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Maxtor, Silicon Image and Comax demonstrate serial ATA external storage device

Announcement posted by Maxtor 19 Sep 2003

Device is first to show early serial ATA external connector specification
A working prototype of the first external storage Serial ATA (SATA) device has been developed, meeting the need for faster external hard drive connections for the storage and backup of games, video, photos, corporate and other data. Maxtor Corporation (NYSE: MXO), a worldwide leader in hard disk drives, Silicon Image, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIMG), a leader in high-bandwidth semiconductor and system solutions for mass markets, and Comax Technology Inc., a worldwide manufacturer of computer cables, connectors and accessories, have joined together to demonstrate the first external storage Serial ATA (SATA) device based on an early draft of the Serial ATA II Cables and Connectors Volume 2 specification being developed by the SATA II Working Group.
The external storage prototype is a sample of next-generation SATA technology designed to meet the growing demand for faster external hard drive connections. The demonstration includes video playback from an external storage device for entertainment PCs. External storage devices are also well suited for gaming PCs and notebooks, or to expand storage for graphic artists and media creators. The prototype was exhibited Sept. 16-18 at the Intel Developers Forum 2003 in San Jose, Calif.
"It's great to see these companies working together to develop and validate the SATA II external interconnect technology by delivering a complete solution based on the early drafts of the specification," said Knut Grimsrud, SATA Working Group chairman and Intel senior principal engineer. "Maxtor, Silicon Image and Comax are part of the Serial ATA Working Group and have been instrumental in defining the external connector draft specification, which is expected to be released by the end of this year. Together, the Working Group is enabling new uses of Serial ATA that delivers positive user experiences and robust interoperability.
The SATA prototype uses a Maxtor DiamondMax SATA hard drive in an external drive enclosure; Silicon Image's industry leading SiI 3112 SATALinkTM PCI-to-SATA Host Controller; and Comax's early version of its shielded external SATA cable. The companies' demonstration shows how easily external SATA storage can be added to PCs for games, video, photos, corporate data or back-up protection. "The increasing activities involving digital data, multimedia content and gaming in over 200 million PC households worldwide is impacting the need for external storage capacity devices in a positive way," said David Reinsel, research manager with IDC. "A Serial ATA-based configuration is a unique external storage solution that will provide the interface performance needed today with the headroom for growth tomorrow."
Because the proposed SATA external interconnect specification is defined for use only with a more conservative Phy, it allows for longer cable lengths than the internal specification, and offers SATA performance for external storage devices such as hard drives, CD/DVDs, optical devices and more. At 1.5 Gb per second, SATA has a transfer rate as much as three times faster than USB 2.0 and two times faster than 1394b for external storage devices (Editor's note: these are maximum speed burst rates). Future SATA speeds of 3.0 Gb per second and beyond will further increase this performance.
About Silicon Image
Silicon Image, Inc. (www.siliconimage.com) designs, develops and markets multi-gigabit semiconductor and system solutions for a variety of communications applications demanding high-bandwidth capability. With its proprietary Multi-layer Serial Link (MSL(tm)) architecture, Silicon Image is well positioned for leadership in multiple mass markets including PCs, consumer electronics, storage and networking. Silicon Image leads the global PC/display arena with its innovative digital interconnect technology, and has emerged as a leading player in the storage industry-offering robust, high-bandwidth semiconductors and systems.
About Comax Technology Inc.
Comax Technology Inc. is a worldwide professional manufacturer for computer cables, connectors and accessories. For more than 15 years, the company's solutions have been widely adopted by well-known motherboard and PC manufacturers around the world. The company was the first to achieve mass production on Serial ATA cables and connectors, and continuously develops reliable and new conceptual Serial ATA cable and connector solutions.
About Maxtor
Maxtor Corporation (www.maxtor.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of information storage solutions. The company has an expansive line of storage products for desktop computers, storage systems, high-performance servers and consumer electronics. Maxtor has a reputation as a proven market leader built by consistently providing high-quality products and service and support for its customers. Maxtor and its products can be found at www.maxtor.com or by calling toll-free (800) 2-MAXTOR. Maxtor is traded on the NYSE under the MXO symbol. Note: Maxtor is a registered trademark and MaxLabs and MaxServices are trademarks of Maxtor Corporation.
This announcement relating to Maxtor may contain forward-looking statements concerning future channel strategy, technology, products incorporating that technology, services relating to Maxtor products and technology, and Maxtor's execution. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which could materially affect the company's results, including, but not limited to, market demand for hard disk drives, the successful development and implementation of new technologies and services, the company's ability to execute future production ramps and utilize manufacturing assets efficiently, pricing, competition, and the significant uncertainty of market acceptance of new products and services. These and other risk factors are contained in documents that the company files with the SEC, including the Form 10-K for fiscal 2002 and its recent 10-Qs.