Royal Philips Electronics has launched the Nexperia PNX7200, a single-chip MPEG-2 codec for DVD recording applications. The Nexperia PNX7200 enables a low system-cost solution, reducing bill of material (BoM) costs by up to 30%.

Accordind to digitimes, Philips Nexperia PNX7200 MPEG-2 codec will be in volume production with 0.12-micron technology by the first quarter of 2004.

The PNX7200 features integrated progressive scan and the smallest memory footprint of only one SDRAM. It also provides improved features for audio and video including adaptive picture sharpness, de-blocking artifact removal, and simultaneous progressive and interlaced output, which results in an enhanced audio/video experience for the consumer.

Philips today also unveiled its fourth-generation Nexperia reference design targeted for DVD+R/+RW. The reference design, powered by PNX7200, will provide manufacturers the ability to quickly bring to market reliable, compatible and cost-effective end products.

“DVD recorders will be big in 2004 and will essentially replace the market for video cassette recorders,” said research analyst Adrienne Downey of Semico Research. Sales of DVD recorders are expected to reach 13.3 million in 2004, compared to about 3.5 million this year, according to Semico Research.

“Beyond replacing the VCR market, the next generation of DVD recording devices will come to serve as the main home-entertainment hub of the Connected Home,” said Jeroen Keunen, general manager, consumer and multimedia, Philips Semiconductors. “Given that seven out of ten DVD+RW video recorders sold in 2003 to date are based on Philips’s Nexperia semiconductor solutions, Philips possesses the expertise to offer complete, feature-rich and industry-proven solutions for the explosive DVD recorder market as well as home entertainment systems of the future.”