July 24, 2009 -- Silicon Image, Inc., a supplier of semiconductors and intellectual property for the secure distribution, presentation and storage of high-definition (HD) content, announced that it is expanding its family of HDMI semiconductor intellectual property (IP) cores to include transmitter and receiver IP cores that incorporate features of the recently announced HDMI Specification Version 1.4. The new IP cores will support 3D over HDMI, HDMI Ethernet Channel, as well as Audio Return Channel capabilities to offer an enhanced entertainment experience that brings 3D functionality to the home theatre and simplifies device connectivity.
According to the company, adding HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality allows manufacturers to consolidate the transmission of HD video, audio, data and control into a single HDMI cable for high-speed, bi-directional communication. An HDMI Ethernet Channel-enabled device can send and receive data via 100 Mbps Ethernet over an HDMI cable by utilizing the Silicon Image IP core and the customer's own Ethernet transceiver. The Audio Return Channel enables a TV to send audio streams to an HDMI attached audio/video receiver for audio processing and playback from the speaker system.
The Silicon Image transmitter and receiver IP cores incorporating HDMI 1.4 features are also backward compatible with HDMI 1.3 and previous versions of the HDMI specification. The IP cores support full 48-bit Deep Color (16 bits per pixel), an HDMI 1.3 feature anticipated for use in high-end audio/video receiver and Blu-ray Disc player applications for rendering trillions of colors in stunning detail.
"With the introduction of the new IP cores, Silicon Image continues to demonstrate its HDMI technology leadership," says Ron Richter, director of business development at Silicon Image, Inc. "The new HDMI 1.4 features such as 3D over HDMI and HDMI Ethernet Channel have the potential to significantly transform consumer electronics by enabling exceptional connectivity for new personal entertainment technologies like LiquidHD for home theatre applications."
Silicon Image's LiquidHD technology is a suite of protocols that runs over standard IP networks such as those that include HDMI Ethernet Channel functionality. Designed to quickly and easily connect TVs, consumer electronics devices, personal computers, portable media devices, and home theatre into a seamless network, LiquidHD technology lets consumers enjoy digital content from any LiquidHD-enabled source device on any LiquidHD-enabled display in the home. For more information about LiquidHD technology, visit http://www.liquidhd.com.
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www.siliconimage.com
