News Release

VIA Launches VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE Bridge for Next Generation Storage Flexibility

VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE Bridge features high data transfer rates and low power consumption, providing opportunities to extend storage capacity

Taipei, Taiwan, 4 December 2003 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, today announced the launch of the VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE bridge. Configured for consumer and mobile devices, the VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE bridge offers a solution to extend storage capabilities, enabling seamless connectivity for IDE peripheral devices such as external hard disk drives and optical media drives.

Increasing demand for storage capacity, efficient communication between devices and fast data transmission is directing OEMs to manufacture mass storage devices supporting the latest communication and connectivity standards, and the VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE bridge addresses this specific need.

The VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE bridge features low power architecture and advanced process technology, ensuring connectivity in critical low power conditions, while delivering real time transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps for a range of IDE interfaces such as HDD, CD-RW, DVD-RW, CDROM, DVD ROM and any other IDE-based networking or communication devices. The VIA Vectro VT6204 is the ideal one-chip solution to bridge communication between external devices and PCs and gives OEMs the flexibility to develop "go anywhere" USB2.0-enabled portable IDE storage devices.

"VIA continues to drive mainstream adoption of USB2.0 as a natural evolution in PC communications technology with the VIA Vectro family of USB2.0 chipset solutions," commented Richard Brown, Associate Vice-President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "Featuring advanced low-power configuration and high interoperability, the VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE bridge provides the most favourable and cost-effective solution for OEMs to add flexible IDE solutions to their product line-up".

About the VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE Bridge

The low power architecture and advanced process technology of the VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE bridge optimizes the solution for low operating and standby power consumption. Compliant with USB Specification Revision 2.0 and ATA/ATAPI Specification Revision 6.0, the VIA Vectro VT6204 is highly interoperable with all kinds of IDE devices such as HDD, CD-RW, DVD-RW, CDROM, DVD ROM and any other IDE-based networking or communication devices. An integrated fully compliant USB2.0 Transceiver Macrocell Interface (UTMI) supports 480 Mbps high speed and 12 Mbps full speed communication and allows for dynamic attach and re-attach to the USB bus to allow hot-swap of drives. The External Serial (EERPOM) Interface enables memory retention and supports serial number, vendor number, product ID and miscellaneous storage.

The VIA Vectro VT6204 USB2.0 to IDE bridge is available as an add-in PCI card or an onboard chip, providing flexibility to OEMs. Further information may be found at the VIA website at: http://www.via.com.tw/en/Communications/vt6204.jsp

VIA and USB2.0

VIA has been a key driver of the USB standard on the PC platform, bringing integrated USB1.1 solutions to market before the mainstream supply of USB-enabled peripherals. Anticipating the industry transition to the enhanced USB2.0 standard VIA developed both integrated and discrete solutions, enabling consumers to move quickly to the faster transfer technology. Being a member of the USB Implementers Forum (USB IF), VIA remains committed to steering the industry-wide move towards adoption of the USB2.0 Specification, by developing both discrete and integrated USB2.0 solutions, providing OEMs and system builders with the most cost effective and flexible method of incorporating the higher speed USB2.0 technology into their desktop, mobile and consumer systems.

Delivering superior bandwidth capacity of up to 480Mbps, Hi-Speed USB2.0 is swiftly superseding the standard USB1.1 specification for the PC, enabling seamless connectivity to the installed peripheral base. This high-speed transfer technology is ideal for today's bandwidth-hungry peripherals such as video cameras and next generation scanners and printers, and greatly enhances the performance of demanding applications such as interactive gaming and digital photography.

[Amended 2004.04.08]

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