Apogee Introduces High Resolution UV22HR

September 26, 1998 -- Since its introduction in 1993, Apogee's unique UV220 process has become the industry standard for digital word length reduction. Now, Apogee is introducing a new, improved version of the process, dubbed "UV22HR" that offers even higher resolution than before.

Simple to use and flawless in execution, UV22 takes a high-resolution digital signal, such as that from a 24-bit Apogee converter, and translates it into 16-bit for CD, or 20-bit for DVD-Video and other mastering applications. In theory, UV22 can be used to translate any high-resolution signal to any shorter word length, with the absolute minimum loss of detail. Best of all, UV22 needs no special decoder in the player to enjoy the full benefits, unlike other systems. UV22 has consistently out-performed encode/decode systems, and the difference is particularly marked if encode/decode systems are not decoded - which is usually the case. It also produces better results that the most sophisticated DSP-based noise shaping systems

While simple to use, UV22 is extremely sophisticated behind the scenes. A special series of algorithms that took years to develop is used to generate a unique numeric sequence that is added to the digital signal via special circuitry. As a result, the fine detail in the last few bits of the original signal is "modulated" on to the output signal. And unlike common "dithering" systems, no audible noise is added to the signal: so a 16-bit CD made with UV22 has a noise floor exactly where it should be.

Recent increases in computer processing power have now made it possible to improve on the original UV22 technique, fine-tuning and recompiling the algorithms, generating an enhanced data stream. The result: UV22 High Resolution. UV22HR delivers significantly improved performance, including the preservation of additional detail from the high-resolution input signal, and even greater transparency than before. "Normal" and "low" level processes, as previously, make UV22HR equally applicable for mastering and for tracking, and multiple non-coherent channel availability ensures that the UV22HR sequence applied to each track of a multitrack.

UV22HR is being designed into all Apogee's new products as standard, and work is continuing to enable us to offer upgrades to as many existing UV22 users as possible.

Visit Apogee on the web at www.apogeedigital.com.