BRCM: LG Electronics Selects Broadcom Platform for World's First Disc Player Capable of Playing Both Blu-ray and HD DVD Content

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that its combined Blu- ray™ disc and HD DVD system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution has been selected by LG Electronics Inc. for next generation DVD players. By combining Blu-ray and HD DVD formats into one SoC platform, Broadcom is addressing the challenge of the current optical disc format war while enabling global leaders in consumer electronics and mobile communications (such as LG Electronics) to provide universal high definition DVD players that can playback either format from one system. LG Electronics' "Super Multi Blue" Player (Model BH100), unveiled this week at the International CES in Las Vegas, is the first Blu-ray disc player with HD DVD playback capabilities.
Building upon its successful first generation cable, satellite and Blu- ray/HD DVD decoder solutions, as well as its field proven and powerful SoC host processors, Broadcom has developed a next generation universal optical disc (UOD™) platform that is expected to accelerate the adoption of high definition DVD players. The new Broadcom® UOD platform has an advanced feature set and a flexible optical disc software stack that is compliant with both Blu-ray and HD DVD specifications, providing LG Electronics and other Broadcom customers with a complete hardware and software platform for the design and development of universal DVD players that support both disc formats.

Blu-ray and HD DVD are the next generation of optical disc formats for recording, rewriting and playing high definition video and digital data. According to In-Stat market research, the worldwide adoption rate of large- screen HDTV sets by consumers has increased significantly over the last year, providing an enormous opportunity for consumer electronics manufacturers and motion picture studios to supply consumers with high definition media players and movies. The market acceptance of Blu-ray and HD DVD formats represents a key transition in the home entertainment market and further evidences the consumer preference for high definition content.

"To further the widespread adoption of high definition DVD players, it is imperative that future products cut above the fray of the format wars and deliver what consumers truly desire -- a consumer friendly solution that provides the high definition picture quality benefits offered by both Blu-ray and HD DVD disc formats," said Peter Besen, Vice President of Broadcom's Consumer Electronics line of business. "Broadcom's innovative UOD platform enables OEMs to deliver the user experience that consumers are looking for."

The LG BH100 Super Multi Blue player is the world's first disc player capable of playing both Blu-ray and HD DVD content and is based on the Broadcom's Universal Optical Disc Platform.

"LG is always striving to design products that enable consumers to benefit from new technologies, such as the stunning high definition picture quality of the next generation optical disc formats," said Wae Yeul Kim, Chief Research Engineer of LG Electronics Digital Media Research Lab. "Together with Broadcom, LG is providing support for both Blu-ray and HD DVD in one player, delivering a single platform that enables consumers to enjoy both formats."

"Consumers have expressed interest in adding high definition disc players to their home theater and personal movie entertainment systems, but are cautious about adopting the 'wrong' format," said Richard Doherty, Research Director of The Envisioneering Group. "We have found that four out of five American consumers have expressed knowledge of, and/or interest in, the availability of consumer products and PCs that can play both HD DVD and Blu- ray media. The LG Electronics and Broadcom Blu-ray/HD DVD solution is well positioned to drive adoption of the kinds of high performance, dual-format products consumers want."

The Broadcom UOD platform incorporates the decoding, processing and memory functions for both Blu-ray and HD DVD media players, eliminating the need for manufacturers to build two different hardware platforms. The platform supports a wide variety of mandatory audio and video compression standards required for Blu-ray and HD DVD optical disc formats, including H.264/AVC, VC- 1 , MPEG-2, Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby Tru-HD and DTS-HD. The UOD platform also provides full backwards compatibility for current DVD video titles as well as DVD-R, DVD-VR and audio CDs.

LG's Super Multi Blue BH100 player supports various A/V formats including MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264 video, MPEG1/2, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, DTS and DTS-HD audio, and includes multiple inputs/outputs such as HDMI out, component / composite video outputs, and optical / coaxial / discrete 5.1 channel audio outputs, among others. The strikingly designed unit incorporates elegant and easy-to-use backlit touch sensor buttons along with an illuminated remote control that deliver an effortless command of the next-generation home entertainment experience. The LG BH100 will be available to U.S. consumers during the first quarter of 2007.

About Broadcom's Broadband Communications Group
Broadcom offers manufacturers a range of broadband communications and consumer electronics SoC's that enable voice, video and data services over residential wired and wireless networks. These highly integrated silicon solutions continue to enable the most advanced system solutions on the market, which include digital cable, satellite and IP set-top boxes and media servers, broadband modems and residential gateways, high definition and digital televisions, HD DVD and Blu-ray disc players, DVD recorders and personal video recorders.