Full HD multi-decoder LSI supports both MPEG-2 and H.264

Fujitsu Microelectronics Asia Pte Ltd has developed a full high-definition (HD) multi-standard video decoder LSI for Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) HD broadcasts—the MB86H60—that decodes both MPEG-2 and H.264 compression formats in full HD resolution (1,920 dots x 1,080 lines). The highly integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) complies with the DVB standard currently used in various regions, mainly Europe.

The DVB digital broadcasting standard is used in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and by some broadcast systems in China, which are currently broadcasting in standard definition (SD) using the MPEG-2 video compression format. Next-generation broadcasts will be in HD, and in Europe it has been decided that H.264 will be the main format to be used. As the shift to next-generation HD broadcasts in Europe and elsewhere will occur gradually over time, decoder LSIs used in TVs and set-top boxes for these regions need to be able to handle decoding of both MPEG-2 and H.264 formats.

Featuring an ARM1176JZF-S CPU core, the LSI decodes full HD video compressed in either MPEG-2 or H.264 and integrates on a single chip the necessary processing functions for a HD broadcast receiver, including processing of digital video, audio, and graphics. This makes the multi-decoder suitable for TVs, set-top boxes, and portable TV receivers. Also, by simply connecting two 16-bit wide DDR2 SDRAM667 external memory chips as working memory to the multi-decoder chip, the chip becomes fully functional, including CPU-based system control and digital-video decoding—allowing set vendors to reduce their overall costs when designing their TVs and STBs.

With four video-transfer ports, this multi-decoder LSI can be connected to a wide variety of external devices, including digital video recorders (DVRs), which record TV broadcasts to a hard disk drive, or to connect to a conditional access card to view restricted digital broadcasts. Other specifications include: input clock frequency, 27MHz; operating clock frequency, 324MHz; power consumption, 1.2W (typical); and packaging, 484-pin PBGA.