Tuesday 11:53
A Cambridge company, Geoffrey Sweet Associates, has signed a deal with a German institution which could result in an innovative and more sophisticated way that cinema soundtracks are delivered to the public. The agreement is worth initially £500,000 but has near-limitless potential.
Geoffrey Sweet Associates was one of eight high tech companies chosen to represent the UK at CeBIT 2004 in Hanover this week on the Innovation Island stand supported by UK Trade and Investment, the government organisation that supports UK companies engaged in overseas trade. CeBIT is the world's largest technology trade fair, held annually to showcase the most advanced information communication technologies.
Geoffrey Sweet said:
"We felt honoured to be invited to take up one of the stands on Innovation Island at CeBIT. As a direct result of our attendance here we have signed a deal with the German research institute, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, who have long been recognised as the only seriously big competitor in public cinema surround sound. They have a wealth of equipment, facilities and experience which, combined with the technological know how of our company, should take us to the leading edge of a truly global market."
Geoffrey Sweet Associates' expertise lies in the virtual moving of apparent sound sources by means of fixed outputs, ie, voices can be made to seem to moving about a room even though the loudspeakers from which they come are in fixed locations. The future of cinema lies in large scale digital public screens with film delivered to cinemas by electronic means rather than in a number of tin cans. The use of digital technology will also mean a rapid expansion in the variety of effects including three dimensional images.
William Pedder, Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment's Inward Investment Group, said: "Making the right choice of business partner or investment location can deliver the competitive advantage that companies worldwide need to remain successful. British scientists and researchers have a world-wide reputation for innovation and creativity. I am delighted to hear that Geofrrey Sweet Associates have made this agreement."
UK Trade and Investment, working with trade associations and development agencies, supported over 30 British scientists and 70 companies to demonstrate the latest ICT and to discuss business opportunities. The UK is committed to the development of the ICT infrastructure to support the increasing global research collaborations and business partnerships that are emerging in many areas of science, technology and engineering. It is also committed to developing Britain's science base and promoting the commercial application of research.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign businesses focused on the UK as an inward investment location. It brings together the work of teams in 200 British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, UK Trade & Investment services are delivered through the 45 Business Links and other partners including Regional Development Agencies and Chambers of Commerce, coordinated by nine regional International Trade Directors. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services. UK Trade & Investment's work ensures UK and overseas companies benefit from the organisation's continuing commitment to provide an integrated service, delivering business opportunities through a global network. For more information visit the web site http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Geoffrey Sweet Associates is a high tech Cambridge based engineering consultancy specialising in real-time signal analysis. Its real-time mathematical algorithms have proved themselves in successes in space, defence, grown produce quality sensing, and audio and music technology. Further information from Geoffrey Sweet on 07721 504681.
