Product category: Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Broadcom Corp | Subject: BCM7411D
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 5 January 2006
A/V decoder solves
disc compatibility worries
A new high definition audio/video decoder chip is fully compliant with both emerging Blu-ray and HD DVD optical disc formats
Broadcom Corp has developed the industry's first high definition (HD) audio/video decoder chip that is fully compliant with both emerging Blu-ray and HD DVD optical disc formats. Compliance with Blu-ray and HD DVD formats permits the recording and playback of high definition video on blue laser-based optical disc media and drives.
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 5 January 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Broadcom's latest high definition decoder chip enables a new generation of consumer electronics devices that can decode compressed HD video stored on Blu-ray or HD DVD formatted discs.
'The worldwide adoption rate of large-screen HDTV sets by consumers has increased significantly over the last year', said Michelle Abraham, Principal Analyst at In-Stat.
'There is now an enormous opportunity for consumer electronics manufacturers and Hollywood studios to supply consumers with high-definition media players and movies'.
'As a result, we anticipate strong movie title and media player introductions in 2006'.
The Broadcom BCM7411D HD A/V decoder chip supports H.264 (also known at MPEG-4 Part 10/Advanced Video Coding (AVC)) and VC-1 (SMPTE 421M), the SMPTE standard based on Microsoft Windows Media Video 9.
Further reading
Reference design supports universal DVD players
The BCM7440 continues to be the industry's only single-chip solution that fully supports the demanding requirements of both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD standards
Single-chip transcoder for consumer devices
Device enables consumer electronics device manufacturers to add more features, provide portability and offer more flexible product offerings to their service provider customers
Single-chip switch spreads GbE connectivity
As a result, home networks will need to transition from FE to GbE connectivity to create the wired infrastructure necessary to support increased network speeds
Both compression standards are mandatory for Blu-ray and HD DVD optical disc formats.
The BCM7411D also supports high definition MPEG-2 decoding and provides full backwards compatibility for current DVD video titles as well as new HD DVD titles that may be authored in an MPEG-2 format.
A single-chip high definition decoder, supporting all three compression standards, enables manufacturers to build a new generation of media players that support both high definition optical discs as well as existing DVD video titles.
'Our previous generation HD A/V decoder chips have been tremendously successful in the cable, satellite and IPTV set-top box markets because of our relentless commitment to meet required compliance and performance metrics', said Peter Besen, Vice President of Consumer Electronics at Broadcom.
'Our ability to deliver field-proven HD decoder technology that supports all of the industry's compression standards places Broadcom in a position to become the leader of this exciting emerging market for consumer electronics'.
The BCM7411D is based on Broadcom's previous generation HD A/V decoder chips, which are currently shipping in cable, satellite and IPTV set-top boxes, media centres and gateways.
This fourth generation chip not only adds features that specifically address the HD optical disc player market, but also includes support for the VC-1 video compression standard.
'Broadcom has proven itself to be a leader in the broadband communications semiconductor market, and with this new high definition decoder chip, it will power a wide range of new high definition optical disc devices', said Kevin Unangst, Director of Windows Digital Media at Microsoft Corporation.
'By adding support for VC-1, Broadcom is ensuring its product will meet the highest standards for performance excellence'.
Also available is Broadcom's BCM97438 reference platform for the development of Blu-ray and HD DVD media players.
The platform includes a reference board featuring the new BCM7411D HD A/V decoder chip and Broadcom's BCM7038 dual-channel HD digital video system chip, as well as a software platform that offers OEMs a wide range of integration options.
Customers CAN interface their own navigation software solutions with application program interfaces (APIs) that provide full access to the underlying graphics, security, storage and I/O functions.
Broadcom is also working with third party software vendors to offer fully integrated navigation software solutions for OEMs who want to license a complete software stack.
For example, Sonic Solutions has announced availability of its AuthorScript BD Navigator solution for playback of advanced interactive Blu-ray discs on the BCM97438 platform.
'Consumers are very excited about the ability to purchase and watch high definition movies on their large screen HDTVs', said Gary Shapiro, President of the Consumer Electronics Association.
'Broadcom has shown very strong technology leadership in developing the underlying silicon and software technology to make this consumer entertainment capability a reality'.
The BCM7411D is a high definition A/V decoder chip for Blu-Ray and HD DVD players.
The chip supports the latest generations of video compression technologies including AVC High Profile at Level 4.1, VC-1 Advanced Profile at Level 3, and MPEG-2 Main Profile at High Level.
The chip's integrated audio codec supports Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Digital Plus, DTS 5.1, DTS-HD, MLP Lossless, LPCM and MPEG audio formats.
The chip also supports Thomson's Film Grain Technology, a digital compression technology that reduces the amount of bandwidth needed to store and transmit high definition video files while preserving a film's original creative look and feel.
The BCM7411D is now shipping in volume quantities with pricing available on request.
The BCM97438 reference design is also currently available to qualified OEMs.
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