ARM and On2 Technologies Demonstrate The First High-Performance Video Codecs Optimized With ARM Neon Technology

Optimization for NEON media processing extensions halves required clock cycles for video decode

CAMBRIDGE, UK AND TARRYTOWN, NY – Feb. 11, 2008– On2, a leader in video codec technologies (http://www.on2.com) and ARM [(LSE: ARM); (Nasdaq: ARMHY)], today announced at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, that On2 has used ARM® NEON™ technology to optimize the performance of several of its popular video software codecs. By employing the SIMD media processing extensions to the ARM Cortex™-A series of processors, On2 has been able to significantly reduce the clock cycles needed and increase the playback performance of the most popular video formats used in mobile devices. Compared to existing software decoders on today’s leading mobile handsets, new products based on the NEON technology-optimized On2 codecs will benefit from longer battery life along with support for higher resolutions and frame rates, bringing accessibility to a broader range of high-quality video content through the web.

By using the ARM RealView® Development Suite 3.1 Professional tools with cycle-accurate models, On2 was able to optimize its codecs for NEON technology before development boards were available. Mobile device and handset OEMs are now equipped with the technology to enable a truly compelling mobile Internet video experience on devices using the ARM Cortex-A series of processors.

The use of simulation models also enables On2, a member of the ARM Connected Community, to deliver time-to-market benefits for OEMs and chip vendors by providing them with NEON technology-optimized software codecs while chip solutions with NEON technology are still in the design phase.

“On2 is committed to providing the most optimal video solutions possible. We identified NEON as widely adopted technology that is powering multimedia capabilities on the next generation of high-performance mobile handsets,” said Bill Joll, president and CEO of On2. “Building on our extensive knowledge of video codecs, and using cycle-accurate models of the ARM Cortex-A8 processor and the vectorizing compiler from ARM, On2 will extend its market leadership in mobile video by providing multiple software codecs across the multiple silicon platforms that have included NEON technology.”

“The use of codecs that have been optimized for the NEON extensions will enable the consumer to have an improved battery life and better visual quality,” said Rob Coombs, global director for mobile solutions marketing at ARM. “On2’s range of codecs that can now take advantage of NEON technology includes the popular VP6 codec used in Flash® Video on websites such as Facebook.”

The extensive use of ARM models also significantly reduced On2’s required development time. In a few months, the company was able to raise the benchmark for several of its software video codecs. Using NEON technology-optimized code, the Hantro 6100 H.264, Hantro 8100 Sorenson Spark and On2’s proprietary TrueMotion VP6 are able to decode video in less than half the clock cycles when compared to previous-generation implementations.

About NEON Technology
NEON technology is a set of 128-bit SIMD (single instruction, multiple data) media processing extensions that provides standardized acceleration for next-generation media and signal processing applications. It features a comprehensive instruction set, separate register file and independent execution hardware. NEON technology supports 8-, 16-, 32- and 64-bit integer, and single precision floating-point, SIMD operations for handling audio/video processing as well as graphics and gaming processing. The RealView Development Suite Professional contains the state-of-the-art vectorizing NEON compiler that generates NEON instructions from standard C or C++. This can increase the performance of applications by 400 percent..

The RealView Development Suite 3.1 Professional also contains instruction-accurate Real Time System Models of the Cortex-A8 processor and its NEON extensions, which enable application developers to create and test applications, running in real time, before silicon vendors have provided the hardware. This means that OEMs can introduce mobile devices to the market complete with a full suite of rich applications.

About On2
On2 Technologies (Amex: ONT) ensures a compelling video experience for any video application anywhere. From low bit rate to high definition (HD) video, On2 provides optimized video compression technology enabling innovative solutions for application developers, content and service providers, chip vendors, device manufacturers, digital signage companies and others.

Through continual innovation, On2 satisfies the toughest power, bandwidth and quality requirements for video. The company's proprietary (VP6™, VP7™) and standards-based (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, VC-1) codecs dominate with 1+ billion deployments in the Internet and 200+ million in mobile, and they are proven in silicon with over 25 semiconductor manufacturers globally.

Established in 1992 and headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, On2 has offices and partners in Finland, Germany, UK, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and India. Customers include Nokia, Samsung, Sony, Freescale, AMS, Atmel, Adobe, AOL, Skype, Facebook, VideoEgg, Brightcove, Move Networks and XM Satellite Radio. For more information please visit www.on2.com.

About ARM
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM’s comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, graphics processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with the company’s broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.