In engineering, video processing is a particular case of signal processing, which often employs video filters and where the input and output signals are video files or video streams. Video processing techniques are used in television sets, VCRs, DVDs, video codecs, video players, video scalers and other devices.
What do they do?
Video processors are often combined with video scalers to create a video processor that improves the apparent definition of video signals. They perform tasks like De-Interlacing which is the process of converting interlaced video like common analog television signals or 1080i format HDTV signals, into a non-interlaced form. These processors can be either in chip form, or as a stand alone unit to be placed between a source device (like a DVD player or set-top-box) and a display with less-capable processing.
The new chips
Texas Instruments recently unveiled its new DaVinci video processors, the DaVinci DM385 and DM8107. These video processors offer quality video solutions through the use of exceptional low-light technology and high-efficiency compression. TI’s scalable DaVinci portfolio offers developers an optimised solution to get to market quickly, using one of the industry’s highest performance video processor platforms for true-to-life image quality.
The idea behind the DaVinci family of system on a chip-processors is that by using both a general-purpose processor and a DSP, the control and media portions can both be executed by processors that excel at their respective tasks. The integration of these two components into one chip simplifies the system design and allows for more efficient communication between the two components.
Better processing of video in low light conditions
The DM385 video processor delivers superior low-light performance, which is especially useful for poorly lit environments, such as a parking garage or the doorway of a building where shadows are present. This level of performance is achieved by the video processor’s ability to compress a four megapixel video stream with either the H.264 or the SVC-T high-profile codecs. Also integrated into the DM385 are 3D noise filtering and wide dynamic range (WDR) processing. These two features combined help create the security industry’s best-in-class low-light technology.
TI offers video security manufacturers the ability to differentiate their products with various flexible features. Firstly, it can play videos at a 4k x 2k resolution or even higher. Secondly, it offers simultaneous multi-profile (base/main/high) compression along with Image signal processing technology like face detection, video stabilization and lens distortion correction.
The DM8107 video compression engine can achieve more than 200 percent better compression efficiency to market standard, bringing unparalleled video quality to the value line of DVRs. With this compression efficiency, half the storage is required to save data and half the bandwidth is needed to transfer the data without spoiling the quality of the image, which is essential when putting a video security system in place.
The DM8107 video processor provides Bill of Materials savings through flexible integration for 4/8/16 channel DVRs. It has features which enable it to decode h264/SVCT (at 1000 fps), provide HDMI, VGA and CVBS outputs along with Gigabit EMAC, dual SATA and PCIe. Additionally, the video processor gives customers the option of low-cost, low-power turnkey CIF/D1/960H DVR or a multi-channel 1080P NVR reference design with Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) and ready-to-use advanced video analytics, allowing quicker time to market.
Availability
Samples of TI’s DaVinci DM385 and DM8107 are available now. Pricing and availability information can be found by contacting your local TI or distributor sales representative.
