Yamaha to Use Blackfin Processor

Analog Devices new Blackfin processor, designed for networked audio/video products, could be picked up by Yamaha for use in future products.

So what is so special about this new Blackfin processor you might be asking? Image a single chip that is capable of multi-channel, multi-zone output from a variety of sources, including set-top box,PVR, DVD, mobile audio players, internal hard disk, mobile storage media, and Ethernet.   Yamaha recently showed off a prototype unit using the new Blackfin processor at this years CEDIA show. Yamaha sought a processor that would bring together audio, video, and image processing and control functions just asseamlessly as their design objective.   "This concept from Yamaha shows how a home entertainment system can successfully combine the convenience of a consumer-electronics product withPC-style features such as hard-disk storage, removable memory, and network connectivity. The Network AV Center is truly a superb showcase for the Blackfin Processor’s convergent processingabilities," said Brian McAloon, vice president, DSP and Systems Products Group, Analog Devices, Inc.   The Yamaha prototype carries out high quality video playback from a PC and streamingsources via Ethernet, while simultaneously performing high-quality audio playback by decoding formats including AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC, and WMA.   You can read more about the Blackfin processor onthe Analog Devices website.