Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.5

[ESS LOGO]

February 5, 1998

Steve Charng
2757 Bruce Dr.
Fremont, CA 94539

Dear Mr. Charng:

We are pleased to make the following offer of employment to you:

Title:                SENIOR SOFTWARE MANAGER
Department:           Special Projects
Reporting to:         Wayne Wang

Compensation:

- Salary -            $4,167 SEMI-MONTHLY (ANNUALIZED AT $100,000)

- Stock Options -     15,000 shares vested under the terms of
                      the 4-year Incentive Option Plan, subject to approval by
                      the Board of Directors at the next meeting.

- Sign on Bonus -     A one time hiring bonus of $5,000; $2,500 to be paid two
                      weeks after your start date, and $2,500 to be paid after
                      six months of employment with ESS. Should you leave the
                      company before completing one full year of employment, at
                      the request of ESS, and if your termination is not for
                      "cause", you will not be required to reimburse the company
                      the hiring bonus paid to you. If prior to completing one
                      year of employment you leave the company of your own
                      volition, you agree to reimburse ESS the full bonus
                      amount.

- Benefits -          Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life coverage effective the
                      first of the month following your start date. PPO coverage
                      requires a deduction from your paycheck. Medical and
                      dental coverage for eligible dependents is available at
                      25% of cost.

- At-Will Basis -     ESS is an at-will employer in accordance with the laws of
                      the State of California. You are free to leave at any
                      time, and similarly, the Company can terminate your
                      employment, with or without cause, at any time.

- Effective -         THIS OFFER WILL REMAIN EFFECTIVE UNTIL FEBRUARY 13, 1998.

- Start Date -        ON OR BEFORE MARCH 23, 1998.

New hire orientation is held every Monday at 8:30 AM (please bring your
employment eligibility documents).

Mr. Charng, we look forward to a positive response to our offer and to a
mutually beneficial, professional relationship. Please indicate your acceptance
by your signature and start date below.

/s/ Rita Burden                          /s/ Steve Charng
----------------------------------       ---------------------------------------
Rita Burden                              Steve Charng
Employment Manager                       Start Date  March 23, 1998
                                                    ----------------------------

 48401 Fremont Blvd. - Fremont, CA 94538 - Tel: 510-492-1088 - Fax: 510-492-1098<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.6

[ESS LOGO]
March 20, 1998

Bob Woo
13160 Avila Court
Los Altos, CA 94022

Dear Mr. Woo:

We are pleased to make the following offer of employment to you:

Title:                VICE PRESIDENT
Department:           Video Conferencing
Reporting to:         Fred Chan

Compensation:

- Salary -            $7,000 SEMI-MONTHLY (annualized at $168,000).

- Stock Options -     200,000 shares vested under the terms of the 5-year
                      Incentive Option Plan, subject to approval by the Board of
                      Directors at the next meeting.

- Bonus Program -     In addition, you are eligible co participate in a Bonus
                      Program of up to $30,000 per year.

- Benefits -          Medical, Dental Vision and Life coverage effective the
                      first of the month following your start date. PPO coverage
                      requires a deduction from your paycheck. Medical and
                      dental coverage for eligible dependents is available at
                      25% of cost.

- At-Will Basis -     ESS is an at-will employer in accordance with the laws of
                      the State of California. You are free to leave at any
                      time, and similarly, the Company can terminate your
                      employment, with or without cause, at any time.

- Effective -         This offer will remain effective until March 27, 1998.

- Start Date -        On or before April 15, 1998.

Mr. Woo, we look forward to a positive response to our offer and to a mutually
beneficial, professional relationship. Please indicate your acceptance by your
signature and start date below.

/s/ R. Steven Gonia                        /s/ Bob Woo
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
R. Steven Gonia                            Candidate
Human Resources Director

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Start Date

                  48401 Fremont Boulevard  -  Fremont, CA 94538
                  - TEL: (510) 492-1088    -  FAX: (510) 492-1098<PAGE>   1

                                                                    Exhibit 10.7

                                 [VIALTA LOGO]

October 20, 1999

Steve Caudle
1084 Vista Pt. Circle
San Ramon, CA 94583

Dear Mr. Caudle:

We are pleased to make the following offer of employment to you:

Title:                EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INTERNET SERVICES
Department:           ViAlta
Reporting to:         Fred Chan

Compensation:

- Salary -            $6,250.00 SEMI-MONTHLY (annualized at $150,000).

- Stock Options -     60,000 ViAlta shares vested under the terms of the 4-year
                      Incentive Option Plan. Subject to approval by the Board of
                      Directors at the next meeting.

- MBO Program -       15% annual MBO bonus will be awarded based on achievements
                      to be agreed upon and assigned at a later date. The MBO
                      will be paid quarterly with a cap of 150%.

- Benefits -          Medical, Dental and vision coverage is effective your
                      start date. HMO coverage is paid in full for the employee.
                      PPO coverage requires a deduction from your paycheck.
                      Medical and dental coverage for eligible dependents is
                      available at 25% of cost.

- At-Will Basis -     ESS is an at will employer in accordance with the laws of
                      the State of California. You are free to leave at any
                      time, and similarly, the Company can terminate your
                      employment, with or without cause, at any time.

- Effective -         THIS OFFER WILL REMAIN EFFECTIVE UNTIL OCTOBER 27, 1999.

- Start Date -        ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 1999.

New hire orientation is held every Monday at 8:30 AM (please bring your
employment eligibility documents).

Mr. Caudle, we look forward to a positive response to our offer and to a
mutually beneficial, professional relationship. Please indicate your acceptance
by your signature and start date below.

/s/ Rita Burden                            /s/ Steve Caudle
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Rita Burden                                Steve Caudle
Director of Human Resources
                                           November 15th
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Start Date<PAGE>   1

                                                                    Exhibit 10.8

                                 [VIALTA LOGO]

April 24, 2000

Charles Root
480 Coventry Place
Danville, CA 94506

Dear Mr. Root:

We are pleased to make the following offer of employment to you:

Title:                VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING
Department:           ViAlta Marketing
Reporting to:         Fred Chan

Compensation:

- Salary -            $5,000.00 SEMI-MONTHLY (annualized at $120,000).

- Sign-on-Bonus -     A ONE TIME HIRING BONUS OF $10,000 to be
                      paid within the first week of your start date. However,
                      should you leave the company before completing one full
                      year of employment of your own volition OR your
                      termination by ViAlta is for cause, you will be required
                      to reimburse the company.

- Stock Options -     80,000 ViAlta shares vested under the terms of the 4-year
                      Incentive Option Plan. (Subject to approval by the Board
                      of Directors at the next meeting).

- Benefits -          Medical, Dental and Vision coverage is effective your
                      start date. HMO coverage is paid in full for the employee.
                      PPO coverage requires a deduction from your paycheck.
                      Medical and dental coverage for eligible dependents is
                      available at 25% of cost.

- At-Will Basis -     ViAlta is an at will employer in accordance with the laws
                      of the State of California. You are free to leave at any
                      time, and similarly, the Company can terminate your
                      employment, with or without cause, at any time.

- Effective -         THIS OFFER WILL REMAIN EFFECTIVE UNTIL APRIL 28, 1999

- Start Date -        ON OR BEFORE MAY 8, 2000.

New hire orientation is held every Monday at 8:30 AM (please bring you
employment eligibility documents).

Mr. Root, we look forward to a positive response to our offer and to a mutually
beneficial, professional relationship. Please indicate your acceptance by your
signature and start date below.

/s/ Gary S. Hamilton                       /s/ Charles Root
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
Gary Hamilton                              Charles Root
Vice President, Human Resources
                                           May 1, 2000
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Start Date

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