Fujitsu Limited today announced the development and launch of a new transcoder large-scaled integrated (LSI) chip that can convert full HD (1920dot x 1080line) MPEG-2 video data to H.264 data and compress data size to less than one-half that of MPEG-2. Sample shipments of the new chip, the MB86H52, will start from September 1, 2007. This new transcoder makes it possible to extend recording time of recording devices such as hard disk recorders by over 2.5 times, as the chip enables data size compression without compromising video quality. The transcoder can also be embedded in a multitude of equipment requiring reduction of data size, and can realize full HD over narrower bandwidths used for home network, the use of which is anticipated to spread hereafter.

Digital terrestrial broadcasts and digital satellite broadcasts use data compressed into the MPEG-2 format. Because MPEG-2 format video is high-resolution, if the video is recorded as it is without compression, to storage media such as hard disks, the data volume is extremely high and thereby causes the problem of significantly limited recording time.

Focusing on such issues, Fujitsu developed this MB86H52 transcoder LSI that converts MPEG-2 format video data to the H.264 format, which features a higher compression rate. Functionality of this new transcoder is based on the video processing technology of Fujitsu's full HD H.264 CODEC (Encode / Decode) LSI product, MB86H51, currently being shipped. Utilizing proprietary high quality video technology developed by Fujitsu Laboratories, the quality of the input MPEG-2 video data can be maintained when transcoded to H.264 format.

Key Features

1. Proprietary technologies for compression and high quality video
   The new transcoder utilizes a proprietary algorithm developed by Fujitsu Laboratories that automatically applies less compression to areas in the image where compression artifacts are most noticeable to human vision, such as human faces or slow-moving objects, and greater compression to other areas. Thus, high image quality for the critical zones is maximized. This technology enables the same video quality to be maintained when transcoding from MPEG-2 to H.264.
2. Includes Full HD H.264 CODEC
   As the transcoder includes a full HD H.264 CODEC for video encoding and decoding, uncompressed video data can also be compressed to the H.264 format. The transcoder can also decompress video data from compressed or transcoded H.264. The CODEC is the same as that used in Fujitsu's MB86H51 LSI.

More detailed specifications of the MB86H52 Transcoder are available in the original press release.