NEC Electronics announced the availability of a new image-processing solution, the EMMA3SL/P system-on-chip (SoC) based on NEC Electronics’ enhanced multimedia architecture (EMMA) platform.

EMMA3SL/P SoC is a set-top box (STB) device compliant with H.264 high definition (HD), the next-generation image-compression standard, as well as the multi-format video support used for the increasing number of worldwide internet-protocol television (IP TV) STBs, such as DivX, VC-1, and WMV. The new SoC is also the first among the company’s EMMA products to support China’s audio/video standard (AVS). The new device integrates key functions needed to receive and decode digital broadcasts, including MPEG-2 HD audio/video decoders, transport-stream demultiplexers, as well as display controllers for enhanced display and graphics features.

To address the Conditional Access Companies’ demand for protection against signal piracy, the new EMMA3SL/P SoC provides advanced security features to meet current security anti-piracy standards.

In addition to the indispensable HDMI interface and USB 2.0 host controller, the new device integrates Ethernet MAC, audio DAC and all other essential features on a single chip. The SoC ball layout has approximately 20 percent fewer number of pins from 596 to 484, compared to the company’s existing products, resulting in reduced bill-of-materials costs for STB manufacturers.

The new EMMA3SL/P SoC supports the Linux operating system (OS) in addition to a real-time OS (RTOS) providing flexibility and easing development of software applications

Samples of NEC Electronics’ new EMMA3SL/P SoC are available with pricing starting at $30 per unit. Volume production is scheduled to begin by the second half of 2009 and expected to reach 250,000 units per month.