1996-11-08 , S/IC-531/290

Philips Controller Optimized to Link Consumer Set-Top Boxes, Digital VCRs, Camcorders and Other Peripherals Directly to Professional Computer Products

Eindhoven, The Netherlands - 8 November 1996 - Targeting the connection of consumer and computer electronics, Philips Semiconductors today announced the  PDI1394L11, an IEEE 1394-1995 compliant audio/video link layer controller featuring an embedded A/V layer interface. IEEE 1394-1995 High Speed Serial Bus Interface Standard provides a means of interconnecting a variety of consumer electronics, including digital audio devices, digital VCRs and digital video cameras easily to multimedia PCs and workstations. The new controller includes an embedded A/V layer optimized for digital video per IEC 1883 specifications -- a widely-agreed upon method for transporting digital video over 1394-1995. The A/V layer provides a byte-wide interface designed to accommodate various digital video formats, such as MPEG-2 and DVC.

According to Allen Light, Technical Marketing Manager for Digital Interface Products, "By optimizing our link layer controller for peripherals, we simplify the design of products like digital VCRs and set-top boxes that connect with 1394-1995. To date, similar products in the marketplace have been designed for specific buses such as PCI, creating difficulties for these peripheral manufacturers. Digital video is an exciting new application for computers and consumer electronics, and 1394-1995 brings it all together."

Philips Link Layer Controller
The IEEE 1394-1995 standard provides simultaneous real time (isochronous) data transfers and non-time dependent (asynchronous) data transfers, allowing devices with real-time data requirements, such as live digital video from a camcorder to share the same bus as a non-real time device such as a computer disk drive.

With isochronous data transfer, unlike the asynchronous buses common in today's PCs, the data is delivered at a constant and reliable rate -- eliminating the need for expensive memory buffers.

The PDI1394L11 is hot pluggable, allowing a peripheral to be used in a true plug-and-play mode. This permits devices like camcorders and VCRs to be connected without having to power down equipment or reconfigure bus logic. Traditionally, adding new capabilities to PCs has been a difficult process for consumers. However, with 1394-1995 enabled peripherals, it will just be a matter of plugging them in. The IEEE 1394-1995 architecture is designed to be scaleable, allowing faster peripherals in the future.

Pricing in volume quantities for the PDI1394L11 is approximately US$11.00 in PQFP80 packaging. For pricing outside the United States, please contact your local Philips Semiconductors sales office or authorized Philips distributor. Limited sampling will begin this November.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the eleventh largest semiconductor supplier in the world and the third largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by regional systems labs.