MORE GOOD NEWS...BEWARE..this is a relatively long article :-)
Tuesday June 2, 9:32 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Toshiba Licenses Spatializer N-2-2 -- DVD-Video Players Equipped with Most Advanced Virtual Audio Solution
Spatializer Delivers Dynamic Six-Speaker Audio Experience from Just Two Speakers via Toshiba's New Home Theater DVD Product Line; Toshiba Offers N-2-2 Technology to Wider Market
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 1998-- Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc. (Nasdaq:SPAZ - news), a leading provider of next-generation audio technologies, Tuesday announced the integration of Spatializer N-2-2 multi-channel virtualization technology in Toshiba's third-generation line of advanced home theater DVD players.
This implementation marks Toshiba's second license of Spatializer's technology and the incorporation of Spatializer's advanced virtual audio technology in its consumer product line. The N-2-2 technology will be adopted in Toshiba's DVD product line-up including the Platinum Standard SD7108 DVD-Video Player as well as the SD3108, SD2108 and SD2008 DVD players.
''Spatializer's innovative multi-channel virtualization incorporated in our new DVD players will allow us to further extend Toshiba's product line by offering consumers multi-speaker audio solutions from just two speakers. N-2-2 is incorporated in our DVD player offerings this year -- from our top-of-the-line Platinum Standard SD7108 model to our entry-level SD2008,'' said Craig Eggers, director of product planning, Toshiba America Consumer Products.
''In combining Spatializer's audio technology with our ColorStream and ColorStream PRO video output, Toshiba delivers products today that are ready for tomorrow.''
In many home theater environments, consumers would normally need to install six speakers, cables and amplifiers to experience complete DVD multi-channel audio. With Spatializer N-2-2, home theater enthusiasts can now enjoy a virtual Dolby Digital (AC-3) effect from only two conventional speakers or directly from their stereo TV speakers.
''The audio industry is quickly moving away from simple stereo expansion as leading entertainment equipment companies, like Toshiba, implement 3D positional audio and virtual surround sound into next generation products,'' said Walter Miao, senior vice president, Access Media International, a New York-based research firm specializing in emerging markets and technologies.
''Spatializer's N-2-2 Virtual Surround Sound enhances Dolby Digital sources and provides 3D sound realism and natural but fully immersive audio using standard stereo sound output.''
''With our implementation of Spatializer's N-2-2 technology, we're now able to extend functionality of our latest DVD players by incorporating the most advanced virtual audio available today,'' said Koji Hase, general manager, DVD Division, Toshiba Corp. ''N-2-2 allows us to provide our end-users a level of performance unparalleled in the industry and further strengthens our leadership in the DVD marketplace.''
Toshiba's DVD players are designed to offer consumers the most complete range of home theater audio functionalities. Toshiba's SD7108, SD3108 and the SD2108 are compatible with Digital Theater Systems (DTS) encoded movie soundtracks. Built-in Dolby AC-3 and Pro Logic decoding in its SD7108 and SD3108 DVD players are also featured. Headphone outputs of N-2-2 will also be available with Toshiba's SD3108 and SD7108 DVD players.
''By adding Spatializer's N-2-2 technology to its latest DVD players, Toshiba is ensuring that its customers have a fantastic DVD experience without needing to spend money on additional home theater equipment,'' said Michelle Abraham, industry analyst at In-Stat.
Toshiba's N-2-2-equipped DVD players will now enable audio and movie enthusiasts alike to enjoy a virtual multi-channel audio surround sound experience, even if there's a space constraint, since Spatializer's N-2-2 audio technology doesn't depend on the use of additional speakers.
Designed for use with multi-channel source material such as AC-3, MPEG-2 and Dolby Pro Logic, Spatializer N-2-2 uses Interaural Time Delay (ITD), Interaural Intensity Difference (IID), psychoacoustic techniques and Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTF) developed by Spatializer.
HRTF is a data set that describes the difference in arrival time, intensity and tonal characteristics of sounds emitted in various positions in relation to a listener. Combined, these techniques deliver a compelling multi-channel speaker sound in a two-speaker environment.
''Our involvement to provide the highest-quality multi-channel audio solution to Toshiba was a top priority for us,'' said Michael R. Bolcerek, president of Desper Products Inc., Spatializer's audio subsidiary.
''As Toshiba was the first to bring innovative DVD products to market, we knew that our N-2-2 multi-channel virtualization would fit the consumer demand seeking the highest quality audio experience. Consumers looking for the high-end multi-channel surround sound technology, can have it, right out of the box.''
Toshiba America Consumer Products is an independent operating company, owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp., a world leader in high-technology products with subsidiaries worldwide.
Spatializer Audio Laboratories is a leading developer, licenser 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, Panasonic, Hitachi, Sharp, Sanyo and Proton and in PC multimedia systems and peripherals from Compaq, AST, Dell, Gateway, Fujitsu, Seiko-Epson, NEC, Micron and Labtec.
Spatializer stock is traded on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market System under the symbol ''SPAZ.'' The company has headquarters in Woodland Hills and marketing, engineering and R&D facilities in Mountain View, Calif., Huntington Beach, Calif., and Tokyo. Further information may be obtained from Spatializer's SEC filings, Web site (www.spatializer.com) or by contacting the company directly.
Safe Harbor Act Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements, including Bolcerek's quotation, which are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, as a result of several factors including, but not limited to, dependence on new technology and intellectual property, successful consummation of transactions in negotiation, dependence on the PC, consumer electronics and data storage 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.
Notices: Desper Products Inc. and MultiDisc Technologies Inc. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc. Spatializer is a registered trademark and N-2-2 are trademarks of Desper Products Inc. AC-3 is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories. DTS is a registered trademark of DTS. Copyright (c) 1998 Spatializer Audio Laboratories Inc.
Note to Editors: All Spatializer news releases are available on the Spatializer Web site, www.spatializer.com. |
