ESS TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCES FIRST SINGLE-CHIP AUDIO SUBSYSTEM WITH
INTEGRATED MUSIC SYNTHESIS AND FULL WINDOWS 95 PLUG AND PLAY SUPPORT FOR
MULTI-FUNCTION MULTIMEDIA

    FREMONT, Calif., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- ESS Technology, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ESST) introduced today the ES1868, the industry's most
integrated audio solution for multimedia PCs and multi-function add-in
cards.  The ES1868 AudioDrive(R) single-chip audio subsystem is the only
device that integrates on-chip FM synthesis, full-duplex operation, 16-
bit CD-quality stereo audio performance, and extensive Plug and Play
support for multiple devices in emerging multimedia designs.  The
ES1868's direct interfaces to an external modern DSP and IDE CD-ROM
device facilitate system design including audio, telephony, and video
subsystems.
    "The ES1868 device provides the industry's most integrated solution
to support audio, telephony, and CD-ROM interfaces under the Windows 95
Plug and Play architecture," stated Fred Chan, President of ESS
Technology.  "This functionality will accelerate development of powerful
multimedia PCs to address emerging integration of audio, video, and
telecommunications processing."

    Integrated 16-bit 44.1 kHz CD-Quality Stereo Audio
    The ES1868's integrated audio subsystem builds on ESS' established
architecture for single-chip audio, with industry-tested complete
compatibility for games operating in Sound Blaster(TM), Sound
Blaster(TM) Pro, and AdLib(TM) modes.  The ES1868 provides true, 16-bit
analog performance for 44.1 kHz CD-quality stereo audio record and
playback.
    The ES1868's ESFM music synthesizer is backward-compatible to OPL3
FM synthesis and provides superior sound quality with ESFM music
synthesis.  ESFM music synthesis achieves greater realism and instrument
timbre for every sound.  The ES1868 AudioDrive can record, compress, and
playback voice, sound and music with built-in 6 channel playback mixer
controls.  The ES1868 supports full-duplex operation for simultaneous
record and playback, including direct interface to a modem data pump DSP
for simultaneous voice I/O in speakerphone and telephony applications.

    Control of Multiple Multimedia Devices under Plug and Play
    The ES 1868 contains the industry's most extensive on-chip Plug and
Play device support for multiple multimedia devices, fully compliant
with the Windows 95 Plug and Play Specification.  ES1868 supports seven
internal Plug and Play logical devices, as well as three Plug and Play
external devices, more than any other audio subsystem device.  "The
market requirement for an integrated multimedia PC stems from several
sources," explained Bill Windsor, Strategic Marketing Manager at ESS.
"The explosive growth of audio and video for multimedia, and PC
telephony for office and Internet applications, increases the importance
for efficient interface between these subsystems and integrated Plug and
Play compliance," he continued.
    The ES1868 provides Plug and Play configuration for up to seven
logical devices: Audio/FM, Modem, IDE CD-ROM., Dual Joystick game ports,
MPU-401 MIDI serial port, Configuration I/O Registers, and configurable
User I/O space.  Configurable User I/O space provides up to 16
consecutive Plug and Play logical device ID addresses, enabling users to
add a custom external multimedia processor for product differentiation,
such as a specialized audio processor or communications device.  For PnP
configuration, the ES1868 operates with either an internal ROM, or an
external EEPROM directly programmable through the ES 1868, which enables
putting multiple identical add-in cards in a system.

    Audio Interfaces for Telephony, CD-ROM, and Games
    The ES1868 contains multiple device interfaces facilitating
multimedia system design.  The ES 1868's interface, to a fax/modem
subsystem includes a synchronous DSP serial port to connect directly to
a modem DSP, and full-duplex direct connect for speakerphone.  The
ES1868's interface to the enhanced IDE CD-ROM provides all control
signals for programmed I/O or DMA to and from the PC bus.  The ES1868
include an MPU-401 serial port for MIDI instrument interface, a third
serial port for wavetable synthesizer interface, dual joystick ports for
2-player interactive games, and hardware volume control.  The ES1868
includes a parallel ISA bus interface, and advanced power management
modes for notebook and green PCs.

    Software Support and Product Availability
    The ES1868 chip comes with device driver software that supports PC
stereo audio under Microsoft(R) Windows(TM), Windows 95(TM), Windows
NT(TM), and Windows Sound System(TM) 2.0, in addition to IBM(R) OS/2
Warp(TM) operating systems, ESS will release a DirectSound driver for
ES1868 in 1Q1996 under Microsoft's Games SDK for new high-performance
Windows 95 games.  The ES1868 is an extension of ESS' AudioDrive family
of audio chips, which includes the ES 1688, ES 1788, ES 1888, ES690, and
ES938.
    The ES1868 is packaged in a 100-pin PQFP and is sampling now, with
production in 1Q1996.  Evaluation Kits are available now, including
Evaluation Boards for ES1868/ES690/ES98X/ES938, and a sound applications
software library.  Pricing is available by contacting ESS directly.
    ESS Technology, Inc., designs, develops and markets mixed-signal
integrated circuits for speech, sound, and multimedia PC solutions.  The
company was founded in 1984, and holds 1.4 worldwide patents in
time-domain audio compression and reconstruction technology.  Since
1989, ESS has shipped over 75 million audio ICs.  AudioDrive and ESPCM
are registered trademarks of ESS Technology, Inc.  ESFM is a trademark
of ESS Technology, Inc.  ESFM technology is ESS Technology patent
pending.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective
holders.
    For more information, contact ESS Technology Sales Department, phone
510-226-1088, or fax 510-226-8868.

CONTACT: Bill Windsor, Strategic Marketing Manager of ESS Technology, =
510-226-1088, ext. 191