Hitachi intros resolution enhancement technology

Hitachi is expected to demonstrate a new video up-converting technology at the CEATEC show in Japan due to start next week, according to a Thursday report. The company claims its super resolution technology will not only convert DVD and SDTV images into near 1080p HD resolution, but it also has the capability of improving the way HDTV broadcasts look. While no specific information on how the process works was revealed, a Hitachi researcher explained it analyzes the luminance signals of input images before processing multiple regions at a time.

Hitachi says its super resolution technology processes images on a frame-by-frame basis, and does so in real-time. It has the ability to selectively process SDTV and HDTV images on the same screen that occur during relay broadcasts, for example, upconverting either. Also, the software can differentiate between a sharp image, such as a close-up, and less vivid areas, including backgrounds, thereby not having an adverse effect on perspective. This is in contrast with existing upconverting methods, which enhance images from a specific resolution at a fixed rate.

Hitachi is planning on integrating the super resolution technology into its LCD and plasma HDTVs after 2010. It plans to develop a dedicated processing LSI chipset and work on developing the software.