NTT Electronics
NTT Electronics Develops Compact, Low-Power H.264/AVC HDTV Codec Module with PCI Express Interface
NTT Electronics Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward (hereafter, NTT Electronics) Hiroshi Yoshimura, President announces a low power, H.264/AVC (*1) HDTV real-time codec module, named PINEA (*2) module that incorporates PCI Express.
By combining the PINEA module with a stacked package structure including DDR memory, a compact H.264/AVC system for PC application can be easily achieved.
Recently, the use of H.264/AVC has spread to a variety of applications such as broadcasting, next-generation DVDs, and mobile devices. H.264/AVC is especially advantageous in applications limited by a narrow bandwidth communications environment, where the codec's high compression efficiency is utilized. Due to the massive processing resources required by the amount of calculations involved, software-based codecs on personal computers have yet to fully support the real time processing needed for full-HD video or multi-channel SD video encoding. The result has been great demand for hardware-based codecs that offer stable, real-time encoding.
In response to the market, NTT Electronics has developed the PINEA real-time H.264/AVC HDTV codec module supporting PCI Express, a common interface in today's personal computers and servers. This module not only realizes high-resolution video compression, but also offers a compact form and low- power consumption. The PCI express interface also reduces development time.
Mass production is scheduled to begin in June 2009.
Summary of Features and Applications-PINEA Module
- Real-time H.264/AVC HDTV Codec
- Processing of video compression for single-channel HD video (1080/60i, 720/60p), four-channel SD video and eight-channel CIF video (*3) simultaneously.
- Motion JPEG Decoding
- Includes a decoder feature for Motion JPEG, the primary format for the video surveillance market. Inputting Motion JPEG into the PINEA module allows for real-time conversion to the H.264/AVC format, and utilizes the codec's greater compression efficiency.
- AES Encryption
- Supports AES (*4) encryption, which is optimal for online teleconferencing and video surveillance.
- Principal Applications
- Possible applications include PC-based video conferencing, video surveillance equipment such as multi-channel digital video recorders, professional video servers and video compression accelerators for PCs.
PINEA Module's Principal Specifications
| Video Encoder/Decoder | H.264/AVC video encoder | Profile | High, Main, Baseline |
| Level | 1.1 to 4.1 | ||
| H.264/AVC video decoder | Profile | High, Main, Baseline | |
| Level | 3.0 to 4.1 (High Profile) 1.1 to 4.1 (Main Profile/Baseline) |
||
| Motion JPEG decoder | Max. resolution/frame rate | 1280x1024/30fps | |
| Interface/Encryption | Video input | PCI Express (YUV422, JPEG, 32-bit RGBA) | |
| Video output | PCI Express (YUV422) | ||
| Streaming input/output | PCI Express (Video ES) | ||
| Encryption | AES-128 | ||
| Host interface | PCI Express | ||
| Power Consumption/Size | Power consumption | 1.5W | |
| Size | PCI Express half-size | ||
Terminology
*1: H.264/AVC (Back to the text)
Jointly standardized in 2004 by the International Telecommunication Union's Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) and the International Standards Organization (ISO) as a video codec. Also referred to as MPEG-4 AVC. Can realize twice as much or more data compression compared to that for the MPEG-2 standard.
*2: PINEA (Back to the text)
A single-chip video codec IC with a PCI Express interface that enables high-resolution video compression and playback while decreasing the PC's processing load. Compliant with the H.264/AVC standards, it reduces data sizes and bit rates to less than half those of MPEG-2 while maintaining high video quality. Using stacked package DDR internal memory, it achieves significant form reduction while reducing power consumption.
*3: Support for four-channel SD, eight-channel CIF video (Back to the text)
Supports four-channel SD and eight-channel CIF inputs. Multiple channels can be combined on the PC and input into the PINEA module to encode and decode full HD composite video.
*4: AES (Back to the text)
Abbreviation for advanced encryption standard, a highly safe and reliable encryption algorithm adopted by the United States' National Institute of Standards and Technology.
About NTT Electronics
NTT Electronics is a market leader in the fields of digital video, photonics and broadband networking. As a member of the NTT Group, one of the world's leading telecommunications companies, NTT Electronics develops and supplies LSI devices and equipment incorporating superior, state-of-the-art technology for video processing and communications.
The company's video compression technologies are adopted by many broadcasting stations and are highly rated in both domestic and overseas markets. Under the slogan of “Creator of Real High Definition” the company has been strongly supporting broadcasting stations to enable the transmission, editing and broadcasting of high-quality videos.
For more information, please contact
NTT Electronics Corporation
New Stage YOKOHAMA, 1-1-32 Shin-urashimacho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 221-0031, Japan
LSI and Modules Solutions
Overseas Device Business Division
TEL: +81-45-414-9170
FAX: +81-45-453-9718
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