Cirrus Logic Unveils 3.3 Volt LCD Graphics Controller That Brings Desktop Performance to Portable PCs.FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 1997--Cirrus Logic Inc., (Nasdaq: CRUS crus (krus) pl. cru´ra [L.] 1. leg (1). 2. a leglike part. crus ce´rebri ) today announced a new low-power, high- performance 64-bit graphics controller (CL-GD7556) for the portable PC market. Requiring only 3.3 Volts to operate, the new entry delivers desktop performance and features as well as display-mode support at a 40 percent reduction in power consumption when compared to 5 Volt solutions. The second product in Cirrus Logic's line of GUI-accelerated XGA/SVGA LCD VisualMedia(TM) controllers, this product also provides extremely flexible and effective multimedia and TV-out capabilities for OEMs designing next-generation portable computers. The new CL-GD7556 delivers the industry's highest performing 2D graphics acceleration and video quality at only 3.3 Volts for increased battery life. The improved graphics acceleration is accomplished through a true 64-bit architecture (64-bit BitBLT engine, memory interface and data paths) and an ability to effectively eliminate setup latency during BitBLT operations by double buffering BitBLT setup registers. With its MotionVideo(TM) Acceleration features, the CL-GD7556 also brings unparalleled video performance and quality to the mainstream notebook market. "The CL-GD7556 allows us to deliver a best-of-class graphics and video solution and still offer a savings in power, which is vital in the portable market," stated Art Swift, vice president of marketing for Cirrus Logic's Graphics Company. "We are not only meeting the performance requirements for the portable market, but the advanced features of our VisualMedia controllers also rival the best desktop solutions on the market today." MotionVideo Acceleration Cirrus Logic's Motion Video Acceleration technology includes a color space converter, continuous hardware scaling and support for mixed color depths through a multi-format frame buffer (RGB (Red Green Blue) The computer's native color space, which is the color system for capturing and displaying images. RGB was derived from our own perception of color because human eyes are sensitive to red, green and blue (see trichromaticity). , YUV The color encoding system used for analog television worldwide (NTSC, PAL and SECAM). The YUV color space (color model) differs from RGB, which is what the camera captures and what humans view. and AccuPak(TM)), enabling up to 16.8M color video to be displayed simultaneously on top of 256-color surrounding graphics. Enhanced Video Quality Advanced video features of the CL-GD7556 include a powerful X and Y interpolated interpolated /in·ter·po·lat·ed/ (in-ter´po-la?ted) inserted between other elements or parts. scaling engine and an innovative color/brightness correction capability. The scaling engine, with EST EST electroshock therapy. EST abbr. electroshock therapy (edge-sharpening technology), provides DSTN (1) (Dual-scan STN) An enhanced STN passive matrix LCD display. The screen is divided into halves, and each half is scanned simultaneously, thereby doubling the number of lines refreshed per second and providing a sharper appearance. panel support for continuous video scaling up to 1024 x 768. The CL-GD7556 is also the first graphics controller that allows end-users to adjust the color and brightness of a video window independent of the overall display, in much the same way as adjusting a color TV. Now the end-user can compensate for both the characteristics of the specific display device to be used (i.e. TFT (Thin Film Transistor) The term typically refers to active matrix screens on laptop computers. Active matrix LCD provides a sharper screen display and broader viewing angle than does passive matrix. See LCD and thin film. TFT - Thin Film transistor , DSTN, CRT (1) (C RunTime) See runtime library. (2) (Cathode Ray Tube) A vacuum tube used as a display screen in a computer monitor or TV. The viewing end of the tube is coated with phosphors, which emit light when struck by electrons. , TV) and for the loss of color fidelity caused by video recording, compression and decompression. To support multimedia special effects, the CL-GD7556 provides hardware occlusion (destination color/chroma keying) and transparent BitBLT (source color/chroma keying). Microsoft Windows(R) 95 and DirectDraw(TM) emulate these functions in software; however, DirectDraw can recognize and use hardware support for these operations, greatly accelerating them. The CL-GD7556 provides V-Port support that allows for cost-effective implementation of many multimedia applications, such as MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video playback and teleconferencing as well as TV tuner and video capture capabilities. These V-Port related functions can be implemented on the motherboard or added later as ZV-Port enabled PC cards. Pricing and Availability The CL-GD7556 is available in 256-pin PBGA PBGA Plastic Ball Grid Array (plastic ball grid array “BGA” redirects here. For other uses, see BGA (disambiguation). A ball grid array (BGA) is a type of surface-mount packaging used for integrated circuits. ) or 256-pin PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Package) Refers to many varieties of QFP chip packages, which are molded in plastic. See QFP. (plastic quad flat pack) packages. Samples are available now, with production volumes available in March, 1997. Unit pricing for the product in volumes of 10,000 is $22 for the PBGA package and $21 for the PQFP package. Cirrus Logic Inc. is a leading manufacturer of advanced integrated circuits for the desktop and portable computing, telecommunications and consumer electronics markets. The Company applies its system-level expertise in digital and analog design to innovate highly integrated, software-rich solutions. Additional information about Cirrus Logic and its subsidiaries can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.cirrus.com/ or via fax-on-demand at 800/359-6414 (dial 510/249-4200 from outside the United States). -0- Note to Editors: (TM) All trademarks noted herein are registered to their respective owners. CONTACT: Cirrus Logic George Brecht, 510/249-4207 gbrecht@corp.cirrus.com or Tsantes & Associates Dean Fisk Fisk , James 1834-1872. American railroad financier and speculator who attempted in 1869 to corner the gold market with Jay Gould, leading to Black Friday, a day of nationwide financial panic. , 408/452-8700 dfisk@tsantes.com |
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