Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Analog Devices | Subject: Blackfin
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 05 October 2005
Single processor takes on networked AV
centre
The Blackfin processor has been implemented in a concept design for a networked audio/video centre by Yamaha Corp, a global leader in music equipment as well as home audio and video systems.
Analog Devices' Blackfin processor has been implemented in a concept design for a networked audio/video centre by Yamaha Corp, a global leader in music equipment as well as home audio and video systems Yamaha's prototype networked AV centre represents a new product category that provides a central device for playing back, storing, and distributing digital music, video and photos to any room in the house
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 4 Mar 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Energy-efficient DSP powers acoustic effects
Fishman uses the Blackfin ADSP-BF532 running at a power-conserving 169MHz to perform 32bit audio effects processing in its AFX pedals.
Video collaboration upgrades media players
The combined efficiency of the RealVideo format and the performance of the Blackfin processor deliver a high-quality level of video playback traditionally not found in personal media players.
The concept design is capable of demonstrating multichannel, multizone output from a variety of sources, including set-top box, PVR, DVD, mobile audio players, internal hard disk, mobile storage media and Ethernet.
Yamaha recently showed the prototype in action at the Cedia Expo in Indianapolis.
According to Yamaha officials, digital audio and video are allowing people to enjoy entertainment at home more conveniently than ever, and the company's networked AV centre prototype design makes listening to, viewing, and organising that content a rewarding and seamless experience.
Further reading
Processors add performance, peripherals and power
The performance of the Blackfin processor allows more robust image processing than earlier products, increasing accuracy and speed of transactions.
Upgrade for DSP development
Integrated development environment, debugger, C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker and simulator support Blackfin, SHARC and TigerSHARC processors.
Yamaha sought a processor that would bring together audio, video, and image processing and control functions just as seamlessly as their design objective.
A single Blackfin processor provides convergent processing for the Yamaha prototype.
That is, the Blackfin architecture is able to perform both media and control processing for the networked AV centre, eliminating the requirement for a separate digital signal processor (DSP) and microcontroller.
The Blackfin processor combines best-in-class DSP performance with microcontroller functionality, enabling a single chip media solution that can be augmented via software upgrade to keep ahead of the technology curve.
"This concept from Yamaha shows how a home entertainment system can successfully combine the convenience of a consumer-electronics product with PC-style features such as hard-disk storage, removable memory, and network connectivity".
"The network AV centre is truly a superb showcase for the Blackfin Processor's convergent processing abilities", said Brian McAloon, Vice President, DSP and Systems Products Group, Analog Devices.
In the Yamaha prototype, the Blackfin processor carries out high-performance video playback from PC and streaming sources via Ethernet, while simultaneously performing high-quality audio playback by decoding formats including AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC and WMA.
The AV centre's consumer-friendly design is also supported by the Blackfin processor's ability to drive on-screen menus presented on a display, which lets users make their entertainment selections through a remote control device.
• Analog Devices: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
