IBM, Fujitsu, Philips appending MPEG device roster

Electronic News, April 3, 1995 by Anthony Cataldo

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. - The video playback market is bubbling forth a new batch of MPEG-compatible hardware coming from IBM, Fujitsu and Philips, underscoring how the industry's biggest players are trying to prove their mettle in digital compression.

IBM and Fujitsu are trying to stay ahead of the MPEG curve by making moves in MPEG-2 technology, seen by many as the de facto compression standard for digital TV. IBM introduced both an MPEG-2 1-frame-only video encoder as well as a MPEG-2 decoder chip aimed at the set-top box arena and PC video playback.

The CFB20C - integrating a 54MHz RISC processor - encoder operates in 4:2:2 chroma format for a 720x480 resolution, offering better color definition that 4:2:0 mode, IBM said. The device can also sustain MPEG-2 I-frame-only compression data rates higher than 40Mbps.

The decoder, coined CFA25C, supports IPB frames at 15Mbps in 4:2:0 mode and 1-frame only at 40Mbps in 4:2:2 mode. The device requires less than 1 watt of power, has an integrated 40MHz RISC engine and interfaces to 1-, 2- or 4Mbytes of DRAM.

Both parts operate at 3.3-volts and are fabricated using 0.5-micron CMOS technology. The $700 encoder is packaged in a 304-pin ceramic quad flat pack (CQFP) while the $35 decoder is housed in a 208-pin CQFP. Samples are available now; volume production is expected to begin in April.

Fujitsu is also making a thrust in MPEG-2 by announcing a decoder - the MB86365 - based on 0.5-micron CMOS technology. Employing a Fujitsu-developed architecture, the part is capable of real-time decoding (up to 20Mbps) when used in conjunction with a DRAM. Sample units are expected to be available in Japan starting in April with volume production slated for June. The decoders are scheduled to hit the U.S. market by 4Q95. Fujitsu did not provide official sample prices, but a source said the parts would initially cost about $200 each.

On the MPEG-1 front, Philips Semiconductor introduced the SAA7185, which encodes digital YUV data to NTSC, PAL and S-video analog signals. The device is designed for use in video processing computers and servers and also accepts 16-bit YLJV data or 8-bit CCIR-compatible YUV data in MPEG format, making it suited for both CD-ROM playback and games, Philips said. Philips also claims the part - priced at $7.23 in high volumes - establishes a low price point because it does not contain Macrovisions's anti-taping circuitry, avoiding the added cost of licensing and royalty fees.