Jon, ADPT's connection in that story has to do with a variation of the Enhanced CD format—the teeny 'ECD' line in the story. Whilst very little is known about the AMP box itself, it's suspected to be a DVD/multimedia/internet settop-box/computer gizmo using ECD as a primary technology. Not at all a very clear product definition, I know, but that's all that has been given to us in any of the 3 articles I've read on the matter.
The closest connection you can draw to ADPT is not audio per se, it is ECD format writing—knowledge gained from ADPT's Toast purchase. Toast was the first CD-R package to reliably write the full ECD spec. When ADPT eventually bought Toast, part of the arrangement included software consulting from Markus Fest, Toast's author. It is only natural to assume that Fest is pursuing DVD interests, and adding his own ECD and CDR experience to the company. A level of experience which, I might add, is vast and noteworthy.
It's not at all clear what ECD would do for the box, but it is clear somebody isn't telling the press a thing. I say this because not one of the stories I've read has come close to an accurate conception of what ECD is about (hiding computer data from non-computer CD drives, i.e. stereos). I assume,then, the box is still at a stage where they don't mind the press being in the dark for the moment. We'll have to wait and see. When the box materializes, at best it's very nice polish for ADPT but won't directly put a lot of coins in your pocket, IMO.
-MrB |
