Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Analog Devices
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 21 July 2006
SHARC quartet bring audio to HD DVDs
Toshiba uses four SHARC processors to power the audio signal chain in the world's first HD DVD players, the HD-A1 and the HD-XA1.
The Analog Devices SHARC processor has been selected by Toshiba to power the audio signal chain in the world's first HD DVD players, the HD-A1 and the HD-XA1 The HD-A1 and HD-XA1 leverage four SHARC processors to enable multi-channel audio, providing the high-fidelity audio needed to support the high-definition digital media format delivered to today's digital home
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 10 Sep 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Processors chosen for audio/video receivers
SHARC audio processing enables audio formats such as Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.
The SHARC processors are able to decode multichannel streams in a wide array of audio formats.
Leveraging the 32bit floating-point capabilities of the SHARC ADSP-2126x family, the HD-A1 and HD-XA1 support lossy and lossless formats from DTS and Dolby Labs - including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD (Core decode).
The SHARC's processing power is critical for the simultaneous decode of the Dolby Digital Plus streams, which can reach up to 3Mbit/s, and the simultaneous conversion to backwards compatible Dolby Digital streams.
In addition to performing the required conversion processing, the SHARC processors conduct the up and down sampling; secondary and effect channel decode; and perform extensive onboard multichannel signal management including: bass management, delay management and channel level management.
"In delivering to market the first HD DVD players, we required robust processing capabilities".
"The SHARC processors has been a leader in the high-performance audio market for over a decade and its ability to process complex audio algorithms made it ideal for the HD-A1 and HD-XA1", said Hiroyuki Tokoro, Technology Executive, Toshiba Corporation.
"Analog Devices is pleased to play a role in this revolutionary new technology that shapes the way today's consumers view movies in the home", said Mike Haidar, General Manager, Software and Systems Technology, Analog Devices "As the HD video format continues to flourish, manufacturers are recognising the need for high-performance, multichannel audio to support it".
"All too often, products have delivered pristine video only without giving audio performance the proper consideration".
"As manufacturers begin to recognise the need for high-performance audio to support advanced digital video formats, SHARC is becoming increasingly critical to the advanced TV market".
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