Chrontel releases video chips family for ARM-based smart phones and tablets

SAN JOSE, USA: Chrontel, a leading provider of video interface technologies, has announced three low-power video ICs for mobile Internet devices, netbook systems, tablet computers, portable book readers and smart phones.

Designed specifically to interface with a wide range of host processors, including popular ARM mobile processors, Chrontel’s mixed-signal CH7033, CH7034 and CH7035 ICs convert and transmit a variety of digital video formats for external displays, digital televisions and embedded display panels.

The CH7033 is a video encoder designed to drive external high-definition video displays using HDMI, DVI, YPbPr and VGA. The HDMI/DVI output pins on the CH7033 can be multiplexed with VGA/YPbPr outputs via a software controlled switch. The CH7034 is designed for mobile systems that require LVDS encoding for embedded displays that are attached to a portable device through a hinge. The CH7034 also offers simultaneous external analog RGB or component YPrPb outputs for HDTV and VGA displays. The CH7035 is a cost effective HDMI transmitter.

All three devices have an advanced scaling engine that supports HDTV resolutions up to 1080p, and all three incorporate advanced frame rate conversion that support 60fps refresh rates at 1080p. The CH7033 and CH7035 also include SPDIF and I2S digital audio output.

"Netbooks, smart phones, tablets and other highly mobile platforms are experiencing rapid unit growth throughout the world," said Dr. David Soo, Chrontel president and CEO. "Our customers need a portfolio of video encoding and transmission devices that enable these mobile devices to drive external displays and televisions so that everyone in the room can participate in the video experience. Whether the required output is HDMI, DVI, LVDS or even VGA, Chrontel offers proven and cost effective solutions that gives system manufactures exactly the right video interface capability."

All three devices are designed to flexibly integrate with the wide variety of SoC (system-on-chip) processors found in netbook, smart phone, tablet and mobile systems. The CH7033/34/35 devices accept graphical data input through a programmable 24-bit/18-bit/16-bit/15-bit/12-bit/8-bit interface that supports RGB and YCbCr video formats in a range of input resolutions up to 1366 x 768. All three devices also incorporate an SDRAM internal frame buffer that enables image upsizing/downsizing, zooming and 90/180/270 image rotation.

Chrontel CH7033/34/35 samples are currently available, and production volumes will be available in May, 2011. All three devices are available in an 88-pin QFN package. The CH7035 is also available in an 81-pin BGA package.

The CH7033 is priced at priced at USD 4.15 /each in 10,000 piece quantities. The CH7034 is priced at priced at USD 4.00 /each in 10,000 piece quantities. The CH7035 is priced at priced at USD 3.85/each in 10,000 piece quantities.