July 26, 1994
FISHKILL, N.Y., July 26, 1994 - IBM Corp. today announced a single-chip MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Experts Group) decoder device for the full-motion digital video market. This is the first in a family of MPEG-2 chip products that IBM intends to deliver to serve the broadcast, computer and consumer electronics marketplaces.
MPEG-2 compression enables more efficient storage and transmission of broadcast-quality, full-motion video. The MPEG-2 decoder processes the compressed bit streams to allow high-quality video to be displayed on television or computer monitors.
"With this announcement, IBM places itself at the forefront of the emerging digital video electronics industry," said Frank Zurla, product manager, Digital Video Products, IBM's Microelectronics Division. "An increasing number of applications today demand digital video techniques to display high-quality full-motion pictures."
IBM Microelectronics' new MPEG-2 decoder chip decompresses either MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 digital video information in full compliance with the ISO standard for MPEG-2, Main Profile at Main Level, at CCIR601 resolution. Device characteristics include approximately one million transistors in a 8.1 X 8.15 millimeter die size, 1.0 watt, and 3.3 volts. The device is packaged in a 208-pin quad flat pack package, which can be surface mounted directly on a card or board.
Among the advantages of IBM's MPEG-2 decoder device are the incorporation of an error concealment mechanism, which enables the decoder to maximize the use of available good data. Multiple DRAM configurations for storing coded data, partially decoded pictures and reference pictures used for motion compensation are also supported. A sophisticated output filtering and display control permits the handling of aspect ratio changes, image expansion in both horizontal and vertical directions, as well as direct connection to standard digital NTSC/PAL encoders. The on-screen display function provides for effective decoder utilization in the television set-top box environment.
Samples of the MPEG-2 decoder device using IBM's 0.8 micron CMOS technology are available now. Pricing in quantities of 1,000 or less is $98 per unit. Volume production using IBM's 0.5 micron CMOS technology is planned for the fourth quarter of this year. The MPEG-2 decoder is available through IBM Microelectronics' direct sales force, distributors and manufacturers' representatives.
MPEG is a working group of the International Standards Organization that is developing a standard that specifies the coded bitstream and decoder requirements for digital video and audio.
IBM's early involvement in MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 development has included service as the MPEG systems chairmanship, the current U.S. X3L3.1 committee chairmanship and the U.S. Head of Delegation. In addition, engineers have contributed proposals, technical evaluations and algorithms to the MPEG video and systems committee.
IBM, headquartered in Armonk, N.Y., is a supplier of integrated microelectronics technologies to a growing number of companies worldwide. Its products range from semiconductor design and fabrication to complete and fully tested functional assemblies. IBM Microelectronics, headquartered in Fishkill, N.Y., is responsible for developing, manufacturing and marketing these products and technologies.
IBM Microelectronics is a trademark of IBM Corporation.
Pricing is current as of July 26, 1994 and is subject to change without notice.
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