H.264 Transcoder LSI Chip

Extension of video recording times and further reduction in network traffic loads require that video data compressed with the MPEG-2 format used for digital terrestrial broadcasting and other types of broadcasting be converted to the H.264 format, which has a higher data compression rate. It is also desirable that H.264 video data itself be converted to an even lower bit rate. This paper introduces a transcoder implemented on an LSI chip for executing in real time the transcoding processing required for these applications. The transcoding method used is advantageous in terms of image quality. It first decompresses compressed video data and then recompresses it so as to minimize the image deterioration that normally accompanies cross-format conversion. This LSI has low power consumption and a small form factor, enabling it to operate with USB power (under 2.5 W) and be mounted in devices the size of a PCI Express Mini Card (30 × 50.95 mm). It is now being used mainly in PC-TVs and personal video recorders (PVRs) to achieve long recording times of digital-terrestrial, BS digital, and CS digital broadcast programs in Japan. However, with the recent proliferation of mobile terminals like smartphones and tablets and the increasing demand for video viewing and recording via the network, Fujitsu expects this transcoder to also be used for converting video to a compression format that can reduce network traffic loads and enable the playback of HD video on today’s mobile terminals. Fujitsu Semiconductor is committed to creating new solutions to support these applications.