Texas Instruments has launched its most application specific DaVinci processor to date with a price and power stream-lined media processor aimed specifically at portable high definition (HD) video designs.
Unlike previous DaVinci processors, this is not a fully programmable device. Its video processing capability has been specifically tuned to MPEG-4 standard profile rather than full-blown H.264 quality video to keep power down and the price below $10.
"Yes, it is a sort of application specific chip," Jean-Marc Charpentier, business development manager for TI's European DSP business told EW.
This is a significant move for TI because its DaVinci media processor platform has typically offered full-feature programmable chips.
Charpentier described the chip's MPEG-4/JPEG co-processor as "semi-hardwired". "It is not programmable, but it is configurable so you can change parameters such as frame rate and internal bit rate," said Charpentier.
The price of this latest chip, which will used in cameras and video security systems, is a third that of the first DaVinci video processors.
The DM355 processor is available in two clock speeds of 216MHz or 270MHz. According to Charpentier, it will encode/decode 80 minutes of 720p resolution HD video on just a couple of AA batteries.
Along with the co-processor, there is a standard DaVinci video processor and an ARM926EJ-S core and peripherals.
Operating system support provided by TI is MontaVista Linux and Windows CE, and there is also support through third parties of open-source Linux software.
According to Charpentier, it is possible that there are other application specific DaVinci processors in the pipeline, but not the next DaVinci launch. "That one will be a major device," said Charpentier.