All items in category Industry News
Fraunhofer IIS Shows Immersive Sound Future with MPEG-H at CES 2017
by audioXpress Staff

Fraunhofer IIS Shows Immersive Sound Future with MPEG-H at CES 2017

One of the most important highlights at CES 2017 was at the Fraunhofer IIS booth, showing final versions of several MPEG-H solutions, in preparation for the rollout of the first broadcast services adopting the standard next year. On display was an MPEG-H enabled LG UHD TV, scheduled to be available this year, and the final version of the MPEG-H enabled 3D Soundbar reference design. Fraunhofer IIS also developed a trademark program for products incorporating its MPEG-H TV Audio System.
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TIDAL Introduces MQA Streaming “Master Audio” Support
by Joao Martins

TIDAL Introduces MQA Streaming “Master Audio” Support

During CES 2017, TIDAL and MQA announced the much anticipated support for Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) on their streaming service. Until now only available on file-based downloads, the bandwidth efficient high-resolution audio format (HRA) is now available on a mainstream platform. TIDAL was previously the only music streaming service to offer a “higher-quality” subscription option. Those subscribers will now be able to access MQA encoded masters.
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HDMI Forum Announces Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification to Support 8K and Dynamic HDR
by audioXpress Staff

HDMI Forum Announces Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification to Support 8K and Dynamic HDR

Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification supports a range of Higher Video Resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, Dynamic HDR, and increased bandwidth with a new 48G cable. Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification is backward compatible with earlier versions of the Specification, and was developed by the HDMI Forum’s Technical Working Group.
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Conexant Showcases Next-Gen Voice as an Interface and USB-C Headset Solutions at CES 2017
by audioXpress Staff

Conexant Showcases Next-Gen Voice as an Interface and USB-C Headset Solutions at CES 2017

In line with market trends, at CES 2017 Conexant is showing new hardware and software solutions designed to enable new voice-enabled AI assistant devices and next-gen USB-C type headphones. Conexant is showcasing its latest embedded hardware and software solutions designed to make it easy for CE manufacturers to develop new high-performance voice-enabled products and USB-C digital headphones.
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Shenzhen Micro & Nano Institute License CEVA Audio/Voice DSP for Microphone Far-Field Voice Pickup Applications
by audioXpress Staff

Shenzhen Micro & Nano Institute License CEVA Audio/Voice DSP for Microphone Far-Field Voice Pickup Applications

CEVA DSP, a licensor of signal processing IP for smarter, connected devices, announced that Shenzhen Micro & Nano Institute (MNI) has licensed the CEVA audio/voice DSP for the development of a multi-mic voice processor targeting a range of intelligent hardware systems including robots, smart appliances and the smart home. CEVA DSP's will power MNI’s 360 degree voice positioning algorithm in their intelligent voice processor.
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Consumer Enthusiasm for Connectivity to Propel Tech Industry to Record-Setting Revenues
by audioXpress Staff

Consumer Enthusiasm for Connectivity to Propel Tech Industry to Record-Setting Revenues

Increasing consumer enthusiasm for the Internet of Things (IoT) and adoption of emerging technology will drive the U.S. consumer technology industry to $292 billion in retail revenues ($228 billion wholesale) in 2017, according to new research from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) unveiled in advance of CES 2017. Smart home devices, wearables and 4K Ultra HD televisions will help produce 1.5 percent year-over-year (YOY) growth in industry revenues.
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Pascal Announces Buyout of Minority Shareholder Camco
by audioXpress Staff

Pascal Announces Buyout of Minority Shareholder Camco

Leading OEM amplifier module provider for the global pro audio industry, Pascal A/S from Copenhagen, Denmark, has announced a buyout of its minority shareholder Camco, by its Danish founding team. The buyout has been executed through a joint holding company, which is now sole owner of the company. The buyout follows the acquisition of Camco by L-Group, the holding company for L-Acoustics.
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Kramer Electronics Acquires iRule and ON Controls
by audioXpress Staff

Kramer Electronics Acquires iRule and ON Controls

Kramer Electronics has announced the acquisition of iRule, LLC, creator of cloud-based control and automation software for commercial and residential markets. In 2014, Kramer announced a partnership with iRule to deliver its Kramer Control automation technology. This acquisition will enable Kramer to leverage the highly customizable iRule software platform to best address a growing demand for advanced control and automation solutions.
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Worldwide Home Audio Market Finishes Year On $11 Billion Dollar High
by audioXpress Staff

Worldwide Home Audio Market Finishes Year On $11 Billion Dollar High

Worldwide demand for home audio devices continues to gather momentum, with the category outperforming the wider CE market and on track to finish 2016 at 102 million units shipped and close to $11 billion in trade value, according to the latest market report from Futuresource Consulting. The rise of voice-controlled, connected-speakers, promises to propel further growth, according to the market research firm.
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Nielsen Acquires Music Metadata Service Gracenote for $560 Million
by audioXpress Staff

Nielsen Acquires Music Metadata Service Gracenote for $560 Million

Nielsen announced it has entered into an agreement with Tribune Media Company to purchase Gracenote, the industry’s premier provider of media and entertainment metadata, including the music metadata provided to all major digital music services, including Spotify and Apple iTunes. With this transaction, Nielsen will acquire the data and technology that underpins the programming guides and personalized user experience for major video, music, audio and sports content.
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