Report No: 6020

Forward Concepts, the premier market research firm tracking markets driven by digital signal processing (DSP) technology, is pleased to present our fourth study of the audio chip market.  We believe that this is the most extensive report available on the market for chips dedicated to audio functionality.

Understanding the dynamics of the audio market and the chips that enable it is vital for future planning, even for combination audio/video products like DVD and set-top box decoders.  These combination A/V products are discussed from the audio standpoint and the dollar value of audio silicon contribution is assessed and projected…a technique that is increasingly necessary in new system-on-chip (SOC) integrated circuits.

This study covers the analog and mixed-signal chips including audio codecs and specialty audio chips and both programmable and embedded DSPs.

The report chronicles the history of audio and its many formats and the introduction of multimedia capabilities with the original Sound Blaster™ PC card introduced in 1988.  Multimedia capabilities, brought about through mixed-signal and digital semiconductor technology, are now the focus of virtually all new audio devices. 

We believe that this report will be a valuable resource to you for your future audio product planning.

Who will benefit from this report?

Strategic Product and Market Planners
This report provides valuable insight into the audio chip marketplace, both as a separate technology and in conjunction with video.  Understanding the role of audio in the new world of multimedia is critical in strategic planning.  The changing audio distribution environment, moving from CDs to Internet downloads will have a profound effect on product planning and strategy, not just for chip vendors but for content providers as well.

Marketing and Sales Executives
Knowledge of competitive product offerings and market strengths of other companies prepares for positioning your own company’s products in the marketplace.

OEMs and System Houses
As a board-, module- or system-level manufacturer, you need to understand the chip market dynamics that affect both your component selections as well as your own future product direction.

About the Author:
Daniel Sweeney, Ph.D., is a widely published writer in the field of audio, telecommunications and high technology.  Formerly executive editor for America’s Network, he has also written for Lightwave, Interactive Week, CIO, Forbes High Technology, Electronic Business, Wireless World, Wireless Week, and many other leading business publications.  In the area of consumer and professional audio he has written for Audio, Sound & Communications, Stereo Review, The Absolute Sound, Widescreen Review, and many others.  In addition he has done circuit design in the area of linear amplification.  Dr. Sweeney has a B.A. from UCLA and two advanced degrees from Florida State University.

Editor:
Will Strauss, President of Forward Concepts, is the editor and a contributor to this report.  Mr. Strauss is an internationally-recognized authority on markets driven by digital signal processing (DSP) Technology.  He has an Electrical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech and a Masters degree in business from Southern Methodist University.

Size
374 Pages; 48 Figures, 26 Tables, glossary and detailed index

Price
North American Price: $2,750.00
Additional copies: $250.00 ea.
International Price:$2,850.00
Additional copies: $300.00 ea.

An electronic version of this report (PDF) is available only on an enterprise-license basis for $5,500.00.  Copies may be provided to other employees of the same company and/or posted on the company intranet.

Click on the order button on the side bar to order your copy of this report, or contact Forward Concepts at (480) 968-3759, fax (480) 968-7145 or E-mail info@fwdconcepts.com.