Here’s something many consumers can identify with: You’re watching your favorite TV show at your preferred listening level and then a commercial produces a significant change in the volume. Suddenly you find yourself reaching for the remote control to adjust the sound.
Why? Because the sound level of the commercial has been set to grab your attention. The same problem holds true for channel surfing, with volume levels changing across channels. In many home entertainment systems, there are also source-level inconsistencies across devices and content.
Audio volume leveling technologies and other sound-enhancement features took big strides in 2008, and they are poised for a breakout in 2009. Dolby Laboratories’ Dolby Volume® technology, SRS Labs’ TruVolume® and Audyssey Dynamic VolumeTM features are among the notable solutions working their way into consumer electronics products.
Because each of these technologies solves a very real consumer problem, studies suggest that building them into consumer electronics devices can make products more compelling to consumers and possibly provide a competitive edge at retail.
Recognizing this opportunity, Cirrus Logic was an early leader in developing audio processing ICs that incorporate these features, with ICs that offer various stereo and multichannel surround sound options for each of the major volume enhancement technologies.
Whatever the technology, they each offer a simple, understandable premise that consumers can understand: the listener sets the preferred listening level, and it stays that way.
“Ever since we heard the first volume enhancement technology demonstrations from the various providers, Cirrus Logic knew that these technologies would be revolutionary,” said Terry Ritchie, Marketing Director, DSP Products, Cirrus Logic. “As soon as consumers experience the volume stability delivered via these technologies, they will quickly adopt it as a must-have check-box feature requirement for their DTVs.”
With Cirrus Logic chip solutions available now, volume leveling solutions are poised to be the next big thing in home entertainment for 2009.
Copyright © 2009 Cirrus Logic, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cirrus Logic, Cirrus, and the Cirrus Logic logo designs are trademarks of Cirrus Logic, Inc. Dolby Volume is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. TruVolume is a trademark of SRS Labs, Inc. Audyssey Dynamic Volume is a trademark of Audyssey Laboratories, Inc.
I can't wait to get my hands on this bit of technology. My downstairs neighbor can attest to how loud commercials come across my home theater system. It can be down right deafening.
Posted by: Audio Equipment Speakers | February 15, 2009 at 03:19 PM