine and analysis tools to enable intelligent, real-time encoding of high-definition content for the post-production and broadcast markets. Inlet’s Fathom™ is a professional VC-1 encoder that delivers high-performance advanced compression to the post-production market. Inlet Technologies is based in Raleigh, NC. For more information, visit www.inlethd.com.

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