Austin, Texas-based Cirrus Logic, for example, launched its CS49400, a single-chip audio processor that supports DTS 96/24, the new 96-kHz, 24-bit surround-sound audio standard from Digital Theater Systems Inc. (Agoura Hills, Calif.). Other 96/24 implementations require up to three chips, said Lew Paceley, vice president of Cirrus' Crystal Division. Cirrus also introduced a DVD processor chip that claims to enable progressive-scan video capabilities and other high-end digital television features at retail system prices below $150.

According to Paceley, Cirrus' CS49400 audio processor offers high-volume OEMs the multistandard decoding and 32-bit DSP architectures previously available only in high-end systems. The chip integrates a dedicated multistandard decoder, 32-bit audio processor, peripherals and memory. It can handle all of the processing required by multichannel DTS 96/24, Dolby Digital, advanced audio coding and Lucasfilm's THX Ultra2 Cinema. Packaged in a 144-pin low-profile quad flat pack, the CS49400 is priced at $19.71 in quantities of 10,000.

Cirrus' CS98100 DVD processor, meanwhile, integrates three 10-bit video digital-to-analog converters and TV encoding with progressive-scan functionality.

The processor handles all necessary decoding and processing functions in home theater systems, including DVD navigation, disk control, MPEG-2 video decoding and multistandard audio decoding. A 32-bit, 90-Mips audio digital signal processor supports a range of audio standards and provides virtual-speaker output capability. The CS98100 is sampling now, priced at $20.63 in lots of 10,000.

The part "anticipates growing consumer adoption rates for DTV technology," Pacely said. He predicted that as sales of DTV sets rise, consumers shopping for DVD players will recognize progressive scan as a must-have feature when they consider which one to buy.

Another audio processor, this one integrated with a video processor, was shown by ATI Technologies Inc. (Markham, Ontario). Its single-chip Theater 200 combines an analog video decoder and stereo audio processor, and supports NTSC, PAL and Secam video, and BTSC, FM, EIA-J and Nicam audio standards. The part captures composite, S-Video and component-analog video signals, including high-definition TV signals, and converts them to ITU-656-compliant digital video. It also captures the sound intermediate-frequency or composite-audio outputs available from most tuners, performs audio demodulation and stereo decoding, then outputs the decoded audio via I2S.

"The market is gradually transitioning to digital TV, but there is still a vital need for platforms to support analog formats," said Vlado Zrinscak, product manager for set-top box components in ATI's Consumer Products Group.

Like ATI, San Jose, Calif.-based Asahi Kasei Microsystems Semiconductor Inc. (AKM) is concerned with interoperability. Last week it introduced the AK4120, a single-chip sampling-rate converter for DVD and CD, hard-disk recorders and digital television systems. The chip offers a two-channel, 20-bit 96-kHz-compatible asynchronous sample-rate converter with built-in digital volume controls and a mixer. It allows digital audio systems to support recording and playback of different audio formats.

"As professional and consumer industries move from CD to DVD audio and beyond, high-quality digital conversion between data types is required. Our sample-rate converter is designed to address this need cost-effectively, and to create a bridge between the different formats," said Tony Rodrigues, corporate development manager for AKM USA. The AK4120 comes in a 24-pin VSOP package and is priced at $4.50 in 1,000-piece quantities. Evaluation boards and samples are available now.

Cost and power reductions made possible by its VIP10 (vertically integrated pnp) process will enable three new operational amplifiers from National Semiconductor Corp. (Santa Clara, Calif.) to target mass-market consumer electronics products, said Jeff Hooker, marketing manager for National's amplifier product group. The LMH6639 and LMH6644 are general-purpose single and quad op amps respectively. The LMH6622 is designed for use in digital subscriber line receivers, and forms a chip set with the LMH6672 xDSL driver and the LMH6643 predriver/filter.

Hooker said the xDSL chip set enables products to operate farther from central offices. The receiver chip is priced at $1.85 in lots of 1,000. The LMH6639 and LMH6644 are priced at $1.09 and $1.48, respectively.

Also taking the lower-cost route is IC Media Corp. (San Jose), which launched a single-chip, 1-Mpixel CMOS image sensor priced at $11 (in quantities of 100,000). IC Media said the device, the ICM-107B, effectively lowers the price of entry-level mega-pixel digital still or video cameras. It features a pixel size of 6 x 6 microns and a sensor area of 6.9 x 5.18 mm, and can operate at up to 30 frames per second with quarter and quarter-quarter megapixel resolutions.

Genesis Microchip (Thornhill, Ontario), launched motion-adaptive video-format conversion technology called Crystal Cinema Plus. The company said the technology will reduce image artifacts and improve image quality. Chips based on the technology will target the progressive-scan TV display market.

Texas Instruments Inc. (Dallas) had a large presence at the show, demonstrating a variety of audio and video products, including 1394b-compliant devices that support high-speed communication at up to 100 meters over the standard Category 5 cable that is available in many new homes.

COMPANY CONTACTS

AKM Semiconductor Inc.
(408) 436-8580
www.akm.com
EETInfo No. 608

ATI Technologies Inc.
(905) 882-2600
www.ati.com
EETInfo No. 609

Cirrus Logic
Call (512) 445-7222
www.cirrus.com
EETInfo No. 610

Genesis Microchip
(905) 889-5400
www.genesis-microchip.com
EETInfo No. 611

IC Media Corp.
(408) 451-8838
www.ic-media.com
EETInfo No. 612

National Semiconductor Corp.
(800) 272-9959
www.national.com
EETInfo No. 613