Xilinx FPGAs and Design Tools Enable Echolab's Latest Multi-Definition Video Switcher
Design team relies on wide variety of Xilinx solutions to enable broadcast industry's most flexible multi-definition switching solution
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Sept. 7 / / - At the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) today, Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX), the world's leading supplier of programmable solutions, announced that its high-performance Virtex(TM)-5 LXT and Virtex-4 FX FPGAs enabled the latest Ovation(TM) multi-definition video switcher from Echolab, a leading provider of video production equipment. Echolab relied on the embedded features provided in Virtex devices, such as PowerPC(TM) processors, RocketIO(TM) multi-gigabit transceivers and DSP(TM) slices to develop the industry's most flexible multi-definition switching solution. The Ovation MD 4416, designed for fast-paced video production, provides 2D and 3D DVE functionality, resulting in stunning picture-in-picture perspectives and transition effects. Echolab is demonstrating the Ovation series at this week's IBC, Stand 11.645, while Xilinx demonstrates its latest Virtex-5 FPGA-based solutions at Stand 10.421.
Switchers are at the hub of all video activity, requiring an extremely high level of output quality. Echolab's Ovation switcher meets this requirement with up to 16 analog or digital inputs, and up to 16 simultaneous analog and digital outputs (in HD or SD). Ideally suited for broadcast studios, worship centers, sporting venues, broadcast vehicles, and production facilities, Echolab products are able to evolve as customer needs change, based on the programmable architecture enabled by Xilinx devices. The entire line of Echolab products including Nova, Opera and Ovation contain Xilinx devices.
The Echolab design team leverages a wide spectrum of Xilinx design solutions to meet their high-performance design goals - including Xilinx(R) ISE design software, Embedded Development Kit (EDK), ChipScope(TM) Pro logic analyzer, and SystemACE(TM) drop-in configuration technology.
"Our latest Ovation series is built on the same platform we developed several years ago using Xilinx Virtex-II Pro devices. At that time, based on the high-performance embedded features offered by Xilinx technology, we were able to reduce a five-board chassis to a single board," said Roger Smith, Chief Technology Officer at Echolab. "Reconfigurability is vital to our competitive edge and since employing Xilinx Virtex technology in our products, we've remained at the forefront of innovation in this highly competitive industry."
"The broadcast industry continues to be one of the most aggressive early adopters of new technology," said Paolo Masini, senior manager of Broadcast Vertical Marketing at Xilinx. "The Echolab design team has done an excellent job at using a broad spectrum of our devices and design tools develop the high-definition video production solution the industry demands."
About Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGAs
Named 'Product and Innovation of the Year' by EDN Magazine, the Virtex-5 family represents the fifth generation in the award-winning Virtex series. Built upon the industry's most advanced 65nm triple-oxide technology, breakthrough new ExpressFabric(TM) technology and proven ASMBL(TM) architecture, the Virtex-5 family includes four domain-optimized platforms for high-speed logic, digital signal processing (DSP), embedded processing and serial connectivity applications. Production devices are shipping now and may be purchased online or through Xilinx distributors. Visit xilinx.com/virtex5 for more information.
About Xilinx in Broadcast
Xilinx offers a wide array of solutions for the broadcast industry, ranging from video, audio and network connectivity, real-time HD video processing and high speed DSP for transmission and modulation. Xilinx offers reference designs and IP cores as building blocks for complete broadcast systems. For more information, visit http://xilinx.com/broadcast.
About Xilinx
Xilinx, Inc. is the worldwide leader of programmable logic solutions. For more information, visit http://www.xilinx.com/.
Source: Xilinx, Inc.
Web site: http://www.xilinx.com/
