[sdiy] [semi-OT] new sound synth IC announced

[Colin Hinz]

On Thu, 18 Dec 2003, nN AAt     e     e wrote:

> you might be able to find out if they have test/development boards... and if
> you look the numbers they are planning to make [2,000,000 pieces per month],
> and with surround sound options, it looks like its not only going to be used
> for cellys... i really hope they will plan to have a development board
> available...

The trouble with high-volume consumer ASSPs (application-specific ICs)
is that the manufacturers don't even want to hear from you unless
you show some chance of meeting a reasonable (to them) sales volume.

Earlier this year, the start-up I work for tried to scope out the
developer tools for MPEG-2 decoder ICs. Nobody could be bothered to
answer our enquiries. Whereas, a few years ago when I was working for
a Fortune 500 company which makes set-top boxes, the chip makers were
quite happy to talk to us.

I think, fundamentally speaking, it depends on how "open" the company
is with their wares -- some make nearly everything publicly available
for download, whereas with others you need an NDA just to get a
smile and a handshake out of 'em. :=) And I don't have enough
experience with NEC to decide which camp they're in.

> then just add a little portable sequencer and ill be all set... :P

Maybe that'll be built into the cellphone, too.

[eeeek!!]

- Colin Hinz
  Toronto, Canada