Indigovision Group has produced a hardware codec (code/decode) for
the MPeg4 video compression standard, writes Eric Doyle.
Implementing the codec algorithm on a chip relieves the loading on
processors which otherwise have to decode compressed files using
software. The speed increases allow higher quality images to be
displayed. This will especially benefit the handheld market, where
memory, processor use and poor image quality have been drawbacks in
the past.
Indigovision's Mainstream hardware codec uses half the processing
power of current software for Risc chips, which are commonly used
in handhelds. The company said the system will work at all third
generation cell phone data rates and may provide a solution to the
expected problems of bringing reasonable quality video downloads to
the next generation of mobile phones.
Mainstream also enables video to be encoded, unlike distributed
software codecs which only allow decoding. Because this will enable
compression, it brings the concept of the mobile videophone a step
closer and could also enable portable video recorders to be added
to handhelds.
The chip has been designed as a complete system and also controls
the video display.