Cradle's CT3400 to Enhance Security in New Apartment Buildings


SUNNYVALE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- December 11, 2006 -- Cradle Technologies, a fabless semiconductor company providing a line of Multi-core DSP chips (MDSPs) for video and imaging systems, and Hi-Future, an audio video security company, today announce the release of the "i-Node H.264," a full-duplex video/audio TCP/IP intercom system based on Cradle's CT3400 MDSP. A single CT3400 IC provides all the necessary processing for an H.264 video codec, an audio codec, user interface, and TCP/IP networking.

Each end of the Hi-Future's i-Node H.264 is based on the same Cradle CT3400 MDSP module to create a bidirectional video phone. The primary target market for i-Node is intercom systems for some of Taiwan's newest and largest apartment buildings. In addition, Hi-Future is one of the first companies worldwide to take advantage of the emerging H.264 video over Ethernet network for A/V intercoms.

"Hi-Future's i-Node product will provide added security, convenience, and advanced features to owners of modern apartments," said Kutlu Aricanli, Cradle's Managing Director for Europe and Asia. "Cradle is pleased to provide the enabling technology through our CT3400 MDSP and H.264 software library to give i-Node the features and the performance boost it needs, at a very competitive price."

About the CT3400 and CT3600

Cradle's CT3400 and CT3600 MDSPs, used on Cradle Rapid Development Systems and Reference Design Kits, can process MPEG-4, H.264, audio codecs, network stacks, encryption, and many other necessary software components to create single-chip solutions that customers can quickly bring to market. The CT3400 MDSP consists of 14 parallel processors running at 230Mhz, achieving one SD channel of MPEG-4 encoding, or one CIF channel of H.264 full-duplex codec in real time -- as in the case of Hi-Future's i-Node H.264 -- while also processing audio, network stacks, GPIO, and control functions. The CT3600 family of MDSPs consists of parts with up to 24 parallel processors running at 230 and 350Mhz, and can process up to four times more video and audio channels than the CT3400. The highest performing family member, CT3616-3, can run up to four SD channels of MPEG-4 SP, or two SD channels of H.264 BP, along with audio and all necessary system control and I/O functions.

"Cradle's 3SOC and multi-core architecture gives us the flexibility needed to help us compete in the building intercom and security systems areas," said David Lo, Chief Engineer for Hi-Future. "This flexibility also allows us to produce a great diversity of products in a short amount of time, while giving us the power for quick product expansion as needed."

About Cradle Technologies

Cradle is a fabless semiconductor company providing the best price/performance, most flexible and most scalable DSP solutions for real-time multimedia applications. Cradle's Multi-core DSP architecture innovation delivers high-performance scalable DSP processing with the flexibility, time-to-market and product differentiation benefits of processor-based programmable platforms. Coupled with a Rapid Development System and suite of application software functions, Cradle provides OEMs with all the building blocks necessary to enable flexible yet high-performance DSP designs. Cradle's corporate headquarters are located in Sunnyvale, California. For more information, call 408-636-5000 or visit www.cradle.com.

About Hi-Future Technology

Hi-Future Technology Corp., established in 1998, develops and manufactures an integrated Audio Video Security platform based on H.264 video codecs. This cutting edge platform provides Hi-Future customers with stable and useful products at a competitive price. Hi-Future also serves as an ISP for building developers, providing them with electrical and networking infrastructure. In addition, Hi-Future offers components for surveillance and information exchange control rooms, such as DVRs, servers, and custom software design services. These products provide a complete solution for day-to-day communication and security. Hi-Future is headquartered in Taiwan. For more information call +886-4-2315-2699.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Cain Communications Jim Lipman Tel: (925) 606-1370 Email: Email Contact Cradle Technologies Kutlu Aricanli Tel: (408) 636-5025 Email: Email Contact

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