Broadcom Announces Industry's Most Advanced High Definition AVC Encoder/Transcoder that Transforms the PC into a Multimedia Server

New System-on-a-Chip Enables the Seamless Transfer of Video and Audio Content Across a Wide Range of Consumer Devices

LAS VEGAS — International CES 2008 — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced the industry’s most advanced high definition (HD) AVC/MPEG encoder/transcoder that enables the personal computer to function as a multimedia gateway in the connected home.

The new Broadcom® single-chip system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution enables users to transfer audio/video content in real-time across several classes of consumer devices to and from the PC. Additionally, the SoC allows for advanced video editing and compression on the PC, enabling personal video recorder (PVR) and camcorder functionality, video conferencing and support for other audio/video applications that users may desire in the future.

Announced today is the Broadcom BCM70020, providing the foundation for personal computers that support H.264/AVC, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4SP, as well as home entertainment and network applications. It furthers the advancement of real-time HD media encoding and transcoding by providing digital rights management and enhanced hardware based security that is important to content providers such as movie studios, broadcasters, record labels, etc.

Designed in a 65 nanometer (nm) CMOS process, the BCM70020 enables PC makers to develop new classes of PC applications. For example, consumers now have a solution that gives them the ability to transfer non-compatible video and audio content to various playback devices for advanced video editing, for space savings on hard drives or memory devices, or to convert content for easier transmission over the Internet. The 65nm process provides lower power consumption, smaller footprint size and higher levels of integration and functionality than other CMOS processes.

“The new BCM70020 provides our customers with the industry’s most advanced, highest performance video and audio transcoding solution for PC applications supporting file transfer, video editing and compression, and video conferencing,” said Dan Marotta, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom’s Broadband Communications Group. “With new transcoding capabilities designed specifically for PC applications, Broadcom will enable several new applications in the PC space and a new generation of product and service offerings that incorporate the vision of seamless mobility, while positioning the PC as the main multimedia gateway in the connected home.”

Technical Information

The BCM70020 incorporates a new and advanced encoding engine that leverages Broadcom’s market leading experience in encoding/transcoding, and utilizes a broad range of in-production capabilities currently found in the company’s set-top box and digital TV SoCs. This includes an advanced video decoder that supports high definition AVC, MPEG-2, VC-1, MPEG-4, and DVD playback; a security processor; an advanced video pre-processor; and audio codecs that enable the highest performing platform for robust, high quality encoding and transcoding of connected home devices.

Availability and Pricing

The BCM70020 high definition video/audio real-time encoder/transcoder chip is sampling to early access customers. Pricing is available upon request for manufactures of PCs and consumer electronics devices.