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Microtune's Single-Chip Tuner Selected By Toshiba for New Line of Audio-Video Entertainment PCs

Posted on: Tuesday, 5 October 2004, 06:00 CDT

Toshiba Module Group Integrates Microtune's MT2050 Single-Chip Tuner in a New Class of Qosmio Personal Entertainment PCs; Computer Delivers Four-in-One Experience: PC, TV, CD and DVD

Microtune(R) Inc. (Nasdaq:TUNE) announced today that the Toshiba Module Group has deployed Microtune's MicroTuner(TM) MT2050 single-chip tuner in the system design for the Qosmio computer, Toshiba's new class of personal entertainment PCs.

Converging portable personal computing with high-grade audio-visual capabilities, the Qosmio combines the functionality of a PC, TV, CD player and DVD recorder in a versatile mobile entertainment platform. Microtune's MT2050 tuner, integrated into the PC, functions as the radio frequency (RF) 'gateway,' permitting the reception of over-the-air broadcasts and cable TV.

Toshiba expects Qosmio PCs to be rolled out worldwide, with an expanded line-up of wider-screen version products to be introduced by the end of 2004. The products are available in the U.S. at www.Qosmio.com and through retail distribution channels, including computer superstores and consumer electronics stores.

"Consumers want their personal computers to provide complete, mobile, digital entertainment functions to capture, store, manage, and distribute all kinds of digital content. PC/TV tuners are now essential components in these computers, because most TV signals arrive from cable TV or over-the-airwaves," said Gerry Kaufhold, Principal Analyst, Converging Markets and Technologies, Instat/MDR. "Toshiba is already on the forefront of this evolution with its new multi-functional Qosmio AV Notebook PC. With Microtune's silicon tuner integrated inside, such a PC permits consumers to "tune-in" broadcast video from over-the-air and cable TV, capture the video by digitizing it, compressing it and then storing it on the hard drive. Microtune provides the enabling technology for the coming wave of entertainment PCs. By 2008, we expect worldwide annual shipments of entertainment PCs to top 20 million units."

"With the Qosmio, the Toshiba Module Group developed the electronics for an exciting new computer platform that boasts state-of-the-art video and audio," said James A. Fontaine, CEO and President of Microtune. "The Group deploys leading-edge technologies in its designs, and we are pleased that our silicon tuner was selected as the critical on-board component in the RF subsystem. The combination of our patented tuner technology and the sophisticated systems expertise of the Toshiba Module Group resulted in an advanced entertainment PC that delivers TV and video content with superb pictures and sound quality."

The Toshiba Module Group, the engineering division of Toshiba Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), provides the systems electronics for Toshiba computers. The Group implemented Microtune's MT2050 as the tuner in a high-performance, production-ready RF subsystem. This RF subsystem can easily be factory-installed in different Qosmio models to support varying feature sets and reception standards (NTSC, PAL, SECAM), streamlining mass production for worldwide markets.

The MicroTuner MT2050 Tuner: RF 'Gateway' to TV Content

The MT2050, based on Microtune's patented single-chip architecture, is a miniature tuner, approximately 1/4-inch square, that provides high-performance reception and tuning of off-air and cable RF signals. The MT2050 handles multiple types of data and multimedia applications and meets worldwide reception standards. Its dual-conversion architecture, with best-in-class image rejection, addresses the technical problems of distortion across multiple active channels and interference to other signals, including those produced by the electronics inside the PC. Designed for demanding next-generation TV products, the MicroTuner MT2050 chip produces superior video and sound quality.

About Microtune

Microtune, Inc. is a silicon and subsystems company that designs and markets radio frequency (RF)-based solutions for the worldwide broadband communications and transportation electronics markets. Inventors of the MicroTuner(TM) single-chip broadband tuner, Microtune offers a portfolio of advanced tuner, amplifier, upconverter and transceiver products that enable the delivery of information and entertainment across new classes of consumer electronics devices. The Company currently holds 38 U.S. patents for its technology. Founded in 1996, Microtune is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with key design and sales centers located around the world. The website is www.microtune.com.

Design-Win Announcements

It is not unusual for Microtune to announce design wins of this kind, and the announcement of this design win, or any other design win, should not be viewed as an indicator of Microtune revenues for any current or future reporting period.

Microtune Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause such statements to differ materially from actual future events or results. Such forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "plan,""if,""estimate,""expect,""believe,""could,""would,""anticipate,""may," or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements and other statements made elsewhere in this release are made in reliance on the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Factors which could cause actual results to differ include the Company's ability to introduce new products, achieve design wins, forecast revenue and manage inventory levels, control and budget expenses, protect its proprietary technology and intellectual property, and successfully prosecute and defend the various lawsuits, any of which may cause the Company's financial results to fluctuate. The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason. Readers are referred to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which discuss the foregoing factors as well as other important risk factors that could affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Editor's Note: Microtune is a registered trademark and MicroTuner, MicroStreamer and VideoCaster are trademarks of Microtune, Inc. All other company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated. Copyright (C) 2004 Microtune, Inc. All rights reserved.

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