1998-04-21 , E/IC-857/54

Philips Semiconductors' DPC7146 NetLook development kit is designed as a complete solution to simplify the design of new desktop videoconferencing systems for PCI-based PCs. With almost every modern PC using the PCI-bus, it allows OEMs to address the huge emerging market for such systems for home and professional use.

"The market has a massive potential, with leading market research companies predicting 80-90% annual growth over the next three years, but developing such systems is time-consuming and complex, with many pitfalls," said Martin Maloney from Philips Semiconductors' International Product Marketing in Hamburg, where the kit is produced. "The  DPC7146 NetLook is based on Philips Semiconductors' desktop video chipset, specifically designed for applications such as videoconferencing systems and already proven in a number of market-leading video processing systems. This dramatically cuts development risks and allows customers to reach the market fast."

The kit includes the development board itself, a comprehensive set of software tools including actual videoconferencing software, as well as a camera. This saves development costs and allows very quick system development so designers can focus on product differentiation, a critical success factor in this market.

Particularly suited to systems using an on-board hardware CODEC or ISDN/POTS modem chipset, the NetLook kit can also be used with a software CODEC and existing network connections including POTS, ISDN and corporate LANs or WANs. Videoconferencing via the Internet is also possible, making the kit very well suited to the huge installed base of existing PC set-ups using the PCI-bus.

The DPC7146 NetLook kit includes the  SAA7111A multistandard decoder,  SAA7146A PCI bridge and  SAA7185B digital video encoder. Both the decoder and encoder implement the full broadcast standards providing solid, stable and accurate pictures. These ICs have been designed to integrate smoothly, with no need to design specific interfaces. Software includes Philips Semiconductors' control and video capture software, a debug utility and standard device drivers for Microsoft Windows 3.1/NT/95, which ensure compatibility with all major videoconferencing software. Third-party videoconferencing software from well-known suppliers are also included in the kit.

Accepting S-video and CVBS inputs to PAL, NTSC and SECAM standards, the SAA7111A decoder makes systems based on the DPC7146 NetLook suitable for use anywhere in the world. The SAA7146A PCI bridge features high performance 2D scaling, resulting in clear pictures even when reduced to icon size, allowing it to handle windowing and high-end applications. It also has a hardware vanity picture function and by performing most of the video processing on-board, it helps reduce load on the CPU, maintaining high overall system performance. In addition to the PCI-bus, it supports a variety of interfaces including an Intel/Motorola 8/16-bit interface which allows the simple addition of a hardware videoconferencing CODEC or modem chipset. The development board also includes the SAA7185B digital video encoder, allowing output of received or transmitted pictures on a standard TV.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world and fourth largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video and mobile technology position the company as 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.