CHORD selects apt-X codec for Hi-Fi wireless audio…
Posted: Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 11:41 am
CHORD selects apt-X codec for Hi-Fi wireless audio
26/08/2009
High-end audio equipment designer selects apt-X audio compression for next-generation products, including the Chordette Gem, an award-winning Bluetooth adapter for high-fidelity stereo systems.
APTX, the audio compression developer, today announces that Chord Electronics Ltd., the renowned British designer of reference and high-end audio equipment, has licensed the apt-X® audio codec for use in Chord’s next generation of audio products that wirelessly connect Bluetooth A2DP enabled media players – such as music phones, MP3 players, the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch – to high-fidelity stereo audio systems. The award-winning ‘Chordette Gem’, an easy-to-use device designed to integrate within existing hi-fi and home theater systems, is expected to be the first new wireless audio connectivity product from Chord to leverage the outstanding stereo audio quality of the apt-X codec when incorporated in Bluetooth A2DP technology.
Chord joins a fast-growing number of market-leading OEMs in consumer electronics, notably Creative, Sennheiser, and more recently, Motorola, who have taken first-mover advantage to license apt-X compression technology for inclusion in high-quality wireless audio applications – for example, in Stereo Bluetooth headphones and multi-room wireless speakers where apt-X encode is employed on the transmit/play-out (Bluetooth “source”) side and apt-X decode on the receive (Bluetooth “sink”) side. Developed by APTX over many years, and already widely deployed in professional audio equipment for broadcast audio contribution and movie surround-sound post production, apt-X is designed to compress multi-channel digital audio for low-latency, full-bandwidth transmission over wireless links, or streaming over IP networks, without compromising sound quality.
Chordette Gem leverages apt-X
The Chordette Gem from Chord is the first in a new range of lower cost products designed to integrate within any existing Hi-Fi system. The Gem has employs Chord’s unique Bluetooth audio receiver technology to allow the transfer of music from a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, laptop computer, or games console. The addition of a USB port also allows direct streaming of audio from a PC or Mac. The Chordette Gem took the “Best Gadget” prize at the prestigious Media Totaal Awards 2009 in the Netherlands: www.mediatotaalawards.nl
Commenting on this latest design win for apt-X, Noel McKenna, CEO of APTX said: “The apt-X powered wireless audio ecosystem is taking hold in the world of consumer electronics and growing fast. Chord’s endorsement of apt-X technology for Hi-Fi stereo applications sends a clear message to the CE industry and consumers alike –that Bluetooth audio is more than just a mono headset thing for speech-quality only. Thanks to the apt-X audio codec, the term ‘Hi-Fi Bluetooth’ isn’t the oxymoron it once appeared.”
Matt Bartlett, Production Manager for England based Chord Electronics, said: “We are pleased to have worked with the team at APTX to further develop our Bluetooth products. With our superb hardware decryption already in place we felt that the inclusion of the apt-X codec within our existing design would take full advantage of any future enhancements in Bluetooth transmission.”
APTX exhibits new, apt-X powered products in the TecWatch Hall at this year’s IFA international consumer electronics show in Berlin, from Thursday, September 4, to Tuesday, September 9, 2009.
