June 12, 2012 – Imagination Technologies ( www.imgtec.com ), a leading provider of semiconductor technology for multimedia and communications, announced today that its meta processor has received 'Dolby MS11' certification. The meta processor is a platform widely used in digital audio product families, including docks, radios, and connected audio systems. The MS11-certified meta processor enables the decoding of various multi-stream audio utilizing a single thread.

The Dolby MS11 Multistream Decoder is provided to TV and set-top box manufacturers as a single-package solution capable of decoding high-end audio formats, including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, High Efficiency Audio Compression (HE AAC) with Dolby Metadata, and all HE AAC/AAC bitstreams. This solution offers optimal compatibility for home theater systems and broadcast audio standardization.

The embedded metaprocessor family adopts multi-threaded, high-performance hardware to combine general-purpose 'apps' and DSP functions into a single processor. Therefore, this family is highly suitable for audio SoC applications as it improves System-on-a-Chip (SoC) latency while supporting complex DSP, computational functions, and real-time processing.

Currently, broadcasters worldwide are operating various formats to adapt to new TV audio standards. Meta manufacturers are also providing cost-effective solutions compatible with comprehensive audio formats and standards through Dolby MS11. This ensures that the company's TV or set-top box products meet current and future audio requirements.

Tony King-Smith, Vice President of Marketing at Imagination, emphasized, “The Meta Processor is already well known as an outstanding audio DSP and is being applied to products from Pure, Sony, Roberts, Alpine, as well as leading manufacturers of indoor, portable, and automotive audio systems.” He added, “Imagination takes pride in the belief that video is only complete through superior audio sound, and we are confident that our PowerVR is already the most advanced technology on the market.” He further stated, “Imagination is very pleased to lead audio solutions together with Dolby and to provide the best multi-stream audio to our customers.”

Jason Power, Senior Director of the Broadcast Audio Ecosystem at Dolby Laboratories, stated, “Dolby is committed to providing the best solutions to meet the diverse challenges required by the global broadcast ecosystem.” He added, “In particular, the metaprocessor has achieved perfect compatibility with HD broadcast and online audio formats through Dolby MS11. It is very exciting that this technology allows viewers to enjoy a consistent, high-quality audio experience anytime, anywhere.”

Imagination expanded its IP portfolio for high-definition (HD) TVs by adding Dolby MS11 capabilities to its metaprocessors. Imagination's IP technologies include 'nSigma MultiStandard,' which connects the demodulation of global broadcast signals with Smart TVs; 'PowerVR Graphics' and 'PowerVR MultiStandard' for cutting-edge games, applications, and user interfaces; 'Multistream' video decoding and encoding supporting up to 4Kx2K digital video; 'Meta Multistream' audio and application processors; and HelloSoft's V.VolP technology, 'Video Chat.'

Dolby MS11 is available to any meta-license user who has acquired a Dolby license.