VESA Highlights Growing DisplayPort Alt Mode Adoption and Latest DisplayPort Developments at Mobile World Congress 2017
The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced that, thanks to escalating adoption by OEMs and chipmakers, the DisplayPort standard is continuing to gain momentum in the mobile consumer electronics space. Much of this recent growth stems from adoption of the DisplayPort Alternate Mode (“Alt Mode”) that is supported by dozens of commercially available products to date using the new USB Type-C connector.
Crestron Avia Multichannel Amplifiers Are Now Shipping
Following the introduction of the Avia range of audio DSPs, Crestron continues to expand its completely integrated Avia audio solutions portfolio, from speakers to Dante-networkable digital signal processors and the groundbreaking Avia Audio Tool software workspace. Now, Crestron is shipping the Avia multichannel amplifiers, with two models recently demonstrated at ISE 2017.
Waves Nx VR and MaxxVoice Audio Technology Now Available for Cadence Tensilica HiFi Audio DSPs
Cadence Design Systems and Waves Audio announced the availability of the Waves Nx Virtual Reality Audio Technology on the Cadence Tensilica HiFi 3 DSP for Audio, Voice, and Speech. The Waves Nx solution, which delivers high-quality VR audio and true 5.1 or 7.1 surround with a minimal resource footprint, will be demonstrated at the Cadence booth at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, February 27 to March 2, 2017, in Hall 6, Stand 6L36.
Gracenote Unveils New Much-Improved Connected Music Metadata Databases
As previewed at CES 2017, Gracenote, now a Nielsen company, announced its new generation of advanced connected metadata databases to enable new possibilities in search and discovery of digital entertainment across platforms and services. Spanning Video, Music and Sports, the all-new connected databases enable services like Apple Music, Tidal and Deezer with a whole new range of possibilities, including advanced audio personalization.
Wheatstone Acquires Former Harris Broadcast Radio Division
Wheatstone Corporation has acquired the assets and intellectual property of Pacific Research & Engineering (PR&E) from GatesAir of Quincy, Illinois (formerly Harris Broadcast) for an undisclosed amount. The purchase includes audio consoles, the networking system, the furniture lines, all designs, trademarks, engineering files and tooling, effectively restoring the PR&E console brand under the Wheatstone umbrella.
Facebook Unveils Technology Behind Audio 360 Virtual Reality Experience
First announced in Q4 2016, Facebook's 360 audio technology was discussed for the first time at Video@Scale, an invitation-only technical conference for engineers who work on large-scale video platforms and technologies. During the event, Facebook revealed more details of its new spatial audio encoding and rendering technology, using "hybrid higher-order ambisonics," and supporting head-locked audio for virtual reality applications.
CanJam NYC 2017 Headphone Audio Expo Report
CanJam NYC 2017 took place on February 4-5, 2017, in the fabulous Broadway Ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis, right in the heart of Times Square. Over 2000 earphone and headphone fanatics swarmed over the 55 table-top booths (showing about 100 brands). In this brief report we have chosen to highlight some of the products, companies and technologies that caught our attention.
Dirac Promises Major Product Introductions At Mobile World Congress 2017
Sound optimization technology experts Dirac Research announced the introduction of two new audio solutions that help transform nearly any mobile device and headphone into an on-the-go home theatre. The two solutions — the brand new Dirac VR and a second-generation Dirac Panorama Sound — will be formally unveiled and demonstrated at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017.
STMicroelectronics To Manufacture USound's Patented Thin-Film Piezo-Electric MEMS Micro-Speaker Technology
STMicroelectronics and Austrian company USound GmbH announced their collaboration on the industrialization and production of the world's first miniature piezoelectric MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) actuators for smart audio systems in portable devices. The patented micro-speaker technology from USound aims to replace commonly used balanced-armature and electrodynamic receivers for handsets with a small piezo-MEMS actuator.
Audio Hardware Sales Up 28%, Futuresource Quarterly Tracker Reveals
Audio hardware continues to outpace the wider Consumer Electronics sector, with global Q4 sales growing 28% year-on-year to $10.2 billion, according to new data from Futuresource Consulting’s quarterly audio tracking service, which includes a review of the key trends in the audio market. The popularity of music streaming services continues to drive market growth, as well as interest on Voice Personal Assistant (VPA) speakers, and growing adoption of wireless headphones.