JVC LSI 2D/3D camcorder chip promises Full HD 60fps 3D, 4K2K & more at CES 2011

JVC's 3D projector technology is among the best around, but until now the company hasn't offered a straightforward way to record high-definition 3D content for it. All that could change at CES 2011; JVC is promising a new HD camcorder in January next year, using the world's first LSI chip for high-speed image processing. The new JVC LSI chip is capable of recording Full HD, including both 2D and 3D images, and also 4K2K images that are roughly 4x Full HD resolution.

Built on 40nm manufacturing processes, the new LSI offers a 2.7x performance boost over JVC's previous-gen chip; that opens the door to 8.3-megapixel video capture at 60fps, H.264 compression of  2.07-megapixel images at 60fps, and 8.3-megapixel JPEG image compression at 60fps. The single-chip solution is also cheaper and more frugal than the model it replaces, being half the price and reducing power consumption by 40-percent.

Although JVC isn't giving any technical details on the camcorder it intends to debut at CES – it could well be a 2D-only model – the company's emphasis on 3D with the new LSI seems to suggest that's the direction it will take. That opens the door to MPEG-4 MVC 3D footage with separate Full HD 60fps images for each eye, in what JVC says will be both professional and consumer models.

Press Release:

JVC LSI Enables High-speed Image Processing in HD Camcorders

Yokohama, Japan, December 14, 2010 － JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Limited) announced today its development of the world's first LSI for high-speed processing of Full High-Definition video and stills on one chip for HD camcorders.

The LSI enables shooting and recording Full HD, including both 2D and 3D images, and also ultra-high-resolution 4K2K images of approximately four times the resolution of Full HD. High-speed photography with high-speed processing also is possible. The LSI achieves low power consumption and enables lower system costs by incorporating all image-processing technologies for HD shooting, including camera-signal processing and video/still image codecs.

Consumers are increasingly demanding HD-level TVs, camcorders and other consumer electronics products, requiring manufacturers to offer products capable of rapidly processing extra-high-resolution images of the latest standards, including 4K2K. JVC's LSI will advance this trend by introducing next-generation image-processing technologies for both professional and consumer camcorders.

JVC will exhibit a new consumer camcorder with the LSI at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 6 to 9.

Main Features

High-speed processing of camera signals and video/still image codecs, including Full HD 2D/3D, 4K2K and high-speed photographs. In addition to 2.7 times faster processing than previous CPU, the new CPU supports various signal-processing technologies (see below) that have been fully revised for superior high-resolution image recording;

Signal processing

Camera-signal processing is 1.7 times faster than JVC's previous technology, enabling 8.3-megapixel video at 60 frames per second;

H.264 video processing is double JVC's previous technology, enabling compression of 2.07-megapixel images at 60 frames per second;

JPEG still-image processing is 5.5 times faster than JVC's previous technology, enabling compression at up to 8.3-megapixel images at 60 frames per second;

In addition to its image-signal processor, advanced image codecs and other image-processing technologies assembled into one chip, the LSI incorporates leading-edge 40nm process technology for high functionality, 40% reduction of power consumption and 50% reduction of system costs compared to previous LSIs. The result is a high-level LSI suited to a wide range of both consumer and professional products;

All hardware and software is integrated into one platform, enabling products that incorporate this platform to be commercialized highly rapidly.

Main Technologies

1. The LSI achieves real-time 3D compression of separate Full HD images (1920 x 1080/60p) from right and left cameras using MPEG-4 MVC. The amount of data is double the conventional side-by-side 3D recording format, enabling high-resolution Full HD 3D images with one chip.

2. 4K2K images (3840 x 2160/60p) using an ultra-resolution camera system are supported.

3. High-speed camera-processing circuitry and a high-speed JPEG engine enable the simultaneous capture of Full HD video and 8.3 megapixel stills at 60 frames per second.

4. High-speed frame video capture for 3D recording at 300 frames per second based on high-speed video codec.