Only
Chip to Support MLP Requirement, Dolby Digital, DTS, & MPEG; Delivers 192KHz,
Studio-Quality Audio
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1999-- Targeting
the DVD player market with its high-quality programmable audio solutions, Cirrus Logic
Inc. today introduced a unique DVD audio decoder chip that enables a new category of
"universal" DVD players.
Designed for the newly emerging DVD players that provide
both the highest-quality audio and video playback, the new Crystal® CS49300 audio decoder
delivers high-resolution, "reference-grade" audio output -- at up to192KHz! The result
is studio-quality audio reproduction and an exciting DVD audio experience.
As the only chip now available that supports the mandatory
Meridian Lossless Packing (MLP) audio compression standard, the CS49300 is also unique in
its support of all leading DVD movie formats. For manufacturers of both home and
professional DVD players, the CS49300 offers a multi-format, single-chip solution that
meets the MLP requirement for DVD audio players, as well as consumer expectations for
transparent, universal DVD movie compatibility.
In addition to supporting the MLP audio format -- the new
lossless coding system for high quality digital audio -- the CS49300 will support all of
the popular DVD movie audio types: Multi-channel pulse code modulation (PCM), MPEG, Dolby
Digital® and DTS.
With support for multiple formats, the CS49300 prevents
media compatibility conflicts for consumers, so that regardless of DVD media type,
consumers can rely on audio playback in the Crystal-enabled DVD player. As a result, the
CS49300 enables OEMs to extend the DVD player market beyond movie playback to studio
quality music.
Building on Crystal audio DSP leadership, the CS49300 is
the first component in a new family of multi-channel audio decoders targeted at digital
television, broadcast set-top boxes, audio video receiver amplifiers and emerging DVD
player applications. The programmable architecture of Crystal audio DSPs provides a
distinct advantage in being able to support new standards as they emerge.
Unique Professional Quality, Multi-Standard Support
DVD players today utilize combination audio/video
processors that are tuned for supreme video performance and user interactivity, but
provide at best marginally acceptable audio quality. While these combination DVD
processors support user controls such as video fast-forward, they do not deliver the full
potential of DVD audio quality.
In addition, because the combination decoders typically
support audio via a hard-wired, gate-level implementation, these chips do not have the
programming flexibility to supply multi-standard audio decompression.
"At the price they're going to be paying, early adopter
consumers are not going to be satisfied with a second-rate audio reproduction," said
Terry Ritchie, vice president of Crystal Consumer Audio Products at Cirrus Logic.
"Components like the CS49300 enable our customers to deliver the highest possible audio
quality at mass merchandise price points, no matter what the audio coding standard."
Quality Sound
To ensure the highest possible fidelity, the CS49300 is
capable of sample rates up to 192 KHz and has full 24-bit output resolution, resulting in
near-perfect audio reproduction. This compares to sample rates of 44.1KHz for CD-audio,
48KHz for DVD movies and 96KHz for DVD PCM, and far exceeds the capabilities of analog
recording media.
With eight output channels, the chip can support 5.1, 6.1
and 7.1 channel output configurations needed to support Dolby/THX surround EX®, or dual
zone home theater systems. The device is also capable of supporting robust bass manager
modes in accordance with Dolby Labs system requirements and various end user speaker
configurations.
More On-Chip Memory
The chip's 0.24 micron geometry has made it possible to
incorporate significantly more on-chip memory than competitors, so that the required DTS
64-Kbyte tables can be on-chip, rather than in costly external memory. Increased ROM also
eliminates the need to download the AC-3 and DTS program files. (Alternative or updated
decoder programs can still be downloaded if needed with the 8K x 24 internal program RAM.)
Additional data memory also enables all-channel speaker
delays for DTS, AC-3 and THX. These delays are essential for room synchronization -- the
timing of audio events from multiple speakers so that they reach the ears of the end user
simultaneously.
Pin and Firmware Compatible With Predecessors
The CS49300 is implemented in a space saving 44-pin PLCC
package that is pin-compatible with its Crystal predecessors, the CS492x series
(4923/24/25/26/27/29). In addition, its firmware is a superset of the existing firmware,
which means that it is extremely easy for customers to transition to the new higher
performance platform.
Packaging, Price and Availability
The CS49300 is offered at a unit cost of $15.00 (US) in
quantities of 10,000 units. Samples are available immediately, with production quantities
available in third quarter of 1999.
Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high-performance
analog circuits and advanced mixed-signal chip solutions. The company's products, sold
under its own name and the Crystal product brand, enable system-level applications in mass
storage, audio and precision data conversion. Additional information about Cirrus Logic is
available at
www.cirrus.com
.
Note to Editors: Cirrus Logic is a registered trademark of
Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their
respective holders.
Contact:
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
Anne Carr, 510/226-2374
[email protected]
or
UpStart Communications
Rick Myllenbeck, 510/420-7985
[email protected]
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