Fraunhofer's mp3 Pioneers Become Members of the 'Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame'

Business Wire, Oct 24, 2007

In San Diego, CA, USA, the Consumer Electronics Association has inducted Dr. Dieter Seitzer, Dr. Heinz Gerhauser and Dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg into their Hall of Fame.

ERLANGEN, Germany & SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The three scientists are honored on behalf of the large team of Fraunhofer researchers and engineers that have been developing the world famous mp3 audio coding format since the early eighties. To recognize the contributions of true pioneers of consumer electronics industry, CEA annually announces a world-class group of inventors, engineers, business leaders, retailers and journalists to become members of the hall of fame. Ray Dolby or William Hewlett and David Packard, founders of the computer manufacturer HP, are just some of the respected members who are now joined by the mp3-inventors.

Seitzer, Gerhauser and Brandenburg received their awards from CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro on Tuesday, October 16, 2007. In his words of thanks Dr. Seitzer remembered the early days of audio coding development. Up to now the Erlangen based Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS and the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Ilmenau have received worldwide recognition in the field of audio coding.

Dr. Seitzer, Dr. Gerhauser and Dr. Brandenburg expressed their thanks to the members of staff and the involved researchers: "Only by excellent team work a world wide success was made possible. We are very honored and glad about this international award."

Further information can be found in our press release from March 28, 2007, online at www.iis.fraunhofer.de/EN/pr/Presse/index.jsp

Fraunhofer IIS Founded in 1985 the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen, today with 480 staff members, ranks first among the Fraunhofer Institutes concerning headcount and revenues. With the development of the audio coding method MP3, Fraunhofer IIS has reached worldwide recognition. It provides research services on contract basis and technology licensing. The research topics are: Audio and video source coding, multimedia realtime systems, digital radio broadcasting and digital cinema systems, integrated circuits and sensor systems, design automation, wireless, wired and optical networks, localization and navigation, imaging systems and nanofocus X-ray technology, high-speed cameras, medical sensor solutions and communications technology in transport and logistics. The budget of 58 million Euro is mainly financed by projects from industry, the service sector and public authorities. Less than 20 percent of the budget is subsidized by federal and state funds.