Analog Devices' Compression CODEC Enables HDTV Wireless Video Transmission

ADI’s Wavescale™ compression technology delivers crystal-clear, uninterrupted HD video content to TVs and HD companion boxes; improves consumers’ video gaming experience by enabling fast, wireless remote-control response

NORWOOD, MA — Expanding its Advantiv™ advanced television solutions portfolio, Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), today introduced a video compression CODEC that enables a rich viewing experience for consumers with high-definition home entertainment systems by enabling the wireless transmission of high-definition (HD) video in real-time–without any loss in picture quality–over home connections. A compact and complete solution for compression and decompression of HD video, the CODEC distributes vivid images in high-volume consumer applications, such as the latest flat-panel TVs, leading-edge game consoles, and next-generation DVD players, without the tangle of cables common to today’s hard-wired home entertainment systems.

The ADV216 video CODEC features Analog Devices’ Wavescale™ compression technology, which is based on the JPEG2000 video compression standard. JPEG2000 is commonly used in high-end professional imaging applications, including digital cinema, broadcast television production, satellite and medical imaging, and security systems. By tailoring its Wavescale compression technology for consumer video applications, ADI has developed a solution that enables high-quality wireless HD signal transmission while eliminating the artifacts and error intolerance of alternative, MPEG-based video solutions. The ADV216 also includes ADI’s proprietary SURF® (spatial ultra-efficient recursive filtering) wavelet technology, which enables real-time compression and resolution scalability without the need for external memory. In addition to delivering crystal-clear, uninterrupted HD content to TVs and HD companion boxes, the ADV216 supports low latency, which improves consumers’ video gaming experience and enables fast remote-control response.

The ADV216 features an API (application program interface) that simplifies system design by allowing compressed data rates to be managed on a frame-by-frame basis, which frees HDTV manufacturers from having to design to worst-case transmission conditions. The CODEC also adapts to changing conditions, such as wireless data rate changes due to interference or other factors, without interrupting or dropping video frames. The ADV216 supports HDMI™ (High-Definition Multimedia Interface™) and Wireless HD transmission applications.

“The ADV216 enables HD quality video over high-bandwidth wireless standards, including UWB and 802.11n,” said Bill Bucklen, director, Advanced Television Segment, Analog Devices. “Moreover, it supports wired HD video transports, including coaxial and powerline cables, which gives manufacturers the ability to use one device for wireless and fixed-wire HD video applications.”

Pricing and Availability

The ADV216 Wavescale video compression CODEC is available in a 13 mm x 13 mm BGA (ball grid array) package and is priced at $17.35 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities.