Product category:
Communications ICs (Wired)
News Release from: STMicroelectronics | Subject: STB7100
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 07 January 2005
Single set-top-box chip goes for high
definition
STMicroelectronics has developed the world's first single-chip set-top-box (STB) solution supporting the high definition H.264/AVC and VC1 specifications.
STMicroelectronics has developed the world's first single-chip set-top box (STB) solution supporting the high definition H.264/AVC and VC1 specifications, which are poised to enable the next generation of high quality consumer video systems and broadcast services ST is the world's leading supplier of ICs for set-top boxes, and the introduction of the new STB7100 allows manufacturers to introduce products that will enable this market
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The latest advanced codec technologies for DVD-audio and DVD security encryption are embedded in the new decoder, and the use of a powerful ST40 CPU makes the STB7100 the ideal platform for car multimedia centres able to directly drive - as a master device - applications such as GPS, at the same time as handling DVD and audio.
"By creating our STB7100 H.264 solution as a single chip in 90nm technology instead of taking the simpler coprocessor path, ST is providing manufacturers with by far the most cost-effective base for their products in this market", said Christos Lagomichos, General Manager of ST's Set-Top Box Division.
"The demand for new H.264 and VC1 video codec chips is incredible, and the availability of the STB7100 means that consumers will soon have HDTV boxes, IP-TV and DVDs that use the latest standard, and broadcasters will be encouraged to further develop their services".
"And this is the ideal platform for the HD-DVD and Blue-Ray DVD technologies".
The STB7100 can simultaneously decode multiple HD streams and output the resultant video to two television sets, or display picture-in-picture.
Its CPU core is a high-performance 300MHz ST40, ST's 32bit RISC family based on the SuperH architecture and widely used across digital consumer applications.
It supports all the current STB operating systems and middleware, with power to spare for software enhancements in the future.
The new device is based on an innovative video decoding architecture which combines hardware and software techniques to allow systems to be upgraded in the field to support new standards as they become available.
For digital video recorder (DVR) applications it features embedded peripheral interfaces including serial, ATA and USB 2.0 to allow external devices to be added easily to an STB or DVD player, either during manufacture or by the viewer, in order to provide additional functionality.
Viewers increasingly use digital video recording for program time shifting.
Other peripherals that could be connected to a set-top box through the USB interface include digital cameras, printers, and memory cards.
The latest advanced codec technologies for DVD-audio and DVD security encryption are also embedded in the new decoder, and the use of the powerful ST40 CPU makes the STB7100 the ideal platform for car multimedia centres able to directly drive - as master device - applications such as GPS, at same time as handling DVD and audio.
It is a true multiple application chip.
The STB7100 is available now in sample quantities in a 35 x 35 PBGA package and costs $29 when purchased in large volumes.
Volume production is planned for early 2005.
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