NEC unveils latest high-def DVD chipsets

NEC Electronics has introduced its newest generation of high performance system Large Scale Integration chips for digital consumer applications such as DVD players and recorders that handle the processing of next-generation DVD content.

NEC's Enhanced MultiMedia Architecture (Emma) series incorporates all the functions in a single chip necessary to process images, sound and graphics in high-definition DVD players.

The platform can process compression formats such as MPEG2, H.264 and VC-1, and offers support for high-level applications by way of two built-in CPUs.

The Emma 3 model is already used in HD-DVD players sold by Toshiba such as the HD-XA2 and HD-A2 in North America, the HD-XA2 and HD-XF2 in Japan, as well as other players designed for Europe and Australia.

Over 20 types of Emma products have been delivered to 50 companies in 12 different countries to date, with shipments totalling 30 million units.

The increasing popularity of image and sound content based on compression formats such as H. 264 and VC-1 in high-definition DVD systems has generated demand for a new Emma series to handle these technologies, according to NEC.

Samples of the Emma 3 devices are available now, priced at $200. Volume production is scheduled to commence in April 2007, and reach approximately 300,000 units per month.

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