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Clarity Technologies Adds Surround Sound Technology to Its Portfolio for the Automotive and Home Theater Markets

Clarity Technologies acquires exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the next generation of ISP Technologies' Intelligent Surround(TM) technology

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 16 -- Clarity Technologies Inc. (http://www.claritycvc.com/ ), the leading independent software provider to deliver a superior solution for improving the audio quality and performance of voice-based communication products and systems, announced today that it has signed an exclusive agreement with ISP Technologies of Waterford, Michigan to complete the development and commercialization of its Intelligent Surround(TM) Technology for superior audio playback in automotive and home theater environments.

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ISP Technologies' Intelligent Surround can decode any stereo signal into multidimensional, multi-channel surround sound. The Intelligent Surround process provides surround decoding of all non-encoded stereo source material, as well as enhanced decoding of all matrix encoded music or cinema productions. Intelligent Surround provides true stereo surround channels for maximum lateral stereo impact and separation. "Unlike other technologies trying to achieve similar goals," stated Buck Waller, the original inventor of the technology, "there is no compromise in the stereo separation of the left and right front or the left and right surround channels with Intelligent Surround." Intelligent Surround uses ISP Technologies' patent pending, Dynamic Spectral Matrix(TM) (DSM(TM)) technology. DSM technology provides a surround matrix that constantly monitors the L+R, or center channel signal amplitude and bandwidth and dynamically subtracts only the dominant center channel portion of the spectrum from the left and right channels. This novel process delivers the most compelling matrix surround decoding available with the highest possible level of surround separation.

Clarity Technologies has continued expansion and enhancement in the state of hands free voice communications and is recognized as a global leader delivering solutions that can enhance audio quality and performance in voice- based communication products and systems. "This is a natural extension of our capabilities and a highly desirable addition to our product line for our customers who include the leading manufactures of radio products in the world," stated Fred Nussbaum, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Clarity Technologies. "Our customers have grown accustomed to the quality and service they get from Clarity Technologies and have been asking us to increase our offerings for some time."

The Intelligent Surround decoding matrix has applications anywhere a stereo signal is available allowing for the enhancement of the normal stereo playback by generating a multi-channel output. Home theater, headsets and automotive applications are the most obvious markets Clarity will deploy this technology; however, there are many other applications including personal computers, video games, personal stereo systems and sound reinforcement. With the advent of DVD discreet 5.1 audio there is a growing desire to include matrix decoding in the automobile in order to provide surround playback for all of the legacy and stereo broadcast material. As a result of the success in Home Theater there is a growing awareness and desire for the consumer to have surround sound in all listening environments.

Clarity Technologies' award-winning CVC(R) technology has been selected by 6 top automotive nameplates in the world for their hands-free phone products and is in production or available in products across major telecom markets. "We expect our automotive customers to be especially excited. With the convergence of Telematics and car audio systems approaching, it will be much easier for them to get all their high performance audio and hands-free software from Clarity Technologies," said Raymond Gunn, Clarity Technologies president and CEO.

About Clarity Technologies and ClarityLabs

Established in 1998, Clarity Technologies Inc. develops and delivers software and services that improve the audio quality and performance of voice- based communication products and systems. Using its expertise and voice extraction technology, Clarity solves voice quality and performance degradation issues for today's complex audio environment, regardless of hardware, audio interface, operating system or speech recognition applications.

Clarity has 20 technology patents either awarded or pending, more than 300 years of technical and commercial experience in the digital signal processing field of audio voice communications, and has been recognized by industry influencers like Speech Technology Magazine, IEEE Spectrum, Telematics Update and the AVIOS Board at the Speech Developers Conference as delivering superior voice enhancement technology. Additionally, Clarity is the only associate member of the Bluetooth SIG that provides noise and echo cancellation technology.

ClarityLabs is a services division of Clarity Technologies Inc. and provides its customers with the ability to evaluate, select and integrate speech recognition technology for voice-based applications in addition to providing embedded services and developing an independent and objective voice quality certification process.

For more information, please contact Tom Houy, vp marketing (tomh@ClarityCVC.com ) or 248-409-1400.

All trade and service marks are the property of their respective owners. CVC is a registered trademark of Clarity Technologies Inc. in the United States, other countries or both. Other company, product or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

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