NSCC Launches First AVS SD Decoder Optimized For The ARM Cortex-A8 Processor With NEON Technology

BEIJING, CHINA and CAMBRIDGE, UK -- July 1, 2009 -- ARM  and National Source Coding Center (NSCC), a leader in Chinese GB AVS codec industry, today announced that NSCC has successfully developed the first AVS Standard Definition (SD) decoder optimized for the ARM® Cortex™-A8 processor with NEON™ technology.  The AVS (GB/T GB/T200090.2) is the second generation of source coding/decoding standard developed by the AVS Workgroup (Audio and Video Coding Standard Workgroup of China). This technology primarily addresses the problem of coding and compressing audio and video data. Since becoming the national standard in 2006, many Chinese consumer electronics manufacturers have adopted the technology.

The ARM Cortex-A8 processor is the first applications processor based on the ARMv7 architecture with powerful NEON media processing extensions to accelerate media codecs with 128-bit SIMD capability. It is also ARM’s first superscalar processor capable of executing multiple instructions simultaneously and features Thumb®-2 technology, which maximizes code density and power efficiency while delivering performance of more than 2.0 DMIPS/MHz.

“The ARM Cortex-A8 processor with ARM NEON™ technology is becoming widely acknowledged as the leading computing platform for multimedia applications,” said Dr. Jun Tan, ARM China president. “The launch of this decoder solution on the Cortex-A8 processor is a milestone for the commercialization of the Chinese GB AVS standard. The decoder can be used in various applications such as home audio and video systems, handheld multimedia devices, and in-car media players. Optimizing this AVS decoder for ARM NEON technology found on the popular Cortex-A8 processor helps to enable the wider adoption of this Chinese standard. ”

Through close collaboration with ARM, the Cortex-A8 processor-based GB AVS SD decoder developed by NSCC is optimized for NEON technology at the algorithm-level and platform-level so as to decode AVS SD programs running at only 400MHz. The key features of this decoder include:

1. Full support to GB/T200090.2 JiZhunProfile at level4.0 standard;
2. SD decoding with resolution of up to 720x576 at 25fps;
3. Frame/field code stream;
4. YUV420 planar and yuv422 packet output format;
5. Deblocking loop filtering, 1/4 pel MV, multi-slice, and so forth.

As one of the initiators of the AVS standard, NSCC has launched a series of AVS products and solutions supporting SD and HD. The company, based in Beijing, China has since become a leader in the AVS industry with strong R&D capabilities.

About ARM:
ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM’s comprehensive product offering includes 32-bit RISC microprocessors, graphics processors, video engines, enabling software, cell libraries, embedded memories, high-speed connectivity products, peripherals and development tools. Combined with comprehensive design services, training, support and maintenance, and the company’s broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com.

About NSCC:
Founded in December 2003, NSCC is dedicated to developing, manufacturing, selling and marketing AVS codecs. It provides the advanced video and audio AVS solutions and technical support. As one of the initiators of the AVS standard, NSCC is devoted to the development and promotion of the AVS Standard. The major products the company provides include: AVS Powercoder family of real-time offline single/multi channel decoders, core decoders supporting diverse DSPs and ARM processors, AVS-PC player and plug-ins. Its products have been widely adopted in the IPTV, terrestrial DTV, remote education system, Internet stream media and the Real-Time mobile monitoring applications. More information on NSCC is available at http://www.nscc.cn.