THX Drives Digital Amplifier Manufacturers to Meet Performance Requirements

Two Digital Amplifiers Achieve the THX Ultra2 Criteria for Audio/Video Receivers

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., December 14, 2004 – THX Ltd., the leading provider of technologies, certification programs and quality assurance standards for the entertainment industry, today announced that two digital amplifiers have successfully met the performance criteria for use with THX Ultra2 Certified audio-video receivers. D2Audio and ICEpower are the first companies to design digital amps capable of achieving the THX Ultra2 amplification requirements. Each amplifier has distinct performance characteristics and is unique in its design approach to solve key technical and performance requirements of digital amplifiers.

“THX has made it a priority to partner with leading technology developers to analyze and qualify new technologies and components for integration into THX Certified products,” said Laurie Fincham, vice president of engineering at THX. “This type of work provides our licensees with a means to improve product time-to-market by verifying components in advance that can be used to meet THX Certification standards. As the THX Certification program expands, we will continue to focus on researching and validating the best possible technology solutions for our partners.”

Digital amplifier technology can provide several key benefits to manufacturers of audio-video receivers, including slimmer designs for reducing overall system size and customizable playback features. However, until now, most digital amps could not deliver THX Ultra2 compatible performance. The THX engineering team worked closely with many digital amplifier manufacturers for several years, conducting exhaustive testing until the THX specifications were finally met by D2 Audio and ICEpower. Their digital amps are now available for integration with THX Ultra2 Certified receivers, providing THX’s partners the flexibility to choose from a variety of analog and digital amp components for next-generation home audio products. Each company, along with the market, will determine the applications these two digital amplifiers are best suited to address.

“This is a true milestone for digital amplifier technology,” said Skip Taylor, chief technology officer at D2Audio. “Reaching the performance levels required for THX Ultra2 Certified receivers moves D2Audio’s digital amplifiers into a new class of quality, illustrates the ability to break down the historic barriers for this new technology, and opens the door for integrating digital amp components into more high-end audio products.”

“THX dedicated a considerable amount of time and resources to evaluate our technology and provide insight into achieving the amplification requirements for the THX Ultra2 Certified receivers,” said Karsten Nielsen, founder and chief technology officer from ICEpower. “The result is a digital amplifier that will not only improve home entertainment systems’ performance levels, but will also expedite the CE industry’s transition from analog to digital amplifier components.”

ABOUT THX ULTRA2
THX Ultra2 Certified audio-video receivers are designed by manufacturers to meet or exceed the THX specifications for presentation excellence. THX Ultra2 Certified products accurately translate multi-channel audio content–movies, music and games–to home theater environments, and incorporate THX listening modes and reference levels for bass management, distortion and signal noise. D2Audio and ICEpower meet the amplification performance requirements to have their companies’ components in THX Ultra2 amplified products.

About THX Ltd.
THX Ltd. provides technologies and services for optimizing the production and playback of entertainment content in the professional and consumer markets. The company’s certification programs and technologies deliver the ultimate entertainment experience, providing superior playback of movies, music and games, and improving the interoperability of entertainment products and applications. Today, thousands of commercial cinemas, post-production studios, home entertainment products, DVDs and games have been designed and certified by THX. Founded in 1983, THX is headquartered in San Rafael, Calif. Its Digital Works office, offering quality assurance, DVD mastering and post-production services, is based in Burbank. For more information, visit www.thx.com.