Supplier Spotlight - C-Media | Symmetry Blog

Each week, we'll be showcasing one of our suppliers from our line card and what distinguishes them from the competition. This week's supplier is C-Media, a manufacturer specializing in USB and PCI audio processing solutions for USB audio peripheral applications including headsets, handsets, microphones, speakers, sound stations, sound cards.

Who is C-Media?

Cmedia was founded in 1991 and started as an audio chip designer. Cmedia had early success with its PCI multi-channel chip and later by successfully developing the PC motherboard AC’97 that evolves as an application of Intel High Definition Audio. The company then entered into the USB audio business and became a leader shortly thereafter. With the growing popularity of digital family entertainments, Cmedia also followed the market trend and pioneered the development of several exclusive audio technology solutions that provide realistic theater audio effect by cooperating with leading brands in the audio market. A solid hardware development is being complemented with market leading software technologies and more recently the addition of integrated music services that combines music, images and lyrics in a unique and innovative audio format that deliver real time karaoke content.

To continue the close integration of audio IC, software R&D and music content and expand innovative applications in the market, Cmedia will create more “touching audio/visual experiences” for consumers. The new Cmedia is innovative, energetic, and professional.

What are their most popular products?

Cmedia has kept and will keep presenting new audio/visual experiences that are beyond consumer’s expectation through innovative technology.

USB1.1 Audio Chipset:

With the convenience of USB plug-and-play compatibility, customers can rapidly create ease-of-use, high-quality, and portable USB audio products based on Cmedia’s highly integrated single chip solutions. To easily differentiate your products and add more value, we also provide the optional Cmedia Xear™ Windows drivers, which support a complete range of premium features including Dolby and DTS sound technologies. Empowered with mixed-signal audio codec, signal processing expertise, software development experience, and widespread quality branding recognition, Cmedia supplies versatile choices of USB1.1 (USB2.0 full-speed compatible) audio solutions to compliment whichever type of device you want to design.    

True USB2.0 HD Sound Solutions:

Cmedia USB2.0 controllers are the world’s first true USB2.0 High-Speed audio processors that can support the latest USB Audio Device Class Definition V2.0 and high-definition audio processing, with capabilities of up to 192KHz/ 32bit. The solution provides the industrial standard HDA or I2S I/O interface, as well as integrates SPDIF and MIDI I/O. Furthermore, it has an embedded 8051 microprocessor that can enhance the best flexibility and functionality with external upgradeable Flash codes. Our turnkey solutions include audio class 2.0 compliant Windows & Mac drivers and firmware. It provides the most powerful audio core for high-fidelity true USB2.0 audio products such as USB microphone, headset, DAC, HP amplifier, audio station, recording console, etc.        

PCI Audio Chipset:

Cmedia has provided PCI sound card solutions to customers worldwide now for many years. We provide numerous sound card products, from entry-level 4-channel to premium 8-channel output, in the global market using Cmedia’s PCI audio single chips and Cmedia’s PCI HD audio processors. With diverse multimedia PC applications such as: gaming, home-theater PC (HTPC), karaoke, Online DJ, audiophile, pro-audio, netbooks, embedded systems, and IPC influencing the market, Cmedia not only provides the only PCI sound card hardware solutions, but also complete software/driver packages. Various valuable sound technologies in order to enhance time-to-market, stability, and differentiation of your products are available from Cmedia as well.   

Looking to integrate C-Media products with your design? Our Applications Engineers offer free design and technical help for your latest designs. Contact us today!