Cirrus Logic VGA to TV encoder with interface for DVD decoder........
Cirrus Logic Launches VGA-to-TV Encoders For
Sub-$1000 PC And Consumer Entertainment Appliance
Market
COMDEX -- Booth No. N114, Las Vegas Convention Center
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997--
New Encoders with Revolutionary Flicker Reduction
and Digital Interface Deliver Broadcast Picture
Quality for TV-Out Applications
Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS) today at COMDEX, announced two new digital VGA-to-TV
encoders (CL-GD1052 and CL-GD1053) that address the sub-$1000 DVD-based entertainment
PC/TV, Internet PC and set-top box markets.
Demonstrated at the company's COMDEX booth (No. N114), the two new encoders are
pin-compatible, with the GD1053 offering support of Macrovision's anti-copy technology.
The new entries represent the industry's first digital TV-out solutions that incorporate a revolutionary
adaptive flicker-reduction technique. This proprietary technique, called IntelliFilter(TM) technology,
supports a full-feature set for PC/TV applications including gaming, DVD movies, Web Surfing and
low-cost CRT replacements, enabling supreme picture quality because the TV is used as a display.
Providing the industry's most comprehensive TV-out solution, the new encoders also offer scaling,
PnP (Picture-in-Picture) and support for Macrovision's anti-copy software.
High-quality VGA-to-TV output is made possible through the IntelliFilter's adaptive flicker-removal
algorithm that detects the content of the display for text, motion and sharp edges, while it intelligently
adopts or selects a filter level. This patented technology allows the new encoders to provide the best
picture quality on TV, especially for the Windows environment.
This is especially important for computer applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, which are
designed for progressive-scan display rather than the interlaced display technology used on TVs that
can cause severe flickering and lead to poor display quality.
"With today's announcement, Cirrus Logic extends its multimedia offering to support a new class of
home entertainment systems that combine the functionality of a PC with the social environment of the
living room TV," said Art Swift, vice president of marketing for the PC Products Division of Cirrus
Logic.
"As major OEMs gear up for a big push of sub-$1,000 DVD-based home entertainment systems,
our encoders will be there to provide the performance and TV-out picture quality that consumers
will demand in these emerging products."
Dual-Input Capability
Another distinguishing feature that sets the encoders apart from other solutions is a dual-input
capability. Two 8-bit digital ports, one for a 3D graphics device and the other for MPEG-2
decoding, provides an ideal solution for DVD because one device supports both functions.
For graphics data requiring "scaling" and "flicker" removal stages, the device's VIDPORT1 provides
a direct interface to the encoder's scaling/flicker-reduction logic. The device's VIDPORT2 input
supports MPEG-2 decoders for viewing DVD content on either a PC or TV.
This dual-input capability is not available with any other encoders in the industry and allows Cirrus
Logic's chip solutions to lower the system cost for a complete DVD system while providing the best
picture quality possible. PnP Support
Picture-in-Picture (PnP) allows multiple windows to be viewed simultaneously on the same display
as required by the Windows OS. For example, a user can easily view a DVD movie in the
upper-right-hand corner of the TV display while simultaneously working on an Excel spreadsheet in
the main window.
Each of the new encoders is a "smart device" that determines the type of display being utilized (TV
or VGA monitor) and automatically adapts to its environment with the proper drivers.
Up and Down Scaling Supports Global Markets
Since NTSC can only display about 400 lines, vertical-down scaling is required to fit standard VGA
resolutions (including 800 x 600) on a TV. When displaying resolutions lower than 400 lines (such as
VGA Mode 13D, the most common mode for playing games on a PC), vertical and horizontal up
scaling is required for maximizing the viewing area.
This process requires either internal or external storage buffers to perform interpolation. Cirrus
Logic's encoders do not require any external storage buffers, which lowers the bill of materials
(BOM) while taking up less real estate on a printed circuit board.
Moreover, since the new encoders address wide-screen signaling (WSS) through its support of the
16:9 aspect ratio TV output, the device is well positioned to address the global market. The new
encoders also preserve visual quality through a digital interface. Most current TV-out solutions
implement an analog interface and its inherent noise adversely affects video quality. Macrovision 7
Support Secures Content
Cirrus Logic's GD1053 encoder provides Macrovision support to secure content -- a "must have"
by major OEMs. This industry standard anti-copy technology allows DVD- and DSS-based video
to be displayed on a TV set without the possibility of making a useable video-taped copy.
Pricing/Availability
The CL-GD1052 and CL-GD1053 digital NTSC/PAL are fully pin-compatible. The CL-GD1053
is Macrovision Revision 7-compliant as required for DVD solutions. Both CL-GD1052 and
CL-GD1053 are currently sampling with production quantities set for the first quarter of 1998. The
devices are available in a 44-pin PLC package with pricing set at $10.00 each in quantities of
10,000.
Cirrus Logic
Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of system-level integrated circuits that demand high-performance
mixed-signal processing. The company applies its system expertise to enable high-volume
applications in data storage, networking, and multimedia for both computing and consumer
electronics markets as well as ultra-precision data acquisition applications for industrial automation
and instrumentation markets.
Cirrus Logic news releases may be obtained by fax by dialing 1-800-359-6414, or by dialing
510-249-4200 from outside the United States, or via the Internet on the world wide web at
cirrus.com
Note to editors: Cirrus Logic is a registered trademark and IntelliFilter is a trademark of Cirrus
Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.
CONTACT: Tsantes & Associates
Christian Bateman, 408/369-1500
chris@tsantes.com
or
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
Devang Patel, 512/252-6073
devang@corp.cirrus.com
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