New NXP Solutions Bring Most Advanced PCTV Capabilities to Notebook and Desktop PCs

New PCTV processors and the first Hybrid DVB-T PCI mini card reference designed with hardware AV compression, enhance the vibrant media experience on computers

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands — NXP, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, today announced the arrival of two brand new additions to its PCTV family. The SAA7164BE and SAA7163AE are new PC TV processors designed to bring multi-streaming, which allows for watch and record capabilities to work simultaneously, and PVR capabilities to desktop and notebook multimedia PC TV USB applications. In addition, NXP has launched the PCV540 Hybrid DVB-T PCIe mini card reference design, the first Hybrid DVB-T PCIe mini card for notebooks with a multi-format hardware AV compression capability.

“The benefits these technologies afford the end user are obvious. Quite simply, their attributes allow for the next experience in PCTV viewing, where the end-user can watch their beloved football side live in the final and, at the same time, record the latest episode of their favorite TV show,” said van de Wakker. “Driving the creation of consumer multimedia technology, where all kinds of content can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime with great picture and sound quality is a key aspect of the NXP ethos – these technologies represent the next phase in that development.”

The PCV540’s hardware based AV compression affords PC Manufacturers the opportunity to utilize cheaper CPUs across their multimedia notebook platforms without having to compromise on quality. Additionally, given that the PCV540, SAA7164BE and SAA7163AE support Video compression (MPEG1/2/4, WMV, DivX), Audio compression (MPG1L2, MPG3, AAC, AC3) ATSC, DVB-T, worldwide video decoding (NTSC, PAL, SECAM) and Windows OS (MCE, XP, Vista) drivers, the devices allow NXP customers to immediately access the global market and multiple PC applications – all in one seamless swoop.

To be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Showcase (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada in January, the PCV540 will be available at the end of Q1 2008.

PCV540 Hybrid DVB-T PCIe mini card

The PCV540 mini card is a complete reference design based on leading market technologies. These technologies include a new TDA18271 tuner with excellent selectivity and minimal noise, the recently launched TDA10048 low power DVB-T channel decoder, and MS Vista 32 & 64 bit drivers. The latest SAA7163FE PCIe PC TV SoC with multi-format AV compression, WW AV decoding, integrated 3D comb, 3D noise filtering and advance compression algorithms, also feature on the PCV540, ensuring best in class AV compression performance and a vibrant picture during preview, record and playback uses.

SAA7164BE and SAA7163AE

Like the PCV540, the SAA7164BE and SAA7163AE have been created by NXP to bring multi-streaming and PVR capabilities to PCs in both desktop and notebook forms, and deliver a best in class AV compression performance coupled with a vibrant picture during preview, record and playback use cases. The SAA7164BE is designed for use in dual channel PC TV USB dongle/box applications while the SAA7163AE is ideal for small form factor, bus powered single channel TV USB applications.

“NXP was the first company in the market to offer a PCTV SoC (System-on-Chip) with this level of integration, and we are building on this offering with our new PCTV solutions with multi-streaming and PVR capabilities,” said Bert van de Wakker, General Manager PC Systems, NXP Semiconductors. “These new technologies re-affirm our commitment to PCTV – they serve to make it easier for our customers to operate and succeed in this market, and to make their customers, the consumers, enjoy a seamless, user-friendly and vibrant PCTV experience.”