Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Videophone Development Platform?

The Videophone Development Platform (VDP) is a complete system solution for designing point-to-point broadband systems based on TI's TMS320DM643, a DSP-based digital media processor that has been optimized for videophones. VDP is an optimized, high-performance, real-time H.264 Baseline profile CIF (352 x 288) resolution videophone development platform that is based on TI's leading-edge DM64x™ digital signal processor (DSP).

How is VDP unique?

The VDP is unique in that it is a fully-optimized, cost-effective system that can run H.264 baseline profile encode & decode CIF resolution in real-time. It enables OEMs to build high-quality videophones at minimum cost and accelerate time to market

Why is TI entering this market?

According to Wainhouse Research, an independent market research firm focused on media conferencing and communications fields, forecasts the overall personal video conferencing market to grow from about $21 million in 2003 to just shy of $180 million in 2008 - a compounded growth rate of about 53 percent. With the VDP, TI is providing OEMs the tools to support this emerging market.

Who is the target audience for the VDP and its end products?

Ideal customers for the VDP are OEMs and ODMs, who want to manufacture broadband (IP based) videophones targeted to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses, enterprise systems with broadband Internet connections.

Who is Wintech and why did TI choose to partner with them?

Wintech Digital Corp is a Beijing, China based third-party partner of TI that develops and markets TMS320 DSP based emulator systems, DSP application target boards, DSP teaching systems and DSP application software solutions. They have a strong support presence in the China market, and they are the largest provider of DM64x-based systems there.

Why use programmable DSP's for videophone applications?

Programmable DSPs are the ideal video engine for the video processing requirements of videophones. Previous generations of videophones may have used custom ASIC video engines, however these hardwired devices are not able to handle the new variety of video/audio codecs, streaming protocols on the market today, nor are they able to be upgraded easily. The fully software programmable DM643, which was chosen for the VDP, is able to handle on a single chip, the H.264 baseline profile encode and decode at 25 fps (PAL) and calls based on the H.323 or SIP protocol.

What are the benefits the end user can look forward to based on this technology?

The development of a broadband videophone product with a high-quality A/V experience can take many person years with large development R&D teams and other staffing requirements. By providing OEMs with a complete working system solution, hardware board design schematics and application/system software, they are able to build low-cost, high-performance, real-time CIF-quality videophones in months rather than many person years..

What end equipments will benefit from this product?

The VDP is targeted at broadband (IP-based) videophones, however the system could also be expanded to suit video conferencing client end point designs and video telephony application development.

What is included in the VDP?

On the hardware side, each VDP consists of two videophones that include:

  • Videophone LCD display and camera subsystem
  • Videophone processor board subsystem, power supplies connectivity interface and keyboard
  • Ethernet N/W hub box and cable

The VDP also includes the application software that is needed to get the system testing and running smoothly. These components are:

  • Application frameworks
  • Video codecs (H.264/H.263)
  • Audio codecs (G.723/G.711)
  • Communications Stack (H.323)
  • Network protocol (TCP/IP, RTP/RTCP)
  • User interface and demo applications
  • Getting started documents, user guides and software CD-ROM

How much does the new VDP cost?

The new VDP, complete with two endpoints, is priced at MSRP of US $6995.

What bandwidth does the VDP require to support real-time video?

The Videophone Development Platform (VDP) showcases real-time H.264 baseline profile video, CIF resolution at PAL (25 fps) with network bit-rates that can vary between 128Kbps to 256Kbps. Additionally, the VDP platform offers the option of user selectable H.264 video codec bit-rates (64kbps, 128kbps, 256kbps) for consumer broadband videophone applications. Also, full IP videophone real-time implementation can be supported under standard DSL uplink speeds.

How can I reduce my development time with the VDP?

The development of a videophone system with a high-quality A/V experience can take many person years. TI and Wintech are providing OEMs with a complete working system solution that includes, hardware board design schematics and application/system software, so they are able to build low-cost, high-performance, real-time CIF-quality videophones with a reduced time to market.

Why use a DM643 for my videophone instead of an H.264 chip?

While H.264 Baseline profile is the leading codec of choice right now for video telephony, the video compression standards are constantly changing. With a DM643, it will be possible to upgrade your design to support the next codec or feature/profile updates on the market and to alter and update your user interface if you choose to change it in the future. Overall, this gives you flexibility with the full software programmability of the DM643

Where can I purchase the VDP?

The VDP is available today and may be purchased from your local TI Sales Representative , an authorized distributor.

What is the part number?

TI part-number - TMDSVDP64X-2

For application software and hardware support, what are the options?

Wintech will provide worldwide application support for the VDP.Wintech can be contacted directly for additional details.