1998-03-03 , ESC-9855

Philips Semiconductors' TriMedia™ processor enables new generation of low-cost videophones to be built

Imagine videophoning your aunt in Australia on her birthday or calling your friends to see their new baby. A dream that has been impossible, unless you used special phone lines and expensive equipment.

Now, all this is about to change thanks to an innovative low-cost chip from Philips Semiconductors, which enables videophones to provide quality images and sound using the existing standard telephone. The chip, called a TriMedia processor, has been specially developed based on technology from Philips' world-renowned research labs to provide high-quality pictures and sound. The images will be smoother and more natural than on other low-cost videophones thanks to the advanced image handling technology of the TriMedia processor. Visual and audio quality is further improved by advanced image filtering, noise and echo cancellation technologies.

Expected to retail at less than $500, the first generation of TriMedia-based videophones will appear in the shops late this year.

The first video telephony device based on the TriMedia processor was introduced in November 1997. The Polyspan Teleconferencing ViewStation™ (known as Polycom in the USA) was designed for business video conferencing and won the top award for the "Most Significant Advance in Teleconferencing in 1997" at the TeleCon show in November 1997. The Polyspan system has TriMedia-based features such as a voice tracking camera that automatically focuses on the person speaking. These features will find their way into consumer videophones.

The reality of high-quality, low-cost videophones in homes around the world will be speeded up by a new universal standard called H.324 from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). This ensures that videophones manufactured by different companies will be able to talk to each other, just as standard telephones do now.

Future applications for the videophone include calling customer help lines to view video clips of how to fix household appliances rather than have an expensive call out charge, and tele-medicine, which will enable people to hold remote consultations with their doctor using a videophone. In addition to video telephony, the TriMedia processor is designed to support Internet browsers and screen phone services, including E-mail, video mail and electronic banking, to add to the functionality of videophones.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier 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 systems labs.

TriMedia is a trademark of Philips Electronics NV. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.