Integrate DVD Functions And Reduce Costs

Two chips integrate most ATSC HDTV DVD recorder functions. This significantly reduces the bill-of-materials cost of implementing HD digital video recorders by $15 or more. The DoMiNo 8633 and 8683 from LSI Logic perform full high-definition (HD) deco

Dave Bursky

March 16, 2006

Two chips integrate most ATSC HDTV DVD recorder functions. This significantly reduces the bill-of-materials cost of implementing HD digital video recorders by $15 or more.

The DoMiNo 8633 and 8683 from LSI Logic perform full high-definition (HD) decoding and display, HD timeshifting, and DVD recording (see the figure). The chips can decode MPEG-2 streams with MP@HL and MP@ML resolution. They also can perform complete ATSC format conversion and display. The 8633 handles one transport stream, while the 8683 handles two streams. Both chips can perform MPEG-4/DiVX encoding and decoding as well as standard-definition to high-definition up-conversion and HD JPEG display. Additionally, they can support both an optical and a hard-disk drive so video can be written to one drive while the other plays video.

In high volume, the 8633 and 8683 cost $20 and $25 each.

LSI Logic Corp.
www.lsil.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.