Imagination VFRC270 IP core for PowerVT graphics range
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Imagination Technologies has added to its PowerVR graphics portfolio a semiconductor IP core for motion compensated, 240Hz frame rate conversion.
The VFRC270 IP core converts a sequence of pictures from one frame rate to a higher frame rate by inserting extra frames using full motion compensated interpolation.
According to the company, the intention with the core has been to address the issues of motion judder, motion blur, and low frame rates for high definition flat panel displays.
Film material is typically recorded at 24 frames per second but most modern displays require a frame rate of 50 frames per second or higher.
The traditional method for this 24-to-60 frames per second telecine conversion employs a method known as 3:2 pull-down, where film frames are alternately repeated 3 times, then 2 times. This can result in a stepped and jerky motion which is unappealing to the viewer.
With motion compensated interpolation, the FRC270 is designed to recreate the intermediate frames without frame repetition thus avoiding the jerky motion associated with traditional methods while retaining the original 'cinematic feel' to the material.
The core is capable of converting both SD and HD material up to frame rates of 240Hz, generating 1080p 240fps material to be displayed on the latest panels to support full HD at 240Hz.
The core utilises a single memory interface for source and destination frames which is efficient for the latest DDR3 memory, as well as older generations of DDR.
The algorithms used in FRC270 automatically adjust to the input format, to optimise the algorithm for SD and HD source material. A sophisticated edge detection algorithm is also used, to refine the output minimizing the 'halo effects' that plague traditional systems.
More information: www.imgtec.com
D-Link expands Powerline HD range with DS2 Aitana chipset
D-Link is using DS2's 2nd generation 200Mbps Powerline chipset, Aitana, to expand its product portfolio for wall to wall multimedia home networking and networked entertainment.
The D-Link PowerLine HD Ethernet Adapter (DHP-302) is the latest in a family of DS2-based D-Link PowerLine networking products and offers full interoperability to create or extend a network throughout the home.
New DS2-based product is fully interoperable with existing 200Mbps D-Link PowerLine adapter for wall-to-wall multimedia home networking.
This product turns power outlets into a network connection and provides ample bandwidth to stream high quality HDTV signals while simultaneously providing high-speed internet access throughout an entire home.
Its on-chip Quality of Service (QoS) support prioritises traffic for applications with real-time requirements such as streaming multimedia, online games or VoIP calls. The DHP-302 incorporates DS2's power saving feature that ensures that if no data transmission or reception occurs over a certain time period the adapters will set to sleep mode to save power.
The DHP-302 will be available through leading retailers from January 2009.
More information: www.dlink.com
Small FPC connector from Molex
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Molex has introduced a 0.25mm pitch FPC connector, which saves space for applications in mobile phones and other mobile equipment. Available from 21 to 39 circuits, Molex's SMT ZIF (zero insertion force) connector includes spring features on the terminals, ensuring secure electrical contact is maintained, also if the cable is pulled up or down after actuation. The terminal design also provides full ZIF functionality, which means no contact is made between the cable and connector during insertion, providing protection against wear or damage to the FPC contact pads. The front flip Easy-On actuator offers easy cable access and strong cable retention. An actuator-to-housing friction lock provides additional cable retention and an audible click when mating. The 0.25mm pitch cable has a similar layout and tolerances as 0.30mm pitch cable, which makes it more economical and easier to source than 0.20mm pitch cable. The SMT ZIF bottom-contact series is rated at 0.2A and 50V. Engineers can ensure the cable is properly placed, because it includes a large open area where the cable is inserted. The housing design also features a flat, open area to accommodate pick-and-place equipment. Front solder tabs under the housing provide space savings, stability, and strain relief for SMT solder joints.
Fairchild FPF202x IntelliMAX 1µA load switches
Fairchild Semiconductor offers designers of biometric sensor modules advanced load switches the industry's lowest quiescent current.
The FPF2024, FPF2025, FPF2026 and FPF2027 are IntelliMAX advanced load switches that minimize the quiescent current and prolong battery life.
The switches have a quiescent current of 1µA and provide robust current limiting protection that prevents damage from adverse events associated with unexpected current surges.
The FPF202x series features a wide operating range (1.6V to 5.5V) to address the voltage specifications for biometric sensor modules found in laptops, ultra-mobile portable computers (UMPCs), smart phones and other portables.
The series combines protection, control and fault monitoring functions in compact packaging to reduce complexity in power management designs and accelerate time-to-market.
The FPF2024, FPF2025, FPF2026 and FPF2027 use lead-free (Pb-free) terminals and have been characterized for moisture sensitivity in accordance with the Pb-free reflow requirements of the joint IPC/JEDEC standard J-STD-020.
The switches are packaged in compact 1 x 1.5 WL-CSP packaging and bolstered with robust ESD protection (5.5kV).
Price: $1.49 each in 1000 pcs, with samples available now. Delivery: 12 weeks ARO
More information: www.fairchildsemi.com
Sony Details Latest PlayStation 3 Firmware Update
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The most important feature in the update seems to be a new photograph application for the console -- which requires but is separate from the firmware update, in the form of a free download.
This digital photograph organizer will enhance the display and organizational capabilities of the system. It will allow users to create slide shows and sort photos according to various criteria, including "the number, ages, or facial expressions of the people pictured", oddly enough.
The update will also allow guest users without PlayStation Network accounts to browse the PlayStation Network store -- which makes a hell of a lot of sense as a way to convince users to bother signing up to the service in the first place. Support for the DivX 3.11 video format will also be included.
The PlayStation.Blog update revealing the new firmware includes a video demo of the photo gallery software. Lempel did not specify a date for the firmware update beyond "soon".
UStream.tv live viewing comes to the iPhone
First announced last week, live video streaming service UStream.tv's iPhone app is finally out and free for downloading. It lets you view live and pre-recorded UStream content from the comfort of your phone. I was using it to watch some of the inauguration coverage earlier this morning, however for most it will simply be a way to get at pre-recorded content from their device.
The app lets you both search and browse through UStream content, and will begin playing shows almost immediately. Included is live user chat, which is displayed below or to the side of the video, depending on how you're holding your device. You'll need to be logged in to see and leave comments, otherwise the space simply stays grayed out.
Watching shows on UStream on the iPhone is a breeze, the connection drops and Wi-Fi requirement might kill some of the fun though.
(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks)The one big caveat with this app is that you need to be connected to Wi-Fi to use it, as the app does not yet work over 3G or slower EDGE networks. Attempting to use it without being connected to Wi-Fi simply kicks you back to your phone's home screen. The same thing happens if you go too far out of range of that Wi-Fi network. I see this as the one big deal killer, since you may not always be near a Wi-Fi connection when wanting to access UStream programming.
Besides video, the standout feature is the audio quality, which is comparable to what you'd get on your computer. This is no doubt due to requiring Wi-Fi. The audio I was getting from CNN's inauguration feed came in loud and clear.
Not so hot were the frequent stutters and dropped connections that made me miss several chunks of live footage while watching a buffering screen. If UStream can iron out some of these kinks and let users get a more lightweight stream over 3G, this app would be a real keeper.
Originally posted at Webware
FCC probes Comcast's phone practices
In a letter to Comcast on Sunday, the FCC asked Comcast to justify this "disparate treatment."
Philadelphia-based Comcast said it is reviewing the FCC's letter. It has until Jan. 30 to respond.
Comcast last year changed the way it handles Internet traffic after the FCC cracked down on its practice of delaying peer-to-peer file sharing, an issue that outraged supporters of "network neutrality," which is the idea that Internet service providers should not give certain types of online data better treatment than others. Now, Comcast is slowing down traffic for heavy users if there is Internet congestion in their area, regardless of what type of data they are consuming.
Comcast indicated in a regulatory filing that an Internet phone call placed when the network is congested could sound "choppy." But the FCC noted that Comcast's Web site says that its own phone service is routed over a separate network instead of the public Internet and won't be affected by its new network management practices.
The FCC said that if Comcast isn't routing calls over its broadband network, the phone service could be classified as a telecommunications service subject to regulation and intercarrier fees that phone companies currently pay.
Ben Scott, policy director of consumer advocacy group Free Press, said his group is pleased that the FCC's past sanction on Comcast over its network management practices wasn't a "one-and-done action."
Comcast must submit a response by Jan. 30.
Shares of Comcast fell $1.31, or 8.6 percent, to close at $14.02.
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