texasinstruments
Latest
InFocus launches Play Big IN82 1080p DLP projector
We've always heard that too much work and not enough play drives the brain insane, so it's about time InFocus saved us all from falling off the deep end. Amidst the recent barrage of Work Big projectors, InFocus has finally unveiled a Play Big iteration that becomes the company's first foray into the single-chip DLP, 1080p-capable PJ realm. The Play Big IN82 is armed with the latest DLP DarkChip3 technology from TI, and also features a native 4,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,500 ANSI lumens, a Color Gamut Calibrator, ISF Day / Night presets, Pixelworks DNX 10-bit video processing engine, and HDMI 1.3 to boot. Get ready for an extended vacation when this one lands next month for $5,499.
ULP Bluetooth gets Texas Instrument lovin'
Texas Instruments loves Bluetooth. The RF and semiconductor company announced that it'll take what experience it has in the ZigBee arena into the Wibree realm since it apparently loves all tech ending in "ee." Seriously though, Ultra Low Power Bluetooth (which took over the Wibree standard just recently) will be TI's focus here as it tries to ply into the short-range connection explosion that we're still waiting on to occur between watches, toys, sensors and more. We love Bluetooth (who doesn't?) and ULP Bluetooth's potential to be a low-cost wireless connectivity scheme that expands beyond cellphones and PCs seems to be ripe for exploitation.
InFocus Work Big IN10 DLP micro projector
Continuing to expand the Work Big lineup, InFocus' latest addition could be easily overlooked. Those with little room to spare in the suit will appreciate the 2.4-pound "palm-sized" design, and the DLP technology, 1,800 ANSI lumens, and XGA native resolution ought to do those PowerPoints proud. The Work Big IN10 works natively at 4:3, sports an 1,100:1 contrast ratio and onboard 1.3:1 zoom lens, is compatible with NTSC and PAL signals, and touts a lamp life of nearly 4,000 hours. Additionally, the integrated one-watt speaker and DVI / S-Video / composite input assortment should handle the most basic of setups, but this bundle of corporate joy will run you a stiff $1,249 when it lands in August.
projectiondesign's Action! M25 DLP projector does 1080p
Sure, Epson and Philips' endeavor to create a mini projector may be novel, but projectiondesign's forthcoming device packs the power we AV freaks admire. Touting an almost unbelievable assortment of niceties, this 3.7- x 9.2- x 10.8-inch DLP machine is reportedly the "world's smallest" Full HD projector to date, and if that wasn't inspiring enough, it also uses TI's 0.95-inch 1080p DMD, the firm's proprietary RealColor technology, and plays nice with home automation systems with RS-232 and IP interfaces. Additionally, it sports a 10-bit video processing engine, HDMI 1.3 compatibility, 1,000 lumens, and a even-segment, 5x color wheel. Best of all, this HD-lovin' projector is available for purchase as we speak, but we're assuming that the unlisted price is a good sign that we common folk should just keep on looking.[Via Slashgear]
Texas Instruments finally gets fresh, unveils TI-Nspire calculators
We're not exactly sure if Texas Instruments' widely utilized TI-83 / TI-84 line of calculators have reached the same success as Casio (but it's fairly safe to assume a "yes"), but the firm is finally throwing out a substantial update to the graphing calculators that you, your folks, and probably your grandparents all used throughout high school. The TI-Nspire lineup maintains the same relative form factor, but offers up a few swank advancements such as multiple representations, "grab-and-move" functionality, resizing, dynamic linking, and of course, the oh-so-sweet ability to save and edit in-progress work (shown after the jump) right on the device. Additionally, Windows / OS X software will be available to mimic the on-screen abilities of the handhelds, which means those days of viewing the monochrome display via an overhead projector are long gone, and for those who just aren't willing to make the transition, TI is even including a snap-in TI-83 / TI-84 Plus keypad so you can upgrade your machine without relearning keystrokes. The TI-Nspire and TI-Nspire CAS are both slated to hit instructional dealers this Fall for educators (commercially available by Fall 2008), so we'd suggest pinching those pennies now in back-to-school anticipation.
BenQ's SP830 / SP831 DLP projectors hit up split-screens
BenQ's internal quibbles haven't exactly remained behind closed doors, but rather than harp on who's leaving or what division is shutting down next, we'll just focus on the (literally) brighter side of things. The outfit is announcing today a duo of svelte projectors that not only sport TI's DLP technology, but also boast the ability to "receive two source / inputs in order to project two independent visuals with a single attachable lens." Put simply, the SP830 and SP831 can both output split-screen action through a single lens, and apparently, it's all handled with "a simple push of one button." Furthermore, both 720p units feature HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) Detail Enhancement Technology, TI's BrilliantColor, six-color adjustments, 4x digital zoom, uber-quiet operation, 2000:1 contrast ratio, and a 1,366 x 768 native resolution. While the SP830 doesn't appear to differ much from its higher-priced sibling, it does tout "just" 3,500 ANSI lumens while the SP831 pumps out 4,000, and both of these two-faced PJs should soon be hitting the Malaysian market for 9,999.00 MYR ($2,889) and 12,999.00 MYR ($3,755), respectively.[Via Electronista]
TI showcases diminutive DLP pico-projector
If anyone doubted Texas Instruments' sincerity in taking the mobile projection world by storm, now would probably be a good time to start boiling some crow. Making good on its wishes to cram DLP into even the most minuscule of locations, the company will be demonstrating its newfangled DLP pico-projector to select media groups, and apparently, those interested in taking a peek better have a front row seat. The mini projector will supposedly "fit in your fingertips," but beyond that vague descriptor, we're not exactly sure about the hard measurements. Notably, it appears that TI's wee PJ could act as a standalone unit "or as an integrated component in a mobile device," which would definitely spruce up current smartphone offerings. Sadly, there wasn't an estimated timeframe as to when we'd (barely) see these devices crammed into cellphone enclosures, but it's just a matter of time before we're streaming live television shows and simultaneously beaming 'em up for all of the subway car to see.
Fujitsu cranks out commercial 5.8GHz WiMAX SoC
While it hasn't come quick nor easy, it looks like more and more vendors are jumping on the WiMAX train, and just a day after Horizon chose Navini to get its WiMAX on, Texas Instruments, ORZA Networks, and Sun Create Electronics are becoming some of the first to receive shipments of Fujitsu's chip. The 5.8GHz WiMAX baseband system-on-chip (SoC) is dubbed the "industry's first" to become commercially available, and while it supports frequencies ranging from 2GHz to 11GHz in both licensed and unlicensed bands, its also "being used in the industry's first commercially available fixed WiMAX CPE supporting the 5.8GHz band." Of course, these all-in-one chips are being marketed and sold specifically to ODMs, but chances are it'll have something to do with your connection to WiMAX if Fujitsu has anything to do with it.[Via FarEastGizmos]
TI pushing to get DLP in your cellphone, local cinema
It's not terribly uncommon to see a manufacturer try to push a product (or platform) into every crevice of your life, and it seems that Texas Instruments is diverting quite sharply from its calculatorish ways of old and making an aggressive push to get that DLP logo slapped on everything you own. While we've seen (literally) the diminutive Microvision display do its thang here at CES, TI is hoping to steal that thunder away by talking up its forthcoming palm-sized DLP projectors. The "fully featured" Pocket Projectors, which are co-developed by OMAP, would weigh "less than one pound," use the .55 DLP chip, and could purportedly connect to handsets or PDAs to beam up that big(ger) screen imagery for a crowd to see. Unfortunately for TI, these devices are not (at least initially) supposed to be integrated units, which could easily get overlooked if those built-in alternatives can muster acceptable quality. Additionally, TI is hoping to get that DLP logo stamped on your brain even when you visit the cinema, as the company now has its technology in 3,000 theaters worldwide and is frequently throwing logo-clad splash screens onto the canvas during pre-show advertisements. So if you wonder why you're strangely drawn to the DLP sets during your next HDTV shopping trip, trust us, it's not the mirrors, it's the marketing.[Via AboutProjectors]
TI launches chipset for entry level featurephones
As multimedia features typically associated with higher-end handsets -- music players, video cameras, 3D acceleration, and the like -- start to trickle down to the mainstream, chip suppliers are looking at ways to make the requisite chipsets mainstream, too. Enter TI's OMAPV1035 "eCosto" single-chip platform; with an ARM9 processor core, the 1035 will be manufactured using a 65nm process when it begins volume production in early 2008. Features include EDGE support (but no 3G in sight -- we question that logic for a multimedia chipset that isn't due for another year), 30 fps video streaming at resolutions up to 320 x 240, 3D gaming, and support for still cameras up to 3 megapixels. Just as long as we get an HSDPA version of this goodness, TI, we're with you one hundred percent.
SIM2's HD5000: another 1080p, 3-chip DLP for the home
SIM2 dropped additional product for home theater buffs today with the introduction of their HT5000 projector and Home Cinema Scope System. The HT5000 is yet another 1080p projector targeting home cinemas which, just like the DPI's TITAN 1080p, features three of TI's 0.95-inch 1080p DarkChip3 DMD chips albeit dolled-up in a prettier dress. While we know the DLP sports a 300-watt lamp and 5000:1 (full on / full off) contrast ratio, SIM2 fails to mention any inputs. Nevertheless, we're hoping to find at least a couple of HDMIs like those found in their HT3000 when more details (and pricing) are released in Q4. Also announced at the CEDIA Expo in Denver is the SIM2 Scope System which combines a new lens with enough processing power to convert the typical 16:9 widescreen output from your projector to a theater-like 2.35:1 aspect ratio sans letterboxing. Just prepare to drop an additional $12k for such excessive luxury, mkay? Check the Scope System snuggled up to a SIM2 C3X projector after the break. Read -- HD5000Read -- Scope
TI chipset boon for couch potatoes
As manufacturers gear up to ship second- and third-generation handsets with mobile TV support, it seems the lines between phones, televisions, and the TiVo in your family room will be doing a bit of blurring. Texas Instruments is demoing new functionality in its DTV1000 "Hollywood" (no, not that Hollywood) digital TV chipset this week that, when paired up with their OMAP2430 core, offers users DVR and picture-in-picture functionality -- both features usually reserved for more traditional tee vees. Also notable is that TI's solution requires far less buffer memory to get DVR working than other solutions, resulting (hopefully) in cheaper handsets. The software and hardware are available immediately to manufacturers for integration, setting the stage for retail devices some time in 2007; with any luck, that'll line up nicely for US entrants in the DVB game to get rolling.
Optoma's new HD81 projector does 1080p
Everybody's gotsa have some 1080p these days, and Optoma is doing their share with a new 2-piece HD81 projector system that not only pumps the pixels, but processes them as well. The projector unit is based on a Texas Instruments DarkChip3 DLP setup, with a spankin' 12000:1 contrast ratio, 1300 lumens, Auto IRIS and 10-bit color. That's all well and good, but what really takes the cake is the included processing unit, which has three HDMI inputs (the projector has a single HDMI plug) along with plenty of other connectivity. The processor supports up-scaling to 1080p, and can handle wrangling with 1080i to 1080p conversion. The projector is available now in Taiwan for 299,000 TWD (about $9,114 US), but it should be showing up in the States before long.[Via AboutProjectors]
TI launches second-generation RFID silicon
With corporate giants like Wal-Mart embracing RFID in every potential nook and cranny of their supply chain, it's becoming quite the profitable little cottage industry, and Texas Instruments apparently wants a bigger piece of the pie. With the announcement of its EPC second-generation UHF-based RFID silicon, the company has blazed its own trail by insourcing the fabrication of its tags and marketing the new chips to retailers who rely on fast-paced data transmissions in their manufacturing and distribution channels. The new Gen 2 silicon obviously has complex underpinnings responsible for the changes; as TI states, it's developed "on the most advanced analog process node at 130 nanometer and with a built-in Schottky diode [saywha?] for more efficient conversion of RF signal energy." While that may not mean much to you, the skinny is that these new tags have increased chip-to-reader sensitivity, so more packages can be read at a faster pace from a greater distance than before. What this provides end-users with is greater flexibility, which has been a issue with passive RFID thus far -- new wafers and chips can be placed in more varied locations on pallets, boxes, and even flexible packaging such as bags, without fear of slipping under the radar (literally). And, as always, while retailers may dig the the increased read-range, we're sure it won't be long before the privacy advocates introduce a high-proximity RFID scrambler just in case these tags make the jump from packaging to people.
Qualcomm competitors cry foul in Korea
We all know that Qualcomm likes to play up its market dominance everywhere possible -- and we also know they've taken some heat for it in Europe -- so it comes as little surprise to us that would-be CDMA competitors in the South Korean market are raising a fit. Texas Instruments and Broadcom have appealed to South Korea's Fair Trade Commission, alleging unfair practices by Qualcomm in bundling its CDMA chipsets with application processors. Presumably, the argument is that manufacturers should be allowed to mix and match chipsets without taking a hit on cost and without losing their relationships with suppliers, and since Qualcomm lays claim to portions of virtually every wireless standard -- not just IS-95 and CDMA2000 proper -- the implications of this are fairly far-reaching. Qualcomm's Korean offices have been raided by investigators in the past on similar allegations so we're not terribly confident this tussle will change their attitude, but we can dare to dream.
Japanese chip makers team up for 45nm
Looks like Intel and Texas Instruments aren't the only ones with some chip bragging to do, since Toshiba and friends are joining forces to standardise a 45nm manufacturing method, and possibly even share manufacturing plants in the future. The deal marks the end of a plan by Toshiba, Fujitsu, NEC, Renesas to build an independent microchip foundry. The Japanese chip makers scrapped the plan because it supposedly wouldn't have made any money in the ultra-competitive space, but analysts aren't so sure this recent cooperative plan will help these smaller manufacturers compete against the big boys like Samsung, Intel and TI. Sony has agreed to team up in 45nm development with the four manufacturers, in continuation of a deal with Toshiba and NEC, but there's no word if any of these smaller outfits have made similar process breakthroughs to those that Intel and Texas Instruments were bragging about on Monday.
Intel and TI brag about chip tech advancements
Two of the biggest names in chips, Intel and Texas Instruments, have taken this fine Monday to announce independent advancements made by their R&D departments in the never-ending search to continue Moore's law. TI kicked things off by unveiling their new 45nm manufacturing process that uses some immersion lithography trickery to trump Intel's current 65nm chips by 30 percent. They plan to use the tech for memory chips. Intel, of course, is not to be outdone, and announced a new better way to insulate circuits. Their new "tri-gate transistors," which should be on the scene by 2010, reduce the power leak problems experienced when transistors are dropped lower than 90nm. The tech could cut power consumption by as much as 35 percent or boost performance by 45 percent. "This will be an option for chips somewhere beyond 45 nm--in the 32 or 22 nm mode--so that gives us confidence we can continue scaling Moore's Law into the next decade," said Intel's Mike Mayberry. The tech also does away with the troublesome carbon nanotubes that IBM has been proposing, which are currently too costly to produce chips with. Now we're just waiting for AMD to announce a 22nm chip due next week and for half the cost, then our day will be complete. Don't let us down, guys!Read - Intel "tri-gate transistors"Read - AMD 45nm manufacturing
Texas Instruments CEO: 50-inch DLPs for $1200 this year
In an interview with BusinessWeek, Texas Instruments CEO Rich Templeton talks all things DLP (except wobulation), and where the technology is going: 1080p, 3D displays, LED light sources, and how Moore's Law applys to TVs. He also remarks on the rapidly dropping prices for the technology, saying we will likely see prices dip under $1200 this year. which isn't that surprising as a quick Froogle search will find you a few already in the $1450 area brand-new. It will be interesting to see how the technology will improve and compete against flat-panel displays that are also dropping prices and adding features.
