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Denon Selects BridgeCo Processor IC and Firmware for New Consumer Audio Products

Posted on: Thursday, 6 January 2005, 12:00 CST

BridgeCo (www.bridgeco.net), a leading provider of digital home entertainment networking solutions, announced today that it is providing silicon and firmware components for several Denon (www.usa.denon.com) consumer audio products, which are being demonstrated at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Denon, the industry's leading manufacturer of high-performance audio/video components, is using BridgeCo's processor/firmware combination to handle IEEE1394 and Ethernet connectivity functions in Denon's flagship AVR-5805 audio/video receiver (AVR), the first Denon audio receiver to feature Ethernet connectivity. The BridgeCo processor/firmware solution is also being used for IEEE 1394 connectivity in Denon's DVD-5900 and DVD-3910 DVD players.

The IEEE1394 capability (aka FireWire or i.Link) enabled by BridgeCo's processor/firmware solution allows the Denon DVD players to use a single, all-digital cable to stream all audio formats to the Denon AVR. This single connection replaces the half-dozen analog cables and the SP/DIF or co-ax cable required by DVDs and AVRs without IEEE1394 capability. The solution is compatible with industry standards, allowing Denon equipment to interoperate with other manufacturer's IEEE1394-equipped products.

Denon also uses BridgeCo silicon and software to enable Ethernet connectivity on the AVR-5805, which permits TCP/IP network control of AVR functions to this flagship product. BridgeCo's comprehensive processor/firmware solution makes it possible for AV receivers to digitally source uncompressed LPCM, and compressed MP3 and WMA audio files directly from a PC, offering consumers even more musical options to enjoy.

"We chose BridgeCo firmware and silicon for Denon audio products because their solution is based on a powerful processor, allowing future flexibility on connections and features," explained Hirofumi Ichikawa, President of Denon. "Their robust and flexible design was adapted for various products in our catalog, and the reliability of the BridgeCo solution met the exacting demands of Denon's knowledgeable customer base. Our mutual success in developing the innovative technologies featured in our new products was the result of our close collaboration."

Denon a World Leader in Audio/Video Products

Denon's AVR-5805 is an unprecedented single-component audio/video receiver that lets users enjoy a distributed, four-zone home theater entertainment experience. Featuring 16-channels of output capability and 10 discrete fully-assignable amplifiers, the AVR-5805 is the world's first AVR capable of providing multi-zone 5.1 system performance. Denon's DVD-3910 includes virtually all of the advanced features and audio benefits first introduced in Denon's acclaimed DVD-5900 DVD player. When connected to a receiver with IEEE1394 functionality, such as the AVR-5805, the DVD player can transmit digital audio data directly to the AVR for the ultimate level of sonic performance.

From its beginning in the 1930s as a supplier of professional recording studio and broadcast equipment, Denon has become a world leader in the manufacture of the highest quality audio, audio/video, and software products. Denon is recognized internationally for innovative and groundbreaking products and has a long history of technical innovations.

The BridgeCo Processor and Firmware Solution

BridgeCo's processor/firmware networking solution is a complete Entertainment Network Adaptor platform that includes a proprietary ARM-based DSP processor, a RTOS, and a proprietary application software stack. The BridgeCo processor can interface directly to 802.11/WiFi, HomePlug Powerline, IEEE1394, USB and/or Ethernet PHY chips, and it drives both digital and analog outputs that connect directly to any audio system. The processor/firmware combination performs all networking protocols, supports a wide range of digital rights management schemes, including DTCP encryption and decryption, and it decodes MP3 and WMA audio files.

"Denon sets the standard for audio products, and their confidence in our IEEE1394 and Ethernet solutions is very gratifying, proving once again that BridgeCo's Entertainment Network Adaptor platform can be used in the most sophisticated applications," said BridgeCo CEO Angelo Ugge "Denon's decision to integrate home networking capabilities directly into their audio products is undoubtedly a sign that home networking will become widely embedded in consumer electronics products in the coming years."

About BridgeCo

BridgeCo is a pioneer of digital entertainment networking solutions. The company's Entertainment Network Adapters(TM) (ENAs) are the world's most comprehensive, cost-effective and highly integrated silicon and software platforms for connecting Internet media sources, PCs and consumer electronics throughout the home. BridgeCo ENAs are used in a wide range of innovative and legacy products produced by the multi-billion dollar global consumer electronics industry, including Digital Media Players, Audio/Video receivers, DVD players, musical instruments and breakout boxes.

Underlying all BridgeCo solutions are proprietary, integrated semiconductor and software technologies that network PCs to CE devices via widely-used standards and protocols for network and signal processing, including IEEE 802.11/WiFi, IEEE 1394 and UPnP.

BridgeCo is an ISO 9001-certified company based in Zurich, Switzerland. Its key investors include Fidelity Ventures, Benchmark Capital, Earlybird, Infineon Ventures, and Intel Capital. For more information, please visit www.bridgeco.net.

All trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners.

Source: Business Wire

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