Vimicro Corporation (Nasdaq: VIMC), a leading fabless semiconductor company that designs advanced mixed-signal multimedia products and solutions, today announced that its PC camera processor VC0326 has received Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL) certification for Windows Vista by Microsoft. By cooperating with Microsoft CTC (China Technology Center), Vimicro leads the way with the first PC camera multimedia processor in the world to receive such qualification.

The WHQL certification, which is expected to lower support costs and increase customer satisfaction, confirms that Vimicro's product is compatible with Windows Vista and differentiates Vimicro's processors from other products on the market. Microsoft plans to conduct high-impact marketing activities to drive market demand for products bearing the Windows Vista logo. In addition to the promotional benefits, the certification will also lay the foundation for Vimicro to develop new products based on the Microsoft Vista platform.

The stringent Windows Vista logo certification program was launched to increase the stability and compatibility of Windows Vista, ensuring a high quality experience for users. As a strategic partner of Microsoft in the digital multimedia field, Vimicro was invited to participate in the first phase of testing. Vimicro successfully completed the program in September and is permitted to use the Windows Premium Vista logo in marketing and promotional activities for its PC camera processor VC0326. Microsoft Windows Vista logo certification is structured in two tiers, basic and premium. Vimicro received certification at the premium level which indicates a higher standard of performance and compatibility.

"Next generation PC cameras are required to be compatible with standard driver within Windows Vista OS, making the system compatibility test more complex," said Dr. Mike Yu, chief scientist of the Microsoft-Vimicro Multimedia Technology Center and general manager of the advanced multimedia business unit of Vimicro. "We are confident that the Windows Vista logo certification will demonstrate Vimicro's strong technological capability in the multimedia processor area."

Mr. Samuel Shen, director of Microsoft CTC, indicated, "Since its inception, Microsoft CTC has committed to developing together with our partners in China and establishing a win-win IT eco-system. Vimicro and Microsoft have had deep cooperation on the Windows XP platform. We believe Vimicro's product will enhance the multimedia user experience that Windows Vista brings to the consumers."

Vimicro and Microsoft have maintained a strategic partnership for years. All Vimicro's PC camera processor products have received the Windows XP logo certification. During 2003 the companies jointly launched the Microsoft-Vimicro Multimedia Technology Center, which is committed to developing multimedia technology and driving innovation. Together, Vimicro and Microsoft have developed real-time multimedia communication and 3C convergence technologies. Vimicro will continue to work closely with Microsoft to co-develop multimedia technology and expand the international market..

About Vimicro
Vimicro International Corporation is a leading fabless semiconductor company in China that designs, develops and markets proprietary embedded multimedia signal processing chips and solutions that enable multimedia applications for mobile phones over 2.5G/3G networks and PCs over broadband Internet.
http://www.vimicro.com/english