Zii processor promises Blu-ray grade video
updated 10:00 am EST, Mon November 9, 2009
ZiiLabs ZMS-08 decods HQ 1080p
ZiiLabs today claimed a milestone in mobile processors with the ZMS-08, its second new chip in a year. The new design blends the existing many-core design of the original ZMS-05 with a 1GHz ARM Cortex processor and should process video at a level previously unseen in mobile chips. While other chips can decode 1080p video, the new design reportedly processes the HD output in High Profile H.264, or enough quality to match Blu-ray.
The system is flexible enough that it can play back and encode 720p at the same time or encode 1080p video at 24 frames per second. Its 3D and audio capabilities have been given a boost and can process a billion pixels per second, with OpenGL ES 2.0 visual features, as well as X-Fi sound effects.
Creative-run ZiiLabs says the processor is targeted to portable media players, tablets, networked media hubs and other devices that can supply HD. The ZMS-08 is already being tested by unnamed companies today and should enter mass production in winter 2010.
