STB SoC does real-time HD encode/transcode

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Sep. 19, 2007

Horizon Semiconductors has announced a system-on-chip (SoC) that integrates multi-standard, dual-channel HD decoder, MPEG2/4 decoder, audio processor, and graphics accelerator functions. Aimed at STB (set-top box) and DVR (digital video recorder) applications, the Hz3120 and Hz4120 also include a "high performance" application processor.

(Click for larger image of Horizon's STB SoC)

According to Horizon, the Hz4120 targets cable, while the Hz3120 is for satellite reception. Both are said to use advanced ultra-wide-range motion estimation, adaptive picture quality analysis, and rate control algorithms, providing real-time HD video encoding at up to 1920 x 1080 pixels.

The company says the required encoding standards were previously achievable only through the use of off-line software encoders. The new chips can thus significantly reduce STB disk storage requirements, and enable low-bandwidth, high-definition video/audio transcoding and transmission applications, according to the company.

The chips' built-in application processor is capable of running embedded Linux or Windows CE operating systems, the company said.

Horizon has not yet published a data sheet, block diagrams, or photos of the processors. However, technical attributes cited in the company's announcement include:

Performs real-time dual channel HD encoding, or 12-channel SD encoding, simultaneously with HD encoding/transcoding.
Supports compression standards including H.264 (AVC) main and high profile up to Level 4.2, VC-1 (SMPTE 421M) advanced profile @ Level 3, DV, HDV, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 at resolutions of up to 1080/60p (1920x1080, 60 fps)
Display processor allows multiple plane true color blending, flexible resizing, motion-adaptive high-definition deinterlacing, and motion-compensated picture enhancement
2D and 3D graphics accelerator supports standards including X Window System and OpenGL
Multi-channel multi-format audio encoder, decoder, and special audio effects processor supports MPEG-1 Layer I and II, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, MP3, AAC/AAC-LC/AAC-HE, DTS, and WMA
I/O includes 10/100/1G Ethernet, USB 2.0, IDE/ATAPI, SMPTE-292, Flash, I2C, SPI/SSI, UART, and others
DVI/HDMI output offers HDCP security
IEEE 1394

In a statement, Horizon CTO Leonid Yavits said "Horizon's single-chip solution represents a significant milestone in the evolution of [the] STB. Operators are now compelled to offer entirely new advanced applications spanning from 60 fps decoding, to transferring video/audio to portable media players and mobile devices, to place shifting and networked PVRs. The Hz4120 and Hz3120 will ... play a pivotal role in enabling these advanced applications."

Pricing and availability information has not been released.

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