Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Ambarella | Subject: Ambarella AmbaCast 3000
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 12 September 2007
Video codec chip boosts picture quality
Ambarella's Ambacast 3000 processor enables the design of broadcast encoders to increase picture quality; while the low power and high integration allows a reduced form factor and power consumption.
The Ambarella Ambacast 3000 processor more than doubles the computing power of its predecessors and can be programmed for increased video quality as well as encoding full 1080x1920 resolution HD at 60 frames per second in a single chip The platform enables the design of broadcast encoders to increase picture quality; while the low power and high integration allows a reduced form factor and power consumption
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 9 Jan 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
SoC packages HD camcorder on a chip
Second-generation low-power platform is targeted at high-definition camcorder, HD capable hybrid digital cameras and H.264/AVC encoding applications.
HD processor upgrades encoder performance
Harmonic has selected the Ambarella A2 encoder platform for its DiviCom Electra MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) HD and SD encoders.
Over 80% of TVs sold today in North America, Europe and Japan are flat TVs with progressive 60p displays, and many of them are capable of 1920x1080 (full high definition).
However the majority of the broadcast is interlaced video, so the incoming interlaced signal must be processed by the TV (de-interlacing) prior to display.
This results in a lack of sharpness and motion artifacts.
Further reading
SoC enables top resolution in camcorders
The Ambarella A3 platform has low operating power and increased system integration that makes the high-definition experience a reality for mainstream consumers.
SoC captures video and still images
Ambarella's A390 stores still images in either raw or compressed formats, implementing the JPEG standard at a rate of one picture per second without interrupting full HD-video recording.
Moving to a progressive 1080p format at frame rates of 50 frames a second in Europe and 60 frames a second in North America and Japan means that the broadcast industry is catching up to the advances in consumer displays and is ready to offer to the consumer the increase in sharpness and smoothness of motion that only a truly progressive format can deliver.
This is most important for sport content.
The Ambarella AmbaCast3000 processor supports increased video quality, larger motion vector range and an increased number of reference pictures at the highest resolution.
It also supports an additional number of coding tools to optimise bit allocation at all resolutions.
The Ambarella AmbaCast3000 processor can accept uncompressed video at rates exceeding 3Gbit/s and can produce compliant H.264 Main and high-profile streams at bit rates as low as 4Mbit/s for 720p 60 and 1080i 60 and as low as 6Mbit/s for 1080p60.
The Ambacast 3000 can also function as a decoder.
The Ambacast 3000 processor incorporates a spatio-temporal three-dimensional noise filter with full-range motion compensation operating on all video formats including 1080p60.
This filter can reduce the impact of noise on compression without the unpleasant side effects associated with aggressive temporal filtering.
Harmonic has selected the Ambarella AmbaCast 3000 for its next-generation HD H.264 encoder product line.
"Ambarella and Harmonic have a close working relationship with a proven track record of excellence", said Jean-Christophe Morizur, Director of Product Marketing at Harmonic "The Ambarella AmbaCast 3000 processor allows greater programming flexibility and increased image quality in addition to enabling full HD 1080p60/50 functionality".
"Cable, satellite and IPTV operators can use Harmonic's advanced HD H.264 compression technology to offer value-added premium 1080p HD services at broadcast quality for linear and nonlinear applications, thereby enabling new revenue opportunities and increasing customer satisfaction".
• Ambarella: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
