STMicroelectronics (STM) is sampling an SoC (system-on-chip) that it says supports all required HD-DVD and Blu-Ray codecs and security schemes. The STB7109 is based on an SH-4 core, and supports Linux and other embedded OSes, along with codecs and security schemes from both Microsoft and international standards bodies.

The STB7109 builds on the STB7100 SoC that STM announced in January, mainly adding support for codecs and security schemes aimed at enabling manufacturers to create high-definition DVD player designs that can serve both the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray markets, it says.

Newly supported codecs include VC-1 and AVC (advanced video codec). Microsoft's VC-1 codec is used in the WMV9 (windows media video 9) format. AVC — also known as H.264, and as MPEG-4 Part 10 — is an international standard maintained by the AVC Alliance and other standards bodies. The STB7109's integrated video decoder also supports MPEG-2.

The STB7109 integrates STM's fourth-generation security processor, which it says supports Windows Media DRM 10, as well as the SVP (secure video processor) standard, a project of the SVP Alliance. STM says support for these security schemes will allow digital rights to be passed between consumer devices.

The STB7109 also adds a dedicated high-speed interface to gluelessly connect two devices together, for applications requiring two high-definition displays, STM says.

STB7109 typical application diagram
(Click to enlarge)
The STB7109 is based on an SH-4-202 core clocked at 300MHz. The core supports Linux, OS21, and Windows CE, STM says.

In addition to an integrated security processor and media decoder, the STB7109 integrates:

• Transport stream merger/router
  
• PTI (programmable transport stream interface)
  
• Graphics engine/blitter
  
• Dual-display composition
  • High- and standard-definition
• Main and auxiliary video output DACs (digital-analog converters)
  
• DVI, HDMI output
  
• Digital A/V inputs
  
• Programmable audio controller
  • Supports MPEG1 I/II, MP3, Dolby digital, AAC LC, high efficiency AAC
• USB 2.0 host controller
  
• SATA (serial ATA) hard drive interface for DVR applications
  
• High-speed Ethernet

ST's GM of home entertainment, Christos Lagomichos, said, “As the complexity of today's system on chip devices increases and the process geometries become smaller, SoC designers and manufacturers must cooperate ever more closely in order to succeed. ST is uniquely positioned in this respect as the only supplier of advanced video decoders to have both design and fabrication capability in house.”

Availability

The STB7109 is sampling now in a 35 x 35 PBGA package. Volume production is scheduled for Q1, 2006, priced at $26 in volume.

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