Silicon Image Releases First HDMI 1.3 Semiconductors

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Aug. 15 - Silicon Image, Inc., a leader in semiconductors for the secure storage, distribution and presentation of high-definition content, today announced the world's first High-Definition Multimedia Interface(TM) (HDMI(TM)) 1.3 transmitters and receivers, which will enable the next generation of DVD players and HDTVs to transmit and receive content in billions of colors with unprecedented vividness and accuracy.

The VastLane SiI 9133, an advanced dual-input HDMI receiver, will enable HDTVs to display Deep Color content transmitted by a new generation of consumer products, such as the Sony PlayStation 3 and high-definition DVD players. The VastLane SiI 9134 transmitter may be integrated into HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc DVD players and recorders to transmit Deep Color content for the highest-quality image for the end consumer. The SiI 9134 also supports new high-bit rate audio formats, delivering a rich audio experience.

"Sony has indicated that the PlayStation 3 is expected to ship in November of this year with the ability to render the highest-quality video ever seen in a consumer device," said Dale Zimmerman, vice president of marketing at Silicon Image. "The SiI 9133 receiver matches the capabilities of the PlayStation 3 and makes it possible for HDTV manufacturers to ship products this year that are capable of displaying Deep Color images, for the highest-quality gaming experience and fullest enjoyment of high-definition movies. The SiI 9134 brings these same benefits to next generation DVD players, with additional support for the latest high-quality audio formats, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio."

The SiI 9133 and SiI 9134, which are part of Silicon Image's VastLane family of HDMI products, support 30-bit and 36-bit color depths (4:4:4 RGB or YCbCr), up from the 24-bit color depths displayed in the current generation of HDTVs. Next-generation HDTVs with Deep Color support will be able to display content from Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD players in their highest resolutions.

Silicon Image has now completed the Deep Color pipeline from source device to display panel glass. Deep Color content can now travel from a DVD player or game console via a SiI 9134 transmitter, over an HDMI cable, to a SiI 9133 receiver in an HDTV, through the SiI 7170 and SiI 7171 internal links, to the display panel glass.

Benefits of Deep Color Support Include:

• Allows HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors
• Eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors
• Enables increased contrast ratio
• Can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white. At 30-bit color depth, four times more shades of gray would be the minimum, and the typical improvement would be eight times or more.
• Higher Bandwidth, Support for Latest-Generation 120Hz Displays

The SiI 9133 and SiI 9134 deliver a significant boost in bandwidth, from 4.95 gigabits per second to 6.75 Gbps, over previous HDMI chips. This lets them support Deep Color displays with video resolutions of up to 1080p at 60Hz and 36-bits per pixel color depth, matching the output of the PlayStation 3.

The higher bandwidth also lets the chips support the latest-generation of fast-refresh displays used for gaming and other demanding applications. The SiI 9133 and SiI 9134 will support resolutions of 1080i and 720p at 120Hz and 36-bits per pixel color depth, providing a crisper image with fast moving video. The two chips support true 12-bit video processing (with 14-bit internal processing for greater accuracy) for RGB to YCbCr and YCbCr to RGB color space conversion and 4:4:4/4:2:2 up/down sampling.

The SiI 9133 is an advanced dual-input HDMI receiver that fits directly into digital televisions such as rear projection microdisplays, LCD-TVs, plasma displays and front projectors. It is backward-compatible with previously-released HDMI receivers from Silicon Image. The SiI 9134 transmitter is designed for HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc players/recorders and audio-visual receivers. It is backward-compatible with previously-released HDMI transmitters from Silicon Image. The SiI 9133 and SiI 9134 have both HDCP Built In Self Test (BIST) and One Time Programmable (OTP) keys for the highest level of security and lowest cost. To test for plug-and-play compatibility with a broad range of high-definition devices, the SiI 9133 and SiI 9134 have been submitted for verification to the Simplay HD interoperability testing program offered by Simplay Labs, LLC.

New Lossless Audio Formats, Power Management
The SiI 9134 can transmit the new, lossless compressed digital audio formats supported in HDMI 1.3: Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio(TM). The two chips also handle other HDMI-supported audio formats, including high- bandwidth uncompressed digital audio and compressed formats such as Dolby® Digital and DTS. The SiI 9133 and SiI 9134 also support SACD and DVD audio formats. Both products provide flexible power-down modes.

Pricing and Availability
The SiI 9133 is currently in production, and is priced at $9.70 in 10K quantities. The SiI 9134 is currently sampling to customers with production scheduled for October, and is priced at $5.25 in 10K quantities. The SiI 9133 is packaged in a 404-pin BGA and the SiI 9134 is packaged in a 100-pin TQFP.

About HDMI
HDMI is the first and only consumer electronics industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audiovideo interface. By delivering crystal-clear, all-digital audio and video via a single cable, HDMI dramatically simplifies cabling and helps provide consumers with the highest-quality home theater experience. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV), over a single cable.

About Silicon Image, Inc.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Silicon Image, Inc. is a leader in driving the architecture and semiconductor implementations for the secure storage, distribution and presentation of high-definition content in the consumer electronics and personal computing markets. Silicon Image creates and drives industry standards for digital content delivery such as HDMI, DVI, UDI, and SATA leveraging partnerships with global leaders in the consumer electronics and personal computing markets to meet the growing digital content needs of consumers worldwide. The Simplay HD Testing Program provides compatibility testing for high definition consumer electronics devices such as HDTVs, set-top boxes, audio/video receivers and DVD players, helping manufacturers to achieve compatibility and deliver the highest-quality HDTV experience to consumers. Silicon Image is the leading provider of proven semiconductor intellectual property solutions for high-definition multimedia and data storage applications. For more information, please visit www.siliconimage.com .