Zoran's new camera processor boasts real-time lens distortion compensation

SUNNYVALE, CA - Zoran Corporation introduced its highly integrated COACH 12 digital camera processor, with next-generation image processing and video compression technologies, at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show in Las Vegas earlier this week.

Patent-pending technologies for enhanced video capture delivered in this twelfth generation of the COACH digital camera processor include real-time lens distortion compensation, improved noise reduction, real-time lighting correction, and accurate color reproduction.

The COACH 12 processor family members support stills, HD 720P and HD 1080P video capture. Other features include efficient H.264 high definition video codec with integrated HDMI interface and face tracking, which detects and tracks multiple faces simultaneously so that the photographer can focus and track a subject anywhere within the frame.

"We estimate over 137 million digital cameras were sold worldwide during 2008," said Chris Chute, Research Manager at IDC. "Marked improvements in image and video quality such as those delivered by Zoran's COACH 12 digital camera processor provide camera users real-time benefits that improve still photos, video clips and the overall digital camera experience, which will make our customers better able to compete for an increasingly demanding consumer."

"We've expanded our proprietary technology portfolio and the leading market position of the COACH product line with the new COACH 12 processors to allow our customers to quickly respond to market shifts and the changing demands of consumers. For example, in this generation of the COACH processor, we've added support for 1080P HD video working in conjunction with our patented image processing features to respond to the demand for high quality video in dual-use still and video cameras as well as video camcorders," said Coby Sella, senior VP and general manager, Zoran's Mobile division.

COACH 12-based reference designs from Zoran enable manufacturers to bring new digital camera offerings quickly to market. COACH 12 platforms maintain firmware compatibility with the previous generation COACH processors to preserve development efforts and shorten time to market.

Pricing depends on features selected and quantities. For more information, Zoran may be contacted at www.zoran.com or at 408-523-6500.