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Surround Sound goes Wireless with apt-X (5/7/2006)

Ugly speaker cables can finally be banished from the living room thanks to a range of new products incorporating the apt-Xâ algorithm, which deliver crystal clear surround sound to home theatre systems without the need for wires.

Developed by Belfast codec specialist APT, apt-Xâ is the audio compression standard of choice for Wireless Home Theatre as it allows multiple channel high quality audio to be transferred in bandwidth restricted frequencies.

Latency is a key issue in the Wireless Home Theatre market, especially for maintaining lip sync. Full systems latency of over 10mS begins to be irritatingly noticeable and can spoil viewing enjoyment. Only apt-X(R) addresses this problem because, with an end-to-end latency of 1.9mS, it is the singular audio audio compression algorithm currently available that allows the full system to operate below this key threshold.

Home Theatre manufacturers have been quick to spot the potential of this groundbreaking algorithm and are now incorporating apt-Xâ into their rear wireless receiver and transmitter units. By simply adding a product such as the Panasonic SH-FX50 to a compatible Panasonic home theatre system, consumers can form a wireless connection between the main unit and the surround speakers - all they have to do is set up their wireless receiver at the back of their living room and connect their rear surround speakers to it.

Key to APT's success in this market is Korean fabless semiconductor company Open Solution, which is a lead licensee for apt-x.

Open Solution, which counts Samsung, Panasonic and Funai among its many customers, is at the forefront of wireless technology and has released DWM3100, a high quality, low delay wireless audio chip based on the apt-Xâ compression algorithm. A growing number of manufacturers have now adopted this chip and are incorporating it into their Wireless Home Theatre Systems.

www.aptx.com