Audio Video News

Last week, Cirrus Logic announced an agreement that will make possible broad deployment of THX-grade home-theater systems. In a press release, the company says it has licensed THX home-theater DSP (digital signal processing) algorithms from Lucasfilm for upcoming audio products. "Cirrus Logic thus becomes the first semiconductor manufacturer to combine THX post-processing capabilities with economical, embedded certified software for all popular audio DVD decoding standards. For leading-brand mass-market suppliers, this solution will simplify designs, reduce costs, and lower the price point for implementing THX audio technology into A/V hi-fi receiver amplifiers that support playback of DVD movies."

Cirrus is a participant in the Home THX Program, a collaboration between Lucasfilm engineers and audio-component manufacturers aimed at making the playback of film soundtracks at home as faithful as possible to filmmakers' original intent. "We expect many audio manufacturers to design THX-certified products for the next model year," says Monica L. Dashwood, general manager, Lucasfilm THX. "This agreement makes it much easier for the manufacturers to develop THX-certified products. As a consequence, there will be greater variety of THX products available at lower price points, benefiting consumers and boosting business for both THX and our licensees."

In the past, we've reported how Cirrus Logic has helped fuel the home-theater juggernaut with its development of single-chip, multistandard decoders that have reduced the prices of today's 5.1-channel receiver/processors. According to Terry Ritchie of Cirrus Logic, "Our mission for the Crystal audio decoder product line now continues, as we help the average consumer afford the highest-quality home movie entertainment by delivering low-cost DSP solutions that include THX, which consumers increasingly consider the equivalent of a 'Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval' for sound quality."