ZiiLabs to demo HD video for Android at MWC
By Laura June 
posted February 13th 2009 7:11PM
posted February 13th 2009 7:11PM
Looks like the zany folks over at ZiiLabs have more in store for us. They've announced that they'll be demoing HD video playback for Android with their ZMS-05 CPU at MWC (which starts on Monday, February 16th). So -- in essence, there's not too much new here -- the chip was on-hand at CES -- but we're happy to see it befriending old Android. There'll surely be more info coming out of Barcelona over the next week, but until then, you'll have to make due with the press release which is after the break.
ZiiLABS ZMS Processors Expand Media Acceleration Capabilities on Android Platform for Handheld Devices
Singapore - Feb. 12, 2009 - ZiiLABS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Creative Technology Ltd, today announced that it will demonstrate media acceleration capabilities enabling HD video playback for the Android open platform with its ZiiLABS ZMS-05 media processor and platforms. ZiiLABS will unveil the demonstration at the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona (16th-19th February).
The Android platform is a software stack for mobile devices including an operating system, middleware and key applications. ZiiLABS ZMS Processors work seamlessly with Android to provide media acceleration to meet the demands of media rich devices. Now for the first time, HD video playback up to 1080p on handheld devices will be available on the Android platform. ZiiLABS is committed to enabling its OEM and ODM customers the choice to deliver media-rich mobile platforms based on Android. The Company expects to release its Android platform to OEM partners during the summer of 2009.
"Android provides an excellent platform for enabling next-generation OEM devices based on our ZMS processors and platforms," said Tim Lewis, director of marketing, ZiiLABS. "Last month at the Consumer Electronics Show we launched the ZMS-05 based upon our StemCell™ Computing architecture. We are now expanding our support beyond our existing SDK to anyone who wishes to leverage the Android platform. At CES we demonstrated how HD video playback at 1080p can work on a handheld platform now, a feat which has been reported to only be achievable five years from now. By building upon our existing Linux SDK and optimized libraries we can take full advantage of the highly efficient, scalable ZMS architecture to deliver media-rich Android platforms with unprecedented acceleration, including HD video playback and advanced graphics."
A public demonstration and images of the ZiiLABS ZMS-05 media processor powering Android will be available on February 16 at MWC.
Will an application like this be coming to android ???
I don't understand the 'need' for HD video on a screen size that small. You can't see the High Definition detail on a screen that small...so what's the point again?
HDMI
Maybe it's to take an HD movie to a friends house and watch it there. It beats having to take my popcorn hour.
For those with Android, what file system does it use? Most HD movies I d/l at 4.+ gigs so fat 32 is a no go.
ATM we may not need the capability do watch HD vids on our handhelds nor is it even practical (due to your mention of screen size), but when we have sufficient storage and a capable video out interfaces, wouldnt it be nice to jack ur celle into a tv and watch king kong in high def, or even with a hi performance, inexpensive pico projector, run a video lecture to your students in class without having to lug out a laptop and projector.
It isn't that we need it now or if it maked any sense, its knowing that we have that capability in place and we can build on it. Heck 10 years ago if u asked anyone if they needed hi dev videos in their livingrooms, they wouldn't even know what hi def was.
I hope you understand my point.
I believe we knew what hi def was 10 years ago...
It is also now just a benchmark for processing power.
I was alive 10 years ago, my uncle who had been in the tech biz since i was a scratch in me daddy's pants didn't even know what hi def meant for displays. Ur saying that because ur obviously technically inclined, for the average layman its just a specification on a piece of paper.
Dooh!!! , forgot to put in article http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/02/remixable-album.html
cool. It's nice to see somebody willing to associate Android with decent hardware for a change.
And the 1080p output jack on my Android phone is going to be ... what now? They have a hard enough time putting a 3.5 headphone jack in!!!
You sir are a pendejo. What does Android has to do with a 3.5 jack on a phone or the lack of it?
I think they should first improve the battery life of the phones that are able to run android...before starting to release programs such as this. As it stands with my g1 settings lowered all the way, I will get about 5 hours out of a fully charged battery. Bullshit, or bullshit?
I seem to make it just fine, with the lowest amount i had left was with my GPS being on for 2 hours using google maps, and of course screwing around on WiFI as well as playing Bonsai Blast(i love it, closest to Zuma you can get) and i still had 43% battery left. You, sir, have a battery issue. Did you do the deplete, recharge, deplete thing? If not i don't think its too late.
I don't think this ZiiLabs thing is simply a programme, rather its a media rich processing chip. What the chip can apparently do is that it has software programmable processing elements which enables it to utilise only the units that is required which makes it highly energy efficient and powerful. Thus, if the G1 were to replace its current Qualcomm chip with this Zii chip, I'm sure the battery life will improve greatly. But HD video playback on a hp? That I will have to see to believe.
wtf? no jason.. FAIL
LOL
It isn't Friday the 13th anymore D'OH
Engadget is just annoying that way. I posted that at like 8pm on Friday the 13th. I'm in the same time zone as Engadget so there should be no time diff... but somehow my post gets tagged with a Feb 14th date.
...the zii chip is made of processing elements...
...that can be switched on or off depending on whether they are needed...
...it saves a huge amount of battery power...
...that is part of its appeal...
ZiiLabs as in Creative's Zii or what?
Yes obviously