LSI Logic Introduces First Real-Time H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Technology Platform To Meet ITU-T Standard

• Visionaries in advanced video technology endorse H.264/MPEG4 as the catalyst for enabling new markets
  
• H.264/MPEG-4 AVC represents most significant improvement in coding efficiency and quality since introduction of MPEG-2
  
• LSI Logic solution offers high-quality video with 2x improved compression efficiency ( http://www.lsilogic.com/products/islands/h264.html )
  
• With acquisition of VideoLocus, LSI Logic is leading the proliferation of a new international compression standard

MILPITAS, Calif., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LSI Logic Corporation (NYSE: LSI), a leader in multimedia processing for the Digital Home, today announced that it has developed the industry's first real-time standard definition Video Technology Platform for H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) compliant with the international coding standard, which was formally ratified on May 31 by the International Telecommunications Union's Telecommunications Committee (ITU-T). The technology platform will be demonstrated at the SeaChange International stand #8.280 and Modulus Video, Inc. stand #6.012 this week at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2003 in Amsterdam.

Fully standard compliant, the LSI Logic H.264 Video Technology Platform is ideal for trial and small-scale deployments. The platform consists of a real-time encoder (VLE4000), real-time decoder (VLD4000), and stream analysis tools (VSA2000). The VLE4000 decoder and VSA2000 stream analyzer are standard compliant to tools specified by Main Profile Level 3. By decoding test bit streams, the solutions pass compliance tests provided by companies participating in the H.264 standardization process.

"As consumers continue to demand higher-quality images on ever larger display screens, and with the arrival of bandwidth-hungry applications such as HDTV, the market is ripe for a technology that can deliver significantly better image quality at lower bit rates," said John Pittas, vice president of broadcast products and engineering, SeaChange International. "At currently half the bit-rate of MPEG-2, for equivalent image quality, LSI Logic is demonstrating that H.264 is a compelling, viable solution and we are pleased to host their technology in our booth at this year's IBC." (www.schange.com)

Rob Robinett, CEO of Modulus Video added, "Modulus Video is very pleased to be working with LSI Logic, with its expertise in video compression, to lead the charge in developing systems which exploit H.264 to its full potential. H.264 has demonstrated impressive compression performance and we believe, in due time, it will become the next-generation standard for broadcast-quality video compression. We predict H.264's greatest benefits will be seen by phone companies for standard definition (SD) over existing ADSL, by new carriers for SD over satellite, and eventually for existing operators to deliver high definition over satellite and cable." (www.modulusvideo.com)

The H.264/MPEG-4 AVC delivers 2X video compression ratio improvement, representing the most significant technological advancement in coding efficiency and quality since MPEG-2/H.262. The LSI Logic real-time H.264 compliant encoder is capable of delivering sub 1 Mbps video at DVD quality, which could allow cable and satellite operators to offer more channels in existing systems, and let consumers store twice as many programs in personal video recorders or to record high-definition content to DVD.

"The approval of the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard represents a quantum leap for video compression," said Didier LeGall, vice president of engineering and business development, LSI Logic's Broadband Entertainment Division. "MPEG-2 was first adopted by the industry ten years ago and it took an entire decade for the industry to find a worthy successor. With the H.264 Video Technology Platform, we're allowing our customers to measure the performance of, and understand various coding tools for, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC in real-time. This solution reduces the risk associated with this exciting new market and allows customers to solve deployment issues and bring products to market faster."

LSI Logic's Broadband Entertainment Division provides innovative digital media processing and silicon solutions to industry-leading, worldwide consumer electronics manufacturers. With a complete line of cutting-edge products for DVD, DVR, video peripheral, digital and HDTV, set-top box, and professional video editing/broadcasting devices, LSI Logic delivers entertainment into and throughout the Digital Home.

Availability

The H.264 Video Technology Platform is available to qualified customers. Please contact H264info@lsil.com for more information.

About LSI Logic Corporation

LSI Logic Corporation (NYSE: LSI) is a leading designer and manufacturer of communications, consumer and storage semiconductors for applications that access, interconnect and store data, voice and video. In addition, the company supplies storage network solutions for the enterprise. LSI Logic is headquartered at 1621 Barber Lane, Milpitas, CA 95035. http://www.lsilogic.com.

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SOURCE LSI Logic Corporation