Media ICs Advance Digital HD Convergence

Described as the first architecture to support transcoding, encoding, and decoding at up to four times HD performance or up to four simultaneous HD streams, the ZEN architecture addresses escalating consumer interest in the convergence of digital media content. Taking form in a family of single-chip, advanced media ICs, the architecture reportedly enables applications that were previously unfeasible or impractical. These include the ability to distribute multiple HD channels with integrated, independently-rendered channel guides from a single server, record and simultaneously play back multiple HD channels or convert HD data for playback on devices that support a different format, modify the content bit rate of multiple HD channels to increase storage, or to meet the limitations of available network bandwidth and enable a seamless viewing experience even at low bit rates, and transform content at high speeds for storage and playback on portable devices through a secure wired or wireless connection to a DVR. The ZEN1 family of devices is available now for sampling. For more details, call ZENVERGE INC., Cupertino, CA. (408) 342-6000.