Philips Semiconductors First to Bring High-Definition PC Video Codec to Mass Market

Integrated Video Decoder-Encoder - Supports Multi-Standard Video Capture and the Widest Range of Standard and High Definition TV-Output Processing

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2002-- Philips Semiconductors, a division of Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG - news; AEX:PHI), today announced that it is the first manufacturer to ship a multistandard, high-definition (HD) - video codec to the mass market. Targeting computer applications, the new SAA7108A/09A HD-CODEC(TM) is the first video codec to incorporate HD and standard definition output capability on the same chip. It offers both standard and HD-ready TVs a rich variety of low-cost, PC-generated content such as movies, 3D games, decoded TV broadcasts and high resolution graphics. The chip also supports the widest range of video graphics array (VGA) resolutions, from 320x200 to 1280x1024, allowing instant TV-out viewing without the annoyance of having to change graphics modes.

"Digital technologies, like this new high-definition - video codec, are quickly becoming an integral part of our homes and work places," said Dan Vivoli, vice president of marketing at NVIDIA. "By combining Philips' new SAA7108A/09A HD-CODEC with any of NVIDIA's products, consumers instantly have access to a full-range of multimedia and video functions as well as HD quality never before seen on a desktop PC."

Philips Semiconductors' SAA7108A/09A HD codec offers VGA card and computer motherboard manufacturers advanced features such as end-to-end Macrovision Copy Protection support, high-quality PC 2001 compliant Video-in, TV-out processing. Other advanced features of the HD codec include a best-in-class PAL/NTSC/SECAM video digitizer, a 9-bit analog front end, 4-line adaptive multi-standard luma/chroma comb filter, Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) data processing and filtered H and V scaling capabilities. The SAA7108A/09A outputs ATSC-compliant video including 720p and 1080 resolution, allowing the sharpest possible image. The 156-pin SAA7108A/09A is pin-to-pin compatible with the increasingly popular SAA7108/09 PC-CODEC(TM), allowing multimedia card designers an easy upgrade to HD-capability. Furthermore, the SAA7108/09 and SAA7108A/09A reduce board space by 75 percent compared to older-generation chips that require separate footprints for video encoders and decoders.

"This advanced HD video codec further reinforces Philips Semiconductors' commitment to the PC industry by extending consumer technology into the high-volume PC space," said Jerome Morris, marketing manager for Philips Semiconductors. "The SAA7108A/09A provides designers with a one-chip solution for implementing outstanding video capture and output functionality. While targeted primarily for use in PC applications, the chip's small form factor and attractive price point also make it versatile for a variety of consumer electronic applications."

Product Features

Philips Semiconductors' SAA7108A/09A HD-CODEC is a single solution that combines video encoder and decoder capabilities into a small 156-pin BGA footprint and is fully pin-compatible with its predecessor, the popular SAA7108/09 PC-CODEC(TM). It supports all Macrovision copy protection standards including revision 7.01, and it is the first HD video codec to support the new DVD 1.03 Macrovision Copy Protection Scheme (applicable to the SAA7108A only). Targeted primarily at PC and notebook applications, the SAA7108A/09A can also be used in a variety of consumer electronic devices such as set top boxes, PVRs, DVDs, DVCRs, web boxes and video conferencing applications.

The SAA7108A/09A incorporates 9-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and 10-bit DACs, compared to the competition's 8-bit ADCs and 9-bit DACs. The video decoder combines a 2-channel analog preprocessing circuit, automatic clamp and gain control, a clock generation circuit (CGC), and a digital multi-standard decoder supporting PAL BGHI, PAL M, PAL N, combination PAL N, NTSC M, NTSC-Japan, NTSC N and SECAM. The decoder block also includes a brightness-, contrast- and saturation-control circuit, a multistandard VBI data slicer and a 27-MHz, VBI-data bypass.

The video encoder operates fully independently using its own variable pixel clock to transport graphics input data or using the line-locked, single crystal-stable video encoding clock. It encodes PC graphics data at maximum 1280x1024 resolution for display on any TV. It incorporates a sync/clock generator and on-chip 10-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), high quality scaling, on-chip hot plug detection, programmable 5-line anti-flicker filtering, and an interlacer to ensure properly sized and flicker-free images on TV displays.

Pricing and Availability

Philips Semiconductors' SAA7108A/09A HD video codec chip is currently shipping in 156-pin BGA packaging. Pricing for the SAA7108A/09A is less than $18 in quantities of 10,000.

About Philips Semiconductors

Philips Semiconductors, with revenues of US $6.3 billion in 2000, is a world leader in silicon systems and standard products for wireless communications, digital entertainment, computing and automotive applications. The organization designs, develops and manufactures silicon solutions based on its innovative Nexperia(TM) architecture to create living technology for its customers building products, service providers using the products, and consumers enjoying the resulting products and services. For more information: www.semiconductors.philips.com.

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