Fujitsu launches full HD multi-standard decoder device supporting both MPEG-2 and H.264

Single-chip solution for DVB HDTV receivers

Langen and Nürnberg, Germany, February 26th 2008 — Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) today announced the launch of a new full high-definition (HD) multi-standard video decoder device for DVB broadcasts, that decodes both MPEG-2 and H.264 compressed video up to full HD resolution (1920 dots x 1080 lines). Sample shipment of the new device, the MB86H60, will start from the end of May 2008.

This device is a highly integrated System-on-Chip (SoC) and complies with the digital broadcast standard DVB used in various regions including Europe. This single chip solution integrates the necessary processing functions required by digital HDTV receivers, including processing of digital video, audio and graphics. This makes the MB86H60 multi-standard decoder suitable for integrated digital TV (IDTV) sets, set-top boxes and portable receivers.

The digital broadcasting standard DVB is used in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and by some broadcasting systems in China. Broadcasts are currently made in standard definition (SD) using the MPEG-2 video compression format. Next-generation broadcasts will be in HD, and in Europe, it has been decided that H.264 will be the main format. As the shift to HD broadcasts in Europe and elsewhere will occur gradually, decoder devices used in TVs and set-top boxes for these regions need to be capable of decoding both MPEG-2 and H.264 formats.

Until now, Fujitsu has offered its successful SmartMPEG devices that are capable of decoding the MPEG-2 SD format. These are used in TVs, set-top boxes, and portable receivers, mainly for the European market. Following HD broadcasting in Japan and the US, Fujitsu has built on its extensive experience to offer this multi-standard decoder, capable of supporting both MPEG-2 and H.264 formats on a single chip, ready for the ramp up of HD broadcasting in Europe.

About Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) is a major supplier of semiconductor products. The company provides advanced systems solutions to the automotive, digital TV, mobile telephony, networking and industrial markets. Engineers from design centres dedicated to microcontrollers, graphics controllers, mixed-signal, wireless, multimedia ICs and ASIC products work closely with FME's marketing and sales teams throughout Europe to help satisfy customers' system development requirements. This solutions approach is supported by a broad range of advanced semiconductor devices, IP and building blocks.

For more information, please see: http://emea.fujitsu.com/microelectronics