News Archive

The datasheet for VS1053b has been updated to version 1.10. This new version adds Ogg Vorbis encoding and FLAC decoding capability to VLSI Solution's flagship "MP3" decoder chip as well as some other smaller updates.

The VS1053b + VS1000 HiFi Recorder is a multi-format media player and recorder device that can play almost any audio files and record with several qualities from mono wideband speech at 49 kbit/s to stereo linear HiFi PCM at 1.5 Mbit/s with excellent quality. The clear OLED display offers playback and recording information as well as a functioning menu system.

The board will be available in Q3/2009.

The VS1053b Ogg Vorbis Encoder has been updated to version 1.50. The new version enhances streaming support, adds new Wideband Stereo Voice profiles and input channel selection for mono profiles. It also offers slightly enhanced audio quality.

The new VS1053b Patches w/ FLAC Decoder plugin allows playback of the lossless FLAC format at upto 2 channels, 24 bits and 48 kHz. This will open new possibilities for HiFi enthusiasts by making it possible to play lossless, true CD quality audio at reduced bitrates.

Depending on the complexity of the audio signal, typical average bitrates for lossless CD quality FLAC files vary between 560 and 910 kbit/s yielding a compression factor 35% to 60% when compared to the original PCM bitrate of 1411 kbit/s. At a typical 45% compression ratio this makes it possible to fit 14 49-minute CDs into a 4 GB memory card, as opposed to less than 8 if audio wasn't compressed.

In addition to the FLAC decoding functionality, this package also corrects all known VS1053b Ogg Vorbis and AAC decoding bugs. The package also contains a separate, smaller patch file for customers who want to eliminate these bugs but don't need FLAC decoding.

The VS1053b Patches w/ FLAC Decoder can be downloaded for free from VLSI Solution's Support Pages.

VLSI Solution has entered into a Distribution Agreement with SparkFun Electronics.The agreement is a logical continuation to SparkFun's earlier position as an independent reseller. As Distributor SparkFun Electronics has stronger position in the supply chain of VLSI Solution and can better respond to the increasing demand and business opportunities in the USA. With design capability of boards and prototypes, SparkFun will strengthen our extensive support to our valuable customers in the United States of America.

A special kind of feedback occurs when a sound loop exists between an audio input and output. For example the signal received by the microphone is amplified and passed out of the loudspeaker. The sound from the loudspeaker is then received by the microphone again, amplified further, and then passed out through the loudspeaker again. This kind of positive feedback results in an annoying high-pitched squealing noise.

VS1103 Acoustic Feedback Eliminator Application minimizes the acoustic feedback from a loudspeaker to a microphone by using VS1103 device. The unwanted noise is detected by a real-time DFT algorithm that controls an adaptive filter. This will turn-off the oscillation by dynamically reducing the gain in affected frequencies. The system has two other inventions for additional comfort. The compressor algorithm makes the microphone signal level insensitive to the mouth and the microphone distance. Noise gate mutes the signal output when microphone is not used.

VS1000 Button Cell player application is an example of a very low power audio player. It features Ogg Vorbis decoding with very low bit rates, credit card size and total BOM less than 3 USD in mass production.

VS1000 Button Cell player is ideal choice for audio guides that are bundled with the entrance ticket. It provides 4 hours of continuous play time by using single CR2032 button cell and standard 30 ohm headphones. The content duration can be up to one hour by using 4 MByte SPI Flash.