Some multimedia enthusiasts might consider the Holy Grail of electronic
imaging a compact high-definition video camera combined with an ultra
high-resolution still camera. Such a hybrid device would allow the
photographer to instantly choose the right medium for the right shot.
Now, a venture-backed California start-up called Ambarella says it has
created the first HD H.264 system on a chip that allows the production
of such a high-resolution hybrid camera. The company's founders once
worked together at C-Cube Microsystems, a company with deep roots in
video imaging codecs.
The engineering team at Ambarella began development of the A1 platform
after assessing the current state of imaging products on the market.
They noted that digital still cameras provide high-definition still
images but produce mediocre video. At the same time, high-definition
video camcorders are still quite expensive, mostly use cumbersome
tape-based recording, and produce lousy still pictures.
Ambarella said its "breakthrough" A1 digital camera platform combines
an HD H.264/AVC codec, video processor, still image processor, audio
compression and all other critical system functions on a single chip.
That chip is designed to form the core circuitry of a new generation
hybrid camera that leapfrogs any existing devices.
Ambarella's new chip has low operating power (less than a watt) and,
due to a 2.5x compression gain over current systems, can store both
high-definition video and high-resolution still images in flash memory
or on an internal hard drive. It's also said to significantly surpass
the processing speed of existing cameras.
Though the price wasn't publicly revealed, Ambarella said the chips are
available and priced low enough for use in mainstream consumer level
products. A fabless semiconductor company, Ambarella is headquartered
in Sunnyvale, CA, with offices in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
For more information, visit www.ambarella.com.