Alliance with Sunsoft Expedites Circle Surround Interactive
Availability to Consumers and Game Developers Worldwide
SANTA ANA, Calif., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- SRS Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRSL), a
world-renowned leader in audio and voice technologies, and Sunsoft Company, a
division of Sun Corporation, a leading developer of home video game software
products, multimedia PC products, and coin operated arcade game machines, have
announced a strategic alliance to market SRS Labs' Circle Surround Interactive
(CS-I) technology. Through the alliance, Sunsoft will have marketing and
distribution rights for the Circle Surround Interactive products and game
encoding middleware. Circle Surround Interactive will deliver real time,
interactive multi-channel sound capability, when used in conjunction with
existing and future game consoles such as Sony PlayStation2, Sega Dreamcast,
Nintendo Dolphin or Microsoft X-box. Game developers can use the middleware
from Sunsoft to encode real-time movement of sound locations; front, back,
left and right, in accordance with the movement of game objects relative to
the user. The first Circle Surround Interactive hardware product will be
marketed under the product name of Sound Circle and is being demonstrated at
the Entertainment Electronics Expo (E3) from May 11-13 in Los Angeles.
Product launch is scheduled in September 2000 in anticipation of the roll out
of the Sony PlayStation2 in the United States.
"Developing this relationship with Sunsoft should give our Circle Surround
Interactive technology the boost it needs for quick market penetration,"
stated Thomas Yuen, CEO of SRS Labs, Inc. "With the sound enhancement
developed by SRS Labs and the hardware implementation manufactured by
ValanceTech Limited, Circle Surround Interactive is proving to be an excellent
example of SRS Labs' technology-linked strategy, aimed at high growth, high
value market segments. We're anxious to deliver Sound Circle into the hands
of gamers worldwide, and see the impact of Circle Surround Interactive
technology on the booming video game market."
Sunsoft's Sound Circle hardware product will consist of a custom Circle
Surround Interactive decoder and two rear-surround speakers, which in
conjunction with the stereo speakers of a TV or a separate stereo system can
play back the Circle Surround Interactive encoded game audio signals in five
channels. The center speaker is simulated as a phantom source using the front
left and right speakers. Designed by SRS Labs, the hardware decoder will be
manufactured by its wholly owned subsidiary ValenceTech Limited and marketed
by Sunsoft.
Circle Surround Interactive was developed by SRS Labs and is based on SRS
Labs' patented multi-channel Circle Surround 5.1 technology. Based on a
combination of software and hardware developments consisting of real-time 5.1
channel encoding technology that can be incorporated into console game
software, and a small hardware decoder, Circle Surround Interactive creates a
new dimension in sound for console games. Circle Surround Interactive can
also be used to playback encoded sound source from DVD, video, and satellite
broadcasts. When connected to the stereo output of a media player, it
provides a dramatic five-channel surround sound field comparable or superior
to other 5.1 channel transmission and decoding methods. For conventional
non-encoded stereo sources, a special mode of Circle Surround Interactive can
create a five-channel sound field allowing the user to enjoy any existing
library of non-encoded source material.
About SRS Labs, Inc.
SRS Labs is the world's leading provider of audio and voice enhancement
technology solutions. SRS Labs' business consists of licensing audio and
voice enhancement technologies to manufacturers of consumer electronics,
computer, gaming and telecommunications equipment; the design of custom ASICs
(application specific integrated circuits) for consumer electronics, game,
telecommunications and personal computer manufacturers; the distribution of
components, chips and assembly systems; and the manufacturing and marketing of
home theater and game products for the consumer marketplace.
For more information on SRS Labs' technologies, the company's worldwide
licensing program or its design and manufacturing capabilities, visit the SRS
Labs website at http://www.srslabs.com .
Except for historical information contained herein, Company statements and
each of the statements of Mr. Yuen in paragraph two of this release includes
forward-looking statements and projections (including statements concerning
plans and objectives of management for future operations) that are based on
management's belief, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently
available to, management.
While the Company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable
assumptions, there can be no assurances that the Company's goals will be
realized. Numerous factors (including risks and uncertainties) may affect the
Company's actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those
expressed in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.
Some of these factors include the acceptance of new SRS Labs' products and
technologies, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the timely
development and release of media content by the Company, general business and
economic conditions, especially in Asia, and other risks detailed in the
Company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q statements filed with the SEC.
SRS, Circle Surround, and the SRS symbol are registered trademarks of SRS
Labs, Inc. in the United States and selected foreign countries. Circle
Surround Interactive is a trademark of SRS Labs, Inc. in the United States and
selected foreign countries. All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE SRS Labs, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.srslabs.com
CONTACT:
Chris Rocke, Marketing Manager of SRS Labs,
Inc., 949-442-1070, chrisr@srslabs.com
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