Music Instrument Giant Gibson Guitar Corp. and Cirrus Logic, a Leading Audio Chip Provider, Join Forces to Develop Cutting Edge
November 09 2005 - 10:00AM
Business Wire
Two of the world's leading names in audio technology, instrument
giant Gibson Guitar Corp. and chipmaker Cirrus Logic Inc.
(Nasdaq:CRUS), have announced an agreement to develop and deliver a
new generation of digital audio networking products beginning in
2006. Building upon Cirrus Logic's leading CobraNet(TM) technology
and Gibson's popular MaGIC technology, the new products will
provide high-channel count media transport solutions for
professional markets, while enabling secure multiroom distribution
of media content in consumer markets. Gibson and Cirrus Logic will
focus on the development of next-generation gigabit Ethernet-based
products designed to provide high-bandwidth, ultra-low latency and
secure audio and video transport. Such technologies will
dramatically improve distribution and management of digital content
for use in such fields as recording, live music distribution and
network-based consumer content delivery, while providing the
foundation for media content protection. "The world has migrated to
digital media formats, but many audio/video manufacturers continue
to endorse old analog or proprietary connectivity methods," said
Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson. "Gibson is committed
to leveraging existing networking infrastructure as the basis for
the high-quality, secure and open method of transporting digital
media." "By working with Gibson, Cirrus Logic looks forward to
extending our leadership position in networked digital audio
markets through a new generation of products for Gigabit Ethernet
networks," said David D. French, president and CEO, Cirrus Logic.
"Through CobraNet technology, Cirrus Logic has established a
leading position as an IC supplier for professional and commercial
audio markets. By working with Gibson, our next-generation of
products will further extend our opportunity into the home, where
consumer networks demand high-bandwidth capacity for distributing
audio, video and data traffic." As part of the agreement, Cirrus
Logic and Gibson will jointly develop specifications for the new
software protocol that will form the basis for the new products,
with Cirrus Logic's engineering teams driving the development of
the resulting ICs. The new protocol will provide backward
compatibility with CobraNet technology as well as Gibson's MaGIC
technology. This will help ensure existing customers an easy
migration path that can utilize the ultra-high bandwidth provided
by Gigabit Ethernet networks. In addition to the new products under
development, Gibson will continue to offer MaGIC on a royalty-free
basis, further increasing the opportunities for companies to
develop network media offerings. Additionally, Cirrus Logic will
continue to develop and market its CobraNet Silicon Series of ICs
and modules. Gibson Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic
models in every major style of fretted instrument, including
acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson's
digital guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar
design in more than 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Mich.,
and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. since 1984, Gibson Guitar
Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts,
Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin,
Hamilton and Wurlitzer. Cirrus Logic Inc. Cirrus Logic is a premier
supplier of high-performance analog, mixed-signal and digital
processing solutions for consumer entertainment electronics,
automotive entertainment and industrial product applications.
Building on its global market leadership in audio ICs and its rich
mixed-signal patent portfolio, Cirrus Logic targets audio, video
and precision mixed-signal applications in these growing markets.
The company operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, with
offices in California, Colorado, Europe, Japan and Asia. Cirrus
Logic, Cirrus and CobraNet are trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All
other product names noted herein are trademarks of Gibson/Baldwin.
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