Chris Lanier

AV Expander Cards, USB Input Amps and Digital Amps Further Expand upon Media Center’s Ubiquitous Functionality

Sacramento, Calif. (August 1, 2006) – Blazing the trail for the “Digital Living Room,” Simplifi Digital recently announced the release of three new breakthrough product lines including its new series of AV Expander Cards, USB Input Amplifiers, and ADAT Input Media Center Amplifiers – the digital spin-off of the wildly popular “75” series of audio amplifiers.

Building upon the ubiquitous nature of Windows® Media Center, Simplifi Digital’s latest product additions further enhance the functionality of Media Center. The AV expander card seamlessly enables legacy audio and video devices to interface and display through a connected television monitor Simplifi’s USB and ADAT input amplifiers allow audio sources to stream digitally to the amplifier regardless of motherboard or sound card quality while allowing the user to control surround sound processing through the Media Center application.

AV Expander Cards
The Simplifi Digital AV Expander allows legacy audio and video devices to be connected to the Media Center to display on a television monitor. The AV Expander integrates within the Media Center’s user interface an provides all audio and video processing – including video scaling in high speed or high resolution modes – allowing the user to display alternate sources on the television monitor in full screen mode with just the touch of a button.

Because all audio and video processing is performed by the Media Center, Simplifi Digital’s AV Expander creates an ideal environment for mixing traditional video sources such as VCR’s, game consoles, and analog video cameras with the Media Center’s high resolution video output. Further, the user can use a high quality DVI connection between the Media Center and the monitor, while still connecting to legacy devices, without the need for any external hardware.

The AV Expander also supports both remote controls and keyboards as control sources, and provides user-selectable alert options for Media Center messages including alert icons or live video. For further ease-of-use, text labeling for the multiple AV source buttons can be selected from an intuitive list that includes S-Video, Composite, VCR, Camera and Game Console to match any device connected to the AV Expander. An optional companion remote control with four additional source selection buttons is also available. The AV Expander Card is priced at U.S. $99.

USB Input Amplifiers
Simplifi Digital’s 5075D USB Input Amplifiers transmit an audio stream over the USB to the Media Center where the audio is processed and then converted to an analog signal. By moving the digital-to-analog conversion into the amplifier chassis, Simplifi Digital’s USB input models provide the user with the best possible sound experience, regardless of motherboard or sound card quality. USB input units support stereo, 5.1 Dolby Digital, and CMSS Surround Sound output as well as 24-bit/96kHz audio input. It supports stereo, 5.1 Dolby Digital and various synthetic Surround Sound modes, as well as 24-bit line-level audio input. A secondary SPDIF output is included for an auxiliary receiver in multi-room installations.

The 5075D is easy to install, requiring only a power source, software installation, and the USB and speaker connections. It includes driver software and the Simplifi Digital Media Center Sound application to dynamically select the various surround settings through the remote control. The USB Input amplifier is available in black and in silver, and is priced at U.S. $499.

ADAT Input Media Center Amplifiers
Simplifi Digital’s ADAT (Alesis Digital Audio Tape) Input Amplifier is designed for Media Centers that utilize Intel motherboards with Intel High Definition audio, possess the SigmalTel 9223 sound chip, and use Intel Audio Studio 2.0 software.

ADAT is a professional eight channel, optical audio standard that Intel supports on higher-end motherboards, including most Viiv products. With this architecture, all sound processing is performed within the Media Center (in the digital domain) and is sent optically to the ADAT amplifier, where it is converted into the analog domain just prior to power amplification. By moving the digital-to-analog conversion into the amplifier chassis, the ADAT amplifier provides the user with the best possible sound experience and eliminates the possibility of sound degradation from electrical noise. Intel Sound Studio 2.0 supports a variety of speaker configurations and uses Sonic Focus or Dolby Labs audio technologies for enhanced surround sound processing. The ADAT Input Media Center amplifier is available in black and in silver, and is priced at U.S $599.

“Simplifi Digital’s latest product releases further extend the capabilities of the Media Center application,” explained Marty Holloway, CEO of Simplifi Digital. “Media Center users can now access their legacy devices at the mere touch of a button, and can experience unmatched audio quality and clarity – all the way up to a professional standard.”

"Simplifi Digital has cool technology and the right approach: focusing on providing a complete solution for consumers using Windows Media Center,” said Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of the Entertainment and Devices eHome Division at Microsoft Corp. “This solves real problems that real consumers — including me — encounter, and in the process it helps fulfill our vision of the Windows Media Center PC as the centerpiece of the digital living room."

All three of the new product offerings, which have already received significant critical acclaim, are currently available for shipment. For detailed specifications and purchasing information, please visit www.simplifidigital.com

About Simplifi Digital
Simplifi Digital is the developer of the world’s first line of amplifiers designed specifically for use with Microsoft’s Windows Media Center. Founded in 2004 by a leader in audio-visual technologies, the company’s mission is to make today’s home entertainment and residential technologies less complex - and more powerful - than ever before.