Taipei, Taiwan, January 14, 2010 – VIA Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of PC and prosumer audio silicon, today unveiled the VIA Vinyl Envy VT1730 USB 2.0 Audio Controller, the industry’s first highly-integrated single chip solution that leverages the broad USB 2.0 bandwidth (480 Mb/s) to deliver uncompromised audio quality.

The VIA Envy VT1730 is an 8-channel, 24-bit/192kHz audio controller specifically designed to achieve cinema-quality audio recording and playback in high fidelity USB and MIDI system applications. Whether it’s using the bandwidth capacity of USB 2.0 to simultaneously support audio streams from a guitar, bass, keyboard and microphone, or delivering true-to-life sound to multiple speakers in a home theatre set-up, the VIA Envy VT1730 offers outstanding audio performance and impressive application flexibility. 

Providing a smooth interface between USB, analog and digital audio devices, the VIA Envy VT1730 is ideal for USB sound cards, headphones, audio hubs, recording consoles, and MIDI devices that require the streaming of considerable audio data between a host system and audio I/O system via the USB interface. 

“Over 10 years of experience in the audio component industry and extensive knowledge of peripheral interfaces has enabled this technology breakthrough,” said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Audio enrichment, through our successful VIA Vinyl Audio line of controllers and codecs, has long been a core element of VIA’s multimedia product focus, and the VIA Envy VT1730 further extends our reach beyond the PC into high-end audio systems.”

Notably, the VIA Envy VT1730 also supports the I²S standard enabling Blu-ray Disc™ audio content protection; solutions without this feature dramatically reduce audio quality to that of a regular CD, with a sampling rate of only 16-bit/48kHz.

For further information on the VIA Vinyl Envy VT1730, please visit the VIA website at:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/audio/controllers/envyusb/ 

About VIA Technologies, Inc.

VIA Technologies, Inc is the foremost fabless supplier of power efficient x86 processor platforms that are driving system innovation in the PC, client, ultra mobile and embedded markets. Combining energy-saving processors with digital media chipsets and advanced connectivity, multimedia and networking silicon enables a broad spectrum of computing and communication platforms, including its widely acclaimed ultra compact mainboards. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA’s global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world’s top OEMs and system integrators. www.via.com.tw

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 13, 2010 — Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced a 12-GHz differential wafer probing solution. The fine-wire probe tip is a high-fidelity, high-bandwidth solution that allows R&D and test engineers to debug and test high-speed active ICs using an oscilloscope.

The N2884A InfiniiMax differential fine-wire probe tip uses Agilent’s low-cost, ZIF probe head technology, which provides a flat frequency response over the entire 12-GHz bandwidth specification. The tip eliminates the distortion and loading that affect probes with in-band resonance. The N2884A measures a voltage versus an adjacent local ground or other node on the device under test. Other solutions measure a voltage versus a ground distant from the probe point. The technique used by the N2884A delivers better common mode noise rejection and superior signal integrity in measurements, allowing engineers to experience fewer probing effects when they debug designs for higher-speed devices.

The N2884A comes with a probe arm and a set of five probe tips. The probe arm is compatible with the Wentworth Laboratories micropositioner.

Information about the Agilent N2884A InfiniiMax differential fine-wire probe tip is available at www.agilent.com/find/N2884A.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent N2884A InfiniiMax differential fine-wire probe tip is available now at a price of $1,800.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 17,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net
revenue of $4.5 billion in fiscal 2009. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.