12 June 2008

New Wolfson's codec to
dramatically increases playback time!

Well, if you think that Nokia N78 with promised 24 hours of music playback time is the pretty good score I am pretty sure that you'll change your opinion after reading this article!

Although I am a little bit skeptic, just released Wolfson's WM8903 chipset promises to lengthen playback time by up to a amazing 120 hours!?

Maybe in offline mode, with lowest possible volume and screen in deep sleep mode, but again, 5 days of music playback?! I don’t think it’s possible with these crappy batteries and bizarre short battery life!?

The device features stereo ground-referenced headphone amplifiers using the Wolfson ‘Class-W’ amplifier techniques - incorporating an innovative dual-mode charge pump architecture - to optimise efficiency and power consumption during playback. The ground-referenced outputs eliminate headphone coupling capacitors. Both headphone and line outputs include common mode feedback paths to reject ground noise.

Control sequences for audio path setup can be pre-loaded and executed by an integrated sequencer to reduce software driver development and eliminate pops and clicks via Wolfson’s SilentSwitch™ technology.

The analogue input stage can be configured for single ended, pseudo-differential or fully differential inputs. Up to 3 stereo microphone or line inputs may be connected. The input impedance is constant with PGA gain setting.

A stereo digital microphone interface is provided, which can also be mixed with the mic/line signals at the output mixers.

A dynamic range controller provides compression and level control to support a wide range of portable recording applications. Anti-clip and quick release features offer good performance in the presence of loud impulsive noises.

Common audio sampling frequencies are supported from a range of external clocks, including 3MHz, 12MHz or 24MHz.

The WM8903 can operate directly from a single 1.8V switched supply. For optimal power consumption, the digital core can be operated from a 1.2V supply.