Core Technologies
Pixelworks core technology portfolio of advanced video algorithms and intellectual property addresses a broad range of challenges in digital video and can be implemented across multiple products. The majority of our products include one or more of the following technologies to provide high-quality video solutions to our customers:
- Adaptive Image Optimization.
- Our products must translate a broad range of signals in standard and non-standard formats. We use a proprietary image processing technique to identify the characteristics of an incoming signal and configure the system to produce the best possible image.
- Advanced Image Scaling and Shaping.
- We have developed innovative, industry-leading image scaling technologies that intelligently enlarge or compress images for display in different resolutions or aspect ratios, which is the ratio of width to height of display screens.
- Chroma Key Window.
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- Chroma Key Window technology enables improved video performance on hybrid PC-TV systems. The Chroma Key Window creates a flexible, resizable picture-in-picture window that displays an alternative video source such as a set-top box or DVD player. The advantage is better image quality, since the content is displayed using hardware to perform the video processing rather than relying on the PC to handle it, which burdens the microprocessor and uses software video processing, generally resulting in lower image quality.
- Color Compensation Technology.
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- Our sophisticated custom color compensation technology makes it possible to display consistent color images from video and computer graphics, which use very different color palettes, on different display devices. Our color processing technology compensates for variations in the color performance of a display. Using our approach, any color can be addressed independently and adjusted without impacting other colors.
- Digital Keystone Correction.
- We pioneered digital keystone correction technology, which is now established as a key feature in multimedia projectors. When projecting an image, if the digital projector is not perpendicular to the surface on which it is projecting the image, the image will be distorted. Our digital keystone correction modifies the geometry of the image in our ImageProcessor IC so that it will appear that the image is “squared up.” Our latest digital keystone correction technology, ARK Engine, offers a unique approach to keystone correction for full HD resolution systems.
- DNX MotionEngine.
- DNX MotionEngine utilizes MEMC technology to eliminate motion artifacts, often referred to as “judder” and “blur.” Our DNX MotionEngine uses proprietary algorithms to dramatically improve motion performance in large, flat panel, high-resolution TVs.
- Dynamic Deblocking.
- This technology smoothes blocking artifacts that are common in moving picture experts group (“MPEG”) encoded content. MPEG digital compression techniques can introduce visual artifacts that appear as visible blocks in the video image. Our dynamic deblocking technology is able to detect these artifacts and implements proprietary algorithms to eliminate the edges of the blocks and improve image quality.
- Fully Customizable On-Screen Display.
- Our technology couples an integrated on-screen display controller with our industry-first development application. These technologies allow customers who are designing ImageProcessor semiconductors into their display products to quickly develop and implement their own unique user interfaces with up to 256 colors that can incorporate graphics and colorful icons in start-up displays and menus.
- Motion-Adaptive De-Interlacing.
- We have developed a proprietary video processing technology to convert interlaced content into progressive content that virtually eliminates image artifacts such as stair-stepping, often referred to as “jaggies,” that can occur with less sophisticated techniques. Our motion-adaptive de-interlacing is able to analyze the content and apply the most appropriate methods for both standard television formats and also high definition television (“HDTV”) formats. In addition, motion-adaptive de-interlacing automatically recognizes when incoming signals were originally captured on film so that special methods are employed to display the content.
- Noise Reduction.
- Digital displays often appear to create movement where none exists because pixels flicker in areas where there is no motion, creating a distracting shimmering effect. This is referred to as “noise.” We have developed proprietary technology that minimizes noise for a stable, accurate video image.
- PixelAmp™ Color Processing.
- PixelAmp color processing is a proprietary video processing technique that increases color performance and enhances edges for more brilliant, crisper images. For lower resolution content, PixelAmp technology recovers clarity, which improves the consumer viewing experience especially in high-end television systems. The PixelAmp technology also includes a demonstration mode that can display an image showing side-by-side screens of content with and without the edge and color enhancements, which is useful for differentiating products in retail environments.