SigmaTel, a developer of mixed-signal multimedia semiconductors, is helping portable music player maker FunTwist to cut clumsy wired headphones. The new FunTwist D-Chord800 digital audio player promises high-quality digital music performance in multiple formats wirelessly via a Bluetooth link that switches to phone mode when it detects an incoming call.

The new D-Chord800 supports MP3, WMA and WAV formats as well as EQ modes, ID3 tag display, synchronous lyrics and Microsoft's Digital Rights Management (DRM) system, opening the door to legal online music downloads. Using the Bluetooth link, the D-Chord800 provides more than 6 hours of playback time and more than 15 hours when using a wired headset, according to the company. The flash memory-based D-Chord800 is available in 256MB, 512MB and 1GB models.

One of the keys to the D-Chord800's performance is the use of SigmaTel's STMP3510 portable, digital audio System on Chip (SoC) solution. Designed with a high-level of integration, including Hi-Speed USB 2.0, the STMP3510 claims faster transfer rates, increased on-chip power-management and battery recharge capabilities.

'SigmaTel provides its customers with full System on Chip solutions that allow them to develop innovative products that appeal to today's consumers,' said Ron Edgerton, president and CEO of SigmaTel. 'The D-Chord800 will offer users industry-leading audio quality, and the addition of Bluetooth capabilities will allow them to enjoy music wirelessly.'

'As consumer electronics gradually merges with the IT industry, making IT products that are attractive to mainstream consumers is becoming a major focus. At FunTwist, we deliberately challenge conventional logic and design products that take into account the entire user experience - products that enrich the lives of our users with enjoyment and fun,' said Lewis Lu, President of FunTwist. 'The new D-Chord800 is the latest example of this ethos in action, and we are grateful to SigmaTel for their support and technology that has made it possible.'

SigmaTel's portable audio SoC solutions provide high quality audio playback for portable devices such as MP3 players, language learners, and jukeboxes. The company's solutions offer benefits such as a 30 per cent lower bill of material costs, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, 50 hours of battery life on a single AA battery and incredibly small form factor designs as small as 14.5cm2. With flexible software support and upgrade options, the SigmaTel SoC solution offers support for MP3 and WMA audio format algorithms as well as security in WMA DRM.

BIOS, Nov 11, 05 | Print | Send | Comments (0) | Posted In Audio