With the current shift from SDTV to HDTV and with a move from tape to digital files, there is a need to ensure that picture quality is maximized. For this reason, there has been the emergence of strong demand for 10-bit encoding, which enables an even higher gradation, compared to 8-bit encoding in H.264/AVC compression.

"NTT Electronics is the world's first company to launch H.264/AVC encoder/decoder LSI products with 4:2:2 support for video transmission. This high-quality video compression technology has gained an excellent reputation around the world for various broadcasting needs," said Mr. Shoichi Otake, General Manager of NTT Electronics' 1st Product Group.

The evolution of H.264/AVC encoding technology has enabled the 10-bit encoding utility to be visualized; and has led NTT Electronics to take a proactive step in ensuring that their H.264/AVC encoder/decoder LSI family is complemented with 10-bit encoding as an effort to meet increasing industry needs and expectations.

As NTT Electronics continues its enhancement efforts on 8-bit products, the company is setting a launch plan that brings proactive steps to develop a new generation 10-bit encoder/decoder LSI family. Mr. Otake reassured that "in assessing and responding to market needs in a timely fashion, NTT Electronics will aim to provide, globally, the next generation H.264/AVC encoder/decoder LSI family complemented with 10-bit encoding."

  Notes to the Editor:
 
  -- NTT Electronics will be exhibiting the 10-bit AVC-Intra decoder LSI (to
     be launched in December 2009) for reference at "Embedded Technology
     2009," on November 18-20, at Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama City, as
     prelude to announcing at least ten models in the H.264/AVC
     encoder/decoder LSI family.
 
  -- Target announcement schedule for NTT Electronics' next generation
     H.264/AVC encoder/decoder LSI family.
 
     2009, December    10-bit AVC-Intra decoder
     2010, April       10-bit 4:2:2 1080i60 multi-format (H.264/MPEG-2)
                       decoder
     2011, Q1          10-bit 4:2:2 1080p60 decoder
                       1-chip 4:2:0 2-pass encoder
     2011, Q2          4:2:0 1080p60 encoder
                       MPEG-2 TS & MXF dual-stream encoder
                       4:2:2 ultra-low latency encoder
     2011, Q3          1-chip 1080i dual encoder
     2012, Q1-         2-chip 4:2:2 2-pass encoder
                       12-bit 4:2:2 1080p60 encoder
 
 
  About NTT Electronics Corporation

NTT Electronics is a market leader in the fields of digital video, photonics and broadband networking. As a member of the NTT Group, one of the world's leading telecommunications companies, NTT Electronics develops and supplies LSI devices and equipment incorporating superior, state-of-the-art technology for video processing and communications. The company's video compression technologies are adopted by many broadcasting stations and are highly rated in both domestic and overseas markets. Under the slogan of "Creator of Real High Definition," the company has been strongly supporting broadcasting stations to enable the transmission, editing and broadcasting of high-quality videos.