Abstract :
It is pointed out that in order to handle video effectively on a low-cost system such as the PC, special-purpose hardware is needed to improve the restricted functionality of the host hardware. In order to improve this baseline performance, hardware accelerators must be added to the system, and the time-intensive functions of video processing and the related data transfers of large-bandwidth information must be moved into the subsystem. With this approach, video playback, capture, and compression are possible on a low-cost system. Also, the ability to handle multiple concurrent streams of video becomes possible. In addition, dedicated hardware can be added to make professional level video possible. As upgrades of the host system become faster and more flexible, the accelerator hardware will still be useful, and become more effective until professional level video will be available even with these low-cost configurations.<>
Keywords :
microcomputer applications; technological forecasting; telecommunications computing; video equipment; PC; baseline performance; data transfers; dedicated hardware; future; hardware accelerators; host hardware; large-bandwidth information; low-cost system; multiple concurrent streams; professional level video; restricted functionality; special-purpose hardware; time-intensive functions; video acceleration; video playback; video processing; Acceleration; Bandwidth; Call conference; Delay; Hardware; High definition video; Image resolution; Pixel; Video compression; Videoconference;
