Mediamatics' DVDExpress Takes Digital Technology On the Road With New Compaq Presario 1810 Notebooks

DVDExpress Selected for New Line of Compaq Internet Notebook PCs

Oct. 26, 1998-National Semiconductor Corporation(NYSE:NSM - news; ®) today announced that the new DVD-enhanced Compaq Presario 1810 Internet notebook PC incorporates Mediamatics(®) DVDExpress(™), the industry's leading software DVD solution.

"The Compaq Presario 1810 is the first notebook sold through retail stores offering leading-edge DVD capabilities for the consumer market," explained Greg Memo, Vice President, Mobile Products Division, Consumer Products Group, Compaq Computer Corporation. "DVDExpress is a key technology enabling us to deliver outstanding DVD performance in a very affordable multimedia notebook, further extending the leadership position of the Compaq Presario line of notebook PCs."

DVDExpress technology delivers integrated MPEG-2 video playback, Dolby Digital AC-3 audio and Microsoft DirectShow compatibility, which provides the user a state-of-the-art, DVD capability in a powerful, lightweight notebook PC.

"DVDExpress technology has been proven in the desktop PC arena, and now Compaq is delivering the same high-performance DVD capabilities to the notebook market," said Pier del Frate, vice president of marketing at Mediamatics, the National Semiconductor company that develops and markets DVDExpress. "Our continued relationship with Compaq and the growing level of industry support for DVDExpress reinforce our leadership role in providing DVD solutions to the top PC manufacturers."

Mediamatics
Mediamatics, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Semiconductor Corporation, delivers consumer quality digital video and audio hardware/software solutions for consumer, PC and convergence markets. Mediamatics software and system expertise are the starting points for further integration into the emerging home entertainment market comprised of entertainment PCs, set-top boxes and DVD players. Its products are licensed by Microsoft and major PC OEMs, making Mediamatics the world's largest supplier of MPEG products. To receive additional corporate and product information, visit the Mediamatics Web site at http://www.mediamatics.com.

National Semiconductor Corporation
National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of the-art digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the personal computer, communications, and consumer markets. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National has annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion and 12,000 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.

Mediamatics and DVDExpress are registered trademarks of Mediamatics Corporation, a subsidiary of National Semiconductor Corporation. All trade names referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark or trade name of their respective companies.