Cirrus Logic Announces Low-Cost Crystal TV Encoder DACs for DVD Players & Set-Top Boxes.AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1998-- New Mixed-Signal Chips Pack High-End Features Not Found in More Expensive Competitive Solutions Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS crus (krus) pl. cru´ra [L.] 1. leg (1). 2. a leglike part. crus ce´rebri ) today announced two new Crystal(R) multi-standard TV encoder DACs (digital to analog converters) that promise to reduce the cost of 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. movie players and digital set-top boxes. The new mixed-signal chips (CS4954 and CS4955) specify exceptional video quality and numerous high-end features, along with multi-format video output capable of driving all NTSC (National TV Standards Committee) The committee that developed the television standards for the U.S, which are also used in Canada, Japan, South Korea and several Central and South American countries. Both the committee and the standard are called "NTSC. and PAL standard television sets worldwide. According to Cirrus Logic, the new Crystal encoder DACs offer an impressive feature set and superb quality video reproduction not found in more expensive competitive devices, making them ideal for differentiating high-volume digital video-based consumer electronics. The CS4954 and CS4955 devices are identical with the exception that the CS4955 includes Macrovision revision 7.01 anti-taping output protection. Top Video Quality via 10-Bit Data Converters Consistent with the industry-leading quality and precision of Crystal audio ICs, the CS4954/55 devices deliver extraordinary visual clarity with six independent 10-bit DACs. "Most competitive low-cost parts today utilize only a pair of 8- or 9-bit DACs," said Doug Holberg, business manager of Crystal Digital Imaging at Cirrus Logic. "Our six 10-bit DACs are software-configurable, enabling all popular output formats of video: composite, S-Video, component or RGB (Red Green Blue) The computer's native color space, which is the color system for capturing and displaying images. RGB was derived from our own perception of color because human eyes are sensitive to red, green and blue (see trichromaticity). ." Holberg noted that the multi-format output is ideal for systems in Europe where SCART connector compatibility is a necessity. For home theater applications, the new encoder DACs deliver the high quality RGB or component output demanded for video projectors and premium grade TVs. In addition to lossless See lossless compression. (algorithm, compression) lossless - A term describing a data compression algorithm which retains all the information in the data, allowing it to be recovered perfectly by decompression. Unix compress and GNU gzip perform lossless compression. color output capability, the CS4954/55 devices are equipped with an enhanced luminance The amount of brightness, measured in lumens, that is given off by a pixel or area on a screen. For example, dark red and bright red would have the same chrominance, but a different luminance. mode called "Super Black/Super White" which is used in conjunction with a Pluge test pattern to properly calibrate To adjust or bring into balance. Scanners, CRTs and similar peripherals may require periodic adjustment. Unlike digital devices, the electronic components within these analog devices may change from their original specification. See color calibration and tweak. the output brightness level of DVD players or set-top boxes. This mode can paint videophile-grade images with deeper blacks and brighter whites as desired. Rich Feature Set As the third generation of Crystal TV encoders, the CS4954/55 devices incorporate four years of customer enhancements and validation, resulting in a rich and robust feature set that includes: -0-
-- register-selectable video waveform adjustments and filtering
options;
-- wide-screen signaling;
-- copy generation management system (CGMS);
-- optional progressive scan;
-- VBI data encoding and closed captioning;
-- multi-standard teletext generation
-0- "We took no short cuts with the CS4954/55 development, and have worked closely with customers to create mixed-signal solutions that meets all of the requirements necessary to be globally successful," said Terry Ritchie, Crystal marketing director at Cirrus Logic. "The CS4954/55 devices are loaded with some killer features such as teletext teletext: see videotex. A broadcasting service that transmits text to a TV set that has a teletext decoder. It uses the vertical blanking interval of the TV signal (black line between frames when vertical hold is not adjusted) to transmit about a hundred support that allows end users to simultaneously record video onto a VCR VCR: see videocassette recorder. VCR in full videocassette recorder Electromechanical device that records, stores on a videotape cassette, and plays back on a TV set recorded images and sound. while they look at teletext pages on the TV." Largest Feature Set, Smallest Package The new Crystal TV encoders deliver exceptional video quality plus an impressive feature set in the industry's smallest package -- a 48-pin 7mm x 7mm TQFP See QFP. . This smaller, yet feature-rich package is optimal for compact, space-sensitive designs. Newest Set-Top Family Member The CS4954/55 encoders join other Cirrus Logic ICs already in set-top box designs, including CS492x MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) An ISO/ITU standard for compressing digital video. Pronounced "em-peg," it is the universal standard for digital terrestrial, cable and satellite TV, DVDs and digital video recorders (DVRs). and Dolby Digital audio decoders, CS433x stereo audio DACs, CS533x stereo audio ADC's, CS422x audio codecs, CS84xx SPDIF See S/PDIF. receivers/transmitters, CS89xx Ethernet controller products and the CL-PS7500FE ARM-based Internet access device. Price and Availability The CS4954/55 encoders are available in sample and production quantities now, and each device is offered at under $3.00 each in 100,000 unit quantities. Additional information on the new encoders and other Crystal digital imaging and audio solutions are available at www.cirrus.com. Cirrus Logic Inc. Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of precision linear circuits and advanced mixed-signal chip solutions, the latter of which demand high-performance mixed-signal processing, embedded DSP (1) (Digital Signal Processor) A special-purpose CPU used for digital signal processing applications (see definition #2 below). It provides ultra-fast instruction sequences, such as shift and add, and multiply and add, which are commonly used in math-intensive , algorithms and firmware. The company's products, sold under its own name and the Crystal product brand, enable high-volume applications in mass storage, communications, consumer electronics and industrial markets. Additional information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com. Note to editors: Cirrus Logic and Crystal are registered trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders. |
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