Broadcom BCM2763 1080p-Capable Media Processor And Persona IP DVR Chipset Launched

Broadcom have outed a number of new chips, including a new 1080p-capable multimedia processor and an IP platform intended to add 3D graphics and multimedia capabilities to DVRs and set-top boxes.  The Broadcom BCM2763 VideoCore IV Processor is a 40nm chip that can process up to 20-megapixel images and 1-gigapixel 2D/3D graphics rendering, along with outputting Full HD 1080p via HDMI.  Meanwhile the Broadcom Persona platform couples a BCM11211 comms processor and BCM11181 multimedia processor, and supports streaming content, complex GUIs and integration with the company's various wireless and wired networking components.

The BCM2763 actually packages together the functionality of eight chips, including GPU

and graphics memory, image signal processing (ISP) and ISP memory, video processing and video memory, HDMI and USB 2.0.  It also includes 128MB of LPDDR2 graphics memory, and actually uses 20 to 50-percent less power than Broadcom's last-gen Videocore III chipset.  It's also capable of supporting image stabilization, face and smile detection and panorama modes in devices with cameras.

The BCM2763 is currently sampling to manufacturers, though you shouldn't expect to see it show up in devices any time soon; Broadcom don't expect shipping products to include it until 2011.  No word on when the Persona platform will appear in shipping devices.

Press Release:

Broadcom Announces 1080p Multimedia Processor with Breakthrough Mobile Power-Performance

New Broadcom® BCM2763 VideoCore® IV Processor Features 1080p Video, 20 Megapixel Photos and 1 Gigapixel Graphics in an Ultra-Low Power 40 Nanometer Design

IRVINE, Calif., Dec 15, 2009 — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced its next generation multimedia processor that delivers industry leading performance and lower power in the top multimedia categories for mobile devices. Using 40 nanometer (40nm) CMOS process technology, the new Broadcom® BCM2763 VideoCore® IV multimedia processor provides even higher integration, smaller footprint size and lower power consumption than 65nm designs.

With the higher integration and significant power savings from 40nm CMOS process technology, the BCM2763 multimedia processor features the most advanced mobile high definition (HD) camcorder and video playback, up to 20 megapixel digital camera and photo image processing, and 1 gigapixel 2D/3D graphics rendering for a world-class gaming experience. HD video, 3D games and high resolution 20 megapixel pictures can be displayed at top quality on full-sized HD televisions and monitors using an on-chip industry standard HDMI interface. Additionally, the BCM2763's highly integrated architecture reduces bill-of-materials (BOM) cost to help drive sophisticated multimedia features into more affordable handsets.

Highlights/Key Facts:

– The breadth and quality of Internet multimedia content is rapidly

improving, with sites such as YouTube now supporting full HD 1080p video

sharing. Consumers are also increasingly using cell phones as their

primary digital camera and camcorder, which is driving demand for higher

resolution and more sophisticated image processing which is currently

only available on advanced standalone camcorders and cameras.

Additionally, newer graphics-oriented user interfaces and mobile games

now require enhanced graphics capabilities.

– The new Broadcom BCM2763 VideoCore IV multimedia processor enables

best-in-class performance in the following areas:

– Full HD 1080p camcorder capabilities in a cell phone with

significantly improved quality over current generation handsets

(which generally have VGA or lower resolution camcorders).

– Up to 20 megapixel digital camera with advanced features such as

multiple shots per second, image stabilization, face and smile

detection and panorama mode.

– The ability to render mobile games natively at up to 1080p

resolution, which in combination with an on-board HDMI output,

allows a console-quality gaming experience on large screen HDTVs.

– In addition to providing these capabilities on new handsets, the BCM2763

has improved power savings using a 40nm process without draining the

battery or significantly reducing talk time. Additional ultra-low power

consumption features include:

– 20% to 50% power reduction in comparison to the prior generation

Videocore III multimedia processor.

– 4 to 6 hours of 1080p video recording and 8 to 10 hours of mobile

playback, with up to 16 hours of full HD playback over HDMI given

sufficient handset storage.

– Only 490 mW of chip power is required for 1080p camcorder H.264 High

Profile encoding and only 160 mW for 1080p playback.

– Only 160 mW of power is required for mobile game graphics

processing, supporting up to 1 gigapixel per second fill rates and

improves graphics performance by a factor of 4x to 6x in comparison

to the prior generation Videocore III multimedia processor.

– The BCM2763 processor integrates the key functionality and components

needed to drive advanced multimedia capabilities in new handsets. As a

result of this high integration, the BCM2763 enables a lower overall BOM

cost, enabling manufacturers to pass these lower costs on and introduce

advanced features to lower tier phones than previously possible.

– The BCM2763 integrates the functions of eight chips including GPU

and graphics memory, image signal processing (ISP) and ISP memory,

video processing and video memory, HDMI and USB 2.0. 128MB of LPDDR2

graphics memory is stacked in a single package.

– The 40nm process enables reduced power, improved performance and

reduced handset board space.

– Benefiting from an existing VideoCore software code base and legacy

architecture, manufacturers of phones and other consumer electronics

devices can easily add these new VideoCore IV multimedia features to

their products, allowing faster time-to-market.

– The BCM2763 is currently sampling to early access customers (pricing

available upon request). Handsets utilizing this new 40nm VideoCore IV

multimedia processor technology are expected to reach the market in

2011.

Supporting Quotes:

Mark Casey, Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom's Mobile Multimedia line of business.

"VideoCore IV is setting new benchmarks for performance, power consumption and affordability and is poised to drive advanced multimedia capabilities into new tiers of handsets. Supported by our comprehensive line of complementary cellular and connectivity solutions, our multimedia processor technology is the right choice for next generation mobile designs."

Press Release:

Broadcom Announces Next Generation Persona™ IP Communications Platform
New Platform Enables 'Always On, Always Connected' Multimedia Consumer Devices for the Growing Connected Home Ecosystem

IRVINE, Calif., Dec 15, 2009 — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced its next generation Persona™ Internet protocol (IP) communications platform for multimedia connected consumer devices. The Persona platform, consisting of the Broadcom® BCM11211 communications processor and the Broadcom BCM11181 multimedia processor, enables full-featured multimedia applications and advanced capabilities such as 3D graphics and a superior audio experience. By combining lifestyle benefits, such as home energy/automation control and monitoring, reliable high resolution video conferencing, and seamless digital video recorder (DVR) and set-top box (STB) integration into an always-on, always-connected platform, Broadcom is poised to supply products in the emerging connected home device (fourth screen) segment.

Highlights/Key Facts:

– According to ABI Research(1), as the digital home evolves and services

expand, the fourth screen market will slowly take shape. The features

available to the three screens (TV, PC, and mobile) are quickly melding

and ultimately will lead to a relatively homogenous ecosystem. As the

number of households with home networks grows, access to Internet

content and services will continue to expand.

– Broadcom is addressing the growing consumer demand for a connected home

network by enabling 'always on, always connected' IP communications

devices. This single portable device will act as an information,

communication and entertainment portal of the connected home,

proliferating into the much anticipated 'fourth screen'.

– The key differentiator between next generation IP communications

connected devices and today's products are the inclusion of lifestyle

benefits that allow for the sharing of information, communication and

entertainment. Broadcom enables the consumer to administer, control and

stream DVR and STB content directly to this device, providing a new

means for interacting with a DVR/STB, and allowing the device's mobility

to be utilized anywhere within the home. With this approach,

information may be readily available, with access to online content as

well as high resolution and high quality video phone capabilities that

stay connected. Other examples of lifestyle benefits include:

– Information capabilities – (i.e. full web browser, widgets, digital

picture frame, STB menu browsing, home monitoring).

– Communication/Connectivity capabilities – (i.e. VoIP, Wi-Fi®, video

conferencing, Bluetooth®, GPS, location based services).

– Entertainment capabilities – (i.e. next generation remote control,

content portability, gaming).

– The new Persona consumer IP communications multimedia platform includes

the BCM11211 communications processor and the BCM11181 multimedia

processor featuring Broadcom's proven core voice and applications

processing technology.

– The BCM11211 high performance RISC and DSP processor cores enable

advanced end user productivity applications such as rich GUI/web

browsers and multimedia content. Its advanced peripheral support

hosts SDIO for memory cards, dual USB ports to enable external media

devices, as well as PC connectivity. The BCM11211 seamlessly

connects to Broadcom's industry-leading Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS

connectivity products, allowing OEMs to efficiently add

best-in-class wireless technologies and expanded functionality for

next generation wireless products.

– Designed for advanced mobile multimedia products, the BCM11181

multimedia processor is power-efficient and optimized for images,

video capture and playback, and 3D graphics.

– The Persona platform runs the Broadcom MediaxChange™ Linux®-based

software, which is the latest voice, video and multimedia version of the

field proven Broadcom PhonexChange™ software. Broadcom PhonexChange

is a flexible software platform used across all Broadcom IP phone

communication solutions, allowing customers to leverage a common

software code base across product portfolios, which in turn, minimizes

engineering development resources and time-to-market. It also includes

built-in support for Broadcom's Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi solutions.

Broadcom MediaxChange optionally supports the Qt Applications

development framework or Google Android mobile operating system.

– The software suite includes Broadcom's high fidelity SmartAudio® voice

enhancement technology. SmartAudio is based on Broadcom's innovative

audio clarity technology that significantly improves audio quality over

IP networks. It includes the company's high quality acoustic echo

cancellation, advanced jitter buffer, high definition voice speech

technologies and packet loss concealment (PLC) technology which

compensates for lost data packets while ensuring the delivery of clear

digital voice communications.

Supporting Quotes:

Martyn Humphries, Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom's VoIP line of business

"Broadcom is dedicated to connecting everything and the introduction of our next generation Persona IP communications multimedia platform is a testament of that. The ability to enable always on, always connected devices for the home opens up the realm of possibility for the distribution and consumption of content, whether it be informative, communicative or for entertainment purposes. These next generation devices are going to change the way that consumers look at whole-home connectivity."