Micronas introduces worlds highest integrated audio/video solution for LCD-TVs (0509)

Revolutionary mixed-signal IC family sets a new standard of integration of high quality video, audio, de-interlacing, scaling and controller functionalities and paves the way for the fast-growing market of LCD-TV applications.

Freiburg, Germany, April 04, 2005 - Optimized for LCD-TV applications, Micronas (SWX Swiss Exchange: MASN, Frankfurt: MNSN, Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX), a leading supplier of innovative application-specific IC system solutions for consumer electronics, today announced a break-through in full-featured LCD-TV solutions; a single-chip TV solution with dedicated features such as 3D comb filter, component input for HDTV signals, and LVDS outputs.

"Reducing development effort and time, while covering a broad range of products is the key to success for our customers in the fast growing flat panel TV market. With these targets in mind Micronas designed the VCT 69xyP, a family of pin- and software-compatible ICs which exceed current integration levels by far", explains Hermann Zibold, Director Business Line Value TV at Micronas. "We integrated all essential TV functions, including memory, into one QFP package. The VCT 69xyP has a multi-standard video decoder with 3D comb filter, motion adaptive de-interlacer and scaler, micro-controller and graphics processor, stereo decoder and audio sound processor, and LVDS transmitters to directly drive an LCD panel. It sets a new industry benchmark in all disciplines: functionality, scalability, quality and system cost".

The VCT 69xyP family starts with the Eco Version, which addresses smaller LCD-TV requirements with a 2D color decoder, a line-based de-interlacer and 10 pages of teletext. The basic version targets mid-size LCD panels, offers a motion-adaptive frame-based de-interlacer and 500 pages of teletext, while the Premium Version features a 3D-color decoder, a motion-adaptive frame-based de-interlacer and 1000 pages of teletext.

All derivatives of the VCT 69xyP offer full input and output connectivity for peripheral audio and video signals, making the use of additional A/V switches obsolete. Also, an analog PC input and component video inputs for HDTV formats such as 1080i and 720p are supported. The VCT 69xyP supports the new European HD-Ready label for WXGA FPD-TVs via a 24-bit RGB interface and an I2S audio input connected to an external DVI or HDMI receiver IC.

To achieve the best picture performance on LCD or PDP panels, the VCT 69xyP comes with a full set of picture improvement features, including Dynamic Contrast Enhancement (DCE), Luminance- and Color Transient Improvements (LTI /CTI) and Nonlinear Color Enhancement (NCE).

Picture performance is further enhanced with Micronas' truD® technology. Included in the Micronas FRC 942xA, truD® delivers two unique features: vector-based motion compensation de-interlacing and film de-juddering. When combined with the VCT 69xyP, it delivers unparalleled picture quality in large flat panel displays.

VCT 69xyP versions with 2-channel LVDS or 30-bit TTL outputs enable the use of any LCD or PDP panels up to WXGA and SXGA resolutions. Progressive-scan and 100Hz CRTs are supported as well, by using the analog RGB output version of the VCT 69xyP with the Micronas DDP 331xC deflection controller.

The audio part of the VCT 69xyP offers multi-standard sound decoding and complete base-band processing. A separate headphone channel and a five-band equalizer are only two examples of the wide audio feature set. Additional audio features such as Virtual Dolby Surround®, BBE®, SRS TruSurround XT® are optionally available, too.

The VCT 69xyP's ability to receive FM radio including RDS/RBDS adds additional value to a VCTP-based TV set.

The TV-world is changing from analog to digital TV broadcast. The VCT 69xyP is an ideal platform for IDTV (integrated digital TV). For the booming DVB-T market, Micronas has introduced a complete turn-key solution consisting of the MDE 95xyD, a single-chip DVB-compliant MPEG-2 decoder for free-to-air, pay-TV and personal video recorder (PVR) applications, and the DRX 3973D, a state-of-the-art COFDM demodulator. For US and Korean markets, we offer an ATSC compliant HDTV solution based on Micronas' superior ATSC front end chip in combination with a HD MPEG decoder.

Packaged in a 208-pin LQFP, the VCT 69xyP does not require any additional external RAM or Flash. This allows low-cost 2-layer PCB designs.

The VCT 69xyP will sample in Q2 2005. Evaluation boards and development tools and a comprehensive software package will be available at the same time. Customers currently using Micronas solutions such as the VCT 49xyI will be able to reuse a substantial part of their existing software.