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STMicroelectronics slashes system costs with introduction of fourth-generation DVD decoder |
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 Geneva, April 15, 2002 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), the world's number one supplier of MPEG-2 chips*, has introduced the first of its fourth-generation of DVD decoders, the STi5588. Building on the success of the popular third-generation STi5519 and STi5580 devices, the STi5588 integrates new features, including a high-quality Progressive Video output mode and support for the new DVD-Audio standard and encrypted DVD-RW or DVD-RAM. In addition, this new System-on-Chip (SoC) solution is designed to work with the recently introduced L6315 DVD optical interface chip to provide an optimized DVD system architecture in which the number of external memories is reduced to only one single Flash memory and one single SDRAM memory.The STi5588 is a fully integrated DVD MPEG decode solution that integrates the video and audio decoder, a powerful 32-bit processor, a digital video encoder with video DACs and the interface to the optical interface electronics. The device features a new video mode that supports Progressive Scan video outputs mode. The STi5588 supports all the aspects of the growing DVD-Audio media including new audio formats: MLP decoding and Multi-channel LPCM, a third display plane for still picture visual effects, CPPM decryption and Verance® audio watermarking. New audio post-processing supported by the STi5588 includes SRS-CircleSurround, Vue Meter, Spectrum Analyzer and Graphic Equalizer. A key benefit of the STi5588 is the unique protocol that enables the error code correction process (required while reading a DVD disk) to be shared between the STi5588 and the recently introduced L6315 single-chip DVD optical interface. In this combination, the L6315 does not require any external SRAM memory, allowing the overall system cost to be minimized by reducing the system memory requirement to one single SDRAM memory and one single Flash memory. The combination of the L6315 and the STi5588 provides customers with a turnkey solution that offers a complete hardware reference design and all the necessary software tools to build a unique high-quality DVD player. Additionally, ST's 'STCM' DVD software incorporates a very stable, modular software architecture that allows customers to quickly customize their DVD player's user interface using third-generation UICL (User Interface Control Language) and control the hardware design for critical components such as VFDs, Flash and remote controls. This true SoC approach enables customers to take advantage of the outstanding video/audio quality of the STi5588 and package their DVD players with an equally robust software system. "With our fourth-generation DVD solution, we are once again setting the pace in the DVD market. The extended feature set of the STi5588 and the significant reduction in component cost made possible by the optimized architecture will accelerate the wide spread of DVD-Audio and progressive scan players in the market," said Bob Krysiak, General Manager of ST's DVD Division. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics, the world's third largest independent semiconductor company, is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2001, the Company's net revenues were $6.36 billion and net earnings were $257.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com. * MPEG Video Chip Market (#MM0108DV), Cahners In-Stat Group, June 2001 Editors' note MLP : Meridian Lossless Packing LPCM : Linear Pulse Code Modulation CPPM : Content Protection for Prerecorded Media VFD : Vacuum Fluorescent Display |
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