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Maestro-2E(TM) Audio Accelerator Raises Multimedia Performance

The ESS Maestro-2E digital audio accelerator is a highly-integrated PCI audio solution that brings advanced audio features to notebook computers. The acceleration features in the Maestro-2E improve graphics performance in graphics/audio applications while reducing host CPU utilization, particularly when implementing an enhanced 3D positional sound system. The Maestro-2E, based on Intel's AC97 architecture, is compliant with Microsoft's PC98 and PC99 specifications.

``ESS Technology's Maestro-2E audio accelerator helped us raise the value/performance bar in our notebook computers,'' states Mr. Maeda Yoshihiro, General Manager of the Toshiba Personal Computer Division. ``The new Satellite notebooks have outstanding audio capabilities and meet the needs of value-conscious consumers. The power management capabilities and the notebook specific features of the Maestro-2E solution exceeded our expectations.''

``Being selected by a market leader such as Toshiba is an additional testimonial to our audio solutions,`` states Skip Effler, vice president of sales and marketing for ESS. ''The Maestro-2E is the perfect audio solution for the demanding requirements of notebook computers.``

Both new Satellite notebooks give customers the power to choose the price point and feature set that best meets their needs. At $3,199, the Satellite 4080XCDT offers a 366MHz Mobile Pentium® II processor, 6.4 billion byte hard drive and the first 14.1 inch active matrix display in the Satellite line. The Satellite 4030CDT is equipped with a 300MHz Mobile Celeron(TM) processor, 4.3 billion byte hard drive and a bright 13.3 inch active matrix display for $1,999. With 64MB of synchronous memory, an integrated 56K ITU V.90 modem and an enhanced 3D sound system with stereo bass reflex speakers, the new Satellite notebooks are ideal for office applications, Internet access, presentations and remote communication.

ESS Technology's PCI Audio Accelerator

The Maestro-2E audio accelerator incorporates a dual processor architecture, consisting of a 64-channel, pipelined, wavetable synthesizer, and a proprietary audio signal processor. The Maestro-2E features a 500 MIPS multimedia engine, full ACPI support and complete DOS legacy compatibility. With complete Microsoft DirectSound support, the Maestro-2E accelerates the DirectSound API by digitally mixing up to thirty-two PCM streams of any frequency into a single output. In addition to producing faster, more powerful multimedia performance, the Maestro-2E also reduces system cost by storing data in host memory.

ESS Technology

ESS Technology, Inc. supplies Internet, modem, PC audio and digital video solutions for the Internet, PC and consumer markets. ESS designs, develops, and markets highly integrated mixed signal semiconductor, hardware, software and system solutions for Internet, PC and multimedia applications. ESS, headquartered in Fremont, California, has sales and technical support offices in Austin and Houston, Texas; Irvine, California; Bellevue, Washington; Beijing and Shenzhen, China; Tokyo, Japan; Taipei, Taiwan; Seoul, Korea; and Hong Kong. ESS Technology is listed on the Nasdaq Market System under the symbol ESST. World Wide Web site: http://www.esstech.com.

NOTE: The matters discussed in this news release include certain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, not limited to, the timely availability and acceptance of the Company's new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the dependence on continued growth in demand for PC and consumer multimedia products, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of ESS, including the reports on Form 10-K and Form 10Q. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: ESS Technology, Inc.