Texas Instruments Launches New Development Platform for DaVinci Technology to Speed Development of Digital Video Products

Comprehensive Suite of Tools and Software for Less than $500 Supports Design on TI's newest TMS320DM643x DSP-based Digital Media Processors

HOUSTON -- February 26, 2007 – Continuing to drive the adoption of DSP technology in the next generation of digital video applications, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) has released the TMS320DM6437 Digital Video Development Platform (DVDP) for its DM643x digital media processors announced last quarter. The DM6437 DVDP brings the complete DaVinci™ technology development environment to these processors by bundling a full TMS320DM6437 evaluation module (EVM) with a complete suite of DaVinci development tools and software for less than $500. Combined with the aggressive pricing and high-performance of the new DM643x processors – as low as $9.95 in volume – the new DM6437 DVDP provides developers with a comprehensive platform they can use throughout the entire design process to accelerate the development of digital video across a wide range of applications, including in-flight entertainment systems, IP net cameras, video phones and vision systems. For more information see, www.ti.com/dvdppr.

The DM643x digital media processors are the first DSP-only devices supporting DaVinci technology and are powerful enough to perform H.264 video encode at D1 resolution or to run the complete video, audio, networking for a target application like an IP-based Network Surveillance camera, all at a 50 percent cost reduction over TI’s previous DSP digital media processors. The DM6437 DVDP gives developers complete access to the DaVinci software and development infrastructure, easing design of video, imaging, speech and audio applications through simple application programming interfaces (APIs) calls through the DaVinci Codec Engine, which eliminates the need for developers to directly manage codecs.

“TI is a facilitator of innovation and we believe the best way to meet our commitment to fueling the digital video market is by delivering on the goals of DaVinci technology – integrated video processors, software, development tools and support designed to simplify digital video product development,” said Gerard Andrews, DSP marketing manager, TI. “With the DVDP, we’ve included everything needed to easily incorporate video and networking functionality into our customers’ end products. Furthermore, by making this incredible combination of software and hardware available for only $495, we are insuring that the developers can access this platform with a very small investment.”

Complete Tools and Software

The DM6437 DVDP provides a comprehensive suite of development tools and application software available for digital video applications and reduces application development time from months to weeks. The DM6437 DVDP includes:

• DM6437 Evaluation Module (EVM) with onboard emulator
• Operating system kernels, including TI’s real-time DSP/BIOS™ kernel and VirtualLogix’s Linux
• Digital Video Software Development Kit (DVSDK), including Codec Engine for the DSP/BIOS™ kernel, video codecs, audio codecs and device drivers based on the DSP/BIOS™ kernel
• VirtualLogix™ VLX for Digital Multimedia for immediate out-of-the-box evaluation
• PCI Host Driver enabling the use of a PC as host for simplifying product development
• DM6437 SoC Analyzer, based on the eXpressDSP™ Data Visualization Technology
• Network Developers’ Kit (NDK evaluation version) with real-time TCP/IP stack for developing network-based applications
• Board-specific version of Code Composer Studio™ Integrated Development Environment
• PC-based, high-level, how-to demonstration of DaVinci technology
• Sample A/V files for immediate out-of-the-box evaluation
  

The complete DM6437 DVDP provides the core DaVinci digital video capabilities and development tools, including the DM6437 EVM and DVSDK, in one complete, low-cost platform. The DM6437 EVM offers multiple expansion slots for extending connectivity to virtually any hardware prototype or peripheral. The PCI Host Driver expands configuration options for developers by enabling them to plug the DM6437 EVM directly into a PC to use the PC as a host during initial development before prototype hardware is designed and available. The DM6437 EVM can also be used in a standalone fashion, connected to a PC using onboard emulation, or through a standard JTAG connector.

As an added value to developers embracing the open source operating system community, the DM6437 DVDP includes VirtualLogix’s Linux at no cost and royalty free. It also includes an evaluation version of VirtualLogix Real-Time Virtualization™ software. VLX for Digital Multimedia v2.0 combines the performance and existing applications base of TI’s DSP/BIOS kernel with the comprehensive networking, GUI and general purpose features of the Linux operating system – all running on a single low-cost DSP. DM643x developers can evaluate the power of VirtualLogix’s VLX for Digital Multimedia v2.0 through a demo application showing Linux and the DSP/BIOS kernel included in the DM643X DVDP.

Rounding out the software offering is the DM6437 SoC Analyzer, TI’s high-level system tuning and visibility tool which enables developers to visualize SoC streaming data rather than be limited to post-mortem static data analysis. Capturing and graphically displaying system interactions and load distribution, isolate bottlenecks, identify unexpected behaviors, and benchmark application performance, developers are able to maximize efficiency and overall performance while eliminating tedious manual data collection and comparison.

See a Demonstration of the DVDP at TIDC

A demonstration of the new DVDP will be featured at the TI Developer Conference (TIDC) in booth #107. TIDC is the industry’s leading annual event featuring the latest in advanced digital signal processing, high-performance analog and microcontroller system designs. TIDC Worldwide 2007 will be held March 7 – 9, 2007 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. The conference offers hands-on interaction and intensive educational sessions with cutting-edge products designed to empower the development of the next-generation of video, audio, communications and industrial applications. For more information, visit www.ti.com/tidc2007.

Availability and Pricing

The DM6437 DVDP (TMDXVDP6437) is currently available in beta for $495. Codecs and additional software licenses, which are required for production, are available through any of TI’s Authorized Software Providers (ASPs). Production Licenses for the VLX for Digital Multimedia, v2.0 are available directly from VirtualLogix. For more information about TI’s DaVinci technology offerings, including digital media software, authorized software providers and video system development tools, see www.thedavincieffect.com. For more information on VirtualLogix VLX for Digital Multimedia, visit www.virtuallogix.com.