The Mpact media processor redefines the multimedia PC

Author

Foley, P.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Product Planning, Chromatic Res., USA

fYear

1996

Firstpage

311

Lastpage

318

Abstract

By implementing all seven key multimedia functions (MPEG video, 2D graphics, 3D graphics, audio, fax/modem, telephony, and videophone) using a single media processor, Chromatic Research has redefined the multimedia PC. Utilizing a high bandwidth RAMBUS RDRAM for media memory and a VLIW SIMD internal architecture, the Mpact M1 media processor is able to deliver 2 BOPS of sustained integer performance at a price point significantly below alternative discrete hardware implementations. By cooperatively solving multimedia tasks with the host processor, by supporting Win ´95 APIs, and by supporting PC legacy needs such as VGA graphics and FM audio, the M1 raises the bar on base PC multimedia functionality.

Keywords

application program interfaces; computer graphic equipment; computer graphics; facsimile; facsimile equipment; interactive video; microcomputers; microprocessor chips; modems; multimedia computing; parallel architectures; telephony; utility programs; 2D graphics; 3D graphics; Chromatic Research; FM audio; MPEG video; Mpact M1 media processor; PC legacy needs; VGA graphics; VLIW SIMD internal architecture; Windows ´95 APIs; audio; cooperative multimedia task solving; fax/modem; high bandwidth RAMBUS RDRAM; host processor; media memory; multimedia PC; multimedia functions; sustained integer performance; telephony; videophone; Bandwidth; CMOS technology; Costs; Graphics; Hardware; Motion estimation; Multimedia systems; Random access memory; Streaming media; Telephony;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Compcon '96. 'Technologies for the Information Superhighway' Digest of Papers

Conference_Location

Santa Clara, CA, USA

ISSN

1063-6390

Print_ISBN

0-8186-7414-8

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CMPCON.1996.501789

Filename

501789