Sarnoff Now Licensing QCIF, CIF Codecs For MPEG-4 Video On Cell Phones, Other Portable Devices

Embedded Software Runs on General Purpose Processors

PRINCETON, NJ (June 29, 2004) -- Sarnoff Silicon Strategies, the silicon IP business within Sarnoff Corporation (www.sarnoff.com), is licensing two codecs to bring efficient, high quality MPEG-4/H.263 video to the portable device market. The products, Common Intermediate Format (CIF) and Quarter CIF (QCIF) embedded software codecs, are designed to run on the general-purpose processors used in cell phones, PDAs, and other handhelds.

The new CIF and QCIF codecs have low clock cycle requirements, freeing up the processor for other functions. Their efficient algorithms also deliver quality video at very low power to minimize battery drain, yet require few if any specialized DSP or hardware extensions.

“These are the first in a family of embedded software video products that we’re planning to release over the next several months,” said William Mayweather, Silicon Strategies Senior Business Director. “They follow in the Sarnoff tradition of delivering higher-quality video while keeping power and processor demands low. And they give device makers the options they need to differentiate their product lines.”

“In the near future we will also introduce a standard definition (SD) or VGA resolution codec for portable media players and camcorders. A family of H.264 decoders for higher resolution, high-definition video applications is also being developed.”

Sarnoff’s new CIF and QCIF codecs are ready to run on the most popular general-purpose processors, and can be quickly ported to others. In addition, both codecs allow device makers to make price-performance tradeoffs, to adapt them to applications where power, cost, or video quality are the primary consideration.

Princeton, NJ-based Sarnoff Corporation has a long history of video innovations, including a broad line of multimedia IP cores. The company’s work in video has earned it nine Emmy® awards for technical achievement, two of them in the area of video quality.

About Sarnoff

Sarnoff Corporation (www.sarnoff.com) produces innovations in electronic, biomedical and information technology that generate successful new products and services for clients worldwide. Founded in 1942 as RCA Laboratories, it develops breakthroughs in ICs, lasers, and imagers; drug discovery, manufacture and delivery; digital TV and video for security, surveillance, and entertainment; high-performance networking; and wireless communications. Its history includes the development of color TV, the liquid-crystal display, and the disposable hearing aid, and a leadership role in creating the new U.S. digital and HDTV standard. Sarnoff also founds new companies to bring its technologies to market. It is a subsidiary of SRI International.