Intel announced the version 1.0 release of its High Definition Audio (HD Audio) spec today. Intel expects HD Audio to replace the 10-year-old AC'97 spec, and says HD Audio will “[usher] in a new era of sound quality on mainstream and performance PCs, paving the way for broad adoption of next-generation audio.” HD Audio is designed to implement a broader range of audio, modem, and communications… functionalities in PCs, handhelds and consumer electronic (CE) devices, according to Intel.

Intel says it teamed up with more than 80 participating companies, including PC and CE manufacturers, codec vendors, software providers, and other industry leaders, to develop the HD Audio v.1.0 spec, which, it says, implements a “flexible, dynamic, cost-effective, and stable audio architecture with performance headroom for future expansion.”

“The PC will play a vital role in the explosion of home theater and advanced audio solutions,” notes Thomas Loza, Intel technology initiatives manager. “The PC platform remains a versatile solution for the media applications consumers are demanding today and High Definition Audio capabilities will propel the PC to truly top-notch audio performance.”

According to Intel, HD Audio enables an enriched playback experience, and delivers better quality input for voice and communication applications. Intel attributes the improved audio quality in part to an upgraded architecture and increased bandwidth that allows for 192 kHz, 32-bit, multi-channel audio. Audio input is enhanced with increased support for multi-channel array microphones, dynamically allocated bandwidth, and audio device configuration flexibility.

Additionally, Intel says that HD Audio is aligned with Microsoft's Universal Audio Architecture (UAA), and that engineers from the two companies have collaborated on development of the HD Audio spec. Microsoft's UAA initiative has the goal of creating and maintaining Windows audio class drivers for High Definition Audio, USB audio, and 1394 audio technologies.

According to Intel, HD Audio is designed on the same cost-sensitive principles as AC'97 and will allow for an improved audio usage and stability level for onboard PC audio devices. Systems with HD Audio capabilities, which include those with Intel's next-generation chipset codenamed Grantsdale, are expected to appear in the market later this year.

Requests for the HD Audio specification v.1.0 and license information can be directed to Intel via email.

 
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