Encoder chip outputs analogue TV

The latest SDTV/HDTV encoder IC from Chrontel complies with the Intel SDVO (serial digital video output) PC interface specification.

The latest SDTV/HDTV encoder IC from Chrontel complies with the Intel SDVO (serial digital video output) PC interface specification.

The CH7021A enables PCs that use the SDVO specification to transmit video through a TV-out port to analogue video inputs on external TV sets.

SDTV/HDTV encoders are mixed-signal ICs that convert the digital graphics output of a PC into an analogue video input that can be accepted by any standard definition, enhanced definition, or high definition television.

To maximise viewability, the CH7021A includes Chrontel's patented scaling/deflickering engine, which can fit any PC graphic resolution (up to 1600 x 1200 pixel UXGA) to all SDTV and all HDTV resolutions.

The CH7021A drives YPrPb, RGB, composite video or S-video inputs on external TV sets, and it is the only SDVO-compliant HDTV encoder to provide scaling and deflicker filtering for 1080i HDTV format.

The Chrontel device is compatible with NTSC, Pal and Secam television broadcast standards, and is certified with Macrovision and CMGS-A copy protection.

"With the ability to drive the analogue inputs on any TV, a PC becomes more useful for gaming, DVD playback, JPEG picture sharing or collaborative viewing and computing", explained Dr David Soo, Chrontel President and CEO.

"Chrontel is dedicated to supplying the most complete line of PC video interface chips, so it was natural that we would offer a SDTV/HDTV encoder for the increasingly popular SDVO interface standard".

Chrontel's new CH7021A supports the 1-2Gbit/s high-speed video input rate of the SDVO interface specification.

The SDVO interface specification is a high-speed serial data interface designed into the latest Intel PCI Express-enabled chipsets: the Intel 915G, 915GV, 910GL and 945G Express chipsets.

Manufacturers using PCI Express will require SDVO-compliant SDTV/HDTV encoders to offer the TV-out function on their PCs.

"The TV-out function is highly popular with PC users, and Intel believes it is very important for this functionality to be available in an SDVO-compliant device", said Sunil Kumar, Director of Chipset and Software Marketing at Intel.

"We are pleased that Chrontel is adding a new SDTV/HDTV encoder IC to its portfolio of SDVO-compliant video interface ICs".

The mixed-signal CH7021A is the latest in a family of SDVO-compliant devices that Chrontel began releasing in 2004.

Chrontel offers the most complete line of SDVO-compliant video interface devices, including LVDS, DVI and HDCP transmitters.

The Chrontel CH7021A will be sampling in Q2 2005, and production volumes will be available early in Q3 2005.

The device is offered in low-cost 64-pin LQFP packages, and come complete with Windows driver support.

The CH7021A is priced at $4.85 in 10,000 piece quantities.

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