Trident Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:TRID), a leading provider of TV and Set-Top Box semiconductor solutions, announced that its 3D Cinemascope technology and a complete suite of connected solutions offered in TV550 system-on-a-chip (SoC) and PNX5120/30 frame rate converter (FRC) have been designed into a leading OEM's new 58-inch 3D Cinemascope TVs scheduled to ship in the first quarter of 2012. The new 58-inch 3D Cinemascope TVs deliver a true cinematic experience by providing crystal clear 3D images in a 21:9 aspect ratio displaying 2.35:1 (CinemaScope) movies without any black bars. In addition, the TV supports all the major online services including Internet Applications in Cinemascope mode. Users can simultaneously browse smart applications while watching 16:9 Full HD content without a compromise in resolution or change in aspect ratio.

"At Trident, we are focused on driving the technology underlying a stunning user experience with the new generation of Smart TVs," said Bami Bastani, CEO and President of Trident. "The new 3D Cinemascope TV delivers an exceptional multimedia experience for consumers and demonstrates the growing momentum of Trident's innovations in the connected home market."

"Trident's SoC solutions are the first to deliver 21:9 decoding and scaling technology for native 21:9 content streaming over the internet, or from Blu-Ray or DVD media. Trident offers a significant advantage and differentiation in a highly competitive TV market," said Dirk Wieberneit, Senior VP and GM of Trident TV Business Unit. "This technology excellence combined with Trident's well known picture quality and 3D conversion technology enabled us to deliver the ultimate cinematic viewing experience. We look forward to transforming the consumer experience throughout America."

The Evolution WideScreen DTVs

TVs have transitioned from 4:3 to 16:9 formats and larger screens. In the North American market, 15% of TVs are 50 inches or larger. Cinemascope or 21:9 TVs are the next big step in the growing multimedia revolution in the home and they solve the limitations of 16:9 formats with connectivity and applications that are increasingly more popular. TVs evolved from CRT with an aspect ratio of 4:3 and 480i/576i resolution to an aspect ratio of 16:9, or 1.78:1, and a resolution of 1080p, which is often referred to as Full HD. This aspect ratio was a compromise between the more square formatting of older televisions (4:3 or 1.33:1) and the wider 1.85:1 aspect of many movies. A 1.85:1 movie on a 16:9 HDTV will still show some black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. Most Hollywood blockbusters, however, are usually filmed in the much wider 2.35:1 or 2.39:1 aspect ratio.

About Trident's DTV SoC platforms

Trident has developed a complete platform around its DTV SoCs and Frame Rate Converter (FRCs) that includes integrated hardware, software and the most popular online services such as Yahoo!, Pandora, Rovi, Flingo, VUDU, RoxioNow, as well as many more. 

These platforms combine Trident's industry-leading digital TV processing and picture quality technology innovations into one fully integrated single-chip to deliver a production-ready reference design that speeds manufacturers' development and can dramatically reduce bill-of-materials.

Trident's FRCs are high-performance, best in class solutions for video post processing that address 120/240 Hz TVs with (local) dimmable LED backlights and 2D to 3D-TV conversion capabilities. These FRCs are widely recognized for outstanding motion-compensated frame rate converter (MEMC) performance and the next-generation Motion Accurate Picture Processing (MAPP) technology. The flexible architecture supports all popular 3D-TV formats including the latest passive glass technology for line interleaved displays. The PNX5130's powerful media processors are used to support advanced 2D to 3D conversion.

About Trident Microsystems, Inc.

Trident Microsystems, Inc., with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, is a leading force in the digital home entertainment market, delivering an extensive range of platform solutions that enhance the consumer experience in the Connected Home.  As one of the top-three semiconductor providers to both the TV and set-top box markets, Trident's solutions can be found in the products of leading OEMs and channel partners worldwide.  The company's extensive IP portfolio has been driving key innovations in image quality, 3D TV, low power consumption, and 45nm designs. For further information about Trident and its products, please consult the Company's web site: www.tridentmicro.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Trident's SoC solutions for 21:9 format TVs and its FRC products. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause Trident's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, without limitation, potential changes in Vizio's product delivery schedule, uncertainty as to product volume and uncertainties relating to the Trident's recently announced reorganization. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release; Trident does not undertake any obligation to publicly revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the statement was made. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause results to differ can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recently filed Reports on Form 8-K, Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which are available at http://www.sec.gov.

NOTE: Trident, Trident logo, TV550 and PNX5130/20 FRC are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Trident Microsystems in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Trident Microsystems, Inc.
         www.tridentmicro.com