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VIA enters into technology partnership with Sensaura, the leader in advanced PC audio technologies, further leveraging VIA's high performance Audio Controllers and Codecs to deliver a new level of gaming experience.

As games integrate higher levels of audio performance, Sensaura with its award winning technology adds advanced sound positioning for a complete 3D audio experience. In combination with VIA's acclaimed AC'97 Codecs and Envy line of Audio Controllers, Sensaura's comprehensive audio technology can maximize a gamer's immersive environment for the greatest realism possible.

"When we were looking for hi-end software support for the latest game audio standards, Sensaura was the natural choice as an acclaimed universal technology that delivers an amazing game listening experience," commented Steve Chen, Product Manager for VIA Audio and Executive Assistant to the CEO, VIA Technologies, Inc. "A significant benefit of this support will be that multichannel audio can now be enabled for the latest games with our AC'97 Codec solutions, as well as supporting the full range of 3D positional effects."

"In entering this partnership, Sensaura looks forward to implementing our award winning audio technology to deliver comprehensive audio driver and application support for VIA's impressive lineup of audio solutions," commented Doug Balfour, Managing Director Sensaura, "With audio forming an increasingly important component of the game experience, this partnership confirms our leadership role in 3D gaming technologies, and we will continue to work in developing leading audio solutions that can be implemented over a wide range of PC solutions."

Sensaura Technology: Paving the way for a new audio experience
Sensaura technology is designed to enhance the industry standard Microsoft DirectSound3D API, allowing game players to experience their games with high quality audio in three dimensions, including:

• Sensaura MacroFX™ creates 'near-field proximity effects' as experienced in real-life when objects move very close to the listener, such as bees buzzing around your head or bullets flying past your ear.
• Sensaura EnvironmentFX™ acoustically renders 3D audio environments. Up to 26 different pre-set environments are provided such as underwater effects, sewer-pipe and so on. This technology fully supports Creative Labs EAX 1.0, EAX 2.0 and also I3DL2 as prescribed by IA-SIG.
• Sensaura MultiDrive integrates front and rear sound hemispheres with such precision that you will start looking over your shoulder for reassurance that there isn't anyone or anything behind you!

About VIA Audio
VIA has developed a broad spectrum of silicon solutions for enhancing the PC audio experience, including the highly respected, studio performance VIA Envy24, Envy24HT, and Envy24PT audio controllers that are used by some of the world's leading audio card makers. VIA also offers a range of AC'97 audio codecs, such as the high performance VIA VT1616 6-channel codec that enables theatre quality sound in both audio-on-motherboard and soundcard applications.

For more information on the VIA's audio products please visit our website at:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/multimedia/audiopartners.jsp

About Sensaura
Sensaura Limited (http://www.sensaura.com) is at the forefront of audio research, both in the PC and the consumer electronics market, presently holding technology licensing agreements with leading audio vendors that control in excess of 60% of the PC audio chip market world-wide. In addition, Sensaura also provide audio middleware to the game developer market, supporting all the major platforms including the Sony PlayStation2TM and Microsoft Xbox TM. The Sensaura portfolio of intellectual property (IP) includes more than 55 world-wide patent filings. Sensaura retains strong links with its sister company, Central Research Laboratories Limited (CRL), EMI's former research centre, of which it was previously a business unit. Sensaura is a wholly owned subsidiary of the technology development and licensing company, Scipher plc.

About VIA Technologies, Inc.
VIA Technologies, Inc. is a leading innovator and developer of PC core logic chipsets, microprocessors, and multimedia, optical storage, communication and networking chips. VIA delivers value to the PC industry by designing, marketing, and selling high-performance VIA Apollo core logic chipsets for the full range of PC platforms, and cost-effective VIA C3™ processors for Value PCs and Internet Appliances, as well as developing complete solutions for the PC platform through its VPSD Business Unit. Its customers include the world's top OEMs, mainboard manufacturers, and system integrators. VIA is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, at the center of the Greater China high-tech manufacturing engine, and has branch offices in the US, China and Europe. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE2388), and achieved annual revenues of nearly US$1 billion in 2001. Additional information can be found at www.via.com.tw.

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