APT & PRODYS announce reciprocal deal

Spanish audio and video compression specialist PRODYS has agreed to license Belfast based APT’s groundbreaking audio compression algorithm apt-X for use in its BACO Audio Compression Engine Module.
In a reciprocal agreement, APT will now sell BACO through its international distribution chain.
PRODYS, founded in 1995, provides audio and video compression technology and communications solutions to customers in the telcom and professional broadcast markets. The company’s close relationships with a number of highly respected universities allow it to remain at the forefront of technological development. It is also a member of the Texas Instruments Third Party Network, as well as a member of the MPEG-4 Industrial Forum.
PRODYS products, many of which are software based, are designed to allow third party customers to create their own audio and video applications and systems. In particular, its successful BACO module offers OEM manufacturers an off the shelf solution for multiple compression techniques. Designed for applications that require high quality compressed digital audio across a wide range of audio compression formats, BACO operates as a single device capable of performing an extensive range of applications, simply by changing its software parameters.
The BACO card is based on the DSP563xx Motorola DSP family; there are several versions available depending on the DSP device installed on the card. Its features include simultaneous stereo encoding and decoding capability; special functions for inverse multiplexing and automatic detection of the synchronization mode and linear PCM transmission capability.
The decision to license apt-X means that BACO now supports all audio algorithms, giving PRODYS’ partners access to the latest audio compression technology and enabling them to produce products that demand high quality audio with low end-to-end delay.
Commenting on the new arrangement, Alberto Dueñas, PRODYS’ Advanced Projects Director, said: “Our decision to license apt-X™ was based on customer demand. BACO is an OEM module, which is designed for integration into other people’s products. Many of our customers were aware of the quality of the APT algorithm and wanted BACO to support it.”
APT’s commercial director Jon McClintock added: “This licensing arrangement, combined with the simultaneous distribution deal we have signed, is highly beneficial for both companies as it satisfies demands from PRODYS customers for a high quality audio algorithm and gives APT OEMs another significant apt-X™ solution to incorporate into third party products.”
(GB)