NEC Electronics developed a new LSI that enhances the resolution of video and still images by upscalling it to HD (1920 x 1080).

The new μPD9280GM LSI is based on the company's single-frame super-resolution technology and addresses the challenge of how to show low-resolution images on new high-definition electronic products.

NEC claims that the LSI reduces the blurring that occurs when low-resolution images are expanded and displayed in high-resolution. It also sharpens out-of-focus images, smoothes rough edges and refines contours by analyzing and processing information contained in one frame of data in real time. The core of the LSI operates at 150MHz, significantly improving the processing speed of the image data compared to the company's previous generation of chips.

The technology enables very high-resolution processing with just one frame of image data. Reducing the processing load eliminates the need for expensive, external high-capacity memory, such as double-data-rate (DDR) SDRAM, thereby reducing cost and power consumption, and simplifying connections to existing systems.

The LSI enhances image data from the standard resolution (640?480) to 1920 x 1080-pixel high-definition (HD), one billion colors (30-bit color).

The LSI can be installed in DVD recorders, digital video cameras as well as HD TVs, according to NEC.

NEC plans to begin commercial production of the LSu in June. Samples are currently available for 2,000 yen/piece.