A single-chip MPEG2 422@ML video, audio, and system encoder with a 162-MHz media-processor and dual motion estimation cores

A single chip MPEG2 video, audio, and system encoder for various applications such as PC authoring, DVD-recorder and digital TV has been described. It performs real-time 422@ML video encoding, Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG1 audio encoding, and system encoding which multiplexes the video and audio streams and generates a transport stream or a program stream. The encoder LSI employs an advanced hybrid architecture with a 162-MHz media-processor and dedicated video processing hardware. This architecture not only realizes a complete encoder but also achieves the high flexibility required for improving picture quality. Dual motion estimation cores, fine ME for high search precision and coarse ME for a wide search range, are integrated for optimal motion vector search. The encoder LSI is implemented using 0.25 micron four-metal CMOS technology and integrates 11 million transistors in an area of 14.2×14.2 mm ²