Apogee Announces New DDXÆ IC Providing Turnkey All-Digital Audio Solution

DDX-4100 Combines Key Audio Functions With Direct Digital Amplification (DDX) Technology, Enables Low Cost, High Quality Digital Sound

23-Apr-01

Apogee Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: APGT), a leading developer of digital audio amplification technology, announced the release of its new DDX-4100, a turnkey digital audio integrated circuit (IC) based on Apogee's patented Direct Digital Amplification (DDXÆ) technology. This latest addition to the company's DDX family of digital amplification ICs integrates multiple digital interfaces, flexible audio processing, and multichannel DDX processing, allowing manufacturers to develop low cost, compact pure digital audio products. The device is ideal for digital-powered speaker applications, home theatre and mini systems. Traditional audio designs require multiple ICs to handle individual functions, such as the digital interface, tone control, equalization and digital-to-analog conversion. By combining all of these functions onto a single device, the DDX-4100 shortens the design activity, provides pure digital reliability and consistency while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. ""Consumers are demanding higher quality, lower cost consumer electronic products,"" said David Meyers, Apogee's Chief Operating Officer. ""Apogee is meeting this challenge with its DDX technology and the release of the DDX-4100. DDX-based solutions not only provide superior sound quality, they are much more efficient than traditional analog amplifiers reducing product size and lowering cost."" Integrated Functions The DDX-4100 includes many features valuable to audio manufacturers as well as consumers. Integrated audio functions such as volume, bass/treble, bass redirection, automatic mute, and parametric equalization reduce system costs, while providing manufacturers the ability to customize one amplifier solution to multiple products. The device includes standard digital interfaces (S/PDIF, I2S, and AC'97) and accepts audio sampling rates up to 96 kHz. The DDX-4100 converts digital audio inputs into 4.1 channels of DDX outputs to drive multiple DDX-2060 high efficiency power devices. This chip set enables manufacturers to develop fully digital speaker systems, which can deliver up to 70 watts of low distortion audio power at efficiencies up to 90 percent. In addition, the design is ideal for multichannel integrated home theatre systems that combine the DVD player with the audio amplifier to simplify consumer setup and operation. Direct Digital Amplification (DDX) Apogee's patented DDX is a high efficiency, all-digital amplifier technology that enables a new generation of audio products that deliver pure digital sound. DDX directly amplifies digital audio signals, eliminating the need for a digital-to-analog converter. This approach removes potential analog signal corruption and quality losses that occur in traditional analog audio systems, thus enabling true digital audio production. In addition to superior sound quality, DDX amplifier solutions provide approximately three times the efficiency of comparable analog amplifiers. This benefit reduces power supply requirements and eliminates the need for external heat sinks, resulting in a smaller amplifier size and reduced manufacturing costs. The DDX-4100 Controller is priced at $5.25 in 1000-piece quantities. Delivery of production quantities of the device is planned for May 2001. For more information about Apogee Technology, visit www.apogeeddx.com.

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