Fujitsu Launches Next-Generation Multi-Standard Video Decoder Solution for HDTV Set-Top Boxes

This cost-effective, low power and highly integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) incorporates all the necessary processing functions for digital video, digital audio, powerful on-screen graphics and a variety of connectivity options for set-top boxes (STB), personal video recorders (PVR) and in-car TV receivers. With the included stand-by controller, it adheres to The European Code of Conduct on Energy Efficiency and enables customers to realise STBs with extremely low power consumption. The integrated PHYs for SATA and two USB ports allow for cost-effective product designs. Additional system benefits include support for low-cost, high-speed DDR2 and NAND flash technologies.

A significant part of this new HDTV video decoder solution is the comprehensive STB application software including drivers, middleware and a customisable user interface. The software package includes ports for various third party software IPs for digital TV functions such as MHEG-5, DVB Teletext/Subtitles and CI-Plus. With its application teams located in Europe, China and Japan, Fujitsu Microelectronics is capable of providing excellent local support to its customers helping them to design their next-generation digital TV products.

The DVB digital broadcasting standard is used in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and by some broadcast systems in China that broadcast in standard definition (SD) and high-definition using the MPEG-2 and H.264 video compression formats.

The AVS specification provides one of the most comprehensive standardisation solutions for the Chinese digital video and audio industry because it addresses system level content transport, video/audio coding formats and media copyright management. It also provides video coding efficiency that is two-to-three times more efficient than MPEG-2 (and equivalent to H.264).