Harris Semiconductor has developed a cost-effective, high-performance NTSC/PAL video decoder family that captures and outputs vertical blanking interval (VBI) data both in raw and bit sliced form.

The chips, called HMP8116 and HMP8117, include all the patented features that enabled superior performance and ease of design in Harrisý last generation decoder chip -- the HMP8115 ý but include new design features that take it to the next level. Both chips add an RGB (red-green-blue) input mode feature that delivers on the International Telecommunications Union Recommended (ITU-R) BT.656 transmission standard.

The new video decoder converts analog signals from video sources such as cameras and video cassette recorders (VCRs) to digital signals that can be manipulated by a computer. Applications include home VCR-to-personal computer (PC) editing systems, PC video capture equipment (TV tuners, frame grabbers), video printers, video projection panels and plasma TVs, video compression systems, TV set top boxes and digital VCRs.

Harrisý new video decoder also features an evaluation platform that includes WaveTop application software from Wavephore Inc. WaveTop is the first free nationwide data broadcast service to deliver multimedia content to broadcast-ready PCs in the home. This PC data broadcast service works by embedding data streams into the VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) of the existing broadcast television signals using the PBS National Datacast infrastructure. Other examples of VBI data include teletext, closed captioning, widescreen signaling (WSS) and Intercast data that lets PCs receive World Wide Web page data along with a television broadcast.

Key features of the HMP8116 and HMP8117 includes the Videolyzer Macrovision detect feature, Raw and Sliced VBI data capture and output; four output modes; two on-chip eight-bit A/D converters; patented comb filter for optimum color-luminance separation; and rock-steady digital PLLs for color, sync lock to consumer VCRs.

Both chips maintain key performance characteristics that were available in Harrisý popular HMP8115, including two-line comb filter for the best color-luminance separation and digital phase-locked loops (PLLs) for excellent color and sync lock.

The HMP8116 and HMP8117 accept all versions of NTSC or PAL, in CVBS (composite video blanking and synchronization) and S-video (separate luminance and chrominance) analog video formats. Programmable analog front end controls in both channels allow the user to tailor the chips to the desired gain amplitude required. The decoders have built-in digital adjustments for brightness, contrast, saturation (color intensity), hue, image sharpness and noise reduction via its industry-standard I2C serial interface.

In all output modes, the decoders support CCIR-601 rectangular pixel (720x480 NTSC or 720x576 PAL active resolution) and square pixel (640x480 NTSC or 768x576 PAL active resolution) formats.

Since when has a device converting an analog signal to a digital signal been a "decoder"? These parts are analog-to-digital converters with a composite input. That aside, the functionality of these products is superb for the price. They win in about every way that I can see compared to the higher volume and higher priced competition. The comb filtering used by Harris is closer to what we called comb filtering in the BBC and has been well-implemented in the past, though no one solution is right for all images: you can break any decoding/filtering circuit. The addition of the component RGB inputs is a nice, probably no cost, touch.

I personally do not see the future in simple transmissions through vertical blanking; it gives not enough and is too limited in the delivery methods. We will see, I am sure, systems that will deliver all sorts of media through the additional channel capacity of both terrestrial and cable transmissions -- but not satellite, which will use all its capacity for additional program channels. And at least one group is working on such a merging of media, independent of any of the cable companies or Wintel. Nevertheless Harris is going with the current stream and it makes them Microsoft friendly.

I like this series from Harris so far and I am sure they will develop further as the video tide moves on. I particularly like the programmability.

The HMP8116 is sampling now and is priced at $12.00 in 10,000-piece lots. The HMP8117 adds the Videolyzer feature for detection and process of Macrovision-encoded signals. It will be priced at $12.50 in 10,000-piece lots.