Apogee Announces New DDX--R-- IC Providing Turnkey All-Digital Audio Solution.Business/Technology Editors NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2001 DDX-4100 Combines Key Audio Functions with Direct Digital Amplification (DDX DDx abbreviation for differential diagnosis; used in medical records. (R)) Technology; Enables Low Cost, High Quality Digital Sound Apogee Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : APGT), a leading developer of digital audio amplification technology, announced today the release of its new DDX-4100, a turnkey digital audio integrated circuit integrated circuit (IC), electronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon. The circuit, often called a chip, is packaged in a hermetically sealed case or a nonhermetic plastic capsule, with leads extending from it for (IC) based on Apogee's patented Direct Digital Amplification (DDX(R)) technology. This latest addition to the company's DDX family of digital amplification ICs, integrates multiple digital interfaces, flexible audio processing and multi-channel DDX processing, allowing manufacturers to develop low cost, compact pure digital audio products. The device is ideal for digital-powered speaker applications, 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. and mini systems. Traditional audio designs require multiple ICs to handle individual functions, such as the digital interface, tone control, equalization In communications, techniques used to reduce distortion and compensate for signal loss (attenuation) over long distances. (EQ) and digital to analog conversion. By combining all of these functions onto a single device, the DDX-4100 shortens the design activity, provides pure digital reliability and consistency while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. "Consumers are demanding higher quality, lower cost consumer electronic products," said David Meyers, Apogee's Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. , "Apogee is meeting this challenge with its DDX technology and the release of the DDX-4100. DDX based solutions not only provide superior sound quality, they are much more efficient than traditional analog amplifiers reducing product size and lowering cost." Integrated Functions The DDX-4100 includes many features valuable to audio manufacturers as well as consumers. Integrated audio functions such as volume, bass/treble, bass redirection, automatic mute and parametric equalization Parametric equalizer (or parametric "EQ") is an electronic multi-band variable equalizer device used in sound recording and live sound reproduction with Public Address systems ("PA systems"). reduce system costs while providing manufacturers the ability to customize one amplifier solution to multiple products. The device includes standard digital interfaces (S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital InterFace) A serial interface for transferring digital audio from CD and DVD players to amplifiers and TVs. S/PDIF is typically used to transmit PCM and Dolby Digital 5.1, but is not tied to any sampling rate or audio standard. , I2S (Inter-IC Sound) An internal digital audio interface for consumer electronics devices such as CD and DVD players, sound processors and digital TV (DTV). It is also used between a digital controller and an analog/digital codec similar to the AC Link and HD Audio Link , and AC'97) and accepts audio sampling rates up to 96 kHz. The DDX-4100 converts digital audio inputs See S/PDIF and Toslink. into 4.1 channels of DDX outputs to drive multiple DDX-2060 high efficiency power devices. This chip set enables manufacturers to develop fully digital speaker systems, which can deliver up to 70 Watts of low distortion audio power at efficiencies up to 90%. In addition, the design is ideal for multi-channel integrated home theater systems that combine the DVD player with the audio amplifier to simplify consumer setup and operation. Direct Digital Amplification (DDX) Apogee's patented Direct Digital Amplification (DDX(R)) is a high efficiency, all-digital amplifier technology that enables a new generation of audio products that deliver pure digital sound. DDX directly amplifies digital audio signals, eliminating the need for a Digital to Analog Converter (electronics) Digital to Analog Converter - (DAC) A device which takes a digital value and outputs a voltage which is proportional to the input value. Typical uses include digital generation of audio signals or conversion of a bitmap image to a signal to drive a CRT. (DAC See D/A converter and discretionary access control. DAC - Digital to Analog Converter ). This approach removes potential analog signal corruption and quality losses that occur in traditional analog audio systems, thus enabling true digital audio production. In addition to superior sound quality, DDX amplifier solutions provide approximately three times the efficiency of comparable analog amplifiers. This benefit reduces power supply requirements and eliminates the need for external heat sinks, resulting in a smaller amplifier size and reduced manufacturing costs. Price and Delivery The DDX-4100 Controller is priced at $5.25 in 1000 piece quantities. Delivery of production quantities of the device is planned for May 2001. Apogee Technology Apogee develops and markets state-of-the-art digital amplifier products that incorporate the company's patented Direct Digital Amplification (DDX) technology. The company provides DDX amplification solutions to audio manufacturers as semiconductor products, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and board products and through technology licensing. Apogee is continually developing new products and technologies to leverage its power and digital processing expertise. Additional information about Apogee and DDX products can be found at the company's web site at http://www.apogeeddx.com. DDX(R) is a registered trademark of Apogee Technology, Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders. Certain statements made herein that use the words "estimate" "project" "intended" "expect" "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those, which may be expressed or implied. Factors that cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's limited operating history; unpredictability of operating results; inability to build market share and pressure on prices from competition in various aspects of its business; the risks of rapid growth; the Company's dependence on key personnel; uncertainty of product acceptance; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; the risk associated market collaborations and the ability of strategic partners to achieve manufacturing and shipping schedules and deadlines; changes in the level of activity in the audio industry; changes in economic conditions; and an inability to obtain financing. EDITORS: Photography available on request |
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