SoC 'dramatically' increases 3D hdtv performance

The STi7108 decoder chips have been designed to support 3D graphics user controls, 3D TV, content protection, and connections to external devices. The STi7108 has dual ST40-300 cpu host processors linked to a 256K L2 cache, which ST says provides up to 2000DMIPS performance. According to ST, it is the first set top box ic in the market to combine 3D graphics, Ethernet, usb and e-SATA interfaces to connect Internet devices, dvr storage or external Flash or hdd drives. The device utilises the ARM Mali-400 graphics processor and is able to decode video in a range of industry standard formats. It has a variety of memory interface options offering dual 32/16bit LMI ddr2/ ddr3 at 1066MHz and provides inputs for up to six transport streams. It provides full motion hd 3D tv over HDMI 1.3 with HDCP copy protection. Support for content sharing will also allow use in next-generation Blu-ray and hd media players. Philippe Lambinet, executive vice president for the Home Entertainment and Displays Group, STMicroelectronics, said: "The STi7108 is the first in ST's third generation of high definition chips that will provide the end user with a really exciting 3D hdtv user experience, thanks to its unprecedented cpu performance allowing smooth web experiences. It also has market leading energy efficiency due to its low power configurable architecture, and low power manufacturing process." Lance Howarth, general manager and EVP, ARM Media Processing Division, added: "The ARM Mali-400 graphics processor opens up new levels of user experience enabling STMicroelectronics to provide compelling 3D gaming and rich 3D user interfaces at 1080p resolution, as well as delivering a seamless composition of graphics and video for the next wave of web based interactive services." Volume production is scheduled to start early in 2010.