Micronas First To Bring BBE Digital Sound To Convergence Market (0201)
Reverse Convergence
SAN JOSE, Calif. - January 8, 2002 - At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Micronas announced that it will be the world's first to integrate BBE Sound Inc.'s (BBE) High Definition Sound technology into the USB audio environment. The BBE sound processing algorithms will significantly enhance the listening experience of digital music in multimedia applications such as PCs and set-top boxes.
The announcement comes shortly after achieving broad market acceptance through the utilization of BBE technology in Micronas' multi-standard sound processors (MSP) for high-end to mid-range TV sets. BBE was one of the driving factors for the world leadership of the MSP product family with market shares of 50 to 80 percent in many parts of the world.
Until today, it was mainly the consumer industry to pick up impulses from the multimedia world. By adopting successful CE features for multimedia applications, Micronas is now taking the lead in what may be called "reverse convergence".
"BBE is a must-have feature in today's home stereo systems, so all consumer electronics giants are offering it in their high-end product lines," said Kai Scheffer, Micronas' director of marketing for PC peripherals. "Our goal is to utilize our reputation as a technology leader combined with BBE's track record in consumer electronics to promote this feature in the convergence market."
Micronas has a unique advantage with its ability to digitally integrate BBE technology into their devices at a third of the cost of current solutions, which require a separate analog chip for implementing the technology. Additionally, Micronas' complete digital implementation of this technology will generate a much higher quality of sound than any analog solution.
The BBE technology will be featured in the UAC 355xB/E, Micronas' family of highly integrated USB audio controllers. The DSP chip is designed as the ideal connecting matrix between USB, analog and digital audio input and output and traditional home entertainment systems.
"The highly cost efficient integration capability and brand recognition of BBE will drive consumers' buy decision for USB-enabled audio products such as headsets, speakers, home stereos and set-top boxes," Scheffer concluded.