LG Selects Broadcom DVB-Based Digital TV Solution for New Line of HDTVs

Broadcom’s DTV Technology Combines DVB Standards with Advanced Functionality for Premium Picture Quality, High Performance and Worldwide Compatibility

BERLIN — IFA 2009 — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that its highly integrated and advanced BCM3556 digital TV (DTV) system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution has been selected by LG Electronics (LG) for its new line of DVB-based HDTVs and will be demonstrated at IFA 2009. Designed for digital video broadcast (DVB)-based platforms, the Broadcom® BCM3556 video decoder SoC enables superior picture quality, high performance and a host of features to greatly enhance the consumers’ entertainment experience.

The BCM3556 is Broadcom’s next generation DTV SoC solution that features an advanced video decoder, 3D graphics core and support for either WXGA or 1080p high definition (HD) resolutions. This single-chip solution supports 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. To support advanced home network connectivity, the BCM3556 includes an integrated Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) device that enables the chip to connect with multiple home networking devices such as media servers, PCs, MP3 and portable media players. As a result, users can share and stream music, photos and movie content to and from connected TVs.

“LG’s latest HDTV products illustrate our combined commitment to develop and deliver advanced TV solutions that offer support for worldwide compatibility and next generation functionality,” said Dan Marotta, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Broadcom’s Broadband Communications Group. “We look forward to continue powering next generation LG televisions that meet the worldwide demand for high-quality entertainment in the home.”

BCM3556 Technical Information

The Broadcom BCM3556 enables TV manufacturers to create products that offer distinguishing features and aid in the evolution of DTV from a commodity display device to a highly differentiated entertainment system. One such feature is a 3D graphics core that provides viewers with a graphical user interface (GUI) for flipping, rotating, moving or manipulating images, and enables manufacturers to create specialized user interfaces that differentiate the TV from traditional flat, two-dimensional user interfaces.

The advanced feature set of the BCM3556 includes multi-format picture decoding to support high definition AVC, H.264, VC-1, AVS and MPEG streams. By supporting H.264 (the latest video compression standard), the BCM3556 solution enables users to view multimedia and HD content with improved picture quality at lower bandwidth when accessing content from other consumer devices in the home network. Support of H.264 provides access to H.264 broadcast content without the need for an additional decoder within the digital TV.

To round out the BCM3556 capabilities, a high-powered CPU featuring a MIPS® dual core processor provides viewers with a fast and responsive user interface to content from either traditional broadcast sources, as well as from personal or Internet content. Also, the BCM3556 integrates an advanced picture enhancement processor (PEP) that provides better video quality, picture sharpness and more accurate color reproduction.