Fujitsu launches SD multi-standard decoders supporting MPEG-2 and H.264

The new series, which consists of two devices, the MB86H01 AA and MB86H01 AB, supports the DVB broadcasting standard used in these regions, and features MPEG-2 and H.264 decoders integrated into single chips with the functionality necessary for receiving SD broadcasts. Proprietary H.264 decoder technology provides low power consumption, while the availability of small packaging makes the decoders suited for use in portable equipment like personal navigation devices (PND) with built-in TV receivers.

The DVB digital broadcasting standard is used in Europe, Russia and by some broadcast systems in China. For SD broadcasting, the MPEG-2 compression format is widely used, however it is expected that the next-generation compression format H.264 will ramp up in Eastern Europe including Russia. The H.264 format is also used in some cable TV services in China for interactive video-on-demand (VoD) (*4).

Until now, Fujitsu has had success with its SmartMPEG series of MPEG-2 decoders for SD digital TV broadcasts for the DVB standard. SmartMPEG has been implemented widely in TVs, STBs, and portable TV receivers, particularly in Europe.

With the shift of SD broadcasting to the H.264 format in Russia, Eastern Europe, China, and elsewhere, TVs and STBs for these regions will need to be capable of decoding both MPEG-2 and H.264 formats. Fujitsu is offering its new MB86H01 series specifically to target such markets.