Mirics and NVIDIA bring software-based TV to more PC platforms

Mirics has announced it has developed a global broadcast TV solution for NVIDIA GPUs (graphics processing units). By leveraging the massively parallel NVIDIA CUDA architecture for the Mirics FlexiTVTM software-based receiver, a universal low-cost TV receiver can now be implemented on entry-level PCs that have CUDA-enabled NVIDIA GPUs.

Optimum use of system processing resources is achieved by running certain FlexiTV algorithms on NVIDIA CUDA-enabled GPUs. This enables even low-cost, entry level PCs to support global TV reception using Mirics’ FlexiTV technology. Since FlexiTV uses separate CUDA compute engines for video decoding, users can enjoy high quality Standard and High Definition broadcast TV reception without additional hardware. Unlike conventional PC TV receivers, FlexiTV offers a single platform which is software reconfigurable to receive free-to-air terrestrial TV regardless of regional variations.

Simon Atkinson, Mirics CEO, commented: “Mirics has significantly expanded the range of PC platforms that can support global TV reception by combining FlexiTV with the powerful NVIDIA CUDA architecture. This new innovation benefits PC OEMs with a cross platform, low-cost TV solution, and empowers consumers with the widest multi-media content choice.”

Michael Steele, general manager of visual consumer solutions at NVIDIA, added: “NVIDIA CUDA-enabled GPUs are ideal for real-time signal processing. The combination of the NVIDIA CUDA architecture and FlexiTV means low priced netbooks, notebooks and desktop PCs can deliver excellent standard and high definition PC TV viewing experiences.”

Mirics’ CUDA-optimised FlexiTV solution is currently sampling to selected customers, and will be demonstrated at the NVIDIA Emerging Companies Summit being held Sept. 30 to Oct 2 in San Jose, CA.