TVP5010 video decoder/TVP6000 video coder

Leveraging its experience in mixed-signal design, Texas Instruments has announced two new video encoding and decoding devices. These chips offer high-quality video processing for personal computers (PCs) and other video applications such as set-top boxes, video conferencing and digital television.

Video decoders and encoders allow the digital world of PCs to connect with analog video devices such as camcorders, VCRs and televisions.

TI's new TVP5010 video decoder and TVP6000 video encoder bring high-quality video to the PC by combining advanced analog decoding capabilities, such as dual comb filters, with other special features like a flicker filter and overscan compensation, which are used to encode digital video signals. Along with bringing higher quality video to today's uses, these devices will enable the growth of future digital signal processing applications in the multimedia arena.

Additionally, the two devices allow computer manufacturers to meet many of the video requirements of PC 98, Microsoft's and Intel's definition of next-generation personal computers. PCs must comply with PC 98 to take full advantage of the future versions of the Windows environment.

"By applying TI's mixed-signal technology expertise to the multimedia area, we've been able to bring to market one of the industry's most complete and highest-quality graphics and video processing solution," said Dan Davis, TI's worldwide multimedia branch manager. "We were also able to leverage what TI has learned over the years in other application areas, such as premium-quality, large-screen projection systems developed by our Digital Light Processing group, to provide the most effective set of features needed in today's marketplace."

Digital Video Ports Require Video Encoders/Decoders

Until recently, PC graphics processors did not feature video ports. Now, new graphics controllers include digital video ports, which allow the PC to enter the world of full-motion video. While digital video ports transfer high-resolution digital images, they cannot interface directly to analog video devices in use today, such as camcorders, VCRs and televisions. Video decoders and encoders solve this problem by converting analog video to digital video and vice versa. Unfortunately, previous generations of video decoders and encoders typically produced flat, fuzzy, out-of-sync video images that were generally considered of poor quality.

TVP6000 Video Encoder

The TVP6000 converts digital video into analog signals in either NTSC or PAL formats. The encoder incorporates high quality analog circuitry in combination with digital signal processing features to interface PCs to video electronics. One of these features, a flicker filter, eliminates the flicker associated with displaying fine-lined computer imagery on a television. Another feature, an overscan compensation filter, scales the computer imagery to ensure the entire image will be displayed on a television screen. As set-top boxes convert televisions into PC-like entertainment centers, these features will be very important.

The TVP6000 is compatible with industry-standard digital video interfaces, such as ITU-R-656, VMI video port, and I2C serial control bus. The device includes a 10-bit digital-to-analog converter to eliminate contouring, which marks the transitional area from one color to another with visible lines resembling the lines of a contour map.

TVP5010 Decoder

The TVP5010 accepts analog video signals in formats such as NTSC/PAL from VCRs, camcorders or other devices and decodes these signals into digital signals that can be processed by a PC's digital graphics processor. The TVP5010 has a number of features that assure high-fidelity conversions. For example, the TVP5010 is capable of comb filtering for both color and brightness. Unlike other video decoders, the TVP5010's dual comb filters reduce distortions without sacrificing image content.

Moreover, the TVP5010 has a genlock feature that can be used with compatible encoders to resolve timing differences, ensuring accurate color reproduction when the video stream is coming from a non-standard or unstable video source such as a VCR.

The TVP5010 is also compatible with many of the graphics processors now on the market because it can output any of several digital video formats. It supports both square pixel and CCIR sampling formats to ensure seamless integration with both video and PC applications.

Complying with Software Standards

Software drivers for the TVP5010 and TVP6000 are based on Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM) components. TI will support Windows 98 (Memphis) and Windows NT 5.0 operating systems with WDM drivers for Microsoft's DirectShow. These drivers will enable a wide range of video applications that will be available in the Windows environment.

Comdex Demonstration

TI's complete video chipset, consisting of the TVP5010 decoder and the TVP6000 encoder will be demonstrated on an evaluation board at 1997 Fall COMDEX Nov. 17-21 in Las Vegas. A video performance evaluation module consisting of only the TVP5010 and the TVP6000 is also available.

More information regarding TI's multimedia video products is available on the World Wide Web.

TI entering the video encoding and decoding business is setting itself up against some of the other biggies already in the business. It is difficult to guage who is selling how much of what in some industry sectors. (If you add up the reported sales of cable modem chipsets, for example, you will quickly come to the conclusion that you have forgotten how to count!) But the prizes to being the most successful in the video codec business are very high. Although TI has been visible in the large display part of the video market the small-signal behavior of codecs is a different world and it will be important for a user to compare the quality of performance of these ICs against those of established video manufacturers such as Raytheon and Harris. The data sheets say that they are there even though there is some interesting video statements in the press release.

Particularly intriguing in these chips is the use of two comb filters in the decoder; it is possible to break down any single comb filter solution with a signal designed for the purpose and the major researchers in video decoding (such as the BBC) have been wary about possibly doubling the problems. Whereas others have chosen to impelement some of TI's features in digital processing staying in well-known analog techniques is not necessarily bad. There is no mention in the basic material about over-sampling filters.

Composite and S-Video are supported in and out and the digital standards of 8-bit 4:2:2 and a 16-bit 4:2:2 standard are supported as well as a 12-bit 4:1:1 output (which I have no notion what it is for.) The TVP5010/6000 are packaged in an 80-pin TQFP (thin-quad-flat pack) and samples are scheduled in the fourth quarter of 1997. Production volume shipments are scheduled to be available in the first half of 1998. Suggested pricing in lots of 1000 is planned at $15.35 for the TVP5010 and $9.95 for the TVP6000. These are quite high compared to some of the real delivery prices of the competition.