Yamaha Corporation Turns To DLP Technology for New Line of Home Entertainment Projection Systems

SHIZUOKA, Japan & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nov. 15, 2000-- Projector will debut at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Illustrative images for this story may be found at http://www.dlp.com/dlp/resources/resources.asp

Yamaha Corporation, traditionally known as a specialist in high-class audio equipment, announced today that it will enter the home entertainment projector market, targeting audiovisual users by introducing new integrated home-theater systems. The first wave of Yamaha's new product line is a high-resolution projector, based on Digital Light Processing(TM) technology, dedicated to home theater use. The projector is due to be released next spring.

"The rapid uptake of DVD technology, together with the accelerating development of digital broadcasting in North America, Japan and Europe are together creating an exciting new entertainment experience for consumers around the world," said Kunihiro Maejima, Managing Director of Yamaha Corporation. "By adding the DLP-based projector to our product line, Yamaha will be able to offer a complete home entertainment solution which will offer not only - thanks to DLP technology - best in class images, but best in class sound as well. We believe this announcement will further reinforce Yamaha's standing as an innovator and leader in home entertainment systems."

Yamaha is aiming to further strengthen the leadership position of held by its home theater brand. The company is planning to develop a new business which will enable 'digital mini theaters' in small public viewing areas, such as private clubs, hotels, universities, and government facilities. With the digital mini theater concept, the company believes higher quality sound and images are possible using Yamaha's Cinema DSP sound system and digital imaging system.

The new projector is expected to see its debut on the Yamaha booth at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January 2001. It is also expected to be featured on the Texas Instruments booth at CES, which will showcase all the latest home entertainment developments enabled by DLP(TM) technology, with an exciting product line-up never before seen in public.

"We are delighted to welcome a market leader such as Yamaha to the rapidly-growing number of companies who are selecting DLP technology for their home entertainment projection needs," said Dale Zimmerman, Product Manager for DLP(TM) Home Entertainment Products for TI's Digital Imaging division. "Yamaha has an outstanding reputation for excellence in the home entertainment market, and this announcement will enable them to deliver the new level of visual and aural experience which discerning consumers are increasingly demanding."

Today, TI supplies DLP(TM) subsystems to more than thirty of the world's top projector manufacturers, who then design, manufacture and market projectors based on DLP(TM) technology. There are now over fifty products based on DLP(TM) technology in the market. Since early 1996, over 500,000 DLP(TM) subsystems have been shipped. Over the past four years, DLP(TM) technology-based projectors have consistently won some of the audio-visual industry's most prestigious awards, including, in June 1998, an Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

At the heart of TI's Digital Light Processing(TM) technology is the Digital Micromirror Device(TM) optical semiconductor chip. The DMD(TM) switch has an array of up to 1,310,000 hinged, microscopic mirrors which operate as optical switches to create a high resolution, full color image.

Texas Instruments Incorporated is the world leader in digital signal processing and analog technologies, the semiconductor engines of the Internet age. The company's businesses also include materials and controls, and educational and productivity solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and has manufacturing or sales operations in more than 25 countries.

Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information on TI's DLP(TM) technology can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.dlp.com.

Yamaha, founded in 1887, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of pianos and other musical instruments. Yamaha has grown through developing a broad spectrum of businesses, including electronic devices and equipment, professional audio equipment, and audiovisual equipment. The Yamaha group now has 44 sales and production subsidiaries overseas in addition to numerous related companies in Japan and has 21,000 employees.

Digital Light Processing, DLP, Digital Micromirror Device and DMD are all trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other products and names may or may not be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

--30--bh/bos*

CONTACT:
Ian McMurray
Texas Instruments
44-1604-663075
i-mcmurray@ti.com
or
Sadatoshi Ando
Yamaha Corporation
ando@avkk.yamaha.co.jp
or
Lori Kelman-Seely
Rainier Corporation
(978) 464-5302, x123
lori@rainierco.com