The concept design is capable of demonstrating multi-channel, multi-zone output from a variety of sources, including set-top box, PVR, DVD, mobile audio players, internal hard disk, mobile storage media, and Ethernet. Yamaha recently showed the prototype in action at the CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis, September 2005.

According to Yamaha officials, digital audio and video are allowing people to enjoy entertainment at home more conveniently than ever, and the company’s Networked AV Center prototype design makes listening to, viewing, and organizing that content a rewarding and seamless experience. Yamaha sought a processor that would bring together audio, video, and image processing and control functions just as seamlessly as their design objective.

A single Blackfin Processor provides convergent processing for the Yamaha prototype. That is, the Blackfin architecture is able to perform both media and control processing for the Networked AV Center, eliminating the requirement for a separate digital signal processor (DSP) and microcontroller. The Blackfin Processor combines best-in-class DSP performance with microcontroller functionality, enabling a single chip media solution that can be augmented via software upgrade to keep ahead of the technology curve.

“This concept from Yamaha shows how a home entertainment system can successfully combine the convenience of a consumer-electronics product with PC-style features such as hard-disk storage, removable memory, and network connectivity. The Network AV Center is truly a superb showcase for the Blackfin Processor’s convergent processing abilities,” said Brian McAloon, vice president, DSP and Systems Products Group, Analog Devices, Inc.

In the Yamaha prototype, the Blackfin Processor carries out high-performance video playback from PC and streaming sources via Ethernet, while simultaneously performing high-quality audio playback by decoding formats including AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC, and WMA.

The AV Center’s consumer-friendly design is also supported by the Blackfin Processor’s ability to drive on-screen menus presented on a display, which lets users make their entertainment selections through a remote control device.

Blackfin in Convergent Processing
Analog Devices’ Blackfin Processors embody a new breed of 16/32-bit embedded processor with the industry’s highest performance and power efficiency for applications where a convergence of capabilities — multiformat audio, video, voice and image processing; multi-mode baseband and packet processing; and real-time security and control processing — are critical. It is this powerful combination of software flexibility and scalability that has gained Blackfin widespread adoption in convergent applications such as portable and networked media players; automotive telematics, infotainment and driver assistance; satellite and terrestrial radio; and networked security systems.