Micronas Boosts TV Sound Quality With Dolby Pro Logic II Single-Chip Processor (0315)

Multistandard Sound Processors Now Include Latest Surround Sound Decoding Technology in TV

Freiburg, Germany -July 15, 2003- Micronas, a leading supplier of innovative application-specific IC system solutions for consumer electronics, multimedia and automotive electronics, introduced the first single-chip TV Audio processor with integrated Dolby Pro Logic® II decoding that significantly reduces both cost and development time. Part of a new MSP 44x2K product family, the chips are fully compatible with all other Micronas MSP product families and enable the manufacturer to re-use previously designed software and hardware.

The MSP 44x2K family is an evolution of the successful series of multistandard sound processors (MSP family), which Micronas designed to process all TV Audio standards worldwide. Like the preceding MSP 44x0G, the MSP 44x2K performs all TV Audio baseband processing, operating with a sample rate of 48 kHz. This means that the listener can now receive TV Audio in stereo system audio quality.

"The integration of Dolby Pro Logic II is a further example that Micronas continues to set benchmarks in the TV world," said Stefan Hepp, director marketing consumer audio at Micronas. "Our new devices consistently target our customers' ability to meet consumers' demand for TV sets with higher audio quality. With this particular introduction, our customers, the TV manufacturers, can also realize state-of-the-art surround sound much more cost-effectively. This in turn further expands Micronas' leading position in the TV Audio market."

In addition to significant cost reductions based on higher integration levels, the MSP 44x2K also takes over audio controlling tasks, reducing the demands on the TV system controller. System manufacturers can therefore deploy simpler and cheaper controllers, further reducing the cost of the TV hardware.

Micronas initially established Virtual Dolby Surround as the de facto standard three years ago. Virtual Dolby Surround allows a three-dimensional sound experience via two loudspeakers by using a virtualizer to reduce the number of playback channels. The sound quality is significantly improved by using Dolby Pro Logic II as the decoder matrix for Virtual Dolby Surround. Pro Logic II provides stereo, full bandwidth surround channels, as well as improved matrix decoder logic.

The stereo decoding according to the desired regional TV Audio standard is done in the demodulator block. This operating block also receives FM radio, especially useful for secondary TVs in the game room or kitchen. The second large operating block integrated on the MSP 44x2K processors manages the complete TV Audio baseband processing, e.g. volume control, graphic equalizer, bass, treble and TV-specific audio enhancement technologies.

Together with the integrated circuits (ICs), Micronas supplies a range of proprietary sound improvements which come at no extra charge. These include Micronas BASS and Micronas AROUND. Micronas BASS technology enhances base response even with low-cost loudspeakers. Micronas AROUND delivers multi-channel surround sound via four or five loudspeakers as well as virtual surround via two loudspeakers.

To improve the intelligibility of human voices in TV playback, Micronas licenses its Micronas VOICE speech improvement technology.

The third class includes sound improvements of third-party suppliers. Micronas licensed the technologies of well-known companies like BBE, Dolby, Spatializer and SRS and integrated them into its TV Audio processors. The extensive list of third-party IP underlines the Micronas' strategy to offer the customer one-stop shopping for the complete portfolio of audio features.

Price & Availability

Members of the MSP 44x2K product family come in a variety of QFP and PSDIP packages and will be available in Q3, 2003. Cost in volumes will range from US$ 10.00 to 14.50, depending on IC, feature set and package type.

About Dolby Pro Logic II

Dolby Pro Logic II technology provides full-bandwidth, five-channel sound for applications ranging from home cinema systems to PC audio, game consoles, and in-car entertainment devices. Dolby Pro Logic II incorporates recent advances in matrixed surround decoding to achieve better channel separation than previously possible. Broadcasters and content creators can use Dolby Pro Logic II technology to provide a surround sound experience for viewers of stereo TV services with no change to the broadcast delivery infrastructure. For game developers, Dolby Pro Logic II allows next-generation game consoles to deliver five-channel sound with virtually no cost to the host CPU.

Dolby Pro Logic II is also fully backward-compatible with Dolby Surround Pro Logic technology, and can optimally decode the thousands of commercially available Dolby Surround movies and television shows with enhanced surround spatiality. In addition, Dolby Pro Logic II converts any high-quality stereo programming, especially music, into a natural, immersing surround sound experience.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories is the developer of signal processing systems used worldwide in applications that include motion picture sound, consumer entertainment products and media, broadcasting, and music recording. Based in San Francisco with European headquarters in England, the privately held company also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.