An article you may not have seen.
RELATED SYMBOLS: (SPAZ)(CRUS)
New York, New York, May 24, 2001 (Market News Publishing via COMTEX) --
Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc., developer and marketer of the "de facto"
standard for virtual surround sound announced that Spatializer Digital
OntheGoFX(TM) is now available for license on the Cirrus Maverick(TM) line of
processors. The announcement combines the market's hottest processor for MP3
players and Internet entertainment devices with Spatializer's product and
bottom-line enhancing, virtual soft audio enhancement solutions.
"The potential of the MP3 and Internet entertainment markets is exciting and is
energizing our company," says Spatializer's Chairman and CEO Henry R. Mandell.
"Compressed digital audio formats are the future of personal and portable
players. The digital audio revolution will be driven by fast, adaptable,
low-cost and low-power processors. Cirrus Logic's Maverick processors are among
the leading examples of such processors and are perfect for the next generation
of MP3 players, Personal Digital Assistants, set top boxes, satellite radio and
car audio in general. Thanks to our excellent working relationship with Cirrus
and their industry leading Maverick processors, we can provide these markets
with the most superior audio enhancement solution in Spatializer Digital
OntheGoFX."
Mandell explains that due to the nature of audio compression techniques, there's
a real need in the market for Spatializer's targeted and optimized audio
enhancement solutions. "With Spatializer's audio enhancement software, MP3
players and other compressed or Internet-based devices have a much easier time
fully delivering on the promise afforded by the digital audio revolution," says
Mandell. "Adding Spatializer Digital OntheGoFX produces a rich bass and
expansive sound field through headphones normally available only with larger and
more expensive home audio systems."
In 2000, Maverick semiconductors became the leading Internet audio chips, as the
family of processors can run a wide variety of Internet entertainment devices
including MP3 players, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), set-top boxes,
Internet TVs and digital car audio players. According to Cirrus, the designers
of fcoolest Internet products choose Maverick processors for good reason.
Packaged as a complete system-on-chip solution, each model is custom-tailored to
maximize the design features required by a specific market segment.
"Maverick's worldwide leadership in Internet audio combined with Spatializer
Audio Laboratories strong position in consumer audio enhancement technology will
provide an improved listening experience for consumers, demonstrating the
Maverick advantage," says Matt Perry, vice president and general manager of the
Embedded Processors Division of Cirrus Logic.
"Spatializer has emerged as a leader in providing the 'de facto' standard for
virtual surround sound and has worked to dominate the DVD player market," says
Mandell. "Now, we are putting our campaign to replicate our DVD market success
in the MP3 player market into high gear. We have crafted an extensive
distribution network in the Far East that can quickly and efficiently
demonstrate the powerful audio enhancement benefits of our technology, which are
now available on the Maverick processor."
Spatializer's agreement with Cirrus is the culmination of months of planning and
execution to capture the MP3 and Internet entertainment markets with the same
success Spatializer enjoys in the DVD market. "Spatializer and Cirrus share two
strategic distribution firms in the Far East in Internix and ReignCom. This
makes the licensing process very effective, since Maverick chips can be sold and
Spatializer technology licensed by the same salesman at the same time," explains
Randy Roscoe, vice president of sales and marketing at Spatializer. "We believe
that this integration of the sales and distribution process should provide us
with an overwhelming advantage in our effort to dominate the booming worldwide
MP3 player and Internet entertainment markets. It is most exciting to see this
plan come together."
The overall MP3 market also has staggering growth potential, according to an
analyst report from Forward Concepts. Its report predicts that the overall MP3
market will not just experience strong growth ... but that it will explode. In
addition, the demand for portable Internet audio players is expected to
quadruple in 2001 to the 4 million unit level and will continue to flourish at a
109 percent compounded annual growth rate to 30 million units in 2004.
About Spatializer Digital OntheGoFX
The Spatializer DigitalFX series is a comprehensive audio enhancement software
solution based on the company's new Spatializer Headphone(TM), Spatializer
N-2-2(TM) virtual surround sound technology and Spatializer Vi.B.E(TM), the
company's virtual bass enhancement technology, combined with additional audio
effects optimized for specific product applications. Spatializer Digital
OntheGoFX is targeted specifically for portable MP3 player devices, Personal
Data Assistants (PDAs) and Internet entertainment devices. The algorithms are
highly efficient, utilizing a minimal amount of MIPS, any standard embedded
processor or DSP.
Spatializer Natural Headphone is the ideal solution for all headphone
applications. The 5.1 channel surround sound down-mixing algorithm provides
natural quality sound effects over headphones. A well-defined center image
allows for crystal clear presentation of dialogue, while the other surround
channels immerse the listener in a three dimensional audio experience. The
algorithm is also available as a 2-channel solution for enhanced stereo
listening. Extensive modeling of both Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTF) and
room reverberation provide a low cost solution that is both effective and
innovative.
Spatializer Vi.B.E. provides a dramatic bass enhancement experience through even
the most inexpensive "frequency response challenged" speakers or headphones.
Spatializer Vi.B.E is no mere bass boost. It uses Spatializer's proprietary
psycho-acoustic and harmonics techniques to generate the impression of realistic
bass frequencies that would ordinarily be difficult to discern in small PC,
laptop or portable headphone devices. The scalable architecture allows maximum
flexibility, requiring only a small fraction of available MIPS and memory while
still providing the highest possible audio enhancements. The result for the
consumer is a richer and warmer listening experience.
About Maverick
Maverick processors, a leader in portable Internet audio, strengthens its market
position as product designers of second-generation Internet audio players
increasingly leverage key Maverick processor features, including a choice of:
-- MP3, WMA and AAC compression/decompression standards
-- Operating systems including: Linux, WinCE, eCOS, EPOC, Palm OS
and VxWorks
-- Alternative data storage methods including FLASH, hard drives
or CD ROMs, such as iOmega's PocketZip(TM) media
Maverick chips also provide security and digital rights management with
Microsoft's WMT and InterTrust's Rights PD(TM) firmware and are designed
into a variety of Internet entertainment devices including the leading
portable Internet audio players, network-based home players, digital car
audio players, eBooks, Web-based entertainment and Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs). After only six months of production, Cirrus Logic
shipped its millionth Maverick processor in August 2000. More information
about Cirrus Logic's Maverick processor is available at
beamaverick.com.
About Cirrus Logic
Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high-performance analog and DSP
chip solutions for Internet entertainment electronics. Building on its
global market share leadership in audio integrated circuits and its rich
mixed-signal patent portfolio, the company targets high-volume audio,
storage and communications applications. Cirrus Logic sells its products
under the Crystal(R), Maverick(TM) and 3Ci(TM) brands as well as its own
name. Founded in 1984 in Silicon Valley, Cirrus Logic operates from
headquarters in Austin, Texas and major sites located in Fremont,
California and Broomfield, Colorado as well as offices in Europe, Japan and
Asia. More information about Cirrus Logic is available at
cirrus.com.
About Spatializer
Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc. is a leading developer, licensor
and marketer of next-generation technologies for the consumer electronics,
computing and entertainment industries. The company's advanced audio
technology is incorporated into consumer electronics audio, video and DVD
products from global brand leaders including Toshiba, JVC, Panasonic,
Hitachi, Samsung, Acer, Sharp, Sanyo, LG, Zenith and Proton, in PC
multimedia systems and peripherals from Apple and Labtec, in silicon from
Matsushita, New Japan Radio Corporation, Cirrus Logic, Zoran, Motorola,
C-Cube, Tvia, VM Labs, LinkUp and Acer Laboratories Inc, and in software
compatible with MP3 players such as WinAmp and embedded with RISC cores
from MIPS Technologies. Spatializer stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin
Board under the symbol: SPAZ. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara,
CA, with marketing offices in Tokyo, Japan. Further information may be
obtained from the company's web site, spatializer.com,
Spatializer's SEC filings, and by contacti ng the company's Investor
Relations Department toll-free at 888-825-0743 or by writing to
spaz@mdcgroup.com.
Safe Harbor Act Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Certain information in this background news release,
including the comments by Messrs. Mandell, Perry and Roscoe in this press
release are forward looking statements that are based on management's
belief, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available
to management. While the company believes that its expectations are based
upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that the company's
financial goals will be realized. Numerous uncertainties and risk factors
may affect the company's actual results and may cause results to differ
materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by or on
behalf of the company. These uncertainties and risk factors include, but
are not limited to the continued need for additional capital, dependence on
new technology and intellectual property, dependence on the PC and consumer
electronics industries, dependence on product shipments of third-party
licensees, competition and pricing pressures, and other risks detailed from
time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
NOTE: Desper Products Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spatializer
Audio Laboratories Inc. Spatializer Natural Headphone(TM), Spatializer
Vi.B.E.(TM), Spatializer Vi.B.E.(TM) and Spatializer Digital OntheGoFX(TM)
are trademarks and Spatializer(R) is a registered trademark of Desper
Products Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners. Copyright (C) 2001 Spatializer Audio Laboratories, Inc.
Regards,
Pokyscon. |
