New chip decodes Blu-ray and HD-DVD??

[Snake-V2]

One of the problems facing consumers in the knock down grudge match between HD DVD and Blu-ray comes in the form of compatibility. Most consumers would just soon the industry settle for a format and let them revel in the majestic glow of next-generation media. A few companies have attempted to bring out media players capable of playing both formats, but none have really taken off due to the expense and difficulty of doing so. That soon could change.

The folks over at Horizon Semiconductors have unveiled a new chip that decodes full 1080p/60p video streams on the fly for both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. This means easy hardware compatibility out of a single processor. They also claim that along with decoding next-gen optical disc formats, it is also capable of reading from the tried and true red laser of the DVD era.

Horizon's Hz7220 HD-DVD/Blu-Ray "System-on-a-Chip" supports wide range of features and capabilities including conformance to leading video compression standards such as high-definition 1080/60p profiles of AVC/H.264, VC-1, MPEG-2 and DV/HDV, leading audio compression standards such as DTS-HD, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD, as well as supporting HD-DVD and Blu-Ray HDi and BD-J (BD-Java) interactive technologies.

"Consumers today are demanding higher standards of digital entertainment experiences that enhance the very personal environments of their home. Today's current generation of advanced 60fps STB/DVD products decode 1920x1080 at 24fps/30fps and subsequently perform framerate conversion to reach 60fps. In contrast, Hz7220 natively supports true 1080/60p decoding and playback, and will thus accelerate the deployment of next generation players/recorders devices, featuring superb video quality & unparalleled viewer's visual experience," said Amir Morad, Horizon's President and CEO.

Link

[Sonny]

if the chips are cool ranch style darito i'll have a bag.

[JadedRaverLA]

I had a long post typed making fun of the article but I deleted it, as I figured there was a chance there was something that I just didn't understand... and not that it makes no sense.

So, I'll rephrase as a question.

Today's current generation of advanced 60fps STB/DVD products decode 1920x1080 at 24fps/30fps and subsequently perform framerate conversion to reach 60fps. In contrast, Hz7220 natively supports true 1080/60p decoding and playback, and will thus accelerate the deployment of next generation players/recorders devices, featuring superb video quality & unparalleled viewer's visual experience," said Amir Morad, Horizon's President and CEO.

Given that Blu-ray and HD DVD discs are ALL encoded as either 1080p24 or 1080i streams, how in the world do you "natively decode" a 1080p60 stream from the disc? You have to do some kind of framerate conversion, right?

Either I'm crazy or that guy named Amir is. Usually when I disagree with people named Amir I'm fairly confident I'm right, but this is a different Amir, so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

[bootman]

Broadcom announced their SoC last year.

http://www.broadcom.com/press/release.php?id=929044

Samsung is using it in their duo player.

I've heard of Broadcom but not of Horizon.

Looks like we are going to have more dual format players soon!

[Iceman_II]

it ISN'T the decoding that makes compatibility "difficult".

The two systems use two DIFFERENT pitches on the data "dots" requiring two different aperatures on the lasers.

When you throw into the player a requirement for a "focusable" optical system with tollerances down to thousandths of an inch, the prospect gets much more difficult, and much more expensive.

Great, they can decode both on a single chip, so what, what is that going to do to decrease the costs? not much at all.

[tron3]

Just bad for the war and will prolong it. Like Switzerland being neutral and providing arms to who ever pays for it. On the other hand, it is a good "surrender" to help HD-DVD fans keep their movie investment and move to blu.

Not to be preachy, but God says in the bible, "He who is not for Me, is Against me." God wants blu-ray, because nothing is too good for His Son to put "The Passion of the Christ" on.

I lament the idea of having to buy HD-DVD if we stay format neutral for life. I don't want those ugly cases next to my angelic blus.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by bootman

Broadcom announced their SoC last year.

http://www.broadcom.com/press/release.php?id=929044

Samsung is using it in their duo player.

I've heard of Broadcom but not of Horizon.

Looks like we are going to have more dual format players soon!

The Sigma Designs SOCs are multi format capable too. They are used for IPTV as well as Blu-ray. But, there is a lot of software needed to make a decoder chip a disc player (Sigma supplies everything needed for Blu-ray with the SoC).

Gary

P.S. Apparently sales of the Sigma Designs SoC for BD are so good they're planning to make a Blu-only variant to reduce the cost further.

[kjack]

I see Panasonic announced their BD SoC finally...