Crystal Semiconductor announces PC industry's first PCI-compliant 3D audio accelerator to integrate Dolby AC-3; DSP-based accelerator, first in a family of advanced processors to support next generation multimedia PCs.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 1997--Crystal Semiconductor Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS), today introduced the CS4610 high-performance PCI audio accelerator the first in a new DSP-based family of advanced audio processors for next generation multimedia PCs.

With its innovative 300 MIPS architecture, sophisticated DMA engine and highly-efficient PCI interface, the CS4610 is the industry's first single-chip solution to integrate Dolby AC-3 hardware acceleration.

The high performance and exceptional quality offered by the CS4610 are immediately accessible to a broad range of applications thanks to Crystal's application and driver software support, which accelerates the Microsoft DirectSound, DirectSound3D and ActiveMovie APIs by providing mixing, wavetable synthesis, 3D positioning, and Dolby AC-3 decoding.

Crystal's advanced chip takes direct aim at next generation consumer PC applications, such as advanced 3D gaming and DVD content playback, now being designed into systems for the 1997 Christmas season.

According to Jim Moore, vice president and general manager of Crystal's computer products division, "There is a new wave of content for consumer PCs being driven by DVD and high-performance, full featured 3D games including 3D sound.

"Our years of expertise developing technology that brings audiophile quality and performance to the PC space uniquely positions us to address these advanced applications. Indeed, today's announcement lays the foundation for what we believe will be mainstream for the next generation of PC audio."

The CS4610 is the first PC audio accelerator chip to directly implement AC-3 decoding, another industry breakthrough. AC-3 produces six independent channels of audio for six speaker playback: front-left, front-right, center, rear-left, rear-right and subwoofer. Since most PC systems come with only two speakers, and possibly a subwoofer, additional processing using Crystal 3D positioning gives the effect of a multi-speaker playback system on two speakers.

As a result, integrated AC-3 decoding, with the ability to convert the six channels for two-speaker operation, provides PC users with the best possible playback quality and 3D sound on their systems. Moreover, the ability to perform multiple sophisticated processing functions such as these, at DVD audio data rates, enhances the audio quality of both MMX and non-MMX PCs.

The CS4610 is designed to work in conjunction with existing legacy hardware and software support, as well as Intel's AC97 standard for PC audio solutions, and will enable an unmatched multimedia audio experience for PC users.

High Performance, Efficient Architecture

The CS4610's programmable DSP architecture lets OEMs provide specific features and scalability not found in today's fixed-function solutions. The concurrency capability allows functions typically found in multiple hardware devices to be provided by a single chip. As an example, wavetable synthesis, AC-3 decoding and 3D positioning might require three different ICs where a single CS4610 can perform all of these functions.

OEMs are now able to address important new and evolving standards at the lowest possible cost. Furthermore, the CS4610's DSP allows for future expansion with features such as audio effects processing and audio conferencing.

In addition to its innovative DSP core, the CS4610 integrates a highly-efficient PCI design and sophisticated DMA engine that lowers host CPU overhead and system bus-bandwidth requirements.

Specifically, the CS4610 reduces the host CPU software overhead required to manage the myriad of audio streams new content will provide in future multimedia PCs. Accordingly, OEMs integrating advanced audio capability into next generation designs can optimize system performance in support of emerging multimedia applications.

Pricing/Availability

The CS4610 is currently sampling with production quantities set for Q3 1997. The device is available in one of the industry's smallest packages, a 100-pin MQFP, and is priced at $22 in 10K quantities.

Crystal Semiconductor, headquartered in Austin, designs, manufactures and markets advanced mixed signal and digital integrated circuit solutions for applications in PC multimedia, wide area communications, LAN communications, consumer audio, DBS Set-Tops, DVD, data conversion and signal acquisition markets. Crystal is an active member of the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA) and the Interactive Audio Special Interest Group (IASIG).

Cirrus Logic is a leading manufacturer of advanced integrated circuits for the desktop and portable computing, telecommunications and consumer electronics markets. The company applies its system-level expertise in digital and analog design to innovate highly integrated, software-rich solutions.

Additional information about Cirrus Logic and its subsidiaries can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.cirrus.com/ or via fax-on-demand at 800/359-6414 (dial 510/249-4200 from outside the United States). -0-

Note to Editors: For more information regarding the CS4610 and other computer audio codec products, contact Crystal Semiconductor Corporation, 4210 S. Industrial Drive, Austin, Texas 78744; Telephone [phone] or 800/888-5016; Fax [phone]; WWW http://www.crystal.com .

All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Crystal Semiconductor Corp.

Jo-Dee Benson, 512/912-3823 (Editorial)

Brad Fluke, 512/912-3244 (Reader)

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Tsantes & Associates

Nancy Sheffield, 408/452-8700