Encoder/Transcoder ICs cover HD H.264/MPEG-2 applications.

Press Release Summary:




Respectively supplied in 15 x 15 mm and 27 x 27 mm packages with 512 Mb FCRAM(TM), MB86H57 and MB86H58 integrate all necessary functions for systems developed to record digital broadcasts - including security functions and interface to DTV demodulators. They can be deployed for conversion between MPEG-2 and H.264 AVC streams up to full HD (1920 x 1080i) as well as between audio formats, and can also be used as MPEG-2 (SD) or H.264 AVC (QVGA, SD/HD) encoders. Rated power draw is 1 W.



Original Press Release:



Fujitsu Releases Full HD H.264/MPEG-2 Encoder/Transcoder ICs



Industry-leading low power to drive full High Definition products

Langen, Germany, 9th June 2009 - Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) is pleased to announce its latest solutions in the form of two IC packages for encoding and transcoding between Full High Definition (HD) H.264(*1) and MPEG-2(*2) streams. The MB86H57 (15 x 15mm) and MB86H58 (27 x 27mm) encoder/transcoder ICs include memory-in-package and feature low power consumption of only 1W in full transcoding operation.

The devices can be deployed for conversion between MPEG-2 and H.264 AVC streams up to full HD (1920 x 1080i) as well as between audio formats and can also be used as MPEG-2 (SD) or H.264 AVC (QVGA, SD & HD) encoders.

The industry-leading low power consumption combined with the small form factor of the MB86H57 allows the devices to be used in applications such as video adapters for wireless transmission in home networks or portable recording devices. In addition to the transcoding function, the new ICs include encryption engines allowing secure transmission of the output streams for digital rights management (DRM) based applications.

Fujitsu has improved the low power consumption technology used in its earlier H.264 Full HD Codec ICs using proprietary video encoding algorithms developed by Fujitsu Laboratories, maintaining high video compression performance by reducing processing load. This technology has been well proven in the market in various products in the consumer arena as well as in battery-powered applications.

Target applications
  • PC grabber cards:
    H.264 encoding supporting flexible video resolutions via PCI I/F or PCI Express I/F
  • Portable digital video recorder (DVR):
    HD video encoding into mass storage devices (HDD, CF, SD, etc.)
  • Personal video recorder (PVR):
    Transcoding feature from MPEG-2 HD/SD or H.264 HD content received by an STB into H.264 SD or less resolution, in order to store it on USB sticks for portable video players
  • Home Networking:
    Transcoding of HD content received at main STB at home to H.264 SD or MPEG-2 SD that can be transmitted via streaming to client-STBs in a multi-room system

    Key Features

    1. Industry-leading low power consumption and small form-factor
    Fujitsu Microelectronics' proprietary transcoding technology has enabled the company to create a Full HD H.264/MPEG-2 transcoder with industry-leading low power consumption. Using Fujitsu's 65nm process technology the power consumption in Full HD transcoding operation is just 1.0W including one 512Mb FCRAM(TM)(*3)-in-package. In addition, the MB86H57 small form-factor option will allow the creation of innovative portable and mobile products.

    2. Necessary functions for recording digital broadcasts in a single chip
    Both ICs integrate all the necessary functions for systems developed to record digital broadcasts, including security functions and an interface to digital TV demodulators.

    3. H.264/MPEG-2 bi-directional transcoder functionality
    Building on the functionality of the previous generation product, MB86H52, to transcode from MPEG-2 to H.264, these new ICs also transcode from H.264 to MPEG-2 SD. With this additional capability the new devices support the majority of formats used worldwide. The combination of transcoding and time re-stamping allows the audio operation to be adjusted to customer needs.

    4. Interfaces to connect peripheral ICs
    Both products contain a variety of interfaces for improved connectivity. As a host interface to connect to an external CPU, there is a 16-bit parallel interface and a TS interface for video streaming. In addition, the MB86H57 and MB86H58 have serial, PCI, PCI Express and USB interfaces. Connection to external ROM is also possible, enabling high-speed boot-up for equipment deploying the ICs.

    Availability
    Engineering samples are expected to be available for the end of July 2009 and mass production will start in Q1/2010.

    Leveraging Fujitsu's expertise in image and video processing related technologies and products, Fujitsu Microelectronics will continue to strengthen its video processing ICs for the recorder and STB markets, focusing on video processing Application-Specific Standard Products (ASSPs).

    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, communications, networking and industrial markets. Engineers from design centres dedicated to microcontrollers, graphics controllers, mixed-signal, wireless, multimedia ICs, ASIC products and software development, work closely with FME's marketing and sales teams throughout EMEA to help satisfy customers' systems development requirements. This solutions approach is supported by a broad range of advanced semiconductor devices, IP, building blocks and software.

    For more information, please see: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics

    Issued on behalf of:
    Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe
    Pittlerstrasse 47
    63225 Langen
    Germany
    Tel: +49 (0)6103 69 00
    Fax: +49 (0)6103 69 01 22
    E-mail: jim.bryant@fme.fujitsu.com
    Contacts: Jim Bryant

    More information from:
    JDK Marketing Communications
    The Oasts, Charmans Farm
    Beggars Lane
    Westerham
    Kent TN16 1QP

    Tel: 0870 787 9510
    Fax: 0870 787 9509
    E-mail: joanne@jdk.co.uk
    Joanne Bennett

    All company or product names referenced herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.

    *1. VBS: Video Baseband. Refers to uncompressed video data.
    *2. ABS: Audio Baseband. Refers to uncompressed audio data.
    *3. Dolby: Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
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