CSR Shakes up Video Gaming Industry with aptX® Low Latency Demo at CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In what is believed to be the first practical demonstration using Bluetooth® to deliver action- synchronised, high-quality audio to a wireless gaming headset, CSR plc (LSE: CSR; NASDAQ: CSRE) today broke the barrier that has separated the Bluetooth wireless audio and gaming worlds. By overcoming Bluetooth’s inherent inability to allow users to play games interactively with synchronised high-quality audio and visual action, the CSR aptX® Low Latency codec at the heart of the demonstration is designed to open the door to new markets for Bluetooth technology, making it possible for manufacturers to create “universal” headphones and headsets that can be used both for high-fidelity wireless audio and gaming applications.

“Dual-use products like these would allow gamers, for example, to use their smartphones with their gaming headset, or use the same headset for gaming and then listening to high-fidelity stereo music streamed wirelessly from a mobile device. With this disruptive technology, the two markets now become one.”

“By eliminating synchronisation issues our aptX Low Latency technology enables makers of gaming equipment to take advantage of the economies of scale offered by high volume Bluetooth silicon solutions, and allows all equipment makers to create dual-use products, resulting in greater competition and the associated benefits for consumers,” explained Jonny McClintock, director of aptX sales and marketing at CSR. “Dual-use products like these would allow gamers, for example, to use their smartphones with their gaming headset, or use the same headset for gaming and then listening to high-fidelity stereo music streamed wirelessly from a mobile device. With this disruptive technology, the two markets now become one.”

Beyond dedicated gaming consoles, more and more people are using their smartphones and tablets to play games, according to McClintock, and the need for a universal wireless headset becomes obvious.

Bluetooth wireless links for high-quality audio can have an inherent latency of more than 150 ms. For streaming applications where the latency is continuous (such as movie video) this can be compensated for in various ways, but in gaming environments, the gun shots, bomb blasts and other sound effects are intermittent and unpredictable, making compensation unfeasible.

CSR aptX Low Latency for Bluetooth enables a latency of just 32 ms, well under the 45 ms recommended latency for audio/video applications. Before CSR aptX Low Latency, the only practical way to achieve acceptable quality audio and video sync wirelessly in a gaming environment was to utilise a proprietary low-latency radio link, but proprietary radio technology is incompatible with the Bluetooth technology already used to stream audio from millions of smartphones, tablets, laptops and other sources.

Any Bluetooth headphone or headset equipped with the CSR aptX Low Latency codec will be able to be used both for high-fidelity audio and gaming, opening the door to new market opportunities for audio equipment and gaming equipment makers.

Game console makers will no longer need an additional proprietary radio solution just for headset connectivity, enabling them to use a single CSR8670™ device, for example, for all their Bluetooth connectivity needs, including headset, wireless controllers and even connectivity to mobile devices.

A private, invitation-only demonstration of a gaming application using CSR aptX Low Latency (running on a CSR8670™ SoC) is taking place during the International CES 2013 show in the Springhill Suites, Las Vegas Convention Center, January 8-11. The demonstration will show an aptX-enabled Bluetooth wireless headset and associated USB dongle attached to a commercial gaming console with two players interacting as if they were in different locations. CSR will also be demonstrating aptX Low Latency for video, showing how it can deliver audio wirelessly while maintaining sync with the video. Attendees wishing to view the private demonstration should contact CSR for an invitation.

All CSR’s news at CES can be found on its online press kit: http://www.tradeshownews.com/events/2013-International-CES/CSR/

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About CSR

CSR is a global provider of innovative silicon and software solutions for the location-aware, media-rich, cloud-connected world. Our platforms are optimised for the automotive navigation and infotainment, digital cameras and imaging, connected home infotainment and wireless audio markets. We provide solutions to complex problems in the audio-visual, connectivity and location technology domains across a broad range of markets, with a technology portfolio that includes GPS/GNSS systems, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, FM, NFC, aptX® and CVC™ audio codecs, JPEG, MPEG, H.264 imaging, PDL printing, microcontrollers, DSPs and broadband receivers. CSR's technology solutions and market platforms enable its customers to deliver a superior user experience and are adopted by leaders in the auto, computer, home and mobile markets. More information can be found at www.csr.com. Keep up to date with CSR on our technical blog or CSR people blog, YouTube, Facebook or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CSR_plc

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain statements (including statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or performance, or assumptions related thereto) that are not historical facts and constitute ‘forward looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in relation to the CSR aptX Low Latency codec , and its performance characteristics in Bluetooth-enabled wireless audio and gaming products, and other future events and their potential effects on CSR. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as ‘will,’ ‘can deliver,’ offers', 'allows', 'to enhance,’ ‘enables,’ 'designed to', and other similar expressions regarding the performance characteristics of the CSR aptX Low Latency codec, and its performance characteristics in consumer electronics products, and their potential effects on CSR. Any future release of the CSR aptX Low Latency codec or consumer electronics products containing such technology, related products or modifications to such products’ capability, functionality or features are subject to ongoing evaluation by CSR and its customers, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by CSR or its customers and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. Such forward-looking statements represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of CSR, and are based upon numerous assumptions regarding CSR’s business strategies and the environment in which CSR will operate and therefore involve a number of known and unknown risks, contingencies, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of CSR, including, but not limited to, those detailed from time to time in CSR’s periodic reports (whether under the caption Risk Factors or Forward Looking Statements or elsewhere), which are available at the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof. CSR does not undertake to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein, otherwise than required by law.

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