Video Decoder Chips Let Portable Or Wired Systems Handle All Formats

Dec. 4, 2003

A pair of video signal decoders simplify the task of converting NTSC, PAL, and SECAM video signals into digital component video for both portable (mobile phones, PDAs, etc.) and wired systems (set-top boxes, digital televisions, etc.)—the...

Dave Bursky

The TVP5150 comes in a small 32-lead TQFP. It has inputs for two composite or one S-Video signal and consumes just 115 mW during typical operation. For higher-end systems, the TVP5146 handles S-Video, YPbPr, or RGB input signals and includes both a five-line adaptive comb filter for best-in-class Y/C separation and four 10-bit, 30-Msample/s analog-to-digital converters for superior noise performance. The TVP5146 comes in an 80-lead TQFP and draws about 400 mW. Both decoders support the Macrovision copy-protection detection scheme.

Production quantities of either chip are available. In lots of 10,000 units, the TVP5150 costs $5.23 while the TVP5146 goes for $10.87.

Texas Instruments Inc.www.ti.com/mixedsignalvideo

See associated figures 1 and 2

About the Author

Dave Bursky | Technologist

Dave Bursky, the founder of New Ideas in Communications, a publication website featuring the blog column Chipnastics – the Art and Science of Chip Design. He is also president of PRN Engineering, a technical writing and market consulting company. Prior to these organizations, he spent about a dozen years as a contributing editor to Chip Design magazine. Concurrent with Chip Design, he was also the technical editorial manager at Maxim Integrated Products, and prior to Maxim, Dave spent over 35 years working as an engineer for the U.S. Army Electronics Command and an editor with Electronic Design Magazine.