3DsoundSurge Press Release: Analog Devices Announces Industry's First Single-Chip Decoder for THX(R) Surround EX(TM), DTS(R)-ES Extended Surround(TM) and Dolby(R) Digital

Analog Devices Announces Industry's First Single-Chip Decoder for THX(R) Surround EX(TM), DTS(R)-ES Extended Surround(TM) and Dolby(R) Digital

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI) today announced the industry's first single-chip decoder/post-processor for THX® Surround EX(TM), DTS®-ES Extended Surround(TM) and Dolby® Digital. The new Melody(TM) decoder post-processes THX Surround EX on the same chip as it decodes either DTS or Dolby Digital. The Melody decoder/post-processor is based on a 32-bit programmable SHARC® DSP. As part of the Melody family, the new decoder will enable future A/V receivers, PC audio cards and set-top boxes to process-in the same product-all of the leading audio algorithms: THX and THX Surround EX, DTS®, Dolby Digital, Dolby Headphone and Dolby® Pro Logic®, HDCD®, MPEG1 Audio Layers 1, 2 and 3 (MP3), MPEG2, Surround Sound and Stereo. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000501/ADILOGO )

``The availability of a single chip for these technologies means that more consumers will be able to enjoy the benefits they deliver,'' said Mark Paddack, sales and licensing manager, the THX Group of Lucasfilm Ltd. ``We're especially pleased that this development will broaden the market for THX Surround EX, making it easier than ever for people to take full advantage of THX Surround EX soundtracks.''

``The Melody single-chip THX Surround EX/DTS-ES Extended Surround/Dolby Digital decoder/post processor reduces the cost of designing and manufacturing an audio product - be it an A/V receiver, audio pre-processor, set-top box or high-end PC add-on card-by decoding these algorithms on a single chip,'' said Mike Haidar, general manager, Software & Systems Technology Division, Analog Devices. ``Our programmable, 32-bit decoder will be the choice for THX Surround EX, since it also simultaneously decodes both of the leading digital audio encoding formats. We designed our Melody decoders to be flexible, in response to the rapidly evolving nature of the audio market, so that every new standard does not require a redesign, can be field-upgradeable to handle future audio technologies, and our customers can future proof their product designs.''

Shipments of the Melody single-chip THX Surround EX decoder begin in 30 days.

About THX Surround EX

THX Surround EX is a home theatre application of the cinema surround technology that made its theatrical debut with the opening of Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace. THX Surround EX is an enhancement to digital sound that decodes a back surround channel in a film soundtrack, enabling dramatic 360. surround sound effects that are smoother and more accurately placed either directly behind or directly beside a viewer.

THX Surround EX integrates with all bass management scenarios, enhancing bass performance. THX Surround EX is backward compatible, handling any Digital 5.1 source in both theatre (Dolby Digital Surround EX) and home (THX Surround EX) versions.

About the THX Group of Lucasfilm Ltd.

The THX Group of Lucasfilm Ltd. is dedicated to achieving superior presentation quality in theatres and homes through its unique certification program and services. Home THX enables consumers to replicate the cinema experience at home through Certified THX home theatre and multimedia products available from leading audio/video and PC manufacturers. For more information, visit www.thx.com.

About Analog Devices

With $1.8 billion in revenues for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2000, Analog Devices is a leading manufacturer of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. Headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, the company employs approximately 8,600 people worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, the Philippines and Taiwan. Analog Devices' stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the company is included in the S&P 500 Index.

Note: SHARC is a registered trademark and Melody is a trademark of Analog Devices, Inc.

DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

``Dolby,'' the double-D symbols and ``Pro Logic'' are registered trademarks and Surround EX is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories

HDCD is a registered trademark of Pacific Microsonics, Inc. Analog Devices, Inc.

     Analog Devices, Inc.
     Two Technology Way
     Norwood, MA  02062
     Tel: 781/461-3732
     Fax: 781/461-4291
     Email:  systems.solutions@analog.com

SOURCE: Analog Devices