News & Analysis
Comment
Frank Eory
CSR has made some interesting moves in the last year or so and I am curious to ...
goafrit
CSR certainly knows how to find value. The Map-X audio product line is the only ...
CSR buys Trident's audio processor line
Dylan McGrath
6/6/2012 1:06 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO—Wireless and audio chip vendor CSR plc said Wednesday (June 6) it acquired the Map-X audio product line from bankrupt U.S. chip vendor Trident Microsystems Inc.
CSR (London) did not disclose the purchase price. The company said the acquisition would allow it to build on its existing audio platform, enabling customers to more easily develop high performance home audio consumer electronics products.
Trident (Sunnyvale, Calif.) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January.
The Map-X processor is designed to deliver HD audio decoding and internet audio streaming for next generation home audio, AV receivers and soundbars. Integration of the Map-X technology into soundbars and network speakers will also dramatically improve upon the sound quality currently delivered by integrated TV speakers CSR said.
"In today’s marketplace TVs are getting thinner and visual quality is delivered in high definition at ever improving levels of quality and richness, but audio from integrated TV speakers cannot keep pace," said Anthony Murray, senior vice president of CSR's home business unit, in a statement. "Coupled with this, consumer expectations are on the rise and individuals are demanding high definition, more immersive audio to match the high quality visual experience."
CSR (London) did not disclose the purchase price. The company said the acquisition would allow it to build on its existing audio platform, enabling customers to more easily develop high performance home audio consumer electronics products.
Trident (Sunnyvale, Calif.) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January.
The Map-X processor is designed to deliver HD audio decoding and internet audio streaming for next generation home audio, AV receivers and soundbars. Integration of the Map-X technology into soundbars and network speakers will also dramatically improve upon the sound quality currently delivered by integrated TV speakers CSR said.
"In today’s marketplace TVs are getting thinner and visual quality is delivered in high definition at ever improving levels of quality and richness, but audio from integrated TV speakers cannot keep pace," said Anthony Murray, senior vice president of CSR's home business unit, in a statement. "Coupled with this, consumer expectations are on the rise and individuals are demanding high definition, more immersive audio to match the high quality visual experience."
|
|
|
|
|
Navigate to related information
Rick_Hille
6/6/2012 2:08 PM EDT
The quote from Anthony Murray is interesting. Does CSR have some statistical data on consumer purchase habits of HD TV's? Maybe I'm missing something, but I would have thought the use of built-in speakers on large screen HD TVs would be on a steep decline as most HD sets are marketed along with external home theatre sound systems. It wouldn't surprize me if TV makers move to a "package deal" philosophy and get rid of internal speakers altogether in their large HD sets.
Sign in to Reply
goafrit
6/6/2012 6:17 PM EDT
CSR certainly knows how to find value. The Map-X audio product line is the only valuable part of Trident even before bankruptcy. Audio especially in vehicles is a growth business.
Sign in to Reply
Frank Eory
6/7/2012 8:01 PM EDT
CSR has made some interesting moves in the last year or so and I am curious to see what new directions they move in with some of their newly acquired IP.
Sign in to Reply