SoCs Support Next-Gen H.264 Video Compression

Building on the company's enhanced multimedia architecture (EMMA), the EMMA3SL/HD and EMMA3SL/SD SoCs support the next-generation H.264 video compression standard, which offers twice the compression ratio as the current MPEG2 standard. The EMMA3SL/SD supports standard-definition video broadcasts while the EMMA3SL/HD SoC supports high definition. Both devices integrate all functions necessary to receive and decode digital broadcasts including DSPs that enable systems using Dolby Digital Plus or HE-AAC to play back high-quality audio streams even at low transfer rates. Other shared features include an EHCI-compliant USB 2.0 host controller and an IEEE 802.3/802.3u/802.3x-compliant Ethernet MAC. The devices are sampling now with prices starting at $50 for the EMMA3SL/HD and $40 for the EMMA3SL/SD. Volume production begins in the third quarter. NEC ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC., Santa Clara, CA. (800) 366-9782.