Processor Supports All DVD Recording/Playback Formats

The road to mass markets for DVD recorders has reportedly been made both shorter and smoother with the recent development of what is claimed to be the industryÕs first single-chip DVD recorder system processor. Based on a powerful system-on-a-chip architecture, the DMN-8600 processor is designed to support all DVD recording and playback formats. To help DVD recorder makers achieve significantly lower system-level costs and design complexity, the IC integrates on-chip: dual 32-bit SPARC RISC CPUs that also pack DSP co-processing engines that give a combined 600 MIPS of performance; digital audio and video encode and decode capabilities; high-quality display processing abilities; storage and IEEE-1394 interfaces; and a 2D graphics engine. The DMN-8600 also has a video DSP and motion estimation engine that, in tandem with the dual CPUs, provides simultaneous audio and video encode and decode functions and full-system CPU capabilities. It also can act as a transcoder between various digital and video formats (MPEG, DV) and can transrate between different bit rates, giving OEMs the flexibility to offer consumers a variety of different system features. The DMN-8600 is the first member of the companyÕs DiMeNsion family of consumer recordable products and comes in a 308-lead BGA package costing $30 each in high volumes. Samples are available now, with mass production set to start in Q2. LSI LOGIC CORP., Milpitas, CA. (866) 574-5741.