Micronas Introduces First Video Decoder Chip to Unify Worldwide Standards (0005)
San José, California, April 24, 2000 - Micronas has introduced its single-chip, mixed-signal VPX 3226E video decoder for multistandard analog video signals. The device supports virtually every color-decoding standard used worldwide and offers full data broadcast support for Teletext, Intercast, Wavetop, WebTV for Windows, and Electronic Programming Guide Services (EPG).
"We have integrated high-end features from our products in the consumer area and taken them to the multimedia side", said Kai Scheffer, marketing manager for Micronas' multimedia product group. "The Micronas video decoder is more robust than any other device on the market, meaning its performance is extremely stable and does not fail in bad reception areas."
The true multistandard video pixel decoder delivers professional-quality digital video images for consumer video and graphics applications such as PCs, set-top boxes, projectors, LCD TVs, and DVDs. It is the smallest of its kind with a 44-pin PQFP package. Additionally, the device is equipped with a power-down mode, making it the lowest power-consuming chip with the highest feature sets.
The VPX 3226E is equipped to recognize and respect video data that has been protected by Macrovision (7.1) which prevents video data from being copied without permission.
The chip's adaptive 4H comb filter enhances details by removing static noise caused by video transmission, resulting in what is referred to as an artifact-free image. This matches the quality requirements of high-resolution TVs, bringing professional quality imaging to consumer multimedia products.
Software for the VPX 3226E supports Teletext, Intercast (Intel), Wavetop, WebTV (Microsoft), and EPG offered by Microsoft and Gemstar. The chip is programmable to new standards using the I2C interface.
The device will be on display at WinHEC 2000 in New Orleans, April 24 to 26, and is now available in production quantities. VPX 3226E starts at $ 6.25 in quantities of 100,000.