CODECs handle full HD video in H.264 format.
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Press Release Summary:
Measuring 15 x 15 mm with 512 Mb of memory, MB86H55 and MB86H56 CODECs can record, play and transmit HD video on portable devices such as digital camcorders, home networked appliances, commercial broadcast equipment, and security cameras. They feature embedded scaler for zooming or down-scaling picture. Model MB86H55 consumes only 500 mW of power during full HD encoding, and MB86H56 offers processing of full HD video at 60 frames/sec (progressive).
Original Press Release:
Fujitsu Launches Ultra-Low Power Full HD H.264 CODECs
Includes 60 frames-per-second '60p' processing for superior picture quality
Langen, Germany, 30th October 2008 - Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) today expanded its line-up of H.264*1 CODECs with two new devices that encode and decode full high-definition (HD) (1920 dots x 1080 lines) video in H.264 format. The first of the two products to be launched, the ultra-low power MB86H55, features power consumption of only 500mW during full HD encoding including the built-in memory, an industry-leading level for low power consumption. In addition, the upcoming MB86H56 will offer processing of full HD video at 60 frames-per-second (progressive) '60p'*2, to improve picture quality even further.
The two new products have built-in memory to offer a small package size of 15mm x 15mm, making it ideal to record, play and transmit superior picture quality HD video on portable devices such as digital camcorders, as well as on home networked appliances, commercial broadcast equipment, and security cameras.
For digital camcorders, the H.264 compression format has become mainstream, providing longer recording times than the previous MPEG-2 compression format. At the same time, longer battery life is essential to increase the length of time it is possible to continuously record or play on one battery charge. However, with the ever-shrinking size of digital camcorders, large batteries cannot be used, making low power consumption of the internal components a key requirement.
Fujitsu has provided its MB86H51 full HD H.264 CODEC featuring built-in memory, since 2007. The new low power MB86H55 has a power consumption of only 500mW during full HD encoding, including the built-in memory power consumption. This allows an extension in the length of time it is possible to continuously record and play HD video on digital camcorders and other portable devices while maintaining superior picture quality.
The other new CODEC, MB86H56, extends the reputation for high picture quality of the existing MB86H51, by further increasing the picture quality with processing at 60 frames per second (progressive).
These two new products, together with the existing MB86H51 CODEC, use Fujitsu
Laboratories' proprietary picture quality algorithm to realise superior picture quality and a reduced video processing burden enabled by high-compression technology. Leveraging Fujitsu's highly regarded expertise in image processing-related technologies and products, the company will continue to strengthen its imaging and video processing ASSPs.
Key features
1. Small form-factor, low power consumption
Both new products contain one 512Mb built-in memory (FCRAM*3). Due to the reduction in the number of memory chips, as well as the use of 65nm process technology, the power consumption during full HD encoding, including the in-package memory, is reduced to 500mW (at 30 frames per second). Also, it is provided in a small form-factor 15mm x 15mm package.
2. Processing at 60 frames-per-second (progressive) further improves picture quality (MB86H56)
The existing CODEC product, MB86H51, processes video at 30 frames-per-second. The new MB86H56 doubles this to 60 frames-per-second (progressive), '60p', to boost picture quality.
3. Embedded scaler for picture zoom and down-scaling
Both products have an embedded scaler for zooming or down-scaling the picture. In units of 16-bit x 32 lines, pictures can be zoomed by a maximum of six times or down-scaled to 1/6, enabling flexible accommodation of the requirements for picture quality, resolution, and bit-rate depending on the application.
4. Improved connectivity to peripheral devices
Both products contain many interfaces for improved connectivity. For the host interface to connect to an external CPU there is a 16-bit parallel interface and a TS interface as the video stream interface. In addition, there is a serial interface in which a reduction of pins for the host interface is possible, as well as a PCI interface for connecting a PC or a recorder. Connection to external ROM is also possible, thus realising high-speed boot for devices that feature these CODECs.
Availability
Sample shipments of the MB86H55 will start in January 2009. Sample shipments of the MB86H56 will start from April 2009. The sales target is estimated at around 200,000 devices per month.
Glossary and Notes
*1. H.264: A video compression standard defined by the International Telecommunication Union, Telecommunication Standardisation Sector (ITU-T). A video-encoding format noted for offering more compression than MPEG-2 and other earlier formats. The International Organisation for Standardisation / International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) has defined the MPEG-4 Part 10 Advanced Video Coding (MPEG-4 AVC), which corresponds to H.264.
*2. '60p': 60 frames-per-second (progressive) processing. Every second, 60 video frames are processed, by all the lines in the frame being processed in sequence (progressive). This creates higher picture quality than so called '60i' where odd lines and even lines are drawn alternately (interlace), such that 30 frames-per-second processing looks like 60 frames-per-second processing.
*3. FCRAM (Fast Cycle RAM): Fujitsu's proprietary RAM core architecture featuring high-speed and low power consumption.
About Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) is a major supplier of semiconductor products. The company provides advanced systems solutions to the automotive, digital TV, mobile telephony, networking and industrial markets. Engineers from design centres dedicated to microcontrollers, graphics controllers, mixed-signal, wireless, multimedia ICs and ASIC products work closely with FME's marketing and sales teams throughout Europe to help satisfy customers' system development requirements. This solutions approach is supported by a broad range of advanced semiconductor devices, IP and building blocks.
For more information, please see: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics
