Humax Selects Broadcom DTV and Panel Processor Technology for DVB TVs

European DVB TVs to Benefit from Broadcom’s Advanced Functionality and Premium Picture Quality

BERLIN — IFA 2009 — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that Humax has selected its Broadcom® BCM3556 digital television (DTV) system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution and Broadcom BCM35421 panel processor to enable the design of next generation digital video broadcast (DVB)-based platforms that address the European market. Humax is a leading supplier of DVB-based high quality, feature-rich digital TV products including digital TV recorders, high definition (HD) set-top boxes (STBs) and HD-ready integrated DTVs with built-in personal video recorders (PVRs). Broadcom’s HDTV and panel processor technology will be integrated in Humax’s next generation HDTVs for the European market, scheduled to be available in Q1 2010.

The Broadcom BCM3556 DTV SoC solution includes an advanced feature set that supports multi-format picture decoding for high definition AVC, H.264, VC-1, AVS and MPEG-2 streams, a high performance CPU and networking support with an integrated Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) device. The BCM35421 panel processor is a motion-compensated frame rate converter based on sophisticated algorithm development which enables better visual clarity and overall picture quality by significantly reducing LCD motion blur, visual artifacts and film judder (a shaking or wobbling effect).

“As the European market continues to grow and require increasingly advanced HDTV solutions, we are pleased that Humax selected our highly integrated, high performance DVB-based HDTV and panel processor solutions for their next generation product line,” said Dave DiOrio, Vice President & General Manager for Broadcom’s DTV line of business. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with Humax in addressing future high definition television capabilities in Europe.”

“We are committed to designing advanced televisions and partnering with leading providers like Broadcom to enable superior picture quality, performance and next generation functionality that further enhances and improves the TV viewing experience in the home,” said Jong-Uk Kim, Ph.D. Executive Vice President, Head of R&D Department, HUMAX Co., Ltd. “We are pleased to be working with Broadcom to deliver high performance DVB-based HDTV platforms in the future.”

Technical Information

The BCM3556 is Broadcom’s next generation DTV SoC solution that features an advanced video decoder, 3D graphics core, Ethernet MAC and PHY with support up to 1080p HD resolutions. These features, combined with a high level of integration and picture quality, greatly enhance the DTV experience and enable TV manufacturers to reduce overall system cost and improve picture quality, all with a single SoC. Broadcom’s single-chip solution features global connectivity standards such as a digital video broadcast-terrestrial (DVB-T) demodulator, phase alternating line (PAL), sequential color with memory (SECAM) video support, and near instantaneous compounded audio multiplex (NICAM) audio support.

The BCM3556 incorporates a unique 3D color management system, as well as digital, analog and mosquito noise reduction. Also integrated is an advanced picture enhancement processor (PEP) to improve picture sharpness and perform picture post-processing functions. The PEP engine is fully programmable and can be optimized by each TV manufacturer to meet their respective quality requirements. As a result, the BCM3556 SoC enables TV manufacturers with better video quality, sharper images and more accurate color reproduction.

The BCM35421 panel processor provides motion compensation and frame rate conversion based on enhanced phase-plane correlation technology that supports high quality visual processing for LCD televisions up to full 1080p HD resolution. In conjunction with Broadcom’s innovative, high performance mediaDSP® engine, the panel processors implement special FRC algorithms to improve LCD TV picture quality, and reduce motion blur and film judder.

The panel processor supports full HD 1080p input and output video resolutions on low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) input and output ports accepting both film (movie) and video source formats. An application programming interface (API) is also supported, enabling manufacturers to select from several FRC modes and picture quality settings, such as choosing a specific FRC strength or a special PC mode (frame repeat) for gaming applications.