SigmaTel Announces AC'97 Design Win with Compaq
SigmaTel to Provide Audio Solution for Compaq iPAQ; Consumers Get Higher Quality Audio, More Interactive Internet Experience
AUSTIN, TX (December 18, 2000) -SigmaTel, Inc., a provider of high-performance integrated circuit solutions for digital consumer audio, broadband communications and wireless infrared, announces a design win with Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ). SigmaTel's STAC9744 audio codec was selected for the Compaq iPAQ™ Home Internet Appliance IA-1.
With only two connections - a power cord and a phone cord - the iPAQ IA-1 is designed to offer users simple, quick and convenient access to the Internet, e-mail and online shopping and chat. In his Wall Street Journal review of the iPAQ Home Internet Appliance, Walt Mossberg said the device was "the best desktop Internet Appliance I've seen."
"The iPAQ Home Internet Appliance IA-1 is being lauded for its ability to bring the Internet to more people, and the SigmaTel AC '97 audio codec helps to bring the full audio impact of the Internet to these users," said Alan Hansford, vice-president of marketing for SigmaTel. "As a result of year-long discussions with Compaq, SigmaTel has the exciting opportunity to participate with a major PC manufacturer that has moved into the Internet Appliance market. With a rich and satisfying Internet experience becoming more and more dependent on excellent audio reproduction, consumers are increasingly taking audio into account when selecting a PC or Internet appliance."
By using the SigmaTel STAC9744 audio codec for sound reproduction, the iPAQ IA-1 maximizes the user's listening experience. The Total Harmonic Distortion, or the degree to which playback strays from the original recording, is 0.02% in the 9744, preserving the accuracy of the signal. The Signal-To-Noise Ratio is a very high 103 dB, which means soft passages are quiet with no hiss. The high-quality hardware sample rate converters on the 9744 can accept the different data sample rates that exist on the Internet, reducing the demand on the host processor.
As the industry leader in AC '97 codec sales according to Mercury Research's 2001 report, the STAC9744 is the latest high-end part to join SigmaTel's family of codecs that incorporate special features and new soft audio driver support.
Interested motherboard developers should contact SigmaTel at hostaudio@sigmatel.com.
About SigmaTel:
SigmaTel is a provider of integrated circuits that brings digital consumer audio, broadband communications and wireless infrared solutions to the home and small business markets. Since its inception, SigmaTel has built a strong reputation as an innovative developer of mixed-signal ICs, by being first to market with several highly integrated designs. The privately held company is committed to providing customers with high performance products along with superior customer service and is based in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit SigmaTel's Web site at www.sigmatel.com.
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