AMD takes aim at media players

AMD has unveiled a mobile processor designed for portable media players. The low-power Au1200 chip integrates media handling facilities on the silicon to keep costs to a minimum.

The chip maker said that it has already signed agreements with media player manufacturers to develop devices using the processor.

Personal video recorder manufacturer TiVo is developing a series of handheld media players, dubbed TiVo-To-Go, that can download programmes from the recorders to view on the move.

"TiVo-To-Go enables the secure transfer of broadcast content from a TiVo box to a personal media player and allows consumers to enjoy their TV shows anywhere - in the living room, on a plane or in a hotel," said David Sandford, director of technology and licensing at TiVo.

"Portability is key for TiVo subscribers and innovations in embedded processing, such as the Au1200 processor, help make it possible to transfer TiVo content directly to portable devices."

Consumer electronics company GoVideo, First International Computer and Implicit Networks have also announced the development of players using the chip.

The mobile processor will be available in volume by the second half of the year at speeds of 333MHz, 400MHz and 500MHz. The slowest chip will cost $22.50 in quantities of 10,000.