Philips Semiconductors Introduces New Single-Chip 9-Bit Video Decoder For Advanced PC And Consumer Video Applications

Integrated, Multi-Standard Device Delivers Component Video And MacrovisionÆ Detection Setting New Standards For Video Quality And Content Protection

21-Jun-00

Philips Semiconductors, an affiliate of Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG), unveiled at INFOCOMM International 2000 its newest single-chip, multi-standard video decoder designed to bring component video capability to emerging video applications for PC peripherals and consumer infotainment systems. Philips Semiconductorsí new SAA7118 chip is the companyís most feature-rich video capture device to date, enabling higher quality and lower cost analog-to-digital conversion, along with significantly enhanced protection for video content. The SAA7118 sets a new standard for performance and quality for scores of video applications including PC video capture, video conferencing, data/video projection, flat panel display, video editing/post production, personal video recording and set-top boxes.Moving beyond competitors offering 8-bit video decoding platforms, the SAA7118 features low-noise 9-bit analog-to-digital conversion, which provides exceptional signal-to-noise ratio for peak picture clarity. The chipís integrated component video input ensures the purest quality in video capture, making it the perfect solution for applications that require high image integrity such as DVD and Betacam video. A high-performance, adaptive 4-line comb filter significantly reduces ""dot crawl"" and enhances resolution and image detail, making the SAA7118 highly suited for large screen video display platforms that need to connect to older composite signal-based products such as VCRs. A tiny 156-pin BGA footprint (15mm x 15mm) makes the SAA7118 optimal for compact and mobile products such as ultra-portable data/video projectors. The SAA7118 supports all standard video formats including composite, S-Video, component video and European RGB/SCART. The device can accurately decode all variations of PAL, SECAM and NTSC signals with full auto-detection, making it ideal for implementation in video products worldwide.The SAA7118 is also the worldís first video decoder device to receive full certification in accordance with Macrovisionís newly issued Copy Protection Detect Specification Revision 1.00. The new deviceís three-level Hardware MacrovisionÆ Detection ensures comprehensive copy protection for video content delivered over commercial broadcast systems. ""Designers of the latest PC peripheral and consumer infotainment products want to offer all of the benefits of the digital platform but need to accommodate analog signals without sacrificing quality, integrity or copyright protection,"" said Michael Malloy, Product Marketing Manager for Philips Semiconductors. ""Our new 9-bit decoder chip has all of the capabilities necessary to digitize any analog video source. The SAA7118 ís component video processing capabilities will push the envelope for image quality in the video display market. Enabling Macrovision Detection is critical in building momentum in the video time-shift market.""""The ability to process component video and the protection of digital video content from illicit copying and piracy are important factors driving wide-scale adoption of high fidelity video and time-shift applications,"" said Michelle Abraham, Senior Analyst with Cahners In-Stat Group. ""With its new 9-bit decoder chip, Philips has taken a decisive step in satisfying these industry requirements and has opened the door for a new generation of high-end digital video products and services."" Product DescriptionThe SAA7118 is a single-chip 9-bit video decoder that supports multiple video formats. The device can accurately decode all variations of PAL, SECAM and NTSC signals into standard ITU-601 compatible component color values. The chipís low noise 9-bit CMOS analog to digital (A/D) converters provide high performance with oversampling at 27MHz - twice the ITU-601 standard. The SAA7118 also includes a high-performance, adaptive 4-line comb filter, a versatile VBI data slicer, an advanced up/down 2-D scaler and Philips Semiconductorsí patented Real-Time Control which allows for synchronization between decoded and re-encoded signals in applications such as video editing and time-shifting.The chip supports up to 16 analog inputs split as desired between CVBS, S-Video, component video (RGB and YCbCr) and VSB/COFDM/QAM. The chipís expansion port offers digitized CBVS, S-Video and component video signals. Additionally, a direct VSB/COFDM/QAM data output is available via a dedicated ""sidecar"" bus, which eliminates the need for an external A/D converter in hybrid analog/digital set top boxes. Other features include the generation of a field-locked audio clock to support a constant number of audio clocks per video field to synchronize audio and video signals.Pricing And AvailabilityPhilips Semiconductorsí SAA7118 video decoder chip in BGA156 packaging is now in volume production. Pricing for the SAA7118 is sub-$25 U.S. in quantities of 10,000. The product will be available through the companyís global sales team and worldwide network of distributors and supported by Philipsí extensive field support team. For more information on the SAA7118, visit www.semiconductors.philips.com/pc/products or phone 800 234 7381.SAA7118 Evaluation System AvailableThe SAA7118 Evaluation System is an extremely flexible tool enabling designers to showcase the chipís performance using a wide variety of video signals. The system also includes the SAA7102 video encoder interfaced with the SAA7118 in a stand-alone environment to provide customers with a complete end-to-end system evaluation. The Evaluation System includes installation and userís guide, complete software toolkit, AC adapter, IC interface and selected video cables.About Philips SemiconductorsPhilips Semiconductors, which has annual revenues of approximately $5 billion, designs and manufactures semiconductors and silicon systems platforms. Philips Semiconductors is spearheading the emerging field of systems on silicon solutions with the innovative Nexperiaô platform and VLSI Velocityô tool set. The company's Sea-of-IP design methodology allows plug and play intellectual property blocks for easily customizable products. The company is a leader in communications, consumer, PC peripherals and automotive semiconductors, which are key applications for convergence in end-user products. Philips Semiconductors is headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and has operations throughout the world. For more information, visit www.philips.semiconductors.com.

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