Digital media processor enters HD realm

Manufacturers of consumer electronics and set top boxes now have a clear path to delivering high definition streaming video with the new 720MHz version of the TMS320DM642 digital media processor.

Manufacturers of consumer electronics and set top boxes now have a clear path to delivering high definition (HD) streaming video with the new 720MHz version of the TMS320DM642 DSP-based digital media processor from Texas Instruments.

TI's digital media processor delivers HD video streams in Microsoft's Windows Media High Definition Video (WMV HD) format at 720p resolution, as well as MPEG-4, MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 formats.

The device also processes standard definition video decoding for the emerging H.264 format.

This digital media processor follows on the success of the 600MHz DM642, which is in the hands of hundreds of customers developing everything from security cameras to video telephony systems, and is being incorporated into designs by eight of the top 10 IP set top box manufacturers.

In addition to sampling the 720MHz version of the DM642, TI is now offering production class devices for the TMS320DM640 and TMS320DM641, plus the 600MHz version of the DM642.

These code-compatible digital media processors are scalable across a wide range of clock speeds and memory capacities to support applications from video-based consumer electronics to video infrastructure equipment.

"TI's DM642 was one of the first programmable DSP to pass conformance testing at D1 resolution for both the Windows Media 9 encoder and decoder", said Steve Sklepowich, Group Manager in Microsoft Corp's Windows Digital Media Division.

"TI's new 720MHz DM642 facilitates the ramp of HD WM9 into a range of embedded consumer applications with code-compatible, programmable performance".

With manufacturers driving toward more complex features and functionality, having a programmable platform with optimised performance is key.

The DM642 includes integrated multimedia and communications peripherals such as on-chip HD-capable video ports, glueless Ethernet connectivity, multichannel audio and 66MHz PCI connectivity.

The new 720MHz version offers higher performance for HD streaming and broadcast applications as well as headroom for extended features such as object recognition and tracking for surveillance applications, multiple channel decode for streaming applications and image cleanup, network transport, better audio quality and better system control for other video applications.

The DM641 and DM640 processors also support video ports and critical peripherals for digital media adapters, personal video recorders, consumer IP-based video phones and video conferencing systems and digital surveillance systems.

TI continues to supply advanced development tools to accelerate product development.

Engineers can turn to the Digital Media Developers Kit, which contains a PCIbus EVM evaluation module (also available separately) as well as eXpressDSP software and development tools including DSP/BIOS, reference framework software, streaming-media executable demos, a high-speed emulator and even a camera with cables.

Also, the new 720MHz version of the DM642 EVM enables engineers to begin immediate evaluation of their algorithms such as dual standard-definition D1 decoding or HD 720p decode.

Further, third parties supply DM64x-based tools with hardware and software tailored for system-level solutions in specific markets such as consumer IP-based video phones or set top boxes.

This third party network also offers a wide range of AV algorithms including H.264, H.263, AC-3, AAC, MP3 and more.

The DM640, DM641 and DM642 (600MHz version) are available now in volume production with pricing starting as low as $19.95 each in quantities of 10,000 for the 400MHz DM640.

The TMS320DM642 running at 720MHz is sampling today at $59.99 (10,000 units).

The DM642 Evaluation Module (EVM) is $1995 with the complete DM64x-based Digital Media Developer's Kit (DMDK) selling for $6495 which includes the DM642 EVM.

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