Horizon Semiconductors has announced a system-on-chip (SoC) targeting “low-cost” universal high-definition DVD players/recorders. The “Hz7220 HD-DVD/Blu-Ray” features a built-in Linux-capable applications processor, and is touted as the first DVD player/recorder SoC to enable true 1080/60p decoding of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray formats, along with legacy red laser DVD format.

Among numerous other functions, the Hz7220 SoC is said to integrate:

• A multi-channel AVC (H.264/MPEG-4 part 10), VC1, MPEG-2, and DV/HDV video decoder that supports resolutions up to 1080/60p
• A multi-channel multi-standard audio codec
• A 2D/3D graphics processor
• A multi-channel transport processor
• A high quality multi-plane HD display processor
• Dedicated still image, sub-picture, and Film Grain Technology accelerators
• A wide range of peripheral interfaces, including: IEEE-1394, 10/100/1G Ethernet; USB 2.0, IDE/ATAPI, SMPTE-292, flash memory controller, I2C, SPI/SSI, UART, “and others”

Additionally, the SoC includes an application processor with MMU, “dedicated exclusively for running standard OSes such as Linux or Windows CE,” the company said. The application processor is further supported by a co-processor intended for offloading tasks from the applications processor.

As expected in a modern DVD player/recorder, the Hz7220 also includes a “world-class” security processor (with one-time-programmable memory). This dedicated processor is claimed to enable “complete content protection in strict compliance” with HD-DVD/Blu-Ray standards such as AACS and BD+, as well as “numerous other CA/DRM schemes commonly used in the consumer electronics environment.”

To assist developers of player/recorder devices, Horizon supports the Hz7220 with a “comprehensive” software development kit (SDK). Functions implemented include a software stack compliant with both Blu-ray and HD DVD specifications”; an API (application programming interface) that facilitates off-loading and accelerating application code to an internal coprocessor core; and universal optical disc (UOD) functionality that supports “legacy and advanced blue laser disk profiles.”

Also available is the HzR7220 reference design kit, a “fully operational HD-DVD/Blu-ray development system” that comprises a hardware reference design, the aforementioned SDK, reference board schematics, and other documentation, according to the company.

The Hz7220 SoC appears to be available now, though pricing was not disclosed.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.