DVD-Audio for the Masses

Chip manufacturer Cirrus Logic announced last week that it has introduced two audio, high-performance, digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that it claims will enable manufacturers to bring more DVD-Audio players to the mainstream consumer market.

According to Cirrus, the new CS4340A and CS4341A provide "an easy upgrade path" for manufacturers and include the 192kHz decoding required for DVD-Audio. The company adds that the new chips "enable digital entertainment equipment manufacturers to bring new technologies and attractive new capabilities to consumers at mass-market prices."

The new DACs are intended for use in such consumer-electronics applications as DVD-Audio players, DVD-receivers, digital A/V receivers, DVD-recorders, and automotive audio systems. Cirrus notes that both chips support 24-bit conversion and all standard audio sample rates up to 192kHz, complying with the DVD-Audio standard.

Features include proprietary automatic sample-rate detection for sample rates from 4kHz to 192kHz, single-power-supply operation from 3.3V to 5.0V, the Popguard technology for control of power-cycle clicks and pops, and low clock-jitter sensitivity. The CS4341A DAC also includes a digital volume control with "soft ramp" and "zero cross transitions" that the company says improves overall system sound quality.

Because the CS4340A and CS4341A are pin-compatible with Cirrus' current low-cost audio DACs, the company anticipates that manufacturers will take advantage of the easy upgrade path by using their existing DAC sockets. Cirrus says the CS4340A and CS4341A are available now for $1.11 and $1.24, respectively, in 50,000 OEM quantities.

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