Micronas Introduces Scalable H.264 IDTV Platform for Flat-Panel TV Manufacturers

Solution includes all necessary functionality for Full-HD, 100/120Hz LCD HDTVs, and provides support for media players and network-connected TV applications

FREIBURG, Germany — Micronas (SWX Swiss Exchange: MASN), a leading supplier of innovative IC system solutions for consumer electronics, today announced a scalable IDTV (Integrated Digital Television) system solution for next-generation flat-panel TVs. The Pegasus IDTV platform enables TV manufacturers to develop global HDTVs that feature class-leading picture performance with 100Hz/120Hz motion blur reduction. For product differentiation, the Pegasus platform also offers personal media playback, home networking, and Digital Sound Projector™ options.

Micronas’ Pegasus platform features a Full-HD 1080p single-chip solution for flat-panel IDTVs: VCT-PlatinumD™ is the latest system processor from Micronas and performs all functions related to analog and digital MPEG-2 broadcast reception, decoding, picture improvement and display. It includes a USB 2.0 interface to allow users to plug in USB memory sticks and quickly play back video clips, MP3 audio files, and JPEG pictures.

Micronas’ industry-leading DRX®-J and DRX®-K demodulators enable the Pegasus platform to support either ATSC or DVB digital broadcast for global deployment.

“Responding to the growing market requirements to decode H.264, VC-1, and MPEG-4 HD and SD streams, the Pegasus platform includes Micronas’ new MDX-H multimedia accelerator IC” says Wladimir Punt, Director of TV Marketing at Micronas. “MDX-H works seamlessly with VCT-PlatinumD and is able to decode an extensive list of audio and video content delivered either over the broadcast network, USB interface, or network connection.”

For premium-quality flat-panel displays, the Pegasus platform includes Micronas’ FRC-Q frame-rate converter IC. This device eliminates drawbacks like motion blur and film judder and drives HD panels at 100Hz or 120Hz.

For optimum sound, Micronas offers a range of audio enhancement features and supports third-party offerings, such as BBE™, Dolby™, and SRS™. The optional Digital Sound Projector™ feature delivers top-quality sound and solves the audio shortcomings of flat-panel TVs, bridging the gap to high-end home theater systems.

As an integral part of the Pegasus platform, Micronas offers a complete Linux-based software stack for both analog and digital TV functionality. Middleware for both DVB and ATSC are available, and a customizable graphical user interface (GUI) enables TV manufacturers to apply their unique “look and feel”. With the Linux operating system, third party software suppliers can port their DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) and network-connected software applications to the Pegasus platform to enable advanced IDTV functionality.

The Pegasus platform, featuring the VCT-PlatinumD, MDX-H, DRX-K/J and FRC-Q devices, will be available in the fourth quarter of 2008.