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Conexant Introduces MPEG-2 Audio/Video Encoder for Worldwide Consumer Electronics Applications
Next-Generation Device Improves Audio/Video Quality and Includes
Support for Major International Broadcast Audio/Video Standards
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 14, 2004—
Conexant Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNXT), a worldwide leader in
semiconductor solutions for broadband communications, enterprise
networks and the digital home, today launched a new MPEG-2 audio/video
(A/V) encoder for consumer electronic products including Media Center
and entertainment personal computers, set-top boxes, digital
television sets and video recording/editing products such as digital
video disks (DVD) and personal video recorders. For manufacturers, the
high level of integration allows them to reduce bill-of-material costs
and component counts. In addition, the ability to use a single chip
for multiple product platforms, regardless of geography, reduces
overall development costs.
"Our new A/V encoder builds on our existing platform and delivers
improved audio and video performance for a broad range of products
commonly found in today's digital home," said Jeff Crosby, vice
president of Broadband Media Processing Products for Conexant. "This
allows our customers to simplify product design and speed
time-to-market. Moving forward, we will continue to employ our
expertise in MPEG encoding to deliver high-performance, cost-effective
broadcast and convergence media silicon solutions."
The CX23418 accepts analog and digital video and audio in a
variety of formats and encodes the input using MPEG algorithms to
reduce the overall size and bandwidth of the A/V signals. This process
allows users to store high-quality video and audio on computers and
other digital consumer electronics devices. The new encoder includes
several features to ensure high-fidelity audio and superior video.
Special capabilities include the ability to cleanly process and
convert low-quality video from old VCR tapes and similar sources to
digital formats such as DVDs. This revolutionary new feature enables
consumers to make the best possible copy of content from bad or
unstable video sources. It also includes support for all major
worldwide broadcast video standards including NTSC/PAL/SECAM and their
associated stereo audio broadcast standards.
The CX23418 interfaces directly to analog video signals, sound
intermediate frequency/audio frequency (IF/AF) signals from television
tuners, and audio analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), to produce
high-quality video and audio MPEG program or transport streams.
High-performance video quality is further supported by the integration
of 10-bit video ADCs supporting composite, S-video and component
formats, 2-D and 3-D adaptive comb filtering, and time-base
correction. Other features include an increased motion search range,
the decoupling of motion estimation from encoding, an adaptive
quantization scheme, and the preservation of six-bit audio samples
throughout the audio path to deliver high-fidelity compressed stereo
audio. As a result, end-users obtain the best possible picture and
sound, even as the data rate is reduced and the recording time is
shortened.
The CX23418 includes a broadcast audio decoder that provides
automatic standard detection and configuration through an on-board
microprocessor. This eliminates the need for user intervention, and is
especially useful in geographic areas where different audio standards
may be received on a channel-by-channel basis. The chip also supports
AES, triple-DES and CPRM encryption technologies to protect content
stored on either a hard disk or DVD recordable disk.
Conexant offers a complete suite of components and system
solutions for all major consumer video applications ranging from
standard and high-definition video to interactive consumer
entertainment services delivered through a set-top box, PC, digital
video recorder or game console. The company's video and multimedia
product offering includes analog and digital video encoders and
decoders, PCI video decoders, software and complete reference designs.
Pricing and Availability
Samples of the CX23418 are available now, with volume production
scheduled for the first calendar quarter of 2005. The device is
packaged in a 23 mm, 388-BGA and priced at $20 each in quantities of
10,000.
About Conexant
Conexant's innovative semiconductor solutions are driving
broadband communications, enterprise networks and digital home
networks worldwide. The company has leveraged its expertise and
leadership position in modem technologies to enable more Internet
connections than all of its competitors combined, and continues to
develop highly integrated silicon solutions for broadband data and
media processing networks.
Key products include client-side xDSL and cable modem solutions,
home network processors, broadcast video encoders and decoders,
digital set-top box components and systems solutions, and dial-up
modems. Conexant's suite of networking components includes a
leadership portfolio of IEEE 802.11a/b/g-compliant WLAN chipsets,
software and reference designs, as well as solutions for applications
based on HomePlug(SM) and HomePNA(TM). The company also offers a
complete line of asymmetric and symmetric DSL central office
solutions, which are used by service providers worldwide to deliver
broadband data, voice, and video over copper telephone lines.
Conexant is a fabless semiconductor company that recorded more
than $900 million in revenues in fiscal year 2004. The company has
approximately 2,400 employees worldwide, and is headquartered in
Newport Beach, Calif. To learn more, please visit us at
www.conexant.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements relating to our future
results (including certain projections and business trends) that are
"forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially
from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the
substantial losses the company has incurred recently; the cyclical
nature of the semiconductor industry and the markets addressed by the
company's and its customers' products; demand for and market
acceptance of new and existing products; successful development of new
products; the timing of new product introductions; the availability of
manufacturing capacity; pricing pressures and other competitive
factors; changes in product mix; product obsolescence; the ability to
develop and implement new technologies and to obtain protection for
the related intellectual property; the uncertainties of litigation;
and the risk that the businesses of Conexant and GlobespanVirata have
not yet been completely and may not be integrated successfully, as
well as other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from
time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These
forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we
undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Note to Editors: Conexant is a registered trademark of Conexant
Systems, Inc. Other brands and names contained in this release are the
property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Conexant Systems, Inc.
Gwen Carlson, 949-483-7363
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