3DsoundSurge Press Release: Aureal Delivers New Audio Processor With Motorola Soft Modem Support

Aureal Delivers New Audio Processor With Motorola Soft Modem Support

Aureal Delivers New Audio Processor With Motorola Soft Modem Support New Vortex AU8810 Audio Processor Reduces Cost of Building PC'99 Compliant Systems Through Integrated Audio and Modem Capabilities

Fremont, CA April 6, 1999 (AURL: OTC Bulletin Board) Aureal Semiconductor Inc., leaders in digital audio imaging, today announced the availability of the Vortex® AU8810 audio processor, a new digital audio accelerator for desktop and notebook PCs. The AU8810 is the latest addition to Aureal's award-winning line of Vortex audio processors, with support for Aureal's A3DTM positional audio standard. The new chip is a low-cost audio solution designed for the building of PC'99 compliant systems through the integration of audio and modem capabilities.

"The introduction of the 8810 processor is a key step towards enabling system designers seeking to provide both performance audio and low cost to their customers," said Chet Dayal, Aureal's Director of Marketing. "In the past, the concepts of performance and low-cost have been mutually exclusive. By offering an inexpensive part that can integrate both audio and communications functionality, we're helping to change that."

About Vortex AU8810

Employing Aureal's Vortex architecture, the AU8810 offers a professional quality PC audio system that combines A3D and DirectSound acceleration with complete legacy compatibility. The AU8810 is ideal for cost-sensitive motherboard applications while still providing advanced features not found in alternative audio solutions. Aggressive power management techniques as well as support for two separate AC'97 CODECs make the AU8810 well suited for notebook
applications.

Vortex AU8810 Features:

·       PCI 2.2 compliant
·       Advanced Power Management (APM/ACPI Support)
·       AC'97 2.1 interface w/ docking support
·       16 channels of scatter/gather DMA
·       16 channels of high quality sample rate conversion
·       32x16 channel digital mixer
·       Sound Blaster and Sound Blaster Pro emulation
·       Standard analog joystick interface with digital DirectInput mode
·       MPU-401 compatible UART
·       Hardware volume controls
·       Soft modem hardware acceleration
·       S/P DIF output (allows standard interface to consumer electronics)
·       MMX-accelerated A3D Interactive HRTF and SoftSynth wavetable audio
·       3.3V operation, 5V compatible
·       Low power operation: 1.5mW (450 A) static; 500mW (150 mA) dynamic
·       100 pin PQFP or TQFP package options
·       PC99 compliant and WHQL certified
·       Drivers for W95, W98, NT4.0, NT5.0

Vortex Dataflow Architecture:

The AU8810 audio processor is based on the Vortex scaleable architecture. The backbone of this highly efficient approach is a dataflow bus capable of handling over 100 streams of audio at 50Mb/s. This internal data path is fed by a high performance DMA engine that takes full advantage of PCI bus mastering capabilities. Each of the 16 DMA channels implements a scatter/gather table which eliminates performance impacts due to system and bus latencies.

Sample Rate Converter:

The AU8810 sample rate converter handles 16 independent
audio streams at ratios ranging from 8:1 to 1:8. The converter can automatically track the conversion ratio between two independent sample rates or can convert to a fixed frequency locking to either its input or output.

Digital Mixer:

The AU8810 digital mixer provides 16 independent mixes from each of its 32 separate inputs for maximum flexibility. Each input and output utilizes a programmable gain. Hardware smoothing enhances fidelity when processing large instantaneous volume changes.

Legacy Support:

Aureal has surmounted this common stumbling block by providing full Sound Blaster and Sound Blaster Pro emulation including OPL2/3 FM synthesis. In addition, the industry standard MPU-401 UART and joystick are both supported. All legacy compatibility operates in real-mode DOS as well as
multiple MS-DOS boxes. This unique approach requires no sideband signals, has no system configuration restrictions and is chip set independent.

Power Management:

Fully compliant with the PCI Bus Power Management Interface
Specification (PPMI), the AU8810 provides very low static power dissipation. In addition to aggressive internal power management, the AU8810 fully supports AC'97 low power operation. Wake events are conveyed via PME# from all power
states including D3cold when 3.3Vaux is supplied.

Telephony Support:

A hardware accelerated soft modem approach reduces total
system cost as well as provides high reliability in the most demanding of applications. PC99 compliant telephony including D3cold wake is provided via the AC'97 interface. Both integrated AMC'97 as well as separate MC'97 CODECs
are supported.

Notebook Features:

The AU8810 readily supports notebook applications by
providing necessary features such as PCI CLKRUN# support, dual AC'97 CODEC operation, hardware volume control, low static power consumption, and aggressive power management techniques.

About Aureal Semiconductor

Aureal is a leading provider of advanced audio solutions for the computer, consumer, entertainment and professional audio markets. The company designs, builds and distributes advanced audio semiconductor and software solutions for personal computers and consumer electronics devices through the OEM,
integrator/reseller/VAR and direct-to-customer channels. Aureal also licenses technology designed to define and improve advanced audio standards in the marketplace.

Leading industry partners include Compaq Computer Corporation, Dell Computer Corporation, Sony Electronics and Diamond Multimedia Systems. Aureal's award-winning product line includes A3D positional audio technology, Vortex audio processors and Vortex-based sound cards, and A3D Pro sound design software. For more information on Aureal Semiconductor or its products and industry leading audio technologies, please visit our Websites at www.aureal.com and www.a3d.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, dependence on the PC and consumer electronics
industries and on product lines based on new technologies; foundry capacity, availability and reliability; competition and pricing pressures; and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.