MPEG-2 Decoder targets set-top box applications.
Press Release Summary:
Featuring high-speed USB operating at 480 Mbit/sec, Model STi5100 allows peripherals such as digital video recorders, digital cameras, printers, and memory cards to be added. TruSurround XT creates cinema quality, virtual surround sound over any 2-speaker television or entertainment system. Model STi5100 includes 243 MHz embedded CPU, unified memory interface with DDR SDRAM support, embedded graphics engine, and Direct Access Arrangement technology.
Original Press Release:
STMicroelectronics Enables the Market for User-Upgradeable Set-Top Boxes and Digital Video Recorders
Latest STB decoder from the market leader includes high speed connectivity, improved performance and cost reduction features
Geneva, May 2004 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) - the world's largest supplier of silicon chips for set-top boxes (STBs)1 - has announced a new high-performance, secure MPEG-2 decoder intended for STBs in all low-cost cable, satellite, and terrestrial TV markets. The new STi5100 integrated circuit will allow peripherals to be easily added to a low-cost STB in order to provide additional features and capabilities . In particular, the STi5100 allows consumers to purchase the STB and, at a later date, attach a hard disk drive to add Digital Video Recorder (DVR) capabilities. Although some earlier decoders have included a USB interface, it is only the availability within the STi5100 of the 40-times-faster Hi-Speed USB standard - operating at 480 Mbit/second - that opens up the real opportunity to add fast peripherals such as disk drives.
Digital video recording is beginning to grow significantly, as viewers increasingly use it for 'timeshifting' while preserving video quality, and this new decoder will enable STB manufacturers to offer consumers a low-cost upgrade path. Other peripherals that could be connected to a set-top box through the USB interface, using suitable drivers, include digital cameras, printers, and memory cards.
"By including Hi-Speed USB in the STi5100, not only are we are giving consumers the ability to upgrade their set-top box to have DVR capability, but also to transfer images, movies, and music to their box, through an industry-standard interface," said Christos Lagomichos, General Manager of ST's Set Top Box Division. "Furthermore, set-top box manufacturers have the ability to provide additional applications to customers following the sale of the original box, delivered on USB drives."
The STi5100 is the first dedicated STB device to include TruSurround XT, an advanced audio technology from SRS Labs Inc. This technology creates cinema quality, virtual surround sound over any two-speaker television or entertainment system. It also includes SRS TruBass and SRS Dialog Clarity, features which deliver rich bass enhancement and improved dialog intelligibility in audio passages where dialog competes with music or other audio. The STi5100 contains a 243MHz version of ST's ST20, the most popular embedded CPU in the STB market. It is the fastest version yet, and can easily run all of today's high-performance STB software with power to spare for future software enhancements. A unified memory interface, with Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM support, optimizes the use of RAM chips and further increases performance, while an embedded high-performance graphics engine supports graphics-intensive tasks such as the channel's presentation of programs, and 2-D games. An innovative system for flexible routing of both Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) and DIRECTV video streams from different sources simplifies transport-stream management software and improves reliability.
The decoder also integrates a market leading system-side Direct Access Arrangement (DAA) technology from Silicon Laboratories Inc. The DAA is compatible with worldwide PTT standards using a single layout, further minimizing system and manufacturing costs for STB manufacturers.
Full software development support is provided by evaluation boards and complete STAPI software (ST's Application Programming Interface) with optional v.22bis modem and a complete High-Speed USB software stack.. The STi5100 decoder is available in a low-cost 27x27 PBGA package, with pin-out to allow a two-layer PCB design. For applications not needing the peripheral expansion capability, the STi51501 is also available to the same specification but without the USB interface.
Samples of the STi5100 are available now with production volumes scheduled for availability in Q3 2004. The STi5100 is priced at $12 when purchased in large quantities.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2003, the Company's net revenues were $7.24 billion and net earnings were $253 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
1 InStat/MDR - MPEG Video IC Market: Larger than Ever - June 2003 (Report number IN030573MI)
