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SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Z ran Corporation (Nasdaq: ZRAN), a leading provider of digital solutions-on-a-chip for applications in the growing multimedia and consumer electronic markets, today announced that Zoran's COACH (Camera On A CHip) imaging processor IC is powering the new Toshiba Allegretto M21 and M11 digital cameras targeted at users looking for a simple-to-operate camera with high-quality digital photography at an affordable price. These pocket-sized cameras feature resolutions up to 1600 x 1200, can hold as many as 200 photos on the removable memory card, and incorporate the same imaging technology of more expensive competitive models. The COACH offers an improved processing speed, which eliminates the shot-to-shot delay common in other megapixel cameras.

2.1 megapixel Allegretto M21 filmless digital camera gives users a choice of shooting modes, either the ultra-sharp 1600x1200 resolution or the 800x600 resolution for smaller files. The 1.3 megapixel M11 model is as easy to use as a standard point-and-click camera and offers modes of 1280x960 or web-ready 640x480 for emailing to friends or family. Thanks to their high-speed USB-cable connectivity, the cameras can be hot-swapped and plugged directly into a PC for super-fast downloading without having to reboot.

``We designed the COACH to offer flexibility to our customers. We know they want to design and build highly sophisticated cameras that are as easy to use as Toshiba's new pocket-sized Allegretto cameras,'' said Coby Sella, Vice President and General Manager of Zoran's Personal Media Division. ``At Zoran our focus on integration and reduced system costs translate into new camera models that can deliver all the performance consumers want in a small, attractive and affordable package.''

About the COACH

As a pioneer in digital image processing technology, Zoran was able to develop and deliver the first version of the COACH (Camera On A CHip) in the fall of 1998. The latest version is a mature product with a powerful DSP core, dedicated programmable hardware, and the complete, mature firmware that OEM camera designers need to rapidly bring new digital camera products to market. The flexible COACH architecture supports a wide range of camera designs and allows the camera designer to add functionality by programming the COACH processor. Its high level of integration enables enhanced features, cost-effective implementations, and rapid time to market. Complete reference designs are available to aid camera manufacturers in shortening time to market.

About Zoran Corporation

Zoran Corporation, based in Santa Clara, California, is a leading provider of digital solutions-on-a-chip for applications in the growing multimedia and consumer electronics markets. With almost two decades of expertise developing and delivering digital compression technologies, Zoran has pioneered high-performance processing into various audio, video, and imaging technologies. Zoran's proficiency in integration delivers major benefits for OEM customers, including greater capabilities within each product generation, reduced system costs, and shorter time to market. Zoran is a leading supplier in the rapidly expanding DVD and digital camera markets and in related digital audio and video applications. With headquarters in the U.S. and operations in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, Zoran may be contacted on the World Wide Web at www.zoran.com or at 408-919-4111.

    NOTE:  Zoran and COACH are trademarks of Zoran Corporation.
    All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.