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Technology Stocks : e.Digital Corporation(EDIG) - Embedded Digital Technology -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jon Tara who wrote (11800)	3/27/2000 8:25:00 PM
From: bob	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 18366

Jon, If that is the case than why don't any of the current generation players support all codecs/DRM's natively. As far as I can tell they only will support ONE DRM and TWO codecs AT MOST. All others are handled by transcoding. Here's an interesting read on the Cirrus DSP by TOBAGO on RB in case you haven't seen. CIRRUS EP7209 AUDIO DECODER WEAKNESS There has been a lot of concern I noticed of the Cirrus new audio processor. IMO this Processor has several very weak links that every one needs to be aware of: cirrus.com First take note of the low power quote: Ultra low power consumption for MP3 playback 87 mW (typical) for 44.1 kHz samples/sec, 128 kbits/second 50 mW for 22.05 kHz samples/sec, 64 kbits/second The low power is only for MP3 playback. Guess what happens when you need to decode a CODEC like EPAC or ATRAC? That's where the high speed (and power hungry) embedded SRAM memory is utilized. 38,400 bytes (0x9600) of on-chip SRAM for fast program execution and/or as a frame buffer The SRAM memory is used for the decompression CODEC algorithm coefficents. This means the SRAM memory is active and being cycled as fast as 74Mhz. This is sucking a lot of power (estimate as much as another 200mA). This is going to seriously impact battery life when not playing MP3 files! When playing MP3 files the SRAM memory can be put in SLEEP mode (estimate 20mA drain). This is of course only my opinion but I have been a Test Engineer for high performance SRAMs and embedded Logic modules for 15 years so I do have some basis for these statements. Also, keep in mind that it is VERY expensive to manufacture and test/Burn-In Embedded Logic circuits. And early stage reliability/spql problems are common which often delay when Manufacturing quantities can be produced. IMO, MicroOS continues to be the hands down low cost solution for Multi-Codec/DRM Players.