news archive
Analog
Devices Unveils Integrated Graphics Interface Chip
Monterey,
California, December 2000 - Analog Devices, Inc.
announced a highly integrated graphics interface IC that
includes three 110 MSPS 8-bit analog-to-digital converters
(ADCs) with on-chip phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry and
RGBIN clamps. The AD9883, with its higher level
of functional integration, has excellent performance with
fully specified ADC and PLL characteristics that reduce
design complexity and risk, while lowering the
cost of the end system, a company news release said.
Fully compatible with advanced RGB
graphics standards, the AD9883 is optimized for XGA and SXGA
applications including LCD monitors, plasma display panels,
digital projectors, and digital TVs (DTVs). The device
supports high-resolution display monitors up to 1280 x 1024
pixels at 60-Hz refresh rates.
"A combination of functional
integration and design flexibility make the AD9883 both
attractive and economical to use," said Frank Farrelly,
product marketing manager, Display Interface Products,
Analog Devices. "Ultimately, the savings that flat
panel display manufacturers realize from smaller, less
costly graphics solutions, such as the AD9883, can be passed
on to customers, distributors and end-users alike"
The AD9883 offers a low power dissipation
of 500 mW typical with 3.3 V supply operation, 300 MHz
analog input bandwidth, and a low 500 ps peak-to-peak
PLL clock jitter.
The AD9883 is housed in an 80-lead LQFP
and priced at $7.50 in quantities of 1,000, with production
volumes in stock. Device operation is specified for
temperatures between 0° C and 70° C. Evaluation boards are
available through Analog Devices sales offices worldwide.
Information: Tech Support: Tel: (781) 937-1428; Fax
(781) 937-1021;
http://www.analog.com
At
CES, Panasonic Promises $2000 DTV
Las Vegas, Nevada, January 6 – At the 2001 Consumer
Electronics Show, being held here through January 9,
Panasonic is introducing a new 47-inch, rear-projection,
16:9 widescreen DTV-compatible (1080i/480p) television,
expected to ship in May 2000 with a targeted manufacturer's
retail price (MSRP) of approximately $2000. (The unit
requires a separate set-top decoder.) Additional projection
TV models will be available, the company said, and DTV-compatible
models feature a built-in progressive scan doubler.
Panasonic is also introducing its first LCD-TVs. These
desk-top sets will be available in 15-inch and 22-inch 16:9
screen sizes. One of the three initial models is Model
TC-15DT2, a 15-inch set with a built-in progressive-scan DVD
player and Dolby Digital/dts decoder at an MSRP of $3499.95.
Panasonic expects to start shipping it late this month.
Shipments of a more basic 15-inch LCD model began in
November 2000 at an MSRP of $1999.95. The 22-inch model
began shipping to retailers in late December 2000, and has
an MSRP of $4999.95.
Information: www.panasonic.com
TLC
International Adopts a New Viewpoint for Mechanical Glass
Scribing
Phoenix, Arizona, January 4 – TLC International, a
glass-scribing equipment manufacturer and CO2-laser-processing
company, announced today that it is receiving a large volume
of orders for its TLC Phoenix-600®.
"In TLC’s innovative approach to close-tolerance
glass-scribing technology, which is embodied in the TLC
Phoenix-600®, a CCD camera incorporated in the
scribehead assembly allows the machine to quickly perform
on-stage measurement and inspection, as well as
auto-calibration of wheel-placement accuracy. This
revolutionary technological advancement is quickly gaining
worldwide recognition," said TLC marketing director
Maribeth Linden. The machine has the ability to cut shapes,
as well as rectilinear parts, and it is the most affordable
single-head mechanical glass scriber available in the world
today, priced at US$80,000, Linden said. TLC says the
Phoenix-600® is simple to operate and easy to
maintain, and produces excellent afterbreak edge quality and
high throughput. The machine will be demonstrated in Booth
542 at SID 2001 San Jose June 5-7, 2001.
Information:
Maribeth V. Linden. Tel: (602) 866-8208; Fax (602) 866-8280;
mlinden@tlcinternational.com;
www.tlcinternational.com.
NEC
Technologies Introduces New 50-Inch Wide XGA Plasma Monitor
Itasca, Illinois, January 3 - NEC Technologies Inc,
announced the availability today of the PlasmaSync 50MP1,
its new 50-inch XGA resolution plasma display designed for
multimedia presentation and business communication
applications. "[The 50MP1’s] 1365x768
resolution is unmatched by any 50-inch XGA monitor shipping
today," said Scott Evans, product marketing manager for
the Visual Systems Division at NEC Technologies.
The display utilizes NEC Technologies' patented
Capsulated Color Filter technology,
which delivers realistic color reproduction, and AccuBlend
scan-conversion technology. A distinctive feature is a
split-screen function that allows the simultaneous display
of multiple sources on-screen. Another feature is 3X digital
zoom, which enables presenters to select an area of the
screen and enlarge it up to 300 percent, making even the
smallest text visible to an entire room. The display
comes equipped with a DVI input.
The PlasmaSync 50MP1 display is available now through the
NEC Technologies
network of authorized AV Integrators and Specialty Value
Added Distributors.
MSRP is US $18,995.
Information:
Tel: (877) NEC-EDIT; http://news.nectech.com.
Microtek
Packages Scanner and Digital Camera Combo for Complete
Internet Imaging Solution
Redondo Beach, California, January 3 – Microtek Lab, a
20-year veteran in scanning
technologies, is now bundling its easy-to-use MN100 digital
camera with its ScanMaker 4600. Microtek is the first
company to offer a complete Internet-ready digital imaging
solution with a USB scanner and digital camera combination.
"The ScanMaker 4600 combined with our digital camera
is exactly what many people have been requesting, which is
full Internet imaging capabilities," said Johnathan
Gerber, product specialist at Microtek. The hybrid
MN100 also serves as a PC camera, allowing users
to communicate face-to-face in real time or to snap
digital images to share with family and friends."
The scanner – with its three easy touch buttons for
scan, copy and email – is easy to use. For example,
the copy function allows users to easily scan-to-copy using
any of dozens of printer models. The 2400 x 1200 dpi optical
resolution offers excellent image quality and allows users
to enlarge images without distortion, Gerber said.
The Microtek' MN100 digital camera features two-button
operation for easy point-and-shoot operation; the
100,000-pixel CMOS imager provides web-cam-quality imaging.
The camera stores 20 high-resolution or 80
standard-resolution images. In PC camera mode, its 30
frames-per-second speed produces life-like video and audio.
The combo comes with a software package: Microtek
ScanWizard 5, Adobe PhotoDeluxe; Ulead PhotoImpact, Ulead
PhotoExplorer, OmniPage LE, ScanSoft PageKeeper Standard,
and Trellix Web Microtek Edition for the PC.
MSRP for the package is $180.00; MSRP for the scanner
without the digital camera is $160.00.
Information: Tel:
(310) 297-5000 or (800) 654-4160; www.microtek.com.
Genesis
Microchip Unveils Next-Generation Video Processors
San Jose, California, January 5 – Genesis Microchip is
announcing debut three new video-processing chips at the
Consumer Electronics Show here. The gm6010 and gm6015
television processors are the world's first integrated,
dual-channel video-scan-conversion chips. The gm6020
DVD display processor offers the same functionality as the
gm6010, but adds Macrovision 525I and 525P analog copy
protection.
The cost-efficient integrated circuits are part of the new
"Crystal Cinema" series of progressive-scan
video-processing chips for the fast-growing digital
television (DTV), high-definition television (HDTV),
flat-panel television (FPTV), and digital versatile disc (DVD)
markets. Genesis believes progressive-scan
television displays will enable the convergence of Internet
content with entertainment video.
"These new products are
a natural extension of what we do; we look forward to
applying our technology to this rapidly expanding
market," said Peter Mandl, Genesis Microchip's
Marketing Director for Digital Television Products.
"The gm6010 and gm6015 chips will enable television
manufacturers to provide 'cinema-like' video quality from
existing interlaced video sources. We've worked
extensively with several large, brand-name television
manufacturers to develop a family of chips that incorporates
a tremendous amount of functionality and solve a number of
problems, particularly in the area of format
conversion."
"With the transition to digital television standards,
new TVs must enhance the consumer's visual experience as
well as support multiple input image formats, including HDTV
and Internet content," Mandl said.
The chips will be available in 208-pin PQFP packages at
prices starting at $20 (for volume quantities). The gm6010,
gm6015, and gm6020 processors will be sampling in the first
quarter of 2001.
Information: www.genesis-microchip.com.
Silicon Image
says New iScan™ Pro Takes Standard TV to Cinema Quality
Las Vegas, Nevada, January 4 – Silicon Image, Inc.
today unveiled the iScan™ Pro, a multi-system line doubler/upconverter
for the home videophile at the Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas. The iScan Pro supports a wide array of TVs
and monitors and all major international video standards,
bringing extremely affordable, near High-Definition TV
(HDTV) quality images to the worldwide home-theater market.
Building on the success of the company's NTSC-compatible
iScan Plus V2 in North America, the iScan Pro increases
video-image resolution for PAL- and SECAM-formatted video as
well -- enabling consumers in Europe, Australia and Asia to
benefit from its ability to convert standard interlaced
video input from DVD, video tape, laser disc, and satellite
broadcast television into a near-HDTV, progressive-scan
signal for less than $1000. This price-point is more
than 50 percent less than competitive offerings with similar
capabilities.
The iScan Pro cost-effectively maximizes video
performance on standard-definition TVs and HDTVs that are
compatible with 480p inputs. The upconverts any NTSC,
PAL or SECAM input video signal to a high-quality
progressive signal, offering twice the vertical resolution
while eliminating motion- and time-based artifacts, such as
jagged edges and flicker.
The iScan Pro adds brightness, contrast, saturation, hue,
and sharpness adjustments to the adjustments that were
available on the iScan Plus V2. The addition of
component-video input to the existing S-video and composite
video inputs enables the iScan Pro to accept the
highest-quality interlaced video signal from a DVD
player. Outputs include selectable progressive RGB and
component (YPbPr). The iScan Pro can horizontally compress a
4:3 image into a 16:9 frame, allowing it to be used with
HDTV sets that are unable to perform this aspect-ratio
conversion on their own.
The iScan Pro is currently available through home theater
and professional AV distribution channels at an MSRP of
$899.
Information:
www.siimage.com.
Hitachi Introduces 42-Inch Consumer
Plasma Monitor
Las Vegas, January 4, 2001 -– Hitachi America, Ltd.
Home Electronics Division announced its first UltraVision
Digital™ Plasma HDTV Monitor for consumer applications.
The CMP4120HDUS is the Home Electronics Division's first
product from Hitachi's investment in the industry's largest
and most advanced plasma production facility, FHP Ltd.
(Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Ltd.). FHP was established
in April 1999 as a joint venture that combined the plasma
divisions of Hitachi and Fujitsu. The new CMP4120HDUS is
being introduced during the 2001 International Consumer
Electronics Show here.
The CMP4120HDUS is a high-performance 42-inch 16:9 plasma
HDTV Monitor featuring 1024 x 1024 (1,048,576 total pixels)
resolution. With an impressive luminance of 600 cd/m˛
(300cd/m˛ with front filter) and a high contrast ratio of
700:1, the unit is intended for critical-viewing home
theater environments.
The monitor can accommodate a wide range of input types,
including 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i; and computer
standards including VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA (scaled), and UXGA
(scaled). There are three color-temperature presets (6500K,
7600K, and 9300K) and three picture-format options to
accommodate sources with different aspect ratios.
The CMP4120HDUS incorporates ALiS technology, which
provides both high light output and long panel life.
Pricing has not yet been announced.
Information: http://www.hitachi.com/about/pressroom/index.html.
SmartASIC Introduces TV Video Processor
San
Jose, California, January 6 – SmartASIC, Inc. today
introduced the STV102, an integrated TV video processor for
digital progressive-scan and LCD television sets and
projectors. Incorporating SmartASIC's parametric cube-based
scaling engine and other proprietary digital signal
processing (DSP) techniques, the STV102 is a single-chip
processor that improves the viewing quality of TV display.
The STV102 conforms to the SDTV (Standard Definition
Television) standards of the HDTV standard, also called
480p, making it ideal for lower-end, high-quality television
sets.
"TV manufacturers look at two things when they look
at new technology," said C. C. Kau, President and CEO
of SmartASIC. "They want the best picture quality and
the lowest system cost. SmartASIC's STV102 employs several
sophisticated algorithms that let digital television sets
display noticeably better-quality images than their analog
equivalents. And we've integrated many system components in
the STV102 to lower the overall system cost. We aim the
STV102 squarely at the high-volume segment of the consumer
TV market."
The STV102 is aimed at two main markets: LCD TVs and
projectors, and conventional larger-screen CRT-based TVs.
LCD TVs are expected to become more popular as their prices
drop. The market for conventional larger-screen TVs is
particularly strong in China, where it is expected that all
large-screen TVs – 29-inch and larger – will use digital
processing to enhance the broadcast images because much of
the country does not have cable TV service.
The STV102 converts analog TV video streams to digital
data and performs anti-flickering, image enhancement, and
output control. To prevent flickering, it employs a
proprietary de-interlacing engine with programmable 3D
motion detection. It applies motion adaptive de-interlacing
with user-programmable thresholds. The STV102's proprietary
parametric cubic-based scaling engine uses high-order
interpolation to regenerate missing or needed information.
For example, in the case of an image that needed to be
scaled by a factor of two, from 100 to 200 pixels, the
missing pixels are generated by interpolating between the
two pixels that are on either side of the pixel that needs
to be generated
To reduce overall system cost, the STV102 incorporates an
internal on screen display (OSD), and provides bit-mapped
OSD support for up to 128 internal fonts for multi-language
support. To further reduce overall system cost, the device
contains an internal output DAC. The STV102 provides
programmable output resolution up to XGA (1024 x 768) or
native NTSC/PAL/SECAM
The STV102 is sampling now, with production volumes
available in the first quarter of 2001. It is priced at
$15.00 (thousand unit pricing) and packaged in a 160-pin
PQFP.
Information:
http://www.smartasic.com.
