Overview:
Many teardown projects are based on a single function and often there's an ASIC or high-end CPU that handles most of the processing functionality. In the case of the new Toshiba HD-1A HD-DVD player, that model was broken: there was a processor for each subsystem and lots of glue logic to tie it all together.
While standard-definition DVD players have been around for along time, the HD version is relatively new and the technology is far from simple. The number of bits that must be processed for both the audio and video is tremendously high and because the technology is so new and evolving rapidly, the move to ASICs has not occurred yet.
The bottom line with the design of the HD-1A is that it's a very complex design, but one that will be reshaped over time to be cost-reduced and performance-enhanced. This will be particularly true as the HD standard becomes more prevalent and consumers start to gobble up these boxes in high volumes.
Use this On-Demand seminar to explore:
- Which DSPs are at the heart of the player's performance
- Why so many DSPs are required
- Why ASICs are not the ideal option at this time
- What an Intel Pentium 4 is doing on a DVD player
- And much more!
Who should attend:
Designers of any low-cost consumer entertainment device particularly one geared towards multi-user gaming and entertainment applications.
Presenter:
Richard Nass
Richard Nass is editor in chief of Embedded Systems Design magazine (www.embedded.com) and can be contacted at rnass@cmp.com.
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