Chromatic Licenses SRS 3D Audio Enhancement Technology for Use in its Mpact Media Processor Solution.SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 1996--Chromatic Research, Inc., the leader in the rapidly emerging field of media processors, today announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with SRS Labs SRS Labs, formed in 1993 from the audio division of the Hughes Aircraft Company, is dedicated to developing and licensing audio enhancement technologies. Its flagship technology is the Sound Retrieval System. , Inc. to incorporate SRS SRS, SRS-A see slow-reacting substance. (Sound Retrieval System The Sound Retrieval System (or SRS) is a patented psychoacoustic 3D audio processing technology originally invented by Arnold Klayman in the early 1980s. (The original SRS patents are US patents 4,866,774, 4,748,669, and 4,841,572, which expire in 2006 and 2008 depending on the (R)) 3D audio enhancement technology in its Mpact media processor: the first complete, single-chip multimedia solution for the home PC. SRS 3D audio enhancement technology widens the field of sound to over 180 degrees and "opens up" the traditional stereo experience. SRS makes music and effects sound richer and more expansive by delivering fully immersive sound from any audio input signal (including mono, stereo, surround sound An audio recording and playback system that uses five or more channels plus a subwoofer channel. See 5.1 channel and 3D audio. or any other audio enhancement technology). SRS 3D audio enhancement technology is compatible with any existing two-speaker stereo playback or multi-speaker surround sound system, and brings the type of dynamic audio capabilities of the home stereo system to the home PC. SRS 3D audio enhancement is just one of the leading multimedia technologies enabled by the Mpact media processor. On a single chip, the Mpact media processor also offers a complete set of cutting-edge multimedia features for a fraction of what it would cost to purchase a separate add-in card for each multimedia feature individually, enabling home PC manufacturers to deliver state-of-the-art multimedia capabilities at mass market prices. "SRS is a key part of our efforts to set a new baseline for PC multimedia," said Siva Kumar, vice president of marketing, Chromatic chromatic /chro·mat·ic/ (kro-mat´ik) 1. pertaining to color; stainable with dyes. 2. pertaining to chromatin. chro·mat·ic adj. 1. Relating to color or colors. Research. "Audio quality has a tremendous effect on a user's computing experience, whether or not they are specifically aware of it. That is why the Mpact media processor will offer the industry's most comprehensive suite of leading-edge audio technologies, including SRS 3D audio enhancement, 3D positional audio, Dolby(R) Surround AC-3(TM), Waveguide waveguide, device that controls the propagation of an electromagnetic wave so that the wave is forced to follow a path defined by the physical structure of the guide. , Wave Table and industry sound card compatibility." "Our goal is to revolutionize sound reproduction technology and improve the quality and enjoyment of the listening experience," said Steve Sedmak, president, SRS Labs. "Partnering with industry innovators like Chromatic is critical to achieving this goal. The Mpact media processor will offer home PC users the kind of quality audio that has become the de facto standard Hardware or software that is widely used, but not endorsed by a standards organization. Contrast with de jure standard. de facto standard - A widespread consensus on a particular product or protocol which has not been ratified by any official standards body, such as ISO, for home audio at a cost that will be well within reach of the general consumer." The Mpact media processor is a unique silicon technology designed for PC motherboards Following is a list of motherboard types and form factors that have been used in PCs since the first IBM PC in 1981: Maximum Size Year Width-Length Intr. Type In Inches BTX (Balanced Technology Extended) 2004 BTX 12.8 - 10.5 2004 microBTX 10.4 - 10. and add-in cards that provides state-of-the-art features for seven multimedia functions: 3D graphics, 2D graphics, video (MPEG-1 and MPEG-2), audio (SRS 3D audio enhancement technology, 3D positional audio, Dolby Surround A digital audio encoding system from Dolby that provides four channels. Derived from the Dolby Stereo technology used in movie theaters, Dolby Surround was introduced in the early 1980s for video soundtracks, audio cassettes, CDs, TV broadcasts, video games and PC software. AC-3, Waveguide, Wave Table and more), telephony, FAX/modem and videophone (1) (VideoPhone) A line of videophones (definition #1 below) from AT&T that were introduced in the early 1990s and later pulled off the market due to poor sales. The first models came with a price tag above $1,000, and a pair were needed. See Picturephone. . The complete Mpact solution consists of three components: (1) a single, high-performance, software-programmable processor; (2) "mediaware" software modules that enable the processor's multimedia functionality; and (3) software drivers. The Mpact media processor and mediaware will be in volume production the second half of this year. State-of-the-Art Digital Audio With technologies such as SRS audio enhancement technology, the Mpact media processor will deliver a new level of state-of-the-art digital audio functionality to the home PC for use in games and other applications. In addition to SRS 3D audio enhancement technology, the Mpact media processor also offers a number of other leading audio features: -- 3D "positional" audio - 3D positional audio provides a 360-degree simulated spherical sound envelope Sound envelopes are sound packages extracted from video files. Video editing tools, such as the freeware program Zwei-Stein, isolate the audio portion of the avi, mpeg (whatever clip) and "envelope" it for podcast or other distribution. and works by fooling the ear into thinking sounds are coming from beyond the points where the two speakers are located. Sounds may appear to come from the listener's left or right side, from above or below, or any point in between. Enabled by Microsoft's(R) DirectSound(TM) API (Application Programming Interface) A language and message format used by an application program to communicate with the operating system or some other control program such as a database management system (DBMS) or communications protocol. (Application Programming Interface) and Windows(R) 95, 3D positional audio makes sounds in a simulated 3D audio space correspond to the movement of objects in 3D visual space, promising a whole new generation of PC games and applications featuring fully integrated 3D graphics and 3D audio functionality. -- Dolby Surround AC-3 - The dominant technology today delivering high-quality digital "surround sound" audio for the movie industry, Dolby Surround AC-3, is also the audio standard for the recently announced Digital Versatile Disk (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. ) format. This technology will allow users to connect up to six speakers (5 discrete digital surround sound channels and 1 "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. " channel) to their PC for the optimal AC-3 theater experience. -- Advanced audio synthesis - The Mpact media processor offers technologies like Wave Table and Waveguide audio synthesis, which delivers ultra-realistic musical sounds that capture all the richness and subtle nuances an instrument is capable of producing. Waveguide audio synthesis uses physical modeling of an actual instrument that can be dynamically manipulated in real time just like a musician would a real instrument. With high-quality speakers, it would be difficult for a listener to distinguish between a Waveguide synthesized instrument and a real one. The Mpact media processor brings all of these advanced audio technologies (and more) -- as well as cutting-edge graphics, video and communications capabilities -- to home PCs for the same cost users currently spend on just a few basic multimedia capabilities. In addition, because the Mpact media processor is upgradable via software, it will always keep home PCs on the forefront of developments in multimedia technology as new standards evolve. Media Processors Media processors are the latest development in multimedia and are expected to quickly become a standard component first in PCs, then in consumer electronics devices such as Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) players. Defined as "processors dedicated to simultaneously providing several multimedia data types," media processors are specialized for the natural data types common to all multimedia, including video, audio, graphics and communications. Because they can be upgraded through software, media processors can adapt to evolving multimedia standards, providing OEMs and users alike with protection against obsolescence ob·so·les·cent adj. 1. Being in the process of passing out of use or usefulness; becoming obsolete. 2. Biology Gradually disappearing; imperfectly or only slightly developed. . They also possess the processing power and bandwidth needed to operate multiple functions concurrently and provide optimal performance for each multimedia function. The Mpact media processor, architected by Chromatic, was co-developed with Toshiba Corporation (company) Toshiba Corporation - A Japanese technology manufacturer with 364 subsidiaries worldwide. Toshiba makes and sells electronics for home, office, industry and health care including information and communication systems, electronic components, heavy electrical apparatus, (Tokyo, Japan) and LG Semicon Co., Ltd. (Seoul, South Korea). Under license from Chromatic, both semiconductor companies will manufacture and sell the chip under the Mpact brand name. Chromatic Research provides the enabling Mpact "mediaware" software. Chromatic Research Chromatic Research, the leader in media processors, is redefining the PC by providing advanced, complete, consumer electronics-quality multimedia at mass market costs. The Mpact solution consists of silicon technology and software that combines all seven multimedia functions -- video, 2D graphics, 3D graphics, audio, FAX/modem, telephony and videophone. Chromatic Research is the world's first "chipless" semiconductor company, based on a unique business model whereby Chromatic's semiconductor partners co-develop, manufacture and sell the Chromatic-architected media processor and Chromatic develops and sells the enabling Mpact mediaware software. Founded in 1993, the company is privately held. SRS Labs, Inc. SRS Labs, Inc. develops and licenses patented, leading-edge audio technologies for use in the consumer electronics, multimedia, electronic gaming, professional sound and automotive industries Automotive Industries, Ltd. (Hebrew: תעשיות רכב נצרת עלית, תע"ר . The advanced technologies behind SRS were originally researched and developed at the Hughes Aircraft Hughes Aircraft Company was a major aerospace and defense company founded by Howard Hughes. The group was based near Ballona Creek, in Culver City, California, USA, on the Pacific Coast. Hughes Aircraft was acquired by General Motors in 1985. Company by senior audio scientist Arnold Klayman. Now under the leadership of Thomas C.K. Yuen, co-founder of AST Research AST Research, Inc. was a personal computer manufacturer, founded in Irvine, California in 1980 by Albert Wong, Safi Qureshey and Thomas Yuen. (The name comes from the initials of their first names. , SRS Labs continues to focus on further refinements of the core SRS technology as well as research and development of other audio technologies. SRS Labs' 3D Sound is currently licensed to over 50 leading manufacturers, including Sony, Kenwood, RCA See RCA connector and video/TV history. , Nakamichi, Sharp, Apple Computer, Packard Bell See Packard Bell NEC. , NEC (NEC Corporation, Tokyo, www.nec.com, www.necus.com) An electronics conglomerate known in the U.S. for its monitors. In Japan, it had the lion's share of the PC market until the late 1990s (see PC 98). NEC was founded in Tokyo in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. , Reveal, Boca Research, Kurzweil and Pioneer. SRS Labs' semiconductor partners include Crystal, SGS-Thomson, Sony, Seiko-NPC, Yamaha and Motorola. Reader Contact Information Readers who want more information about Mpact can call Chromatic Research at 408/752-9100. Readers can also visit the Mpact World Wide Web site at www.mpact.com, or the Chromatic Research site at www.chromatic.com. Readers who want more information about SRS 3D Sound technology can call SRS Labs at 714/442-1070 or visit the SRS Labs World Wide Web site at www.srslabs.com. -0- Note to Editors: Mpact is a trademark of Chromatic Research, Inc. SRS, the SRS logo and Sound Retrieval System are registered trademarks of SRS Labs, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Chromatic Research Dave Wilt, 408/752-9217 wilt@chromatic.com or SRS Labs, Inc. Jennifer A. Drescher, 714/442-1070 jenniferd@srslabs.com or Copithorne & Bellows PR George Millington, 408/988-2100 george.millington@cbpr.com |
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