The latest version of the codec – known as AVS Part 2 – was approved as a
Chinese national standard in March 2006, and is now being used in a standard
definition IPTV trial by China Netcom, the country's second-largest
wired-telecom company, which is expected to introduce an AVS-based IPTV service
in 20 cities during 2007. AVS1-P2 Jizhun Profile 4.0 level (SD) video decoding
capability is being introduced in ST’s STi520x and STi710x families, using a
mixed software/hardware architecture that uses the decoders’ multimedia
processing engines to achieve exceptional performance.
The implementation of the decoder on proven devices that are in volume
production will enable manufacturers already producing STBs based on these
chips to rapidly design and deploy boxes compliant with the AVS standard, at
minimum cost. Between them the two highly integrated families, embedding ST20
and ST40 core processors, support MPEG‑2, MPEG‑4 and H.264/AVC standards, in
addition to AVS.
The STi710x combines all the STB functions and multi-standard decoding
circuitry into a single chip, rather than being an add-on processor for an
existing product; coupled with its production using ST’s state-of-the-art 90nm
process technology this configuration results in the most cost-efficient
solution, minimizing both design and production costs for high definition STB
makers across IPTV, cable, satellite and terrestrial markets.
“The introduction of support for AVS on ST’s proven STB platforms enables
manufacturers, both inside China and elsewhere, to produce highly competitive
set-top boxes for the Chinese market,” said Bob Krysiak, ST’s Corporate VP and
General Manager, Greater China. “It also demonstrates our commitment to China –
we will be following up with support for the high definition AVS standard as
soon as it’s developed and formally adopted.”
The STB520x and STi710x family devices are in volume production now, and
software development for AVS is continuing, to ensure optimum on-screen picture
quality.
