Single Chip Solution is suited for digital flat-panel TVs.

Press Release Summary:



Built around 32-bit ST20 microcontroller running at 100 MHz, STV3550 consists of LCD-TV processor that offers all digital functions needed to implement matrix display TV sets. Chip features unified memory architecture, programmable digital video output stage, and flexible horizontal and vertical format conversion in addition to adaptive progressive output mode. Built in 0.18-micron CMOS technology, it includes TV peripheral circuits and is offered in 208-pin PQFP package.



Original Press Release:



STMicroelectronics Introduces Most Integrated and Cost-Effective Solution for Digital Flat-Panel TVs



Geneva, January 8, 2004 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), one of the world's leading suppliers of System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for digital consumer products, has introduced the STV3550, an LCD-TV processor that offers in a single chip all the digital functions needed to implement matrix display TV sets. In combination with the STV2310 multi-standard digital video decoder, it provides today's most highly integrated and cost-effective solution for low-cost, high quality, LCD-TV or matrix display projection TVs.

Built around a powerful 32-bit ST20 microcontroller running at 100MHz, the STV3550 provides functions such as advanced digital picture improvement, motion adaptive de-interlacing, video quality scaling, and 256-colour bit-mapped OSD (On-Screen Display). It builds on the success of ST's CTV100 platform (comprising the STV2310 and the STV3500) for CRT-based digital TVs. To ensure fast time-to-market, ST's turn-key solution includes not only the STV2310 and ST3550 chipset but also full reference software.

The STV3550 features a unified memory architecture for control, video processing and OSD. This architecture, in which external SDRAM is used for deinterlacing, image quality improvement, text and graphics generation, with application programs stored in external Flash memory, provides the most flexible, yet cost-effective, solution. At the same time, advanced digital video processing (3D noise reduction, YSI, CTI, motion adaptive de-interlace, high quality video scaling including panorama mode, dithering and gamma correction) designed specifically for video applications result in high quality pictures. In addition, the bitmapped 256-colour graphics, with its associated tools, enables the design of eye catching user interfaces.

Key features of the STV3550 include a fully programmable digital video output stage for direct RGB interface to flat display panels, including colour resolution from 4 to 10 bits and pixel resolution from VGA (640 x 480 pixels) to WXGA (1366 x 768 pixels). Horizontal and Vertical format conversion is also fully flexible, with zoom in/out (x4 to x 0.5) letterbox and 4:3-to-16:9 conversion, as well as panoramic modes and other features. An adaptive progressive output mode, based on spatial interpolation or field mixing (3:2 and 2:2 pull down), is also provided.

Ideal for all low-cost, high-quality LCD-TV (from VGA up to HDTV resolutions) and all other matrix display video applications (plasma, DLP, Lcos), the STV3550 also includes a full complement of TV peripheral circuits: including real-time clock and watchdog timer; 10-bit ADC; UART; two master/slave I2C decoders; 30 fully programmable I/O lines; four 16-bit standard timers; and an infra-red digital preprocessor. Built in 0.18-micron CMOS technology, the STV3550 is available now in a 208-pin PQFP package. Costs range from $7-10 depending on volumes.

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 2002, the Company's net revenues were $6.32 billion and net earnings were $429.4 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

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