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SRS Labs' New WOW XT(TM) for Linux Targets Growing Asian Handset Market to Enable the Best Audio Quality and Bass Performance on ARM-Based Handsets

Posted on: Tuesday, 19 October 2004, 12:00 CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 19, ARM Developer's Conference, Booth #307 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SRS Labs, Inc. , a leading provider of innovative audio, voice and semiconductor technology solutions, today announced that its WOW XT(TM) for Mobile audio enhancement technology is now interoperable for MontaVista(R) Linux(R) Consumer Electronics Edition (CEE) for use in mobile phones. The WOW XT solution, which runs on ARM(R) microprocessors, creates spacious and 3D stereo imaging and rich bass performance over single and stereo speaker devices or headphones by overcoming the inherent audio challenges presented by the size of the hardware and by the nature of digitally compressed audio. WOW XT is the ideal audio enhancement solution to deliver significant audio quality improvements to music, ring tones, games and video applications and audio experts from SRS Labs will be on hand in booth number 307 to provide demonstrations of the ARM-based WOW XT for Mobile solutions.

Linux is an open source operating system that is increasingly being implemented by mobile handset makers, personal computer makers and other consumer electronics manufacturers. The ARM(R) family of microprocessors has become an important component of chipsets aimed at the mobile phone market, therefore making it an important first deliverable for the SRS WOW XT Linux solution. Industry analysts and the media have predicted that Linux could become the de facto standard for sophisticated "feature" phones that add cameras, games, and music -- a market that analyst Richard Windsor of Nomura Securities International in London forecasts at 145 million units in 2004.

MontaVista Software provides a commercial-grade Linux-based operating system and universal platform that can be used in the development of mobile phones. Last year, Venture Development Corp. (VDC) ranked MontaVista Software first among commercial embedded Linux companies worldwide, based on market share. SRS Labs is utilizing the MontaVista Linux Consumer Electronics Edition (CCE), a leading Linux platform targeted at advanced consumer electronics devices. CCE combines new functionality and tools with rich support of reference platforms to enable the rapid development of a wide range of consumer electronics products.

"Next generation handsets featuring powerful gaming and streaming content are increasing the need for enhanced multimedia performance," said Jacob Lehrbaum, product manager for mobile and wireless at MontaVista Software. "MontaVista Linux, in combination with SRS audio solutions, provide an ideal platform for building innovative new products that leverage this trend, offering both handset manufacturers and operators a means to expand and differentiate their products and services."

Joanna Skrdlant, director of strategic IC platform development for SRS Labs said, "By supporting standard and emerging operating systems such as Linux on ARM microprocessors, we've been able to deliver WOW XT for specific licensee requests. Our support for MontaVista Linux was a clear choice to add to our mix of solutions for mobile phone platforms. Now, WOW XT for Linux is available for customers to license for ARM9 processors, Freescale's i.MX processors, TI OMAP processors and other ARM-based chipsets. This MontaVista Linux WOW XT solution should open new opportunities for SRS Labs to penetrate the growing number of Linux handsets in Asia."

About WOW and WOW XT

SRS WOW technology is a leading audio enhancement solution for a nearly all types of audio products. Over 500 million hardware or software products have been shipped or downloaded that include the powerful WOW audio feature. It is an invaluable audio solution for manufacturers of mobile or portable devices that have tiny speakers, in addition to products in which speakers are located close together, such as televisions and desktop PCs. Hardware and software products that feature WOW include mobile phones from Samsung, Sharp; Microsoft's Windows(R) Media Player series software products; car CD receivers from Kenwood; as well as televisions from Sony, Samsung, Metz, BenQ, plasma displays from Pioneer and others. WOW is also included in notebook or desktop computers from Sony and Toshiba, and popular new portable digital players from Samsung, iBead, iRiver, eDigital, and Touchstone to name a few.

SRS WOW XT for Mobile is a special version of SRS WOW specifically designed to improve the quality of any audio played on embedded mobile devices. It is a complete, scalable and customizable suite of 3D audio, bass enhancement and mono and stereo speaker technologies. Mobile phones present several challenges that dramatically affect audio quality including the necessity for tiny speakers due to physical design constraints, limited power and resource requirements and, in stereo speaker handset designs, speakers placed very close together. WOW XT solves these challenges including the preservation of stereo material played over a single speaker, delivering powerfully rich bass for games and music played over tiny 15-16 mm speaker drivers and delivering amazing stereo separation over closely placed handset speakers. For use with headphones, WOW XT provides a much more immersive listening experience than would normally be possible, especially through tiny earbuds, which are commonly used with mobile phones. In addition, WOW XT creates amazing detail in instrumentation for MIDI ring tones, music, video and game audio.

About SRS Labs Inc.

SRS Labs is a recognized leader in the advancement of audio and voice technology. The company works with the world's top manufacturers to provide a richer entertainment experience through patented sound techniques. SRS Labs' technologies can be heard through products ranging from televisions, LCD and Plasma monitors, DVD players, cell phones, car audio systems, headphones and notebook and desktop computers. The company also offers hardware and software tools to professionals and consumers for the creation, production and broadcast of content featuring SRS Labs' technologies. SRS Labs' wholly owned subsidiary, ValenceTech, is a Hong Kong-based semiconductor company that designs and sells custom ASICs and standard ICs to leading manufacturers worldwide. Based in Santa Ana, Calif., the company also has licensing representation in Hong Kong, Japan, Europe, and Korea. For more information about SRS Labs, Inc. please visit http://www.srslabs.com/. The information on the aforementioned website is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

Except for historical information contained in this release, statements in this release, including those by Ms. Skrdlant in paragraph five, are forward-looking statements and projections (which include statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations) that are based on management's belief, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. While the Company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that the Company's goals and strategy will be realized. Numerous factors, including risks and uncertainties, may affect the Company's actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Some of these factors include the acceptance of new SRS Labs' products and technologies, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the timely development and release of technologies by the Company, general business and economic conditions, especially in Asia, and other factors detailed in the Company's Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the SEC. SRS Labs specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Investor Contact: Media Contact:

Tami Yanito Jennifer Drescher

(949) 442-1070 x 3093 (949) 442-1070 x 5010

tami@srslabs.com jenniferd@srslabs.com

SRS Labs, Inc.

CONTACT: Investors, Tami Yanito, ext. 3093, tami@srslabs.com, or Media,Jennifer Drescher, ext. 5010, jenniferd@srslabs.com, both of SRS Labs, Inc.,+1-949-442-1070

Web site: http://www.srslabs.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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