Format-tuned codec, encoder contend for relevance

摘要

Protocom has chosen to hard-wire the video and ADPCM (adaptive-differential pulse-code-modulation) audio-encoding capabilities of its $19 (100,000) GoldenReel PR828 device, along with the incremental full-duplex video and ADPCM decoding functions in its $22 PR818S codec. In making this determination, Proto-com has rejected the more common approach of implementing these capabilities in software running on a DSP core. The company's decision is encouraging for the MPEG-4 Advanced Simple Profile format that the chips support (to D1 resolutions and 30-frame/sec rates); it indicates that MPEG-4 AS finally is sufficiently mature to be "frozen" in dedicated circuitry.