Ref design cuts cost of PC-based video surveillance

Conexant Systems Inc. and Stretch Inc. announced that they have developed a reference design for PC-based video surveillance products with digital video recording capabilities. The design includes Conexant's CX25853, said to be the world's first eight-channel video decoder that allows users to capture and record multiple analog video streams simultaneously. Video processing and compression functions are performed by Stretch's software configurable S6100 and S6105 processors, which are designed specifically for high-speed video and image processing. The high channel-density reference design includes an industry-standard PCIe interface that enables cost-effective and scalable video capture on PCs and other consumer electronics devices.

"Combining Stretch's advanced processors and our industry-leading video decoders into a single integrated hardware and software platform enables manufacturers to economically develop add-in cards for personal computers used in video security applications," said Bernd Lienhard, senior VP and general manager of Conexant's Imaging and PC Media business. "In addition, the flexibility of our jointly developed solution allows product developers to quickly adapt to changing market needs, and capitalize on the growing demand for security products with digital video recording capabilities."

"We are delighted to be working with Conexant on this project," said Craig Lytle, president and CEO, Stretch. "The combination of Conexant's high channel-density video decoder and our versatile software-defined architecture provides product developers with time-to-market advantages and significant cost-savings."

Conexant's CX25853 features a high-density architecture that lowers per-channel costs by approximately 35 percent, and substantially reduces board space requirements compared to using two separate four-channel devices. The device contains eight high-quality video decoders with surveillance-specific features such as the capability to lock-on low-level video signals. Other product attributes include horizontal and vertical scaling as well as hue, brightness, saturation and contrast controls.

Stretch's S6100 and S6105 solutions are capable of compressing all eight channels of D-1 video input from Conexant's decoder into H.264 streams in real-time while simultaneously performing video pre-processing and analytics functions. D-1 is a standard for full-resolution digital video, and H.264 is an advanced video coding compression standard. Both Stretch processors include an array interface module that allows the devices to seamlessly communicate with each other at high-speeds.

- Video Imaging DesignLine