Waves and Tripath Offer LCD TV Audio Reference Design
PRNewswire (10/28/2004 1:01 PM ET)

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- 117th AES Convention -- WAVES AUDIO LTD., a leading provider of audio signal processing technologies and Tripath Technology Inc. , the makers of Class-T(R) digital audio amplifiers, announced today that they have jointly developed a new audio reference design for LCD TVs. The new reference design gives manufacturers a simple route to dramatically improve the audio quality in their LCD TV products. This system will be demonstrated at the Audio Engineering Society Conference in the Waves booth (#636).

LCD TVs offer the best ergonomics and picture quality of new flat panel TV displays, and aggressive retail price reductions are making them increasingly attractive to consumers. However, although their picture quality is superb, the audio quality in many current models is not as good as the lower cost, commodity CRT TV models. This is primarily due to the small loudspeaker enclosure volumes in LCD TVs. LCD manufacturers have realized that this audio performance gap is increasingly becoming an issue for consumers as these become mainstream products.

Improving LCD TV audio quality requires careful optimization of the entire audio chain including signal processing, amplification, and acoustics. Addressing all of these issues in a comprehensive manner is beyond the audio skills of most manufacturers and suppliers alone, so Waves and Tripath agreed to jointly develop and promote a solution combining industry-leading technologies from each firm.

The LCD TV reference design includes Waves' MX3000AS MaxxBass(R) ASIC and Tripath's TAA2008 class T(R) digital amplifier. Together, these devices form the basis of the LCD TV reference design, which can easily be integrated by manufacturers into their new products. Waves and Tripath are also cooperating with independent LCD TV speaker suppliers, who are developing and optimizing speaker products for the Waves/Tripath system. The LCD TV reference design is also attractive for other 12volt audio applications requiring high quality with limited speaker sizes including LCD PC monitors, plasma TVs, micro-shelf system and portable loudspeakers.

"Waves and Tripath's joint LCD TV reference design offers manufacturers a simple and cost-effective way to dramatically improve the quality of their audio systems," stated Gilad Keren, CEO and co-founder of Waves. "Once manufacturers see what a difference this can make, we expect to see a rapid acceleration in the adoption of MaxxBass in this growing market."

"Tripath is already the established leader in digital amplifiers for flat panel displays including both plasma and LCD models. Our new TAA2008 is very attractive to this growing market," stated Graham Wright, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Tripath. "The LCD TV Reference Design will enable our customers to further improve audio system quality both easily and cost- effectively."

Not a Bass Boost Technology

MaxxBass is not a bass boost technology, but instead uses a Waves patented psychoacoustic algorithm to allow you to hear bass far below the physical limitation of the speakers by taking advantage of the latest research in how sound is perceived. MaxxBass allows you to hear frequencies up to 1.5 octaves below what is generated. By enabling small full range speakers to be embedded in a wide range of consumer products, Waves is opening up a whole new realm of possible applications, including portable loudspeakers, car audio, LCD TVs, computers and home theater systems.

Class-T(R), Fidelity, Efficiency, Value

Heat is major headache to flat panel makers because of the slim chassis. Class-T(R) technology allows audio amplifiers to produce just 1/8th the heat of traditional amplifiers while in normal operation. This efficiency, combined with Class-T's renowned sound quality, has made Class-T(R) the industry standard.

About Waves Audio Ltd.

With more than a decade of leadership in the development of psychoacoustic signal processor algorithms, Waves now offers a variety of solutions under the Maxx(R) brand to manufacturers of consumer electronics to dramatically improve performance or reduce system costs. These solutions include custom semiconductor devices and licensing Waves proprietary algorithms to DSP and computer platforms. Its Maxx solutions are rapidly being adopted by firms such as Altec Lansing, Audio Products International, Samsung, Sanyo, Sony, and many other top consumer electronic firms.

About Tripath Technology