SigmaTel Delivers Sound Technology for Sony VAIO(R) Desktop PCs; New Sound Reality(TM) Technology Puts Professional Quality Sound Capabilities in the Hands of Consumers.AUSTIN, Texas -- When consumers turn on the new Sony VAIO (Video Audio Integrated Operation) Sony's trade name for its desktop and laptop PCs. In mid-1998, Sony introduced its 505G series of subnotebooks that were the first in ultra-thin Pentium portables. (R) desktop PCs to watch a movie, play music or compose a song, they'll be experiencing professional theater quality sound based on the new Sound Reality(TM) processor, which features technology from SigmaTel, 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 :SGTL SGTL Silicon Graphics Teaching Laboratory ). SigmaTel, a global leader in analog intensive, mixed-signal integrated circuits for the digital multimedia consumer electronics and computing markets, is a champion of putting professional quality audio capabilities in the hands of everyday consumers. The Sound Reality technology is a combination of SigmaTel's theater quality 8-channel High Definition Audio codec and Sony's DSD (Direct Stream Digital) See SACD. technology, offering consumers a professional audio quality experience not found on today's conventional PCs. "SigmaTel and Sony worked together to develop the Sound Reality processor for the new VAIO desktop PC family, opening up the world of professional sound creation to mainstream consumers," said Ron Edgerton, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of SigmaTel. "Soon, the line between professional and at-home users could blur to the point where one is indistinguishable from the other." Powered by SigmaTel's 8-channel High Definition Audio codec, multimedia PCs like Sony's new VAIO PC Type R, Type H and Type V models introduced for the Japanese market last month and the VAIO RC series and selected models in the RB series now available in the US, provide music enthusiasts and home studio users with the world's first consumer PC audio chip capable of recording and playback in the Sony DSD format; the codec (1) (enCOder/DECoder) A hardware circuit that performs analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion. When analog signals are entered into a computer, cellphone or other device via a microphone or video source such as VHS tape or analog TV, used in Super Audio CDs. Additionally, these new PCs are compatible with the new Intel High Definition Audio Intel High Definition Audio (IHD or "Azalia") refers to the specification released by Intel in 2004 for delivering high-definition audio that is capable of playing back more channels at higher quality than previous integrated audio codecs like AC97. standard providing compatibility with any Windows-compatible software. Sony worked with SigmaTel to create a system that maintains a very high signal-to-noise ratio The ratio of the power or volume (amplitude) of a signal to the amount of unwanted interference (the noise) that has mixed in with it. Measured in decibels, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR or S/N) measures the clarity of the signal in a circuit or a wired or wireless transmission channel. (SNR See signal-to-noise ratio. SNR - signal-to-noise ratio ), a measure of signal strength relative to background noise. The new Sony VAIO PC family far exceeds the sound quality of conventional PC sound processors with an average SNR of 107 dB. To get the most out of the Sound Reality technology, Sony engineers reduced electronic noise within the PC, dramatically reducing the noise generated during the sound transfer process improving total sound quality. Additionally, the Steinberg, AG Audio Stream Input/Output Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) is a computer protocol for digital audio specified by Steinberg, providing a low-latency and high fidelity interface between a software application and a computer's sound card. (ASIO(TM)) API provides compatibility with high-end Digital Audio Workstation A digital audio workstation (DAW) is a system designed to record, edit and play back digital audio. A key feature of DAWs is the ability to freely manipulate recorded sounds, much like a word processor manipulates typed words. (DAW) and audio editing software. ASIO technology, which was previously only available to professionals in high-end studio equipment, makes it possible for consumers to take advantage of professional sound creation and editing capabilities at competitive, mass-market prices. About SigmaTel: SigmaTel, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company A fabless semiconductor company specializes in the design and sale of hardware devices implemented on semiconductor chips. It achieves an advantage by outsourcing the fabrication of the devices to a specialized semiconductor manufacturer called a semiconductor foundry or "fab. headquartered in Austin, Texas, designs, develops, and markets proprietary, analog intensive, mixed-signal ICs for a variety of products in the consumer electronics and computing markets, including portable compressed audio players, such as MP3 players, notebook and desktop PCs, digital video cameras, multi-functional peripheral products, digital televisions, and set-top boxes. SigmaTel provides complete, system-level solutions that include highly-integrated ICs, customizable firmware and software, software development tools, reference designs, and applications support. The Company's focus is on providing system-level solutions that enable customers to rapidly introduce and offer electronic products that are small, light-weight, power-efficient, reliable, and cost-effective. SigmaTel is ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 9001:2000 certified and is committed to providing customers with high performance, quality products along with superior customer service. Readers may obtain investment information from the company's investor relations Investor relations The process by which the corporation communicates with its investors. department at 512-381-3931, by sending email to investor.relations@sigmatel.com, or on the Web at www.sigmatel.com/investor.relations. For product information, please visit www.sigmatel.com. Cautionary Language: This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current SigmaTel expectations. The words "expect," "will," "should," "would," "anticipate," "project," "outlook," "believe," "intend," and similar phrases as they relate to SigmaTel or future events are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views and assumptions of SigmaTel, but are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, and there will be events in the future that SigmaTel is not able to accurately predict or control. For a discussion of factors that could impact SigmaTel's financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, please refer to recent SigmaTel filings with the SEC, particularly the Form 10-K that was filed on February 8, 2005 and the Form 10-Qs that was filed on April 19, 2005 and August 9, 2005. SigmaTel is a registered trademark of SigmaTel. VAIO, Sound Reality, DSD and their logos are trademarks of Sony Corporation. ASIO is a trademark of Steinberg, AG. All other products and brand names as they appear in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. All specifications may be changed without notice. |
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