Altec Lansing Announces USB Computer Speaker Systems for Microsoft Beta Sites and Developers.MILFORD, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 18, 1997-- USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. Audio Ready for Prime Time as Systems Are Announced with Universal Serial Bus Connectivity, Subwoofer A speaker that reproduces the lower end of the audio spectrum. A subwoofer system may include a crossover circuit which switches frequencies at approximately 100Hz and under to the subwoofer, while passing the rest of the signal to the main speakers. , Software and Tools Altec Lansing Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc. is a manufacturer and marketer of computer and home entertainment sound systems, headphones, and microphones for personal digital media. Technologies Inc. Monday announced its second generation USB audio product line designed to produce full fidelity, all digital stereo and multi-channel audio. These new audio systems are designed for PCs, workstations, consumer electronics products and video games See video game console. that support the new industry standard Universal Serial Bus See USB. (hardware, standard) Universal Serial Bus - (USB) An external peripheral interface standard for communication between a computer and external peripherals over an inexpensive cable using biserial transmission. (USB). Altec Lansing, a principal author of the USB audio specification, launched its first generation of USB products eight months ago and subsequently delivered a range of speakers, microphones and multi-channel decoders to leading computer and consumer electronics companies worldwide. The company has now developed its product line further to include push button controls, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), digital audio streaming See streaming audio. , Dolby(R) Digital AC3 decoding, and more powerful amplification in order to reproduce computer audio at the same level as home stereo and home theater An audio/video entertainment center that has a large-screen TV and hi-fi system with three speakers in the front (left, right and center) and left and right speakers in the rear. Starting in the early 1990s, video inputs were added to stereo receivers and preamplifiers. while also making these systems easy to install and operate. Universal Serial Bus is a new desktop, mobile and NetPC interface that provides a single, one size fits all plug and port connection for a variety of PC peripherals like digital cameras, joysticks, mice, scanners, speakers and videophones. USB provides PC users with instant or "hot" plug and play benefits without the need to adjust system settings, insert add-in cards or restart the computer. PC users can also easily add or remove up to 127 devices simultaneously into one PC by using USB peripherals like monitors, printers and keyboards as additional port speakers and other new peripheral products also becoming available from companies like Altec Lansing. "Both Altec Lansing and Intel have been leaders in bringing USB to PC users so that they can enjoy better sights and sounds," said Jarvis Tou, director of Peripheral Connectivity Products for Intel Corporation (company) Intel Corporation - A US microelectronics manufacturer. They produced the Intel 4004, Intel 8080, Intel 8086, Intel 80186, Intel 80286, Intel 80386, Intel 486 and Pentium microprocessor families as well as many other integrated circuits and personal computer networking . "Altec Lansing's new products offer the very first opportunity for a complete, high quality digital audio connection. USB plays an important role in delivering this exciting new PC experience." "We are pleased that our company is the first to offer a true streaming digital audio solution for the new flexible standard represented by USB," commented Edward Anchel, president, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and chairman of Altec Lansing Technologies Inc. "These new USB audio systems are also enabling us to work more closely with other computer industry leaders to help shape the implementation of advanced digital audio." These products include a line of four models. The first to ship will be the Altec Lansing ADA Ada, city, United States Ada (ā`ə), city (1990 pop. 15,820), seat of Pontotoc co., S central Okla.; inc. 1904. It is a large cattle market and the center of a rich oil and ranch area. 49, which combines custom-designed software and a three-piece computer speaker system to reproduce digital audio signals via USB technology. As a result, for the first time computer users can use a single USB connector to seamlessly integrate true digital audio data into computer-delivered entertainment, education and presentation programs. This computer audio enhancement is also inexpensive to implement, because integrating USB adds very little cost to peripherals while offering significant benefits not available on non-USB systems. The ADA49 also delivers these cost effective benefits by combining an audio system featuring a unique Graphic User Interface See GUI. (GUI (Graphical User Interface) A graphics-based user interface that incorporates movable windows, icons and a mouse. The ability to resize application windows and change style and size of fonts are the significant advantages of a GUI vs. a character-based interface. ) and a three-piece speaker system. Audio performance is enhanced and distortion is eliminated through the design which integrates audio volume between the computer system and the external speakers. The GUI provides maximum end user control of the audio system, which is accomplished via the monitor or a mouse. Also included in the ADA49 USB audio system are two 20 watt per channel powered satellite speakers with electronic volume controls and a 40 watt subwoofer with one 6 1/2 inch long throw woofer (jargon) woofer - (University of Waterloo) Some varieties of wide paper for printers have a perforation 8.5 inches from the left margin that allows the 3.5 inch excess on the right-hand side to be torn off when the print format is 80 columns or less wide. , an integrated amplifier An integrated amplifier is an electronic device containing an audio preamplifier and amplifier in one unit, as opposed to separating the two. Most modern audio amplifiers are integrated and have several inputs for devices such as CD players, DVD players, and auxiliary sources. and AC power supply. Each satellite includes two 3 inch mid/bass drivers and one 1/2 inch dome tweeter tweeter - woofer . The satellite and subwoofer controls are linked to the PC via the USB port A USB socket on a computer or peripheral device into which a USB cable is plugged. See USB. through HID class and the proprietary GUI. The subwoofer also includes a manual rotary control and a separate volume control which operates in conjunction with the USB electronic volume control found of the satellites. The company's USB initiative also encompasses the ADA600, a unique six piece system which will stream multi-channel Dolby(R) Digital AC3 audio over USB; the USB AM10 microphone designed to use USB audio input for voice navigation Using voice recognition to select options from a menu. , voice recognition and video phone/Internet audio application and the USB300 Communication System, a full duplex (Computers) arranged so that the information may be transmitted in both directions simultaneously; - of communications channels between computers; contrasted with Shipping dates will be announced shortly for end-users interested in these four Altec Lansing USB audio products. Altec Lansing designed these four new USB audio peripherals for computer manufacturers, independent hardware vendors and software developers. These systems allow OEMs to tune their new USB computer systems so they can stream true digital audio signals, while manufacturers of other computer hardware can use this Altec Lansing solution for USB audio compatibility testing. Developers of USB software programs can utilize this Altec Lansing technology in conjunction with the new Microsoft WDM (1) (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) A technology that uses multiple lasers and transmits several wavelengths of light (lambdas) simultaneously over a single optical fiber. architecture, including version 1.0 of the new USB audio class. These Altec Lansing USB audio products are initially available to developers and beta sites involved in testing the new Microsoft Windows 98 operating system. The company also announced that future enhancements to its audio products may be implemented as USB audio moves through its 1.0 development cycle. Developers and beta sites receive a unique benefit since these new audio products also deliver audiophile An individual who is very interested and enthusiastic about the sound quality of a stereo or home theater system. Quality audio components are designed to reproduce the audio without adding any distortion or coloration. quality sound to applications being developed for the business and communications markets. Such applications can thus be optimized for USB, including high quality digital audio playback and multi-channel Dolby(R) Digital surround environments. "We are pleased to support the USB audio leadership initiative being taken by Altec Lansing as it represents another clear indication that digital audio can be used to dramatically enhance the computer audio experience," added Billy Brackenridge, program manager, Windows Platform Group. Virtually every Pentium PC shipping today includes one or more USB ports, ready to accept Altec Lansings new USB audio products. Microsoft is also incorporating USB support in its Windows(R) 98 and NT 5.0 operating systems and has developed a USB upgrade for Windows(R) 95. Other personal computer and work stations manufacturers are adding similar support to their products, which will make USB universal across the industry. Developers and Microsoft Memphis beta sites can order the ADA49 along with the supporting tool kit directly from the company by calling 800-ALTEC 88 or via csupport@altecmm.com. Additional information is available via the companys USB information web site at www.altecmm.com/usb. Reservations can also be made for future delivery of the ADA600, USB AM10 and USB300 Communication System. Altec Lansing Technologies Inc., based in Milford, Pa., USA, is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high performance speaker systems that deliver high quality high fidelity audio output for personal computers. The company employs about 500 people worldwide. In addition to the company's headquarters, Altec Lansing has offices in Walnut Creek, Calif., Austin, Tex., Seattle, Royston Herts, England, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, a manufacturing facility in The Peoples Republic of China and an advanced Research and Development Center in Kfar Saba, Israel. -0- EDITORS NOTE: ADA49 review samples can be ordered from Andrew Bergstein via 110124.741@compuserve.com or by calling 814/234-1230. Dolby Digital is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Microsoft and Intel are registered trademarks of their respective companies and WaveCube is a registered trademark of Altec Lansing Technologies Inc. CONTACT: Altec Lansing Technologies Inc. Andrew Bergstein, 814/234-1230 FAX: 814/234-5880 110124.741@compuserve.com |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion