ESS AudioDrive Info (Thanks https://twitter.com/rakslice !) ES1488 ES1688 ES1879

ess_products.txt

(From SEC filing https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/907410/0000891618-97-001254.txt)
(Found by https://twitter.com/rakslice)
 
     ESS leverages a leadership position in PC audio, its video and fax/modem
technology, a diverse customer base, recognized quality, and dependable on-time
delivery to provide high quality, cost effective, and highly integrated
multimedia solutions for the personal computer and consumer markets. The Company
has three major families of products: the AudioDRIVE(TM) family addressing the
PC digital audio device market; the VideoDRIVE(TM) family targeting MPEG-1 and
MPEG-2 decompression-based consumer products, such as Video Compact Disk ("VCD")
player, Digital Versatile Disk ("DVD") player and set-top box; and the
Tele(TM)DRIVE family, focusing on the integrated audio-fax/modem applications,
including full duplex speakerphone, digital simultaneous voice and data (DSVD)
and videoconferencing.
 
  Audio Products
 
     ESS' single chip AudioDRIVE products enable PC manufacturers to provide
audio capabilities on sound cards and directly on the motherboards of desktop
and notebook computers. The Company has established itself as a leader in
integrated audio solutions and counts many of the leading manufacturers of
personal computers and sound cards among its customers.
 
     ESS' single chip AudioDRIVE products provide comprehensive PC audio
solutions that offer higher performance and functionality, consume less power
and board space, and cost less than other commercially available PC audio
solutions.
 
     Recently, demand for multimedia desktop and notebook computers with high
quality sound, graphics and video capabilities has increased due to three
dynamic factors: (1) advances in semiconductor technology; (2) growth in
interactive PC entertainment, educational and business software applications;
and (3) increases in use of on-line services. These factors have created market
opportunities for highly integrated multimedia semiconductor solutions that can
be placed on the PC motherboard and on multi-function sound cards.
 
     The Company's AudioDRIVE products are based on ESS' proprietary audio
technologies, design methodologies, and software and firmware expertise. ESS has
developed a set of product solutions for desktop and notebook PCs and other
consumer electronics applications.
 
     The AudioDRIVE product family integrates ESFM(TM), a proprietary FM sound
synthesis technology, that produces superior sound quality by enhancing
traditional FM synthesis techniques, with hardware, software
 
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and music database technology. ESS also utilizes its proprietary advanced analog
and mixed signal design methodologies, together with its library of audio
semiconductor designs, to produce highly integrated mixed signal audio chips.
ESS software technology is bundled as part of its comprehensive solution and
consists of its AudioDRIVE device drivers for Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 3.1,
Windows NT(R) Windows 95(R), IBM OS/2(R) Warp(R), DirectX(TM)PC games, and audio
applications, including ESS AudioRack(TM) controller, an integrated graphical
controller for the entire PC audio system.
 
  AudioDRIVE Products
 
     ES688: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip.  The ES688
integrates digital logic and a microcontroller with audio CODEC and other analog
functions onto one chip and, when coupled with the Yamaha OPL3 FM synthesizer
chip, provides a low cost solution for high performance multimedia PC audio. The
ES688 is PC games compatible in SB Pro mode with the Yamaha OPL3 and is
compatible with Microsoft Windows and other operating systems. The ES688
provides power management capability and is packaged in a 100 pin PQFP package.
 
     ES1488: a single mixed signal 16-bit mono audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer.  The ES1488 integrates digital logic and a microcontroller with
audio CODEC and other analog functions onto one chip, and includes ESFM
synthesis. The ES1488 is PC games compatible in SB mode and is compatible with
Microsoft Windows and other operating systems. The ES1488 is socket compatible
with the ES488 and provides a single chip alternative for the combined solution
offered by the ES488 and the Yamaha OPL2 FM synthesis chip.
 
     ES1688: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer.  The ES1688 integrates digital logic and a microcontroller with
audio CODEC and other analog functions onto one chip, and includes ESFM
synthesis. The ES1688 is PC games compatible in SB and SB Pro modes and is
compatible with Microsoft Windows and other operating systems. The ES1688 is
socket compatible with the ES688 and provides a single chip alternative for the
combined solution offered by the ES688 and the Yamaha stereo OPL3 FM synthesis
chip.
 
     ES1788: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer and game support.  The ES1788 integrates digital logic and a
microcontroller with audio CODEC and other analog functions onto one chip, and
includes ESFM synthesis. The ES1788 is PC games compatible in SB and SB Pro
modes and is compatible with Microsoft Windows and other operating systems. The
ES1788 includes hardware volume control, 64 step volume control and dual
game/joystick port for game support.
 
     ES1868: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer, plug-and-play, full-duplex operation and game support.  The ES1868
integrates digital logic and a microcontroller with audio CODEC and other analog
functions onto one chip, and includes ESFM synthesis. The ES1868 is PC games
compatible in SB and SB Pro modes and is compatible with Microsoft Windows and
other operating systems. The ES1868 provides full ISA plug-and-play support and
includes hardware volume control, 64 step volume control and dual game/joystick
port for game support. The ES1868 also supports full-duplex operation with
simultaneous record and playback with two DMA channels.
 
     ES1869: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer, plug-and-play, full-duplex operation, Zoom Video support, game
support and three-dimensional sound effect.  The ES1869 integrates digital logic
and a microcontroller with audio CODEC and other analog functions onto one chip,
and includes ESFM synthesis. The ES1869 is PC games compatible in SB and SB Pro
modes and is compatible with Microsoft Windows and other operating systems. The
ES1869 provides full ISA plug-and - play support and includes hardware volume
control, 64 step volume control and dual game/joystick port for game support.
The ES1869 supports full-duplex operation with simultaneous record and playback
with two DMA channels and contains an I(2)S interface to support Zoom Video port
for MPEG audio. It also integrates circuitry to produce a three-dimensional
sound effect from two speakers. Currently sampling.
 
     ES1878: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer, full-duplex operation, Zoom Video support, and game support.  The
ES1878 integrates digital logic and a microcontrol-
 
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ler with audio CODEC and other analog functions onto one chip, and includes ESFM
synthesis. The ES1878 is PC games compatible in SB and SB Pro modes and is
compatible with Microsoft Windows and other operating systems. The ES1878
includes hardware volume control, 64 step volume control and dual game/joystick
port for game support. The ES1878 provides full plug-and-play support. The
ES1878 also includes support for full-duplex operation with simultaneous record
and playback, and it contains an I(2)S interface to support the PCMCIA Zoom
Video port specification for MPEG input to PCs. The ES1878 provides full
plug-and-play support and provides interface to a docking station unit.
 
     ES1879: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer, full-duplex operation, Zoom Video support, telegaming and game
support and three-dimensional sound effect. The ES1879 also integrates hardware
volume control, 64 steps volume control, dual game port for game, I(2)S
interface for Zoom Video support, as well as circuitry to produce
three-dimensional sound effect from two speakers. The ES1879 provides full
plug-and-play support and provides interface to a docking station unit. Sampling
in Q2 1997.
 
     ES1887: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer, full-duplex operation, game support and plug-and-play through the
PC's BIOS.  The ES1887 integrates digital logic and a microcontroller with audio
CODEC and other analog functions onto one chip, and includes ESFM synthesis. The
ES1887 is PC games compatible in SB and SB Pro modes and is compatible with
Microsoft Windows and other operating systems. The ES1887 includes hardware
volume control, 64 step volume control and dual game/joystick port for game
support. The ES1887 also includes support for full-duplex operation with
simultaneous stereo record and playback with two DMA channels. The ES1887
supports plug-and-play through the PC's BIOS.
 
     ES1888: a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio chip with integrated ESFM
synthesizer which supports full-duplex operation.  The ES1888 integrates digital
logic and a microcontroller with audio CODEC and other analog functions onto one
chip, and includes ESFM synthesis. The ES1888 is PC games compatible in SB and
SB Pro modes and is compatible with Microsoft Windows and other operating
systems. The ES1888 includes hardware volume control, 64 step volume control and
dual game/joystick port for game support. The ES1888 also includes support for
full-duplex operation with simultaneous stereo record and playback with two DMA
channels.
 
  Wavetable Synthesizer Products
 
     ES689: a wavetable music synthesizer chip.  The ES689 is a high performance
wavetable music synthesizer chip that is General MIDI compatible and offers 32
note polyphony. It provides a serial interface to the ES1688 internal
digital-to-analog converter ("DAC") to provide an audio implementation that
includes both wavetable and ESFM synthesis, or external DAC for wavetable
synthesis. The ES689 interfaces to the ES981 or ES982 for one or two megabyte
sound sample sets, respectively.
 
     ES690: a wavetable music synthesizer chip with chorus and reverb sound
effects.  The ES690 is a high performance wavetable music synthesizer chip with
chorus and reverb sound effects for enriched sound. The ES690 is General MIDI
compatible and offers 32 note polyphony. It provides a serial interface to the
ES1688 internal DAC to provide an audio implementation that includes both
wavetable and ESFM synthesis, or external DAC for wavetable synthesis. The ES690
interfaces to the ES981 or ES982 for one or two megabyte sound sample sets,
respectively.
 
     ES981: a 512K x 16 wavetable ROM.  The ES981 is a 512K x 16 read only
memory ("ROM") with a General MIDI sound sample set for use with the ES689 and
ES690.
 
     ES982: a 1M x 16 wavetable ROM.  The ES982 is a 1M x 16 ROM with a General
MIDI sound sample set for use with the ES689 and ES690.
 
  Multimedia System Chipsets
 
     ES938: a sound effects processor.  The ES938 provides enhanced sound
effects by expanding monophonic and stereo sound to 3-D spatial soundfields. The
ES938 also integrates bass and treble control.
 
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     ES968: a multi-function chip for multimedia add-in cards.  The ES968
integrates plug-and-play support, MPU401 interface, dual game/joystick port and
CD-ROM interface for Sony, Panasonic, Mitsumi and IDE drives in one chip.
 
     ES978: a mixer expansion chip to support the ES1878 and ES1879 when
building a PC Notebook and Docking Station PC system.  The ES978 is an analog
mixer chip which is placed in a docking station and interfaces directly with the
ES1878 and ES1879 located inside the notebook. This interface provides an
efficient structure for notebook and docking stations systems, requiring only
six pins of the notebook to connect with all communications paths to the docking
station.
 
  Fax/modem Products
 
     Internet-related applications, such as voice e-mail, Internet radio, audio
home pages, and news on demand, are increasing the demand for integrated audio
and computer fax/modem functions on the personal computer. ESS is using its
highly efficient fax/modem technology, in combination with its leadership in
audio technology, to provide high speed modem products integrated with audio
capabilities. The ESS V.34 TeleDRIVE modem solutions for PC and add-in card
manufacturers take advantage of this unique combination of technologies to
deliver a cost-effective, upgradable communications solution.
 
  TeleDRIVE Products
 
     ES336V: a V.34bis chipset data/fax/voice controller-less modem solution.
The ES336V provides base data, full duplex speaker phone, telephone answer
machine ("TAM") and V.80 support for H.324 video conferencing applications.
Currently sampling.
 
     ES336D: a V.34bis chipset data/fax/voice controller-less modem solution
with ITU-T computable V.70 Digital Simultaneous Voice and Data ("DSVD"). The
ES336D is a superset of the ES336V and contains a programmable bus interface for
support of both ISA and PCI busses. Currently sampling.
 
     ES336CV/ES336DV: a ES336V/ES336D modem solution with 16-bit full duplex
stereo. The ES336CV/ ES336CD combines a single mixed signal 16-bit stereo audio
chip with integrated ESFM synthesizer, plug-and-play full-duplex operation and
game support. Currently sampling.
 
  Video Products
 
     Multimedia applications are evolving at a rapid pace, primarily in response
to increasing acceptance and use of the Internet and the introduction of new
applications such as VCD, DVD, Digital set-top boxes and video conferencing. In
its VideoDRIVE(TM)video chips, ESS offers integrated solutions to consumer
electronics and PC manufacturers for use in a wide variety of next-generation
multimedia applications utilizing MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 technology.
 
     ESS provides OEM manufactures of VCD players with a programmable
single-chip processor which includes MPEG-1 video, audio and system decoder. It
delivers full-screen, full-motion video at 30 frames per second with selectable
CD-quality audio and can be combined with memory and video/audio DACs.
 
     ESS also provides a programmable single chip processor which includes
MPEG-2 audio/video/system and transport layer decoder, AC3 and video
post-processing. These chips are designed for a variety of applications in
consumer electronics such as set-top boxes and DVD player.
 
  VideoDRIVE Products
 
     ES3204: Single chip processor which includes MPEG-1 audio/video/system
decoder for use in VCD players.  The ES3204 incorporates video standards
(NTSC/PAL) conversion, on-screen display, Karaoke functions, programmable
playback control for VCD 2.0 and trick play mode features.
 
     ES3207: Analog companion chip to MPEG decoder chips. The ES3207 provides
echo, surround sound, 3D audio, TV encoder with clock generation and audio DAC
functions. Sampling in Q2 1997.
 
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     ES3208: Single chip processor which includes MPEG-1 audio/video/system
decoder for use in VCD players with an integrated SRAM and remote control
interface logic.  The ES3208 incorporates video standards (NTSC/PAL) conversion,
on-screen display, Karaoke functions, programmable playback control for VCD 2.0,
trick play mode features, an integrated SRAM and remote control interface logic.
Currently sampling.
 
     ES3210: Single chip processor which includes MPEG-1 audio/video/system
decoder for use in portable VCD players.  The ES3210 incorporates the ES3208
features of video standards (NTSC/PAL) conversion, on-screen display, Karaoke
functions, programmable playback control for VCD 2.0, trick play mode features,
an integrated SRAM and remote control interface logic in a smaller form factor
allowing a more compact portable designs. Currently sampling.
 
     ES3308: Single chip processor which includes MPEG-2 audio/video/system
decoder for use in digital set-top boxes.  The ES3308 incorporates video
standards (NTSC/PAL) conversion, on-screen display and transport layer compliant
with Digital Broadcast Signal standards. Currently sampling.
 
     ES3309: Single chip processor which includes MPEG-2 audio/video/system
decoder for use in DVD players.  The ES3309 incorporates Dolby AC-3 decoder,
video standards (NTSC/PAL) conversion, sub-picture unit, letter box conversion,
on-screen display, navigation 1.0 and is compliant with DVD specifications.
Sampling in Q2 1997