These technologies are being developed to allow the distribution of multimedia content throughout the home based on the 'anytime, anywhere' paradigm to access content. Improvements in connectivity technologies, especially in the wireless technology field, are making it feasible to implement, at low cost, scenarios in which all the home devices are connected together. Users will expect to be able to access the content easily and conveniently, regardless of the physical place where the content is stored, across different devices in the home. This will result in a huge amount of data being transmitted around the home, often between equipment with widely differing video specifications that communicate using WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) resources.

One of the most important technologies for this scenario is video transcoding, which is a technique that allows compressed digital video streams to be adapted to different network transmission and receiver conditions without requiring that the bitstreams be fully decoded and then re-encoded. ST's Advanced Systems Technology (AST) group is developing a state-of-the-art transcoding technology called Dynamic Bitstream Shaper (DBS). This is a global MPEG-2/ H.264 input/output framework that will support changes in bitrate, frame rate, frame size and coding standard without needing to decode and re- encode the bitstream.

Video transcoding is needed whenever it is necessary to modify the form in which the digital content is delivered. Common examples include changing the bitrate to fit a particular channel rate or storage time in PVR-like applications or changing the resolution to allow for different capabilities in the receiving equipment such as sending a High Definition (HD) video stream to a Standard Definition (SD) TV set or displaying SD video on a CIF mobile terminal. Video transcoding also allows the frame rate to be easily changed, for example to achieve fast forward/rewind or to best exploit the available channel or storage capacity. This can also be used, in conjunction with frame size change, to fit terminal/client capabilities, for example to display a 30Hz sequence on 15Hz mobile display.

ST has developed and tested high performance algorithms for MPEG-2 to MPEG-2 bitstream and MPEG-2 to H.264 bitstream transcoding, both with bit-rate, frame rate and resolution change supported. Currently being developed are advanced algorithms for H.264 to MPEG-2 and H.264 to H.264 bitstream transcoding, also with bit-rate, frame rate and resolution changes. ST is also extending transcoding to support VC-1. ST's DBS technology will deliver reduced computational workload and power consumption, reduced delays and increased quality compared to today's state-of-the-art decoding/re- encoding methods.

In the area of multimedia encoding and decoding, ST has developed new high-quality and low-complexity algorithms for consumer H.264 encoding and decoding, including motion estimation and rate control algorithms. Error detection and concealment algorithms have also been developed for H.264 decoding, allowing the decoder to sustain and conceal data packet losses, a common condition on wireless packed-based best effort IP networks. Adaptive Playout: techniques have also been developed that enable buffering delays during interactive multimedia services such as videoconferencing or channel changing to be minimised, ensuring that the user does not experience annoying artefacts.

To achieve the best possible Quality of Service (QoS), ST's proprietary Cross-Layer Controller algorithm allows all of the transmission parameters such as WLAN configuration and video stream bit rate, frame rate and resolution to be optimized jointly and dynamically.

"The consumer electronics industry is converging on a scenario in which heterogenous devices in the home will connect seamlessly to each other. The realisation of this scenario requires the development of a variety of distinct technologies that must all work together in the most effective manner to deliver low cost, low power consumption and high user satisfaction," said Alessandro Cremonesi, AST Vice President and Deputy General Manager, Systems Technology, STMicroelectronics. "Although many companies are working on the individual technologies required, ST's strong experience and track record in all of the key application areas such as MPEG, security and mobile communications makes us one of the few semiconductor companies that can master all of these single technologies in a synergistic way and propose a unifying framework where all the technologies cooperate towards offering the best multimedia experience to the user."

ST will be demonstrating some of its most important developments in this area at the Consumer Electronics Show to be held in Las Vegas in January 2006, including a wireless home IP-based network in which media servers and renderers share audiovisual content through an IEEE 802.11g Wireless LAN according to DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) guidelines, including UPnP (Universal Plug and Play).

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2004, the Company's net revenues were $8.76 billion and net earnings were $601 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com.

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