Opcode Ships DATport USB Audio Interface
January 28, 1999Opcode Systems has shipped the DATport™ audio interface,
the first member in their family of affordable USB musical products that make
setup and use of audio easier than ever before. DATport creates a high-quality
two-channel digital link between any external digital coaxial S/PDIF audio device
and any USB-compatible computer. These devices include DAT machines, digital
multitrack recorders, MiniDisc systems and front-end A/D converters. The DATport
is available at a street price of under $200 (suggested retail price is $249.95).
Opcode plans to release several other USB products for audio and MIDI over the
coming months.
Opcode's
DATport eliminates all the installation nightmares of a traditional PCI or ISA
card solution. No cards to install, no IRQs or DMAs to configure, no I/O addresses
to set-the host computer doesn't even need to be turned off. Simply attach the
DATport's six-foot cable to the USB connector of any Windows 98 PC, connect
your digital audio source and transfer your data to the computer for editing
or to burn a CD.
Macintosh OS support for audio over USB is expected in early Spring 1999. The
DATport is Macintosh-ready and Opcode is working closely with Apple Computer,
Inc. to help them add USB audio support to a future version of the Mac OS.
"Opcode has solved the computer connection problem musicians have been
facing for more than a decade. Sound cards are notoriously difficult to install
and often cause conflicts with other installed peripherals." states Tom
Sherman, Vice President of Development, Opcode Systems. "DATport installs
in seconds and provides a high resolution, 24-bit audio solution for both laptops
and desktops."
The DATport features stereo input and output in the form of two Coaxial S/PDIF
connectors. The DATport is compatible with 16 and 24-bit systems at 48Khz ,
and 44.1K.
Opcode has also announced the DATport™ +Analog which includes 20 bit analog
A-to-D and D-to-A, and OPTICALport™ +Analog which has S/PDIF Toslink (optical)
and 20 bit analog A-to-D and D-to-A. These are scheduled to ship over the next
few months and are both priced at US SRP $299.95. Street price is expected at
under $240. For more information, visit Opcode's web site at www.opcode.com.
DATport and OPTICALPort are trade marks of Opcode Systems, Inc. All other trademarks
are property of their respective holders. | 
