Broadcom's Next-Gen Crystal HD Tech Adds HD Prowess To New Atom
When it comes to netbooks, the one thing in terms of functionality that always holds it back is how it handles (or doesn't handle) multimedia. This new chip will be offered to OEMs who want to build machines that remedy that, and frankly, we're eager to see PC makers put it to good use. There's no telling what kind of price premium a Broadcom-equipped netbook will have, but if you're looking to watch HD videos and the like on your next low-cost machine, you probably won't mind shelling out a little bit more for the best experience.
Check out the demo on the HP Mini. It's impressive actually...
Next Generation Broadcom® Crystal HD Technology Brings a High Definition Multimedia Experience to the Intel® Atom™ Processor Netbook PlatformBroadcom to Provide Leading-Edge Video Playback on Select 2010 Netbook Platforms from Leading OEMs
Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that its Crystal HD technology will be available to OEMs wanting to deliver best-in-class video playback on the new Intel® Atom™ processor platform for netbooks. The Broadcom® BCM70015 Crystal HD solution will be offered as an option for OEMs designing netbooks using the Intel Atom processor N450 and Intel NM10 Express chipset platform. Crystal HD technology provides netbook users with a rich multimedia experience by enabling cost effective, quality playback of multi-format, high definition (HD) video and will be featured on select 2010 netbook platforms from top-tier OEMs including Asus, Dell and Samsung.
Highlights/Key Facts:
- Broadcom Crystal HD technology (based on the Broadcom BCM70015 single-chip HD video decoder) will be offered as an option for OEMs designing netbooks based on the new Intel Atom processor platform.
- The BCM70015 Crystal HD chip provides manufacturers with a low power, low cost solution that addresses one of the key performance challenges of netbook platforms: cost effective and quality playback of streaming HD video.
- Broadcom Crystal HD technology leverages the company’s widely deployed and field proven HD set-top box and consumer media player technologies to provide high quality video playback of multi-format (H.264/AVC, MPEG-2, VC-1, WMV9, MPEG-4, DivX®, Xvid and AVS) standard and high definition content for netbooks, enabling users to enjoy a mobile media experience with no frame drops or jitter. Broadcom Crystal HD technology:
o Provides one of the industry’s best low power, HD video playback experiences on low cost netbooks.
o Provides software support for Adobe® Flash® Player (v10.1), Windows Media® Player (v12), as well as support for other third-party media players including both commercial and open source.
- The Intel Atom processor N450, Intel NM10 Express chipset (formerly known as Pine Trail) is the next generation processor platform for netbooks and the entry-level desktop segment. This new two-chip platform integrates graphics and a memory controller onto the CPU, enabling lower power consumption, improved performance, and smaller, more compact designs in next generation netbooks and entry-level desktop PCs.
Supporting Quotes:
Dan Eiref, Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom’s Consumer Electronics Line of Business“We recognize that OEMs have the desire to offer HD video playback on netbooks, and are pleased that Intel has validated Broadcom as an HD solution provider for the Intel® Atom™ platform for netbooks. Our Crystal HD technology provides high quality video playback within a low power, low cost solution that will enhance the consumer netbook experience in 2010.”
New Broadcom® Crystal HD Solution Brings High Definition Video to Netbooks
Technology Gives Consumers One of the Best Low Power Multimedia Playback Experiences Available on a Netbooks
Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced its next-generation Crystal HD solution that provides consumers with the most advanced, low cost, low power, high definition (HD) video playback available on a netbook. Providing access to personal offline video and quality online HD content, such as user-generated videos, streaming movies, and online television and HD news, from a low cost, low power netbook can present a technology challenge for manufacturers. The new Broadcom® BCM70015 single chip Crystal HD enhanced media accelerator solution breaks down these netbook cost and power barriers to provide an exceptional HD video experience.
Highlights/Key Facts:
Broadcom Crystal HD technology gives netbook users a rich multimedia experience by providing cost-effective, quality playback of HD video.
Broadcom’s BCM70015 single chip Crystal HD solution provides manufacturers with a highly integrated low power, low cost solution that addresses one of the key performance challenges on netbook platforms: quality playback of online streaming HD video.
The BCM70015 single chip high-definition advanced media processor also:
o Provides software support for Adobe® Flash® Player (v10.1), Windows Media® Player (v12), as well as support for other third-party media players including both commercial and open-source.
o Leverages Broadcom’s proven set-top box (STB) and consumer media player technologies to provide one of the industry’s best HD media playback experiences on low cost netbooks.
o Is targeted for PC/x86 applications that include the playback of streaming video, Blu-ray Disc®, file-based content and broadcast (and other TV sources).
o Is perfect for low cost netbooks, but is also designed for use in notebooks as well as small form factor (SFF) and slim desktops.
o Supports standard definition (SD) and HD multi-format video decode of industry standard codecs (H.264/AVC, MPEG-2, VC-1, WMV9, MPEG-4, DivX®, Xvid and AVS), enabling users to enjoy a mobile media experience with no frame drops or jitter, even under a heavy CPU load.
o Is optimized for motherboard designs and is also available in the PCI Express mini-card module format.
Brian Pitstick, General Manager, Dell’s Mobile Products Group
“People on the move have declared the Inspiron Mini a favorite companion device that enables Web surfing, email, listening to music and sharing user-generated content in real time, wherever they are. Now they can add rich, high definition entertainment experiences, including smooth HD video playback, powered by Broadcom Crystal HD technology.”
