CSR, plc. (LSE: CSR) today announced it will preview next-generation connected home infotainment platforms boasting an assortment of technologies that include smart TV, wireless audio and wireless connectivity capabilities at the upcoming IFA in Berlin on 2-7 September. The private demonstration, which is open to customers and industry analysts only, will illustrate CSR’s vision of the future of connected home infotainment systems, and is a clear example of how the merger with Zoran is strengthening CSR’s market position by enabling the company to produce higher value solutions.
“Through the merger with Zoran, we are now able to deliver more powerful platforms that combine our expertise in audio-visual, connectivity and location technologies to enhance the consumer experience with next-generation infotainment systems in the home, auto and mobile markets,” said Kanwar Chadha, Chief Marketing Officer for CSR. “Our strategy is driven by our vision of delivering innovative solutions for an emerging world of location-aware, media-rich, cloud-connected ecosystem, and we will be previewing some of these concepts at the IFA show within days of our merger with Zoran.”
According to Chadha, the internet is quickly becoming an important source of streaming media services for entertainment and information in the home, complementing cable, satellite and broadcast media as consumers increasingly channel these services to their home TVs. At the same time, wireless technologies are making it easier to install smart home infotainment systems by eliminating much of the complex and unsightly wiring. The merger with Zoran enables CSR to bring these pieces together to create more comprehensive platforms its customers can use to build next-generation systems.
CSR will also be conducting several demonstrations of its wireless audio platform with aptX™ low-latency wireless audio compression technology at the IFA show, highlighting how this unique solution plays a key role in enhancing CSR’s platform solutions by enabling handsets, portable music players, speakers, headphones and other devices to stream high-quality stereo audio over Bluetooth wireless links. CSR aptX for Bluetooth delivers outstanding stereo audio quality over Bluetooth links that retains the integrity of the original digital audio and eliminates lip sync issues when viewing video content.
“Our aptX technology is now reaching critical mass as major OEMs such as Nokia and Samsung integrate it into their consumer products, and the buzz from these announcements has already had an impact on other market players, who are now expressing interest in this technology,” said Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President of CSR’s Home business area. “CSR aptX technology is also an important part of our platform strategy, enabling high-quality, low-latency wireless audio over wireless Bluetooth links to and from a growing array of consumer devices.”
At the IFA show, CSR will provide its customers with a glimpse into the future of home entertainment, highlighting robust video, audio and connectivity capabilities. These include the latest Zoran video and audio decode engines, proprietary 2D-to-3D conversion technology and three-dimensional upscaling of standard-definition content; Bluetooth audio streaming, enhanced with CSR aptX high-fidelity, low-latency audio technology, enabling the use of wireless speaker systems and Bluetooth stereo headsets to deliver lip-synced audio that is indistinguishable from that of wired systems; and Bluetooth low energy technology allowing the concurrent use of Bluetooth remote controls, keyboards, mice and 3D glasses, each of which can be powered for years on a single set of batteries.
CSR will also be conducting several other demonstrations highlighting many of its leading connectivity technologies, including:
- The CSR Harmony Bluetooth stack for Windows – a complete software solution that adds Bluetooth 4.0 + high speed and Bluetooth low energy support and over 20 profiles to platforms using the Microsoft XP, Vista or Windows 7 operating systems.
- CSR Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy technology – Next generation connectivity solutions that enhance the consumer experience in a broad range of wireless connected devices, including speaker bars, headphones, 3D glasses and remote controls.
The demonstrations will be conducted in the CSR pavilion in Hall 1.2, Stand 139. CSR customers and industry analysts wishing to view the private home infotainment demonstration should contact CSR about an invitation.
