TDVision Selects Magnum Semiconductor for World's First...

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TDVision Selects Magnum Semiconductor for World's First Full HD Stereoscopic 3D Real-Time Encoder for Broadcast and Blu-Ray(TM) Applications

IRVINE, Calif., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- TDVision Systems announced today it has selected Magnum Semiconductor for the development of the world's first and only Full HD stereoscopic 3D (1920x1080 per-eye) real-time encoder.

The groundbreaking system applies TDVision's "Encode Once, Deploy Everywhere" methodology to HD stereoscopic 3D digital video streams, resulting in an H.264 3D-Ready video format that can be deployed on Blu-Ray(TM)disc and broadcast platforms, such as Cable, Satellite and IPTV, and for studio dailies as well as live-event streaming to cinemas.

The system uses TDVision's patented 2D+Delta TDVCodec technology to compress the video streams at full resolution while maintaining backward compatibility with all existing 2D displays in 2D HD, as well as forward compatibility with all existing and future 3D-ready displays and methods.

The system does comparison between left and right source frames, compresses the video information based on redundancies between the two, resulting in stereoscopic compression at less than 200% of a 2D video stream. TDVision's 2D+Delta TDVCodec is referenced by ISO, JVT and MPEG as a core patent for future stereoscopic 3D video standards.

"Legacy solutions for stereoscopic 3D broadcasts have recently produced resolutions as low as 640x720 per eye on a 2K digital cinema screen. Audiences tune into 3D live event broadcasts for a premium experience and they expect HD resolutions. TDVision is committed to 3D HD on all delivery platforms, including broadcast, streaming and optical disk, as well as for all possible content, including live events and movies at quality levels that match the original's," said Ethan Schur, Chief Marketing Officer at TDVision.

To achieve practical bit rates, without compromising quality and resolution, TDVision has selected Magnum Semiconductor, leader in professional-grade video processors to provide real-time compression and decompression for stereoscopic video streams. Magnum's DXTPro family of advanced multi-core media processors supports multiple video standards, such as MPEG-2, H.264 and VC-1, at full frame-rate 1080p60 encoding, decoding and transcoding. The DXTPro provides a single platform for all segments of the broadcast chain, from contribution to production to distribution. Its scalable and flexible multi-core architecture delivers highest channel-density, highest quality and lowest bit rates.

"Our DXTPro video processors provide maximum flexibility in encoder toolsets and implement our advanced algorithms for Full HD 1080p60, multi-standard H.264 and MPEG-2 encoding, decoding and transcoding for superior quality and bit rates required for stereoscopic 3D video broadcast and Blu-Ray(TM) applications. We are pleased to work with TDVision, a pioneer in stereoscopic 3D HD video processing, to bring state-of-the-art 3D-capable video codec products to market," said Bob Saffari, VP of Marketing at Magnum Semiconductor, responsible for broadcast and set-top products.

According to soon-to-be-published research by Futuresource Consulting, 3D is on track to become the next major revenue generator for the home entertainment industry, potentially causing more of a consumer impact than the migration to HD.

"Hollywood is making an ever-increasing commitment to 3D movies for theatrical distribution," says Jim Bottoms, co-founder of Futuresource. "The target now is to bring a high quality 3D viewing experience into the home. The broadcast and gaming industries, consumer electronics companies and all those behind Blu-Ray(TM) are poised to propel these technologies through into the mass market. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the industry will intensify its efforts, and although there is much to be done in terms of finalizing specifications, we fully expect to see consumers enjoying the benefits of 3D in the home as early as 2010," he continued.

About TDVision:

TDVision Systems, Inc. is the owner of several 3D-related key patents now listed as part of different standard stereoscopic architectures like ISO, MPEG and AVC. TDVision's technology allows the acquisition, encoding, deployment, decoding and visualization of stereoscopic 3D HD video streams and computer-generated content within the 3D ecosystem. TDVision's solution is based on firmware and software changes to enable true 3D HD on current infrastructures, ubiquitous, display agnostic, fully compatible and even allows 2D legacy compatibility with existing infrastructures.

Media Contacts:
Ethan Schur
TDVision
T: +1.949.836.0354
Email: eschur@tdvision.com