Broadcom's Crystal HD to Enable HD Media on Netbooks

Netbooks have already evolved from low-performance devices, barely usable for Internet browsing and document processing, to machines that, although still not in the same league with notebooks, have started to integrate more and more graphics and media rendering capabilities. Broadcom promises even better netbook capabilities with its new chip, which will allow such devices to handle even HD media files. Current plans include using the Crystal HD technology with the new Atom N450 processor and Intel's NM10 Express chipset.

“We recognize that OEMs have the desire to offer HD video playback on netbooks, and are pleased that Intel has validated Broadcom as an HD solution provider for the Intel Atom platform for netbooks,” said Dan Eiref, Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom’s Consumer Electronics Line of Business. “Our Crystal HD technology provides high quality video playback within a low power, low cost solution that will enhance the consumer netbook experience in 2010.”

The Crystal HD technology is based on the Broadcom BCM70015 single-chip HD video decoder and is a low-power and low-cost solution for effective and quality playback of HD media files, even multi-format files such as H.264/AVC, MPEG-2, VC-1, WMV9, MPEG-4, DivX, Xvid and AVS. The technology also provides software support for Adobe Flash® Player v10.1 and Windows Media® Player v12, besides other, third-party media players.

“People on the move have declared the Inspiron Mini a favorite companion device that enables Web surfing, email, listening to music and sharing user-generated content in real time, wherever they are,” said Brian Pitstick, General Manager, Dell’s Mobile Products Group. “Now they can add rich, high definition entertainment experiences, including smooth HD video playback, powered by Broadcom Crystal HD technology.”

Top-tier hardware makers, such as Asus, Dell and Samsung, are, reportedly, already planning on using the new Broadcom chip in their upcoming Atom N450 netbooks. The first laptops using the Crystal HD will likely come out during the next year.