BEIJING, Nov. 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Vimicro Corporation (Nasdaq:
VIMC), a leading fabless semiconductor company that designs advanced mixed-
signal multimedia products and solutions, today announced that its PC camera
processor VC0326 has received Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL)
certification for Windows Vista by Microsoft. By cooperating with Microsoft
CTC (China Technology Center), Vimicro leads the way with the first PC camera
multimedia processor in the world to receive such qualification.
The WHQL certification, which is expected to lower support costs and
increase customer satisfaction, confirms that Vimicro's product is compatible
with Windows Vista and differentiates Vimicro's processors from other
products on the market. Microsoft plans to conduct high-impact marketing
activities to drive market demand for products bearing the Windows Vista
logo. In addition to the promotional benefits, the certification will also
lay the foundation for Vimicro to develop new products based on the Microsoft
Vista platform.
The stringent Windows Vista logo certification program was launched to
increase the stability and compatibility of Windows Vista, ensuring a high
quality experience for users. As astrategic partner of Microsoft in the
digital multimedia field, Vimicro was invited to participate in the first
phase of testing. Vimicro successfully completed the program in September
and is permitted to use the Windows Premium Vista logo in marketing and
promotional activities for its PC camera processor VC0326. Microsoft Windows
Vista logo certification is structured in two tiers, basic and premium.
Vimicro received certification at the premium level which indicates a higher
standard of performance and compatibility.
"Next generation PC cameras are required to be compatible with standard
driver within Windows Vista OS, making the system compatibility test more
complex," said Dr. Mike Yu, chief scientist of the Microsoft-Vimicro
Multimedia Technology Center and general manager of the advanced multimedia
business unit of Vimicro. "We are confident that the Windows Vista logo
certification will demonstrate Vimicro's strong technological capability in
the multimedia processor area."
Mr. Samuel Shen, director of Microsoft CTC, indicated, "Since its
inception, Microsoft CTC has committed to developing together with our
partners in China and establishing a win-win IT eco-system. Vimicro and
Microsoft have had deep cooperation on the Windows XP platform. We believe
Vimicro's product will enhance the multimedia user experience that Windows
Vista brings to the consumers."
Vimicro and Microsoft have maintained a strategic partnership for years.
All Vimicro's PC camera processor products have received the Windows XP logo
certification. During 2003 the companies jointly launched the Microsoft-
Vimicro Multimedia Technology Center, which is committed to developing
multimedia technology and driving innovation. Together, Vimicro and Microsoft
have developed real-time multimedia communication and 3C convergence
technologies. Vimicro will continue to work closely with Microsoft to co-
develop multimedia technology and expand the international market.
About Vimicro
Vimicro International Corporation is a leading fabless semiconductor
company in China that designs, develops and markets proprietary embedded
multimedia signal processing chips and solutions that enable multimedia
applications for mobile phones over 2.5G/3G networks and PCs over broadband
Internet. http://www.vimicro.com/english