Atmel Licenses Hardware Video Decoder from Hantro

ROUSSET, France and OULU, Finland, October 3 /PRNewswire/ --

-- Multiple Formats Support Next-Generation Video Devices

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) and Hantro, a leader in video compression and application solutions, announced today that Atmel has licensed the new Hantro 8170 multi-format video decoder RTL. Atmel will integrate the decoder alongside an ARM9(TM) processor core in a chip targeted for multifunctional next-generation video devices such as personal media players and navigation systems.

"This agreement will enable us to expand our AT91SAM family of microcontrollers into application-specific devices focused on the fast-growing multimedia market," commented Alfredo Vadillo, Managing Director for Atmel's 32-bit Microcontrollers.

Commenting on the agreement, Hantro's President and CEO, Eero Kaikkonen said, "We are pleased to add Atmel to our growing list of semiconductor customers. Through them we bring our technologies to new device markets where the requirement for low powered, high performance video capability is just being realized."

The Hantro 8170 Decoder. Atmel is the first company to license the new Hantro 8170 decoder that supports 16MP JPEG, H.263, H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 simple and advanced simple profile (DivX), XviD Portable, VC-1 main and advanced profiles up to full HD (1080p) resolution. The 8170 design is fully configurable allowing the choice of formats and maximum resolution to be defined prior to integration; this ensures the best-fit solution for target applications through the optimal use of external memories and by minimizing the silicon footprint. The decoder also incorporates a host of post-processing features that facilitate integration, application development and further enhance the user experience. High resolution capability, broad format support and post-processing features such as: cropping, scaling, rotation and de-interlacing, mean, for devices that use the new Atmel chip, the ability to play back a huge array of content without the need for prior re-purposing.

Availability

Application-specific AT91SAM products incorporating the Hantro 8170 decoder will be available in H1 2008.

    
    Glossary
    RTL             Register Transfer Language, a format for describing the
                    functionality of an integrated circuit or a modular block
                    within an integrated circuit.
    16M JPEG        Still image compression codec supporting up to 16Mpixel
                    images
    H.263, H.264    ITU video coding standards supporting video services from
                    low bit rate video telephony to high quality broadcast
    MPEG-2, MPEG-4  ISO/IEC video coding standards for standard and high
                    definition video playback and broadcast
    DivX            Brand name for DivX Inc. video codec commonly used for
                    encoding ripped DVD video material. Conforms MPEG-4
                    Advanced Simple Profile.
    XviD            Open source video codec commonly used for encoding ripped
                    DVD video material. Conforms MPEG-4 Advanced Simple
                    Profile.
    VC-1            VC-1 is the informal name of the SMPTE 421M video codec
                    standard originally developed by Microsoft and known as
                    Windows(R) Media Video.
    HD (1080p)      High Definition display resolution with 1920 horizontal
                    and 1080 vertical lines. Commonly referred as "Full
                    High-Definition".

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.

About Hantro

A leader in multimedia technology for mobile devices, Hantro's designs have been incorporated in over 200 million handsets worldwide with customers in the US, EMEA and APAC markets. Provided as intellectual property and delivering optimal value and performance, Hantro's portfolio includes hardware and software MPEG4, H.263, H.264/AVC and VC-1 video codecs, audio and still image codecs as well as integration platforms and applications. Uniquely positioned to deliver technology solutions for silicon providers, device manufacturers and network operators, Hantro enables camcorder, media player, video telephony, mobile TV and more. For further information please visit http://www.hantro.com/.

(C) 2007 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, and others, are registered trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. ARM(R) and others are registered trademarks or trademarks of ARM Ltd. Windows(R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the US and or other countries. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's AT91SAM product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/products/AT91/.

For further information on Hantro's products, go to http://www.hantro.com.

    
    Atmel Press Contacts:
    Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, Atmel Rousset
    Phone: +33-0-4-42-53-61-50, Email: peter.bishop@rfo.atmel.com
    Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
    Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com
    Hantro Press Contacts:
    Tony Hope, Marketing Director, Hantro Products Oy
    Phone +358-0-440-235-107, Email: tony.hope@hantro.com
    Web site: http://www.atmel.com
              http://www.hantro.com

Peter Bishop, Communications Manager of Atmel Rousset, +33-0-4-42-53-61-50, peter.bishop@rfo.atmel.com; or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations of Atmel Corporation, +1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com; or Tony Hope, Marketing Director of Hantro Products Oy, +358-0-440-235107, tony.hope@hantro.com