Cirrus Logic Announces Multichannel Surround Sound Audio DSP with Dolby Volume Technology

Cirrus Logic Announces Multichannel Surround Sound Audio DSP with Dolby Volume Technology

Cirrus Logic is the First Company to Offer Stereo, Multichannel Audio DSPs Featuring Dolby Volume For a Full Variety of Consumer Home Theater Applications

DENVER – Custom Electronic Design Installers Association (CEDIA) EXPO – Sept. 5, 2008 – Delivering a solution that tames loud commercials and elevates the TV listening experience, Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq: CRUS) has launched the CS49DV8 audio DSP featuring Dolby® Volume technology.

The CS49DV8 is an eight-channel, dual-core, 32-bit audio DSP with Dolby Volume technology that allows consumers to set their audio volume at their preferred listening level – and have it stay that way. Targeting multichannel surround sound applications such as audio/video receivers, home theater-in-a-box applications, and speaker bars, the CS49DV8 additionally offers a wide variety of audio post processing capabilities, such as bass management, parametric equalization, bass and tone control, multizone generation and a multitude of additional third-party post-processing algorithms from companies such as Dolby, THX, SRS Labs and DTS.

“Variable volume levels in broadcast television, such as blaringly loud commercials, are a huge consumer complaint – so big in fact that the U.S. Congress has even recently introduced legislation that attempts to mandate a solution,” said Terry Ritchie, DSP marketing director, Cirrus Logic. “Cirrus Logic is the only company to recognize the future demand for technical solutions to this problem and subsequently offer a full complement of stereo and multichannel audio DSPs featuring Dolby Volume. Solving the problem of volume level inconsistency presents a large market opportunity that CE manufacturers are now realizing that they can benefit from.”

Dolby Volume is a breakthrough technology that eliminates consumer frustrations with continually variable volume levels. Dolby Volume technology enables consistent volume levels from broadcast television content, such as overly loud commercials or while switching channels. This breakthrough technology allows listeners to set their preferred listening level and have it stay that way, regardless of the source or content—for example, portable media players and DVD/Blu-ray Disc® players.

The foundation of Dolby Volume technology is a sound processing engine that applies decades of Dolby research into how humans actually perceive and process sound. While other products have attempted to address inconsistent volume in the past, Dolby Volume technology is an innovative solution to the problem and represents a more sophisticated approach built around the way people hear.

Dolby Volume technology is comprised of two powerful volume control technologies: Volume Modeler and Volume Leveler. Volume Modeler continually analyzes and modifies the audio depending on both the content and playback level, restoring the sound to its reference playback level. The result is improved imaging, intelligibility and audibility of the audio content. The Leveler continually measures the perceptual loudness of audio content and applies multiband gain modifications using its perceptual processing engine. This allows audio from multiple sources to have the same perceived loudness level.

Availability

The CS49DV8, which is currently in volume production, is available in a 128-pin LQFP package and is priced at $7.34 in volumes of 100,000. Evaluation kits for both ICs are available.

Cirrus Logic Inc.

Cirrus Logic develops high-precision, analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for a broad range of consumer and industrial markets. Building on its diverse analog and signal-processing patent portfolio, Cirrus Logic delivers highly optimized products for consumer and commercial audio, automotive entertainment, and industrial and aerospace applications. The company operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, with offices in Tucson, Ariz., Europe, Japan and Asia.

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