MUMBAI: The California headquartered Broadcom which deals with wired and wireless broadband communications semiconductors, has announced a new dual-channel AVC/VC-1/MPEG-2 video decoder system-on-a-chip (SoC).

This enables cable, satellite and IP-network equipment manufacturers to cost-effectively develop high-performance media centers. The new Broadcom chip integrates all of the required media center technology to securely access, store and share multiple types of digital media content, including high-definition TV (HDTV) programmes, video-on-demand, Internet content, digital video, music and photos, and voice over IP services.

The company notes that in recent years, media centers have evolved to support multiple simultaneous functions that require advanced audio/video compression, 2D and 3D graphics, powerful processing power, increased memory bandwidth, home networking and robust security technologies. Broadcom says that its extensive
experience in designing chips for the cable, satellite and television industries has enabled us to develop a next-generation decoder chip that meets all of the high-performance requirements of media centers.

Based on field-proven AVC decoder technology (currently shipping to leading manufacturers of set-top boxes), the new BCM7400 HD AVC/MPEG-2 decoder chip announced by Broadcom today integrates all of the back-end requirements of a high-performance digital media center into a single-chip solution.

The features integrated into the BCM7400 enable a new generation of media centers that can receive broadband digital media content via satellite, cable, telephony or Internet network connections. Once the media center receives content, it can store, manage and maintain the digital rights, communicate the content or distribute the content to other media appliances in the home.

The BCM7400's next-generation features include:

* The latest generations of video compression technologies such as advanced video coding (AVC) (the ITU and ISO joint standard), VC-1 (the Society for Motion Picture and Television Engineers or SMPTE standard) and MPEG-2. These video compression technologies enable systems to support high-definition (HD) and standard definition television programming.

* Dual audio and video HD channels that enable a single system to simultaneously deliver HD programs to multiple televisions in the home, and allow a user to watch an HDTV programme while recording another, to record two HDTV programs at the same time or to display different programmes on the television using picture-in-picture technology.

* Concurrent multi-threaded MIPS CPU with IEEE754 FPU and 128KB second- level cache provides 875DMIPS capability enabling systems to support advanced applications with a fast response time, JAVA-based applications and 3D games.

* Integrated PVR capability that enables the simultaneous recording of multiple channels, and then enables the user to store and play back the content throughout the home.

* Advanced 2D and 3D graphics engine that provides unparalleled visual content and enhances the user interface by providing improved program guides and navigation capabilities, as well as a user friendly consumer operating environment that is similar to personal computers.

* Integrated content security processor that provides end-to-end security and digital rights management of media content. Cable TV downloadable conditional access system (DCas) is supported to enable DCas-based leased and retail "digital cable ready" set-top boxes. SVP security is included for content protection in the digitally connected home between the gateway and its attached clients.

* Integrated peripheral interfaces, such as 10/100 Fast Ethernet and USB 2.0, to connect within the home to other digital appliances or to connect to an IP network via a DSL modem. Other networking connections, such as a Wi-Fi(R) network, can be established through a PCI port that is secured by digital transmission copy protection (DTCP).

The decoder chip, when combined with other Broadcom set-top box chips, offers highly integrated media center solutions for several
different applications.

* Cable TV Media Center:
The BCM3255 and BCM7400, when combined with multiple BCM3420 tuners, provide manufacturers with a complete HD AVC, digital video recording (DVR) cable-TV media center design that can support IP channel speeds of up to 120 Mbps, plus two channels of HD AVC video decompression, advanced downloadable DCAS security, up to 1600 DMIPs processing power, and a complete home networking management package. Broadcom adds that it has packaged this solution into the BCM97456 reference design to support customers with their next-generation set-top box designs.

* Digital Broadcast Satellite and IP Media Center:
The BCM7400, when combined with the BCM4500 (DVB-S demodulator), BCM3440 (CMOS tuner) and BCM3517 (ATSC demodulator) products, provides manufacturers with a HD AVC, digital video recording (DVR) satellite reference platform. This same reference platform supports IP set-top box applications.

Broadcom offers manufacturers a range of broadband communications and consumer electronics SoCs that enable voice, video and data services over residential wired and wireless networks.