Intel Corp. said it has entered into an agreement to acquire Oplus Technologies, Inc., a provider of video processing products and technologies for digital television and digital displays. The acquisition would provide Intel with access to technology, expertise and products that complement the company’s offerings of standards-based silicon and software for the growing consumer electronics market segment.

Oplus is a privately held fabless semiconductor company based in Yokneam, Israel that designs, develops and markets integrated circuit and software solutions for flat panel plasma and LCD-TVs, projection systems, LCD multi-function monitors and emerging digital display applications.

As part of its digital home platforms initiative, Intel is focused on delivering silicon and software building blocks to enable a wide range of consumer electronics devices, including digital set-top-boxes, digital media recorders and digital televisions.

Oplus’ technologies would enhance Intel's capability by providing industry-leading expertise and products for advanced video processing, an increasingly important differentiator in the broad market segment for digital television and digital displays.

“The transition to digital displays coupled with a reduction in display costs is enabling larger, higher resolution televisions, but that in turn demands higher quality video processing capabilities,” said Glenda Dorchak, vice president of the Digital Home Group and general manager of the Consumer Electronics Group at Intel.

Oplus currently sells three lines of video processors targeted at the full spectrum of digital televisions and digital displays. The company, which has approximately 100 employees, will continue selling products under the Oplus brand name and will report into the Intel Consumer Electronics Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Oplus’ display expertise and competitive products will enable us to deliver compelling solutions for OEMs in this rapidly growing market segment. Oplus products have created a new standard for image quality, color reproduction, noise reduction and sharpness,” Mr. Dorchak added.