December 4, 2012, Seoul — NXP Semiconductors NV, a leader in high-resolution security video technology, today launched the Advanced ASC884Xa and ASC885xA series single-chip video processors for high-resolution IP security cameras that are up to six times sharper than before.

These processors are capable of raw image data input, image signal processing, and H.264 compression, which are essential for IP camera design, as well as secure network transmission.

Capable of capturing 60 frames per second in Full HD resolution, this technology offers the best power efficiency and lowest bitrate with a power consumption of less than 1.5 W. It delivers the highest quality video images by supporting advanced image signal processing features, such as contour enhancement, as well as high-level noise reduction that enables excellent performance even in dark environments.

NXP is showcasing various solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) along with the ASC884xA and ASC885xA series at Security China 2012 in Beijing this week (Hall E1, H45). A demo can be viewed at http://youtu.be/RLTymPP5bag .

High-resolution IP cameras offer numerous advantages. Not only can real-time video be viewed via the internet from anywhere in the world, but the high-definition image quality also enables the recognition of identifying features such as faces and license plates, thereby enhancing security and allowing for a reduction in the number of cameras that need to be installed.

Previously, HD video image sensors amplified noise and reduced lighting sensitivity, presenting new technical challenges in image signal processing. Similar issues arose during the data compression process for network transmission, forcing camera manufacturers to choose between image quality, bit rate, or power efficiency.

Rick Dumont, Global Marketing Director for IP Camera Products at NXP Semiconductors, stated, "With the announcement of the new Advanced video processor family, there is no longer a need to use high-power chips with poor image quality. It is receiving a very positive response from HD IP camera manufacturers and OEMs." He added, "The Advanced family takes network-based video surveillance technology to a new level, providing clear HD video images even at night, while also reducing network load and hard disk video storage space through the lowest bitrate H.264 High Profile compression. The savings in terms of cost, power consumption, and video data storage and ownership are truly massive. Furthermore, customers are highly encouraged by the development of Internet, Wi-Fi, and video conferencing cameras in the fields of smart homes, security management, and professional video security and surveillance."

While professional IP cameras currently offer 2-megapixel resolution, NXP’s Advanced family of HD IP cameras supports 12-megapixel original image sensor data, as well as SVC and ROI encoding, 5-megapixel video at a rate of 25 frames per second, or encoding to the same sensor resolution on both sides. Various image processing technologies support highly flexible 3D noise reduction, as well as contour enhancement and motion-adaptive de-interlacing functions.

The ASC8852A also supports H.264 High Profile at 60 frames per second at a bit rate of less than 5 Mbit/sec under standard lighting conditions and less than 1 Mbit/sec for optimal 3D noise reduction under low lighting conditions, providing the best video compression quality among products released today.

In addition to the flagship ASC8852A product delivering 1080p/60 performance, NXP plans to release a full range of pin-compatible Advanced ICs that support not only 1080p/30 (ASC8850A) but also 720p/30 (ASC8848A), all of which share common features such as unrivaled image processing quality, low power consumption, and low bit rates. The ASC8848A achieves H.264 encoding speeds of less than 500 kbit/s with a power consumption level close to 0.5 W.

Release Schedule
Evaluation samples of ASC8848A, ASC8849A, ASC8850A, ASC8851A, and ASC8852A will be provided to major customers starting in the first quarter of 2013, and mass production is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2013.

Related links
• Video: HD IP Security Camera for Network Monitoring: http://youtu.be/RLTymPP5bag
• NXP Advanced ASC884xA and ASC885xA Product Family Information: http://www.nxp.com/products/identification_and_security/security_and_surveillance_ip_camera/series/ASC884X_5XA_SERIES.html

• Advanced ASC88452A for 1080p/60: http://www.nxp.com/pip/ASC8852AET