H.264, MPEG-2, And MPEG-4 No Problem For Multistandard Video Processor

March 31, 2005

A 500-MHz+ superpipelined TriMedia CPU core, which allows for simultaneous encode and decode of full D1 resolution MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video, highlights the upgraded Nexperia processor. New instructions were added to Philips' CPU so it could handle H.264 encoding and decoding operations. Standard- to high-definition upconversion with advanced de-interlacing also was added to help deliver high-quality images. The chip supports decoding high-definition video formats, as well as Windows Media Video and DiVX.

Aside from the upgraded CPU core, the PNX1700 is functionally identical to its predecessor, the PNX1500. Yet by offering more than double the compute throughput, the PNX1700 can power IP set-top boxes, digital media adapters, personal video recorders, videophones, and TVs. A complete development package, which includes a hardware reference design, a C compiler, a debugger, extensive software codecs, and application software, supports the chip.

Samples will be available in June. In large quantities, the PNX1700 costs $39 each.

Royal Philips Electronicswww.semiconductors.philips.com

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.