Analog Devices' Blackfin Processor Powers New Roku Soundbridge Network Music Players.Business Editors CES 2004 NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2004 Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : ADI) -- High-performance Blackfin Processor key to network music players' superior audio capabilities. Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), today announced that its Blackfin(R) processor technology is behind the superior audio capabilities of Roku SoundBridge network music players. Roku SoundBridge lets consumers play digital music, that's stored on a computer, on any stereo system in their home. Through the Blackfin processor, Roku SoundBridge is able to play all the major digital audio formats, including MP3, WMA (Windows Media Audio) An audio compression method from Microsoft. Known originally as MSAudio, this proprietary format competes with the MP3 and AAC methods. WMA encodes rapidly and is known to be especially effective at low bit rates. , AIFF AIFF - Audio IFF , WAV and AAC files from Mac and Windows-based computers. Since it has a large, bright vacuum fluorescent display A vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) is a type of display used commonly on consumer-electronics equipment such as video cassette recorders, car radios, and microwave ovens. Unlike liquid crystal displays, a VFD emits a very bright light with clear contrast and can easily support (VFD) and easy-to-use remote control, Roku SoundBridge can be used by consumers to search through playlists of their favorite music, by artist, title, album or genre. Blackfin processor technology combines best-in-class digital signal processing See DSP. Digital Signal Processing - (DSP) Computer manipulation of analog signals (commonly sound or image) which have been converted to digital form (sampled). performance with microcontroller functionality and embedded operating system An operating system used in special-purpose applications (embedded systems). Embedded operating systems are typically very compact and often designed for real time operations. See embedded Linux, QNX, OS-9, Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE, VxWorks and Symbian OS. support to meet the computational demands and power constraints of embedded audio applications. The Blackfin processor is responsible for multi-format decoding support, input management, digital and analog audio output, and VFD control on Roku SoundBridge. "ADI's Blackfin processor provides the optimum combination of processing performance and power consumption needed to quickly stream music from a computer to a stereo system," said Anthony Wood, founder and 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. of Roku. "In addition, Blackfin's price point allows us to offer Roku SoundBridge at a price that's affordable for consumers." "The new Roku SoundBridge players represent a new phase in the integration of personal computer technologies and consumer electronics, by combining highly-satisfying entertainment experiences with ease of use and stylish aesthetics," said John Croteau, general manager, Media Platforms and Services group, Analog Devices, Inc. "Roku's choice of the Blackfin processor for its network music players reinforces ADI's market-leading presence in today's new digital media products." Roku SoundBridge M1000 and Roku SoundBridge M2000 received 2004 International CES Innovations Design & Engineering Awards in the audio category. The CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards program recognizes the most innovative consumer electronics products in 20 categories. A preeminent panel of journalists, designers and engineers selects the winners with endorsement from the Industrial Designers Society of America Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is an organisation of professional industrial designers in the United States. It was formed in 1965 by merger of three American designer associations: American Designers Institute (IDI), American Society of Industrial Design , the "voice" of industrial design. About Analog Devices Analog Devices is a leading manufacturer of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. The company is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,400 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Analog Devices' stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. and the company is included in the S&P 500 Index. Blackfin is a registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners. |
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