SRS Labs Introduces New Portable Surround Sound Encoder and Upgraded Pro Tools Plug-in at NAB 2006; SRS CSE-06P Belt-Mounted SRS Circle Surround Encoder Targeted for Live HD Event and News Capture

The SRS CSE-06P Portable Circle Surround(R) Encoder is the world'sfirst professional portable encoder specifically engineered to prepare5.1- or 6.0-multichannel audio for recording on two-channel recordersand ENG/EFP cameras. The unit includes a revolutionary surroundheadphone-monitoring mode, SRS Headphone PRO, which accuratelymonitors discreet 5.1-channel mixes over conventional headphones,thereby enabling realistic assessment of the captured surroundmaterial. The CSE-06P belt-pack encoder is a substantial developmentin surround encoding, enabling portable surround recording on SD- andHD-capable cameras. In this way, field recordings can be delivered forplayback, editing, and broadcast in surround sound through existingtwo-channel SD and HD infrastructures. In addition to SRS HeadphonePro mode, the unit also offers monitoring of individual channels andmonitoring of the SRS Circle Surround-encoded stream.

The newly upgraded SRS Circle Surround TDM Pro 2.0 plug-in forDigidesign's Pro Tools Series digital audio workstations includes anew MUSIC MODE for mixing and monitoring SRS Circle Surround-encodedmusic material. The plug-in also features the Xtract up-mixingfeature, which produces highly realistic 6.1-channel surround soundmixes from mono and stereo material with better image stability andnatural sound than offered previously. The SRS TDM Pro 2.0 nowprovides a broader front sound stage, enhanced lateral imaging, andbetter-sounding surround channels with a wider sense of separation.With much of the materials that mixers work with still being deliveredin mono or stereo, the SRS TDM Pro 2.0 provides broadcast mixers withthe ability to produce their material more effectively in a surroundmix.

Relaying high-quality 5.1-channel audio from a remote HighDefevent can be both expensive and complex. "It used to require massivegear and a custom multichannel uplink," said surround sound pioneerGary Baldassari, who engineers not only DVDs and CDs in surround, butalso handles sound for a wide range of landmark events ranging fromthe Super Bowl Halftime Show to G-Force One's "Vomit Comet." "The newCSE-06P from SRS Labs solves those problems by putting a SRS CircleSurround encoder on my belt for uplink over any two-channel carrier."

"Our long-standing relationship with broadcasters and engineersgives us insight into the right tools needed for audio in HD contentcreation and delivery," said Mike Canevaro, senior director ofbusiness development at SRS Labs. "Our new portable encoder and newlyupgraded TDM software makes it even easier for content providers anddigital distribution services to deliver the Personal HD Experience toviewers and listeners whatever device they use."

At NAB 2006, SRS Labs will also be demonstrating the end-to-endPersonal HD Experience whereby digital video content can be brought tothe user through a wide variety of sources, devices, and displaysfeaturing various SRS Labs technologies. SRS Labs production tools aredesigned to ensure the best possible multichannel sound across theentire HD experience, from Capturing up to 6.1 channels onto atwo-channel carrier, through Creating surround sound no matter whatthe playback source, to enabling surround in an increasinglyConvergent consumer electronics marketplace.

About Circle Surround

Radio and television stations across the world use SRS CircleSurround encoding technology to deliver full-bandwidth 6.1-channelsurround sound content over any stereo transmission path. SRS CircleSurround encoded signals are compatible with mono, stereo, LCRS, andSRS Circle Surround decoders. When decoded with SRS Circle SurroundII, the listener hears the complete multichannel mix. SRS CircleSurround II decoders also improve dialog clarity and shape a maximizedbass response with sculpted filters and driver physics to go beyondthe low frequency limitations of speakers and headphones. SRS CircleSurround Automotive is a full decoder suite that is tuned for eachcar's interior geometry to eliminate the "sweet spot" problem insurround sound playback.

Broadcasters using SRS Circle Surround include ABC, CBS, CBN, NBC,ESPN, ESPN HD, FOX, MBS (Japan), GAORA (Japan), FM Tokyo (Japan),Swedish Television (Sweden), Guang Dong Radio (China), CNR (China),and many others. Manufacturers such as Delphi, Fujitsu Ten, Honda,JVC, Marantz, Panasonic, Pioneer, Kenwood, Motorola Panasonic, Toyota,and Yamaha feature SRS Circle Surround or SRS Circle Surround Auto intheir products.

About SRS Labs, Inc.

SRS Labs develops advanced audio and communications technologythat optimizes and improves the listening experience throughtechniques based on the latest research into the human auditorysystem. With over 600 million products shipped worldwide, SRS Labs isa leader in audio. Incorporated in products ranging from HDTVs andmobile phones to PCs and automotive entertainment, SRS Labs audio andspeech signal processing provides the best possible sound on everyform factor and in every environment. SRS Labs surround soundsolutions enable the professional broadcast and recording industrieswith high-performance production, back-haul, storage, and transmissioncapability. SRS Labs supports manufacturers worldwide with offices inthe US, China, Japan, and Korea.