NEC Electronics today announced the availability of a new image-processing solution, the EMMA3TMSL/P system-on-chip (SoC) based on NEC Electronics' enhanced multimedia architecture (EMMA) platform.

EMMA3SL/P SoC is a set-top box (STB) device compliant with H.264 high definition (HD), the next-generation image-compression standard, as well as the multi-format video support used for the increasing number of worldwide internet-protocol television (IP TV) STBs, such as DivX, VC-1, and WMV. The new SoC is also the first among the company's EMMA products to support China's audio/video standard (AVS).

The EMMA3SL/P device is an image-processing SoC that integrates key functions needed to receive and decode digital broadcasts, including MPEG-2 HD audio/video decoders, transport-stream demultiplexers, as well as display controllers for enhanced display and graphics features.

The new SoC offers multi-format video support for IP TV STBs, in addition to support for the H.264 HD standard and China's AVS, integrates enhanced security features while it is has 20 percent less on-board pins compared to the company's existing products, due to the high level of function integration.

Digital audio/visual (AV) applications are a strategic business focus for NEC Electronics, and the company is actively promoting chips for this market segment.



Bsic features:

- Supports multi-format video for IP TV
The new EMMA3SL/P device supports the reception of H.264 HD broadcasts adopted especially in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The SoC also specializes in multi-format video support for IP TV and pay TV, which allows users to play back almost all video formats from DivX and WMV, to VC-1. The new device is also the company's first EMMA product to support China's AVS.

- Complies with enhanced security features
To address the Conditional Access Companies' demand for protection against signal piracy, the new EMMA3SL/P SoC provides advanced security features to meet current security anti-piracy standards.

- Reduced total component cost, simplified board design and assembly
In addition to the indispensable HDMI interface and USB 2.0 host controller, the new device integrates Ethernet MAC, audio DAC and all other essential features on a single chip. The SoC ball layout has approximately 20 percent fewer number of pins from 596 to 484, compared to the company's existing products, resulting in reduced bill-of-materials (BoM) costs for STB manufacturers.

In addition, the new EMMA3SL/P SoC offers double the performance (990 MIPS,)of the company's previous EMMA3SL/HD device, supports hybrid IP TV STB functionality featuring simultaneous IP TV and broadcast TV while a built-in deinterlacer converts interlaced signals into progressive signals.

Finally, the SoCs supports the Linux operating system (OS) in addition to a real-time OS (RTOS).

Exhibition at International Broadcasting Convention 2009 NEC Electronics' EMMA3SL/P device will be showcased in NEC Electronics' booth located in Hall 1, Stand C27 at the International Broadcasting Convention 2009 (IBC 2009), to be held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from September 11 to 15.

Samples of NEC Electronics' new EMMA3SL/P SoC are available now, with pricing starting at $30 per unit. Volume production is scheduled to begin by the second half of 2009 and expected to reach 250,000 units per month.