[opendtv] PR: Micronas Presents a Quantum Leap in the TV Viewing Experience

From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 06:19:34 -0500
Speaking of deinterlacing/image processing chips,=20
this one does frame rate conversions TOO.

Regards
Craig


Micronas Presents a Quantum Leap in the TV Viewing Experience

January 5, 2005 12:00am
Source: PR Newswire

PR Newswire: With truD(TM), Micronas brings the=20
TV viewing experience to a new level, one that=20
truly harnesses the full capabilities of large=20
flat panel displays. Whether the source is=20
broadcast TV, cable movies, or DVD, Micronas'=20
vector- based motion processing delivers=20
unparalleled visual quality, with real-life=20
motion, enhanced sharpness, and contrast; all=20
without motion judder or jaggies. And it is done=20
with a single chip.

CES, LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --=20
Micronas presents FRC 9429A, the latest=20
generation of frame rate converter with=20
vector-based motion estimation and compensation.=20
With this technology, the chip calculates the=20
shift in position of every object on the screen=20
between each frame. It then uses this information=20
to precisely interpolate the object's location in=20
intermediate frames. The result is smooth real=20
motion, instead of the edgy movements and=20
blurring common to conventional DTV displays.

"With our new truD technology, we bring the=20
viewing experience to a whole new level of=20
realism and clarity. The vector mathematics=20
involved are complex, but the results speak for=20
themselves," says Hans Weierer, Director of=20
System Marketing -- High Line TV at Micronas.=20
"truD technology is a quantum leap for the=20
industry, and puts us far ahead in picture=20
quality for DTVs."

truD does indeed "speak for itself": The FRC=20
9429A has a built-in demonstration capability=20
which is ideally suited to support TV retailers.=20
It splits the screen, enhancing half with truD=20
and leaving the other half un- enhanced. A=20
moment's glance will convince anyone of truD's=20
advantages. Consumers ultimately get excited by=20
the new viewing experience of truD- enhanced DTVs.

Why add all this technology to a television? Flat=20
panel displays are capable of superior picture=20
quality, but this capability goes unused if the=20
flat panel is driven by conventional DTV signal=20
processing. Broadcast TV was originally targeted=20
to the limited display quality of CRTs. Movies=20
make the problem worse; they are shot at 24=20
frames per second; but TVs are 60 frames per=20
second. When watching a movie on broadcast or=20
DVD, there is a frame-rate mismatch. It is=20
further complicated by the fact that video=20
signals traditionally use an "interlaced" format,=20
where only half the picture is delivered on each=20
pass, with the other half on the following pass.=20
All these differences cause flicker, distinct=20
motion judder, and jaggies along diagonal lines.

Getting the best DTV picture begins by=20
de-interlacing the TV signal to match the=20
"progressive scan" mode for flat panel displays.=20
This is accepted practice, but truD goes beyond=20
this to fill in the missing frames between the 24=20
fps of the film source material and the 60 frames=20
per second of flat panels TVs. Accurate=20
vector-based motion estimation makes these=20
fill-in frames as sharp as the originals. truD=20
further improves the image quality by enhancing=20
image contrast and sharpness with advanced video=20
algorithms. These include peaking, sub-pixel=20
luminance sharpness enhancement (LSE),=20
chrominance sharpness enhancement (CSE), and=20
dynamic histogram-based contrast adjustment.

The FRC 9429A integrates all the functions of a=20
high-end frame rate converter for DTV, including=20
video memory, in one monolithic IC. It is ideally=20
suited to work together with video systems=20
solutions for CRT, LCD, Plasma, and Digital Light=20
Projection (DLP) displays, such as the Micronas=20
deflection processor DDP3315/16 or the DTV scaler=20
DPS9455B.

The FRC 9429A comes in a QFP-144 package. Fully=20
qualified samples and reference designs are=20
available now and volume production has started=20
with major OEMs. Prices for high quantities range=20
from approximately $20 to $26 (US), depending on=20
the product version and volume.

About Micronas

Micronas, a semiconductor designer and=20
manufacturer with worldwide operations, is a=20
leading supplier of cutting-edge IC and sensor=20
system solutions for consumer and automotive=20
electronics. As a market leader in innovative,=20
global TV system solutions, Micronas leverages=20
its expertise into new markets emerging through=20
the digitization of audio and video content.=20
Micronas serves all major consumer brands=20
worldwide, many of them in continuous=20
partnerships seeking joint success. While the=20
holding is headquartered in Zurich (Switzerland),=20
operational headquarters are based in Freiburg=20
(Germany). Currently, the Micronas Group employs=20
about 1900 people. In 2003, it generated CHF 767=20
million in sales. For more information on=20
Micronas and its products, please visit=20
www.micronas.com.

SOURCE Micronas GmbH

-0- 01/04/2005

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Further information:=20
http://www.tru-d.com . A press photo (300 dpi) is=20
available for download at this URL:=20
http://www.micronas.com/press/pressreleases/pressrelease.php?ID=3D398=20
Visit Micronas at CES in Las Vegas from January=20
6-9, 2005 at Las Vegas Convention Center, South=20
Hall 4, Booth 35628 (LVCC SO 4/35628). Should you=20
have any questions or like to arrange for an=20
interview, contact Anja at mobile number: +49 171=20
1959330./ /CONTACT: Micronas Press Office,=20
+49-761-517-2324, or fax, +49-761-517-2622, or=20
media@xxxxxxxxxxxx; or Anja Maria Hastenrath, +49=20
171 1959330, for Micronas GmbH/

/Web site: http://www.micronas.com /


<< Copyright =A92005 PR Newswire >>

 
 
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[opendtv] PR: Micronas Presents a Quantum Leap in the TV Viewing Experience

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