World's first single-chip 8K video decoder

Introduced as the world's first single-chip SoC that can process decoding of 8K resolution HEVC video, Socionext’s SCH801A was developed in cooperation with NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai Japan Broadcasting Corporation), and has successfully performed decoding of 8K test streaming data. Hardware makers will be able to utilize their existing digital TV SoCs in combination with the SCH801A to quickly and easily develop 8K TV sets and significantly accelerate the move of 8K TVs into the market. An ultra-high definition format of digital video 8k offers 33 million pixels, 16 times as many as that of 'Full HD' which is widely available today. In Japan, test broadcasting of 8K is scheduled to be launched in 2016, and the start of the full service will follow by 2018, delivering a super-realistic image enabling a completely new viewing experience. Digital TV requires decoding video signals transmitted in compressed format. Conventionally, decoding high-resolution, high-definition 8K images required parallel processing with multiple CPUs. High-speed, stable processing with low power consumption is essential to promote 8K TVs into popular use. The SCH801A conforms with the standard 'ARIB STD-B32 Part I' for HEVC encoding of super high-definition satellite broadcasting in Japan, and is capable of decoding 8K 60P at one channel with a single chip. It is equipped with one lane of PCI Express Gen2, and four channels of HDMI 2.0 Tx as external interfaces. Utilizing test-generated streaming data, Socionext successfully performed the decoding of 8K image. The company plans to start volume shipping of the device in November.