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:

3D Technology.

3D Technology is a part of Pixelworks’ SoCs and Co-processors which enables conversion of various 3D input formats including those specified in HDMI 1.4a specification to multiple display formats like Frame Sequential, and Line Alternating. In addition, the 3D technology also allows for support for different wired and wireless glasses like those from nVidia.

n2m™

MotionEngine supports adaptive frame rate control using Pixelworks proprietary n2m™ technology. n2m allows for any frame rate to any refresh rate conversion for example 15fps to 120hz.

r2R™

r2R™ is a Pixelworks’ proprietary SuperScaler and Noise Reduction technology that allows for scaling of very low resolution content (e.g. Internet content like YouTube) to Full HD resolution. r2R uses multiframe approach to significantly improve the video details in the process of scaling, and reduce the ghosting by applying noise reduction to both foreground and background video.

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.

Color Management Pro™ Technology.

Our sophisticated programmable Color Management Pro™ technology makes it possible to display consistent color images from video and computer graphics by adjusting to the different gamma characteristics of individual display devices. Our color processing core is fully programmable, and allows correction (local hue adjustment) and enhancement of color (saturation adjustment) independently without impacting other colors. It also performs flesh tone correction (FTC), white point shift, and has flexibility to perform different types of gamut re-mapping depending on the individual panel gamut characteristics.The new color management core also supports xvYCC color standard.

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, by applying horizontal and vertical keystone correction, pin-cushion, and barrel correction so that the image is adjusted and “squared up.” Our latest digital keystone correction technology offers a unique approach to keystone correction up to full HD and WUXGA resolution systems.

MotionEngine™.

MotionEngine™ utilizes MEMC technology to eliminate motion artifacts, often referred to as “judder” and “blur.” Our MotionEngineTM 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.

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.

3D 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.

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.

Chroma Key Window.

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.