NEC chip allows phones with 1080p video
updated 09:30 am EST, Fri February 6, 2009
NEC CE143 Phone Chip
NEC today unveiled a new processor it says should significantly bolster the media capabilities of cellphones. The CE143 can process photos at 12 megapixels but also supports decoding 1080p video, letting any equipped device play full HD without needing a more advanced graphics chipset. The still photo mode also has features normally reserved for still cameras, such as fast face detection for portraits, image stabilization and a "super resolution" technique that can reduce the blur and pixelation when using digital zoom.
The Japanese chipmaker plans to demonstrate CE143 at this month's Mobile World Congress show and will start giving phone manufacturers samples in March with a goal of mass production in April. No customers have been mentioned, though the samples will cost about $44 each; volume devices may cost less. [via Tech-On]
oh good
02/06, 09:56am reply
Because we know the importance of having HD video on a 3" screen.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Re: oh good
02/06, 10:20am reply
Maybe not, but it would be nice to be able to simply plug in a portable device to a larger screen don't you think?
greenG4
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Useless for taking photos
02/06, 10:39am reply
Although this may be good for processing and viewing photos, it cannot improve the quality. Any photographer will tell you it is the glass in front; so until they finish the development of the variable focal point liquid lenses, you will always get a crappy photo. In this case, a crappy 12MP photo taken with a 1/8" plastic lens.
video is a bit more interesting, especially if I can hook my phone up to a tv (not sure how, don't see many phones with DVI out...).
However, this technology sounds good, and will obviously work its way into other areas.
dynsight
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
@dynsight
02/06, 11:08am reply
I think it was samsung who plans on releasing an iphone 'killer'. Point of the matter is that the phone will apparently have HDMI out. It was on electronista yesterday.
gitcypher
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Joined: Jul 2007
I thought there was
02/06, 11:52am reply
more to it than just having a high megapixel chip in a cellphone. The lens certainly would be important. It's just that it seems these cellphone companies are always making such a big deal about having a higher megapixel count than the iPhone. I suppose Apple would have to make a deal with a high quality lens manufacturer if they wanted to go higher than 2 megapixels and still get decent quality. I'm just guessing.
I still think companies are getting carried away about turning cellphones into some sort of super high-end device that does everything yet is still hindered by a marginal battery size.
Constable Odo
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Joined: Aug 2007