SoCs for set-top boxes have been introduced by Renesas Electronics. The EMMA3SE/P integrates functions necessary to receive digital broadcasts, including the ability to decode (decompress) digital video and audio signals and picture adjustment capabilities. The SoC, in addition to being suitable for set-top boxes providing H.264 HD viewing capabilities only, is targeted at high-volume segments such as the market for H.264 HD DVR products, including models with built-in hard disk drives. It is compatible with software for the company's earlier EMMA3SL/P SoC. The 40nm device has a 16bit DDR3 memory interface to reduce the pin count by about one-third compared with the earlier SoC. The package, 17×17mm is claimed to be the smallest in the industry, reducing both set-top box size and overall system cost by using a smaller PCB. In addition to compatibility with MPEG2, MPEG4 AVC, DivX, VC-1, WMV, and the Chinese standard AVS, the SoC adds support for H.264 MVC for 3D TV broadcasts as well as formats such as VP6 and Sorenson Spark for IP broadcasts and content streamed over the internet. The company has also introduced the EMMA3SL2/LP SoC, with support for standard definition broadcasts, which will ship at the same time.
