Nice call on the earnings. It looks like lots of MPEG-related companies are issuing releases to ride on CUBE's coattails. Zapex announces MPEG2 audio (not video) encoder...........
Zapex Introduces Multichannel Audio Encoder for MPEG-2 Audio and Dolby
Digital
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 1997--
Company Delivers ZX-Resound/600, Exciting Five Channel
Digital Audio Experience; Support for Both Leading
Digital Audio Standards in a Single Encoder System
Zapex Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of professional-quality
audio and video compression engines, today introduced the industry's
first audio encoder to support both MPEG-2 and Dolby Digital
multichannel audio.
Known as ZX-Resound/600, the new encoder enables customers to change
from one digital audio encoding standard to the other, without changing
hardware. Dolby Digital and MPEG-2 are competing multichannel digital
audio standards.
ZX-Resound/600 enables systems integrators, OEMs and corporations to
produce full 5.1 channel audio content for playback with either a Dolby
Digital or MPEG-2 decoder. Multichannel audio applications include DVD
video, satellite broadcast, DVD ROM-based corporate communications,
entertainment, education, training, and Internet-based store/forward
and, in future, live-playback. Dolby Digital and MPEG-2 5.1 channel
audio support discrete digital audio channels for left and right front,
center, left and right surround, and low-frequency.
"One of the biggest challenges content providers face is the question of
which digital audio standard they should support," said John Chun, vice
president of marketing at Zapex. "While Dolby Digital is the de facto
audio standard for DVD Video and DVD ROM in the U.S. and Japan, other
markets have not yet rallied behind a single standard. DVD in Europe,
and the broadcast and corporate markets could be resolved in either
direction. By being able to support both Dolby Digital and MPEG-2 audio
encoding in a single system, Zapex is able to protect the user's
investment in equipment, regardless of how the market resolves the
standards question."
Digital audio encoding enables content provides to deliver an
outstanding audio experience, while still maintaining very low bit
rates. Digital audio can be played on a range of devices, including PCs
with DVD ROMs, PCs connected to corporate networks or the Internet, DVD
players and televisions with set-top decoder boxes. ZX-Resound/600 uses
Dolby Laboratories AC-3 encoding software, and has been certified Dolby
Digital compliant. The MPEG-2 audio encoder is fully compatible with the
MPEG standard.
"Zapex is focused solely on being a leading supplier of high-performance
audio and video compression engines," said Dale Ford, an analyst at
Dataquest. "By introducing the first audio encoder capable of supporting
both major audio compression standards, the company has leveraged its
ability to choose best-of-class encoding technologies. Zapex is able to
offer its customers the range of choices they require within a
universal, cost-effective system. This impacts buyers who don't have to
purchase two systems, but can take advantage of the cost savings and
efficiency of both Dolby Digital and MEG-2 functionality within one box.
Given that both Dolby Digital and MPEG-2 will be viable alternatives for
the foreseeable future, this is a very significant announcement."
ZX-Resound/600 can be changed from one audio standard to the other, and
back, by downloading the appropriate encoding software. No hardware
changes are required. The conversion process requires less than five
minutes.
About ZX-Resound/600
ZX-Resound/600 supports up to five main channels of sounds, including
left, center and right channels across the front of the room, and left
and right surround channels. The sixth channel, the Low Frequency
Effects (LFE) Channel contains additional bass information to maximize
the impact of such special effects such as explosions and crashes.
The encoder is based on flexible DSP technology, which enables it to
encode both Dolby Digital and MPEG-2 audio. The encoder is 2RU high, and
fits in a standard 19" rack. The system's audio bit-rate ranges from a
low of 56kbps for a single mono channel to a high of 832kbps, covering a
wide range of audio quality and broadcast bandwidth requirements. The
encoder supports three sampling frequencies of 48kHz, 44.1kHz and 32kHz.
Practical Details
ZX-Resound/600 is available through OEMs, system integrators, VARs and
international distribution. Dual-capability models are shipping within
60 days. Suggested pricing starts at $30,000. Substantial OEM volume
discounts are available.
About Zapex Technologies
Zapex Technologies is committed to being the leading worldwide supplier
of standards-based audio/video compression engines. The company's core
MPEG-2 encoding technology delivers the industry's highest-quality, most
efficient compression performance. Zapex compression engines are used by
companies who deliver digital video to target audiences through
satellite and broadcast television, DVD, the Internet, and corporate
networks.
With headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Zapex Technologies is
privately held and has sales offices in North America, Europe and Asia.
For more information please call 650/254.2380 or see our Web site at
www.zapex.com .
Note to Editors: All trademarks are acknowledged.
CONTACT: Dave & Bairey Communications
Fiona Hughes, 510/672-9547
fiona@dbcomm.com
or
Zapex Technologies, Inc.
John Chun, 650/254-2380 |
