Broadcom Announces Latest Generation of Cost-Effective IP Set-Top Box SoCs

New HD/SD Solutions Offer Leading-Edge Features in a Compact Footprint

LAS VEGAS — 2010 International CES — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced the latest additions to its set-top box (STB) family of system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions, enabling advanced IP digital entertainment services in a low cost, high performance and compact package. Complementing Broadcom’s existing family of DVR-enabled media server solutions, these new SoCs will enable service providers to cost effectively expand IPTV services, such as networked DVR and IP video services, for both client-server and low cost standalone deployment models.

Highlights/ Key Facts:

• The latest generation of IP STB SoC solutions includes the Broadcom® BCM7208 (for high definition applications) and the Broadcom BCM7468 (for standard definition applications).
• The BCM7208 IP STB SoC solution provides support for the most cost effective memory technologies available on the market today incorporating high-speed DDR3 (for decoding HD content), high capacity bulk MLC/SLC NAND, SDIO and serial NOR controller technology. It also delivers true HD resolution supporting 1080p60 output.
• The BCM7468 IP STB SoC solution offers similar technology advantages to the BCM7208, however, it addresses the existing requirements for the large base of legacy standard definition analog TVs in the market.
  • DisplaySearch research projects that there are over 120 million CRT (cathode ray tube) television sets still in service in the United States and over 150 million in Western Europe. Of those existing CRT TVs in North America, around 80% are analog only.
  • It integrates a full HDMI 1.3 transmitter to support low cost sub-HD LED panels up to 480/576p resolution.
• The expanded IP STB product family is equipped with the following key functionality:
  • Integrates power management controllers and regulators for support of the latest EnergyStar and European Code of Conduct set-top box requirements offering flexible and configurable standby and active modes of operation.
  • Both solutions enable ultra small form factors, measuring at 17x17mm.
    Uses a single 16-bit DDR2 or DDR3 memory device for SD or HD decode respectively, representing a significant reduction in the PCB area, as well as bill-of-materials (BOM) cost over current IP STB solutions in the market.
  • The BCM7208 integrates 1080p60 output supporting high quality HD programming, while the BCM7468 supports DVD-quality output (up to 480p) for enhanced definition viewing and SD + SD picture-in-picture (PIP) capabilities. Both solutions support HDMI 1.3 output.
  • Supports new compelling subscriber applications including RVU Alliance’s remote user interface (RUI) technology, CEA-2014 RUI client, Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) and Adobe® Flash® Platform for the Digital Home.
  • Integrates DLNA® technology support enabling consumers to locate and enjoy digital content anywhere on their home network and effortlessly move or stream this content between DLNA-connected devices.
  • Supports a wide range of media formats including DivX®, RealMedia Variable Bitrate (RMVB), China’s audio video coding standard (AVS), as well as MPEG-2, AVC and VC-1.
  • Integrates additional functionality including support for advanced security and USB HDD DVR applications, a powerful audio decode/encode DSP, a high performance graphics engine, audio/video DACs, an IR receiver, and a high speed transport processor.
• Both the BCM7208 and BCM7468 are now sampling to early access customers.