Cirrus Logic USB-DVR 3.0 Reference Design Converts Analog and Digital Video Into MPEG-2 Video for Instant DVD Burning.

HONG KONG -- On-Chip Support for Direct Digital Video Input From Digital Camcorder Reduces System Costs

Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) has unveiled its USB-DVR 3.0 reference design that allows products to create real-time, DVD-ready compressed digital video from both analog and digital video sources, such as VCRs and analog and digital camcorders. This reference design provides OEMs a high-quality, cost-reduced hardware/software platform which, when connected via USB to a PC, enables digital recording, editing and archiving of personal audio and video content that's ready to be burned to a DVD disc using the PC's DVD recorder drive.

With its digital video input support, the USB-DVR 3.0 reference design allows consumers to convert both analog and digital video content into high-quality MPEG-2-based compressed digital video. Previously, support for digital video input mandated the use of a daughter card, which required both larger product designs and higher costs. By integrating the digital video input onto a single card, Cirrus Logic's USB-DVR 3.0 reference design allows for smaller product designs and reduced costs.

Because it operates in PC-peripheral products, the USB-DVR 3.0 reference design renders high-quality, compressed digital video and audio without monopolizing the bulk of the PC's processing power. Comparatively, encoding video on a PC is a much longer process which often causes video/audio synchronization problems and places heavy demands on the processor's ability to perform other functions.

"Through high levels of IC component integration, this new complete reference design enables our customers to continue to drive down retail costs in the growing PC recording market," said Jack Guedj, vice president of Video Products Marketing, Cirrus Logic. "Our embedded digital video input provides consumers with the ability to preserve digital quality content. Best of all, this dedicated hardware approach is significantly less expensive than upgrading to a PC with the more than 3 GHz of processing power required to adequately perform the digital conversion and compression using software encoding."

Cirrus Logic's USB-DVR 3.0 reference design converts analog and uncompressed digital video into MPEG-2-based digital video in real time with very limited PC processing power. Performing the real-time encoding is Cirrus Logic's workhorse CS92688 MPEG encoder. Cirrus Logic's analog converter ICs, the CS4245 audio codec or CS5345 analog-to-digital converter are also featured in the reference design, as well as Direct Show 9 driver software, which makes it easier for third-party software developers to create support features for USB-DVR products.

Cirrus Logic's USB-DVR customers include market leaders such as ADS Technologies and Pinnacle Systems, with their popular DVDXpress and Studio Moviebox USB Version 9 products, respectively.

Pricing and Availability

The USB-DVR 3.0 reference design is priced at $16.00 in quantities of 100,000.

Cirrus Logic Inc.

Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high-performance analog, mixed-signal and digital processing solutions for consumer entertainment electronics, automotive entertainment and industrial product applications. Building on its global market leadership in audio ICs and its rich mixed-signal patent portfolio, Cirrus Logic targets audio, video and precision mixed-signal applications in these growing markets. The company operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, with offices in California, Colorado, Europe, Japan and Asia. More information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

Cirrus Logic and Cirrus are trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.