Multiformat HD video decoder rolls for mobile apps

On2 Technologies has announced the release of the Hantro 8190 multiformat configurable hardware RTL video decoder. Offering mobile phone and device designers an optimized hardware decoder, the Hantro 8190 supports Adobe Flash video format plus a wide range of popular and emerging formats used for mobile video, Internet video, broadcast video and video-conferencing. The device supports H.263, H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark and VP6 video formats, along with up to 16Mpixel JPEG still images. This portfolio of decoders gives mobile users access to video content created with a broad range of codecs, including QuickTime, DivX and multiple generations of Adobe Flash video, used by websites like YouTube and Facebook.

Designed for rapid integration with ARM, MIPS and other embedded CPU and DSP cores, the Hantro 8190 RTL is optimized for ultralow power, concise silicon area, high performance and high-definition (1080p HD) resolutions. The design is capable of decoding H.264 format high profile, 1080p resolution video at 30fps using a clock frequency under 165MHz. Silicon area can be optimized for unique applications by selecting only the formats and screen resolutions required. Further optimization can be achieved by sharing internal memories with a video encoder, such as the Hantro 6280.

"The Hantro 8190 really demonstrates the synergy of On2's recent acquisition of Hantro. For the first time, we are integrating proprietary On2 video codecslike VP6into a Hantro RTL core," said Bill Joll, president and CEO of On2 Technologies. "Handset designers and consumers can now have all the video they want, from almost any video source, including hi-def resolutions, with a single hardware video decoder."

On2's Hantro hardware RTL decoders are already incorporated into dozens of mobile chipset designs and commercially deployed end-user devices. They have been widely cross-tested for interoperability with hundreds of video encoders. In addition to video decoding, the Hantro 8190 includes several image-processing features that enhance mobile video performance and usability. The RTL design incorporates color conversion, image scaling, image rotation, brightness, saturation and contrast adjustment, image cropping, picture-in-picture, programmable alpha blending for semi-transparent text overlay, dithering and de-interlacing for progressive scan displays.

The Hantro 8190 is available for licensing from On2. The product comes complete with RTL source code for VHDL or Verilog, RTL test bench and test data, ANSI C driver source code and complete technical documentation. Pricing and support can be obtained by contacting On2.

On2 is one of the exhibitors in the upcoming IIC-China 2008.

- Video Imaging DesignLine