Qualcomm uncloaks Ultra HD processor for TVs, STBs

Qualcomm Inc. has revealed that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., has rolled out what it declares as the first fully integrated SoC intended for next-generation smart TVs, smart set-top boxes and smart digital media adapters.

The Snapdragon 802 processor is geared to power the latest smart TV experiences at Ultra HD resolution, including seamless decoding of Ultra HD video content, rich user interfaces, and console-quality gaming. Its high performance, power-efficient design enables the Snapdragon 802 processor to deliver advanced, concurrent use cases, such as playing an online game while video conferencing; browsing the web while streaming a movie; simultaneously playing back up to four HD videos on the same TV; or sharing with your friends and family by sending wirelessly to other connected mobile devices, detailed the company. Advanced content protection with integrated Snapdragon StudioAccess is designed to ensure that premium content can be enjoyed securely on Snapdragon 802-enabled devices.

The processor includes features developed by Qualcomm Technologies specifically for TVs such as broadcast, analog and digital I/O interfaces, as well as a custom Android Software Framework based on Kit Kat that is designed to enable our OEM customers to develop performance and media optimized Android solutions for smart consumer electronic devices.

Qualcomm Technologies has achieved superior processing performance with the Snapdragon 802 processor through the unique and efficient integration of its custom-designed processing components, including Qualcomm Technologies' heterogeneous computing architecture. The Snapdragon 802 processor features a quad core Krait 1.8 GHz CPU and powerful Adreno 330 GPU. The high quality directional scaling and resolution enhancement of Qualcomm Technologies' Hollywood Quality Video (HQV) processing engine allow up-converted 1080p content to be delivered at a level approaching Ultra HD. The dedicated, low-power, Hexagon DSP provides efficient processing for Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound and also enables OEMs to add custom features, such as audio control, gestures and facial recognition. Qualcomm Technologies' heterogeneous compute architecture also plays a role in ensuring that these various components are used as efficiently as possible, individually and together, to enable high performance, concurrent use cases within the power and thermal budgets of consumer electronics devices.

The Snapdragon 802 processor platform delivers leading connectivity as well, featuring Qualcomm Technologies' modern 2-stream, dual-band Qualcomm VIVE 802.11ac, which enables ultra-high WiFi capacity for seamless streaming and fast transmission of large files. Dual-band (2.4 and 5GHz) support enables smooth, uninterrupted HD video transmissions and other latency-sensitive content. The AllJoyn software connectivity framework also is integrated and ships with the Snapdragon 802 processor. Initially developed by Qualcomm Innovation Center Inc., AllJoyn has been contributed to the AllSeen Alliance for wider adoption across the Internet of Everything. The AllJoyn framework provides interoperability for TVs powered by the Snapdragon 802 processor with other connected products and multiscreen software applications, including multiplayer gaming, social media sharing and multiuser productivity tools.

The Snapdragon 802 processor will begin sampling early this year and is expected to be in commercial devices by late 2014.