SigmaTel Announces the STAC9220 and STAC9221 8-Channel High Definition Audio Codec Enabling Theater Quality PC Systems

Business Wire, Jan 3, 2005

AUSTIN, Texas -- SigmaTel, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGTL), a leading supplier of Audio Codecs for PC applications, today introduced the STAC9221 and STAC9220 8-channel High Fidelity Codecs for PC and convergent media applications. Both codecs implement the new Intel(R) (NASDAQ:INTC) High Definition Audio (HD Audio) specification. The STAC9221 enables Surround sound "Theater Quality" 7.1 audio for the high-end PC, Media Center applications and convergence devices such as Digital Media Adapters (DMA) and Media Center Extenders. The STAC9220 enables high definition audio for the mainstream desktop PC.

The HD Audio specification was released by Intel in 2004 to enable higher levels of Audio performance than can not be supported with the previous Audio Codec 97 (AC97) standard. The STAC9220 and STAC9221 are HD Audio codecs that fulfill the promises of HD Audio.

The STAC9221 is deigned for media-centric systems such as Media Center PCs, Game Enthusiast PCs, and new classes of devices aimed to distribute music and video around the home. The STAC9221 sets the standard for high performance by providing 8-channels of true 24-bit audio with a 105dB SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio). This level of performance enables theater quality 7.1 surround sound to PCs and PC-like devices that continue to move into the living room alongside or in place of traditional consumer electronics gear. The STAC9221 incorporates an ADAT(R) Lightpipe interface allowing connectivity to professional audio equipment. The STAC9220 provides 95dB SNR performance setting the standard for the high volume, mainstream desktop PC and high end notebook PCs.

Both products feature internal jack sense capabilities, SigmaTel's Universal Jacks(TM) technology, S/PDIF input and output, and integrated headphone amplifiers and microphone boost circuits. SigmaTel's Universal Jacks technology helps eliminate connection mistakes by determining what device has been plugged into the audio connector and adjusting the internal configuration to match. Integrated headphone amplifiers and microphone pre-amp circuits result in lower implementation costs for the PC manufacturer.

The STAC9221 and STAC9220 are intended to support the Dolby Laboratories PC Entertainment Experience program. The STAC9221 audio performance is targeted at the Dolby(R) Master Studio(TM) specifications, providing Dolby(R) Digital Live, Dolby(R) Headphone(TM), Dolby(R) Virtual Speaker(TM), and Dolby(R) Pro Logic(R) IIx technology with 7.1 channel audio and S/PDIF out. The STAC9220 is targeted at the Dolby(R) Home Theater(TM) specification which shows that the PC will provides system-wide access to Dolby Digital Live, Dolby(R) Headphone(TM), Dolby(R) Virtual Speaker(TM), and Dolby(R) Pro Logic(R) II technology with 5.1 channel audio and S/PDIF out. The high SNR of the new codecs is intended to allow the PC manufacturer to meet Dolby's requirements of 95dB (CCIR-2K weighted) at the connector for Dolby(R) Master Studio(TM) and 85dB (CCIR-2K weighted) at the connector for Dolby(R) Home Theater(TM).

Both products are supported with SigmaTel's advanced software capabilities including drivers for the Windows Operating System and advanced signal processing plug-ins. A wide range of software plug-ins are available from SigmaTel and third party partners providing features such as bass response enhancement, spatial enhancement, and low latency filtering.

"The audio performance of the STAC9221 enables PC-like systems that seamlessly integrate into the home theater and home listening environment," states Phil Pompa, SigmaTel's vice president of Integrated Components Group. "For the first time, the consumer does not have to sacrifice audio fidelity to gain the benefits of the Media Center PC."

"SigmaTel has been an important contributor in the development of High Definition Audio initiatives, from concept to definition to product implementation," says Sunil Kumar, director of chipset and software marketing for Intel. "New 8-channel codecs will help to propel HD Audio into every audio corner of the home."

The STAC9220 and STAC9221 are available in 3.3V and 5.0V analog supply voltage options and are available for sampling now with volume shipments expected in 1Q05. Both products are available in a 48-pin LQFP package. The STAC9221 is priced at $1.45 and the STAC9220 is priced at $1.35 in 10,000 unit quantities. Package options include environmentally friendly packages free of lead and other harmful compounds.

For more information on SigmaTel products, as well as development information and sales support, please visit www.sigmatel.com.

About SigmaTel:

SigmaTel, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Austin, Texas, designs, develops, and markets proprietary, analog intensive, mixed-signal ICs for a variety of products in the consumer electronics and computing markets, including portable compressed audio players, such as MP3 players, notebook and desktop PCs, DVD players, digital televisions and set-top boxes. We provide our customers complete, system-level solutions that include highly-integrated ICs, customizable firmware and software, software development tools, reference designs and applications support. Our focus on providing system-level solutions enables our customers to rapidly introduce and offer electronic products that are small, light-weight, power-efficient, reliable, and cost-effective. SigmaTel is ISO 9001:2000 certified and is committed to providing customers with high-performance, quality products along with superior customer service.