SigmaTel C-Major Audio Introduces the First AC'97 2.3 Codec

Business Wire, April 16, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2002

SigmaTel Inc., the leading provider of AC'97 audio codecs, is pleased to announce the first AC'97 codec to take advantage of the features in the AC'97 Specification Revision 2.3, now available from the Intel Web site.

This latest technology standard is focused on both lowering support costs and reducing the price of development for current and future PC systems. By working closely with Intel because of its technical leadership in audio ICs, SigmaTel is able to immediately bring to the market a quality audio codec that takes full advantage of this new standard.

The C-Major(tm) STAC9752/53 audio codec is a digital-ready 2-channel codec that incorporates both 20-Bit DACs and ADCs, ideal for use in next-generation 20-bit chipsets. The C-Major codec also contains full jack sensing, allowing for the system to automatically detect the presence of a microphone in the microphone jack and will detect the impedances of the devices plugged into the headphone and speaker jacks.

By utilizing the latest AC'97 specification, this codec bypasses current "hard-wired" jack sensing solutions, and makes this feature available to existing audio jack form factor standards, thus lowering support costs and reducing the price of "proprietary" development.

"SigmaTel is proud to have participated in the development of this new specification and will continue to support the efforts made by Intel to improve audio standards on the PC and beyond," says Alan Hansford, vice president of marketing at SigmaTel.

With the significant evolution of the PC, the consumer expectation also increases for a higher quality of audio accompanied by easy-to-use features. With the standardization of jack sensing technology found in the 2.3 specification, future versions of the Microsoft operating system will allow the user to much more easily take advantage of audio features.

These "Analog Plug-and-Play" features make it easier to implement microphone-specific applications such as Voice Chat, Computer Telephony, Voice Over IP, Voice Annotation, Speech Recognition and user voiceprint identification.

"This AC'97 Rev 2.3 specification gives Intel and IC suppliers like SigmaTel the ability to design in audio features that were not available before without increasing the platform cost. Sigmatel has been a key industry player in developing Codecs that are compliant with the new AC'97 2.3 specification that will be able to take full advantage of the upcoming Intel(R) Brookdale-G platform," says Bill Leszinske, chipset and software marketing manager with Intel.

For additional information or to attain a copy of the AC'97 2.3 Specification, please visit http://www.intel.com/ial/scalableplatforms/audio/.

To obtain documentation on the AC'97 2.3 STAC9752/53 product or for additional information about C-Major Audio Codecs and other SigmaTel products, please visit www.sigmatel.com.

About C-Major

C-Major(tm) audio codec solutions provide the best sounding audio for PCs and digital home entertainment systems. These solutions are built on the foundation of SigmaTel's mixed-signal technical expertise, with a reputation as the market leader in high quality audio codecs. C-Major offers a wide variety of features for different levels of audio quality, with integrated technologies and software solutions that enable the highest performance at the lowest cost. Also, through SigmaTel's integrated audio software technologies, these solutions are certified for most operating systems, including Microsoft(R) Windows. With a C-Major solution, digital audio can rise to the level of a real world experience.

About SigmaTel

SigmaTel, a provider of integrated circuit (IC) design, is converting the real world into a digital experience with its innovative mixed-signal solutions for the digital audio and wireless infrared markets. Since its inception, SigmaTel has built a strong reputation as an innovative developer of mixed-signal ICs, by being first to market with several highly integrated designs. The privately held company, based in Austin, Texas, is committed to providing customers with high performance products along with superior customer service. For more information, visit SigmaTel's Web site at www.sigmatel.com.