Hantro delivers optimised software codecs for Intel's next generation processors

Hantro codecs enable high quality video on cell phones and PDAs

Oulu, April 26th, 2004: Hantro, the leading mobile multimedia solution expert, announced today that it has optimised its software decoder for Intel's next generation processors specifically designed for cell phones and wireless PDAs.

With Hantro technology, the Intel^® PXA27x processor family can deliver advanced video capabilities enabling full screen video at full frame rates. The Intel^® PXA27x family, formerly codenamed 'Bulverde', is the first product to integrate the Intel^® Wireless MMX^™ technology offering full motion video conferencing, DVD-quality video playback on VGA displays as well as additional performance for 3D games and advanced video.

"As popularity grows for sending and receiving pictures, playing rich 3D games, video clips and music, the technology must be able to deliver enhanced multimedia capabilities. The optimisation of Hantro's H.263/MPEG-4 decoder for our new processors allows our customers to exploit the full potential of high resolution video", said Anders Huge, Director of Intel Wireless Competence Center.

Hantro's 4100i MPEG-4/H.263 decoder and 6100i H.264 decoder were recently demonstrated at 3GSM World Congress in Cannes and at The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) in Atlanta, GA. receiving extremely positive feedback on their performance.

"By using Intel Wireless MMX, we have optimised our H.263/MPEG-4 decoder for Intel's PXA27x processor resulting in up to a 30% performance enhancement," said Eero Kaikkonen, President and CEO, Hantro. "The power of Bulverde has enabled an unprecedented level of performance for our MPEG-4 / H.263 and H.264 software codecs."

The Hantro 4100i is capable of decoding MPEG-4/H.263 video up to VGA resolutions at 25 frames per second. The 4200i encodes up to CIF resolution at 15fps on the Intel platform.

Hantro's 6100 H.264 decoder enables high quality video at low bit rates and is ideally suited for applications such as video streaming to a mobile device. When compared to existing standards based video coding solutions, the gain in image quality at similar bit rates is significant.

About Hantro
Hantro provides its customers with video solutions for handheld devices. Hantro has both hardware and software based MPEG-4 and H.263 standards based video codecs that have been delivered to customers and are proven solutions. Hantro's product portfolio also includes video applications for video capturing, playback, messaging, streaming, and telephony. The company's products play a key role in the development of battery-operated video-capable end products like cellular phones, still cameras, PDAs, camcorders, PC cameras, and web pads. Hantro's investors are funds managed by CapMan, Startupfactory, Menire and Nexit Ventures. For further information please visit www.hantro.com