Analog Devices Establishes New Level of PC Audio Performance with SoundMAX(R) and Sonic Focus(TM) Technology.Agreement Signals Next Generation of SoundMAX Technology NORWOOD, Mass. and SILICON VALLEY, Calif. -- Analog Devices Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI) is an American multinational producer of semiconductor devices. Analog specializes in ADC, DAC, MEMS, and DSP chips for consumer and industrial goods. Analog is presently designing circuits in the 65 nanometer to 3 µm process feature sizes range. , Inc., (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : ADI) and Sonic Focus, Inc., announced today that ADI's industry-standard SoundMAX[R] integrated motherboard audio will now include Sonic Focus[TM] Adaptive Dynamics[TM] technology. Together with the SoundMAX codec (1) (enCOder/DECoder) A hardware circuit that performs analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion. When analog signals are entered into a computer, cellphone or other device via a microphone or video source such as VHS tape or analog TV, , Sonic Focus technology enhances the clarity, brilliance, depth, and warmth of all audio playback, from MP3 files to DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. audio, for both stereo and multi-speaker systems. In addition, this pioneering technology can restore information that is lost when MP3 and other compressed files are created, greatly improving their fidelity. By pairing their technologies, the companies will make it possible for desktop, notebook, and entertainment PC OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and ODMs (original design manufacturers) to offer consumers the best PC audio experience possible. The agreement with ADI marks the first time that Sonic Focus has licensed its technology to an audio codec (1) A hardware circuit that converts analog voice into PCM or ADPCM digital code and vice versa. The term may refer to only the A/D and D/A conversion, or it may include the compression technique for further reducing the signal (definition #2 below). See sampling and codec. manufacturer. SoundMAX with Sonic Focus is available now for PC OEMs and ODMs shipping the Microsoft[R] Windows Vista[TM] operating system. "Look for PC audio to get a big upgrade as a result of this agreement," said Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group. "Analog Devices has long championed better motherboard audio with SoundMAX. And with Sonic Focus, a mainstream PC can reproduce sound that rivals custom audio equipment." Redefining PC Audio "Analog Devices is taking the SoundMAX heritage of studio-quality sound to a new generation of products," said John Croteau, general manager, Convergent Platforms and Services Group, Analog Devices, Inc. "By working with Sonic Focus, we will enable the high-definition audio output the PC needs to take its place as the centerpiece of the digital home." Said Tom Paddock, 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 founder, Sonic Focus, "We've developed the most advanced and comprehensive sound refinement system available for the PC platform. Whether it's a compressed MP3 file, a 5.1 movie, or a 3D game, there is a Sonic Focus technology to optimize your audio experience. Once you turn on Sonic Focus, we believe that you won't ever want to turn it off." Enhanced audio capabilities that ADI and Sonic Focus are bringing to SoundMAX include: * Restoring sound quality to compressed audio -- Today's popular audio formats, such as MP3, use compression to create smaller music files. Sonic Focus ADRS (A Departmental Reporting System) An IBM mainframe report writer. (Adaptive Dynamic Refinement System[TM]) analyzes compressed audio streams in real time, then restores and enriches the sound to emulate the original performance qualities during playback on a PC. * Upmixing from a stereo source for multichannel Using two or more paths for transmission or processing. It can refer to a variety of architectures including (1) multiple I/O channels between the CPU and peripheral devices, (2) multiple wires in a cable, (3) multiple "logical" channels within a single wire or fiber or (4) multiple playback -- 5.1 and 7.1 speaker systems are becoming more popular and affordable. The Sonic Focus Extrapolator[TM] creates a lifelike, surround-sound experience from a stereo source by adding detail to the sound for each speaker individually using physical modeling, not simply by spreading out the sound among the speakers. * Downmixing from a multichannel source for stereo playback -- Using stereo speakers or headphones Head-mounted speakers. Headphones have a strap that rests on top of the head, positioning a pair of speakers over both ears. For listening to music or monitoring live performances and audio tracks, both left and right channels are required. to listen to 5.1 source material is common for activities like watching DVD movies while on a plane. Downmixing from 5.1 to two channels can often obscure the dialogue. Sonic Focus XMatrix[TM] Virtualization An umbrella term for enhancing a computer's ability to do work. Following are the ways virtualization is used. Hardware Virtualization Partitioning the computer's memory into separate and isolated "virtual machines" simulates multiple machines within one physical computer. expands the sound stage and creates a virtual center channel to emphasize and clarify dialogue, providing a thoroughly enjoyable movie experience even at low volume. * Custom listening experience -- Through convenient presets for different audio uses, listeners can refine the audio output to match their tastes and their environment. Controls are easy to use for the novice but allow the 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. to tune extensively. For more information, please visit www.soundmax.com. About Sonic Focus Sonic Focus is a privately held audio technology licensing company based in Silicon Valley, California. Sonic Focus technology is based on a proprietary Reality Amplifier[TM] audio engine that compensates for unwanted artifacts artifacts see specimen artifacts. created in digital audio compression. Fundamentally different from other sound enhancement technologies, Sonic Focus expands and enriches the sound field without adding phase interference or creating listener fatigue. The company has licensed its technology for motherboards and PC systems shipped by Intel, Gateway, Samsung, AlienWare, Fujitsu-Siemens, FIC FIC First International Computer FIC Fogarty International Center (John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences; National Institutes of Health) FIC Fellowship for Intentional Community , Micron, Q-Media, and others. Sonic Focus technologies are also deployed in military communications environments, VoIP consumer products, consumer music products, and in home theater systems worldwide. For more information, please visit www.sonicfocus.com. About Analog Devices Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and 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). applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common 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. under the ticker "ADI" and is included in the S&P 500 Index. SoundMAX is a registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc. Sonic Focus, ADRS (Adaptive Dynamic Refinement System), Adaptive Dynamics, XMatrix, Extrapolator, and Reality Amplifier are trademarks of Sonic Focus, Inc. Microsoft and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners. RSS Feed: http://www.analog.com/processors/news/pressReleases/index.html |
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