Two chipmakers give boost to DVI standard

[Gregg Lengling]

By Ron Wilson Crista Souza
EBN
(07/28/2003 10:00 AM EST)
       
 

Conexant Systems Inc. and Silicon Image Corp. are introducing products that could help proliferate the digital visual interface (DVI) standard in flat-panel monitors for consumer and PC applications.



 
 
Leveraging its leading position with video encoder chips, Conexant has unveiled its first products to support the DVI standard in consumer displays.


The CX25890/1/2 consists of a high-definition video encoder integrated with a DVI-compliant transmitter, and the CX25894/5/6 is a single-chip DVI transmitter. Both are offered in three variations targeting a range of system requirements.


Each product is pin compatible within the three-device series, and have common base drivers to allow manufacturers of flat-panel monitors, set-top boxes, and DVD players to develop a single system that can be readily configured for different market requirements or price points, said Hugh Davis, director of product marketing for Convergence Video Products at Conexant, Newport Beach, Calif.


The encoder/DVI combination includes the CX25890, featuring a single link output that can link to analog TV or DVI image formats, taking advantage of the dual graphics ports on many motherboards.


The CX25891 encoder/DVI combo targets PCs and set-top boxes driving two monitors, with two independent DVI outputs. The device supports up to 1,600 ¥ 1,200 resolution on DVI-enabled monitors, as well as HDTV-level support for analog TV outputs.


The CX25892 includes all the features of the '91, but adds support for high-definition copy protection, an industry standard to protect digital entertainment content that uses the DVI interface.


The CX25890/1/2 is packaged in a 14mm2,128-pin exposed TQFP. Pricing starts at $7 in 10,000s.


For systems not requiring on-chip encoding, the CX25894/5/6 mirrors the DVI transmitter capabilities of the CX25890/1/2. In a 12mm2, 84-pin QFP, pricing starts at $4.50 in 10,000s.


While Conexant is focused on consumer displays, an announcement last week by Silicon Image Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., could have substantial impact on the closely related market for PC flat-panel displays.


Silicon Image said it has licensed its DVI receiver technology to three Taiwan vendors, Novatek Microelectronics Corp., Sunplus Technology, and Weltrend Semiconductor Inc.


Under the license terms, the three companies are constrained to using the core in combination with their own A/D converter designs to produce interface chips for dual-mode display panels.