TAIWAN, Hsinchu – 22 March, 2012 – MediaTek Inc., a leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions, today announced the release of “Mobile Theater”, a video and audio compression software tailored specifically for handset users. The all new software runs both MPEG-4 and H.264, among other popular digital video/audio coding formats. With this feature support, digital or audio files can be easily stored up to 50 film clips on a 2GB T-card. With MediaTek’s long experience in bringing optical storage and digital media to video compression technology, “Mobile Theater” optimizes subtitle crispness and sound quality parameters to ensure that compressed video/audio files retain high fidelity. With “Mobile Theater”, not only has the problem of video or audio files taking up excessive memory space in handset devices been solved, it also offers a clear improvement on the image and sound quality of compressed files during playback. MediaTek’s full range of handset solutions, including the MT6252, all run “Mobile Theater”, which means even more handset users can now enjoy high quality movies on the go.

According to the Indian research company Tavess’ Report, the mobile entertainment industry in India is witnessing significant growth and will reach $4.9 billion by 2015. Mobile entertainment has a huge potential in India and the current localization of mobile entertainment content is driving the industry in the right direction, bringing in greater usability of content. Mobile music will continue to dominate the mobile entertainment services landscape with significant growth potential presented by mobile video and TV. With regard to mobile handset manufacturers, MediaTek’s “Mobile Theater” audio-video compression software can help them further enhance the competitiveness of their products in the Indian market, which is currently seeing the rapid growth of video and audio consumption on mobile handset devices. Speaking of MediaTek’s new “Mobile Theater” software, MediaTek president Hsieh Ching-Jiang said, “As we work to enrich the mobile life worldwide, MediaTek continues to leverage our own innovative technology and long experience in the mobile handset market to create uniquely differentiated mobile platform solutions, giving users the ability to enjoy the advantages and excitement of cutting edge communications technology. As the world’s leading handset IC solutions provider, MediaTek has packaged “Mobile Theater” with advanced features that give feature phone users more added value, at no added cost.”

MediaTek “Mobile Theater” runs both MPEG-4 and H.264, among other popular digital coding formats; therefore, files compressed by “Mobile Theater” will play on almost any brand of feature phone. “Mobile Theater” also ensures that compressed files retain the high fidelity of the original, uncompressed file. During file compression, standard audio and video parameters have been optimized, giving users both AAC sound quality and crisp and clear subtitles, while also keeping file distortion to a minimum. In addition, “Mobile Theater” software also supports 2D/3D content switching.

Many of India’s major handset brand names including, Micromax, SPICE, Karbonn, Lava, MAXX, Videocon, Onida, Intex, Lemon, have all embraced MediaTek’s latest technological innovation. In addition to that, Mr. William Lu, Executive VP of Gionee, one of major handset manufacturers who have been engaged India market for years, said: “There is great demand in India for feature phones that support rich audio and visual applications. MediaTek’s “Mobile Theatre” software takes full account of the features that most of our users are looking for. Starting from user experience, this software helps us create end-user products that are more competitive in the marketplace.

About MediaTek

Since 1997, MediaTek has been a pioneering fabless semiconductor company and a market leader in cutting-edge systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile devices, wireless networking, HDTV, DVD and Blu-ray. Our tightly-integrated, innovative chip designs help manufacturers optimize supply chains, reduce the development time of new products, and extend a competitive edge in crowded markets. Through MediaTek Labs, the company is also building a developer hub that will support device creation, application development, and services for the Internet of Things era. By building technologies that help connect individuals to the world around them, MediaTek is enabling people to expand their horizons and more easily achieve their goals. We believe anyone can achieve something amazing. And we believe they can do it every single day. We call this idea Everyday Genius and it drives everything we do. Visit mediatek.com for more information.