Samsung S5L2010 Media Processor For Digital Photo Frames

Samsung has announced a new range of processors specifically tailored for digital photo frames, the S5L2010 series, which bring with them improved image rendering and video decoding together with provision for touchscreen interfaces and digital DMB-TV tuners.  The company claims that the S5L2010 can decode 57-megapixel JPEG images in just one second.Update: Apparently Samsung's PR machine got a little carried away with themselves: the S5L2010 is fast, but not that fast.  Full update after the cut. 

In addition there's native handling and decoding of MPEG-1/2/4, Xvid, Motion JPEG, MP3, WMA, OGG and AAC files, among others, together with an onboard display controller that can drive up to XGA resolution analog or digital panels.  On the SoC there's also 2-channel audio, a driver for an LED backlight, and a memory interface for SLC/MLC NAND flash storage or multiple memory card formats.

The new media processor range won't just be found in Samsung-branded frames, but instead power various different models from a number of OEM and ODM sources.  The chip is based on an ARM9 core and will go into mass production in Q1 2009.

Update: Samsung are now saying the chipset can display somewhat more modest 15MP JPEGS in less than 3 seconds, rather than their previous boast:

"For example, performance tests show that Samsung's S5L2010 processors are able to display 15Mpixel JPEG images in less than 3 seconds including reading the file from embedded NAND, JPEG decoding, scaling and drawing to the LCD. This is significantly faster than any other competitive product on the market" Samsung update

Press Release:

Samsung's New Media Processor Brings Multimedia Rich Capabilities to Digital Photo Frames

Seoul, Korea, Dec. 15, 2008 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today announced a new series of media processors designed specifically for the digital photo frame (DPF) market. The S5L2010 series of cost-effective, high-performance processors enable DPF developers to offer compelling next-generation multimedia functionality to optimize the photo and video viewing experience.

Samsung's new S5L2010 media processors will be on display at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in meeting room #N238 on the second floor of the North Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"Digital photo frames are fast becoming a must-buy gift for sharing memories with family and friends," said Dr. Yiwan Wong, vice president of marketing for Samsung's System LSI Division. "We believe this new series of processors for the DPF market has raised the bar on consumer experience with regards to performance and available features."

Working closely with OEM and ODM customers to develop the performance requirements for entry to mid-tier DPFs, Samsung's new S5L2010 media processors include powerful hardware accelerators for computation- intensive tasks. For example, performance tests show that Samsung's S5L2010 processors are able to decode 57 megapixel JPEG images in just one second, which is significantly faster than any other competitive product on the market.

In addition, DPFs that incorporate Samsung's new S5L2010 processors have the capability to quickly and efficiently decode video and audio in a variety of multimedia formats including MPEG-1/2/4, Xvid, Motion JPEG, MP3, WMA, OGG and AAC.

These new media processors also integrate additional features including an ADC for touch screen control, SLC/ MLC NAND booting, built-in RTC, a LED PWM driver for the LCD backlight, an audio PWM 2 channel output, TV-Out, and DVB-T interface, which reduces bill-of-material costs. The S5L2010 media processor is housed in a quad flat package.

Manufactured using 65 nanometer CMOS process technology and built on an ARM9 core, Samsung's new S5L2010 media processors are highly integrated, featuring an SoC chip with a display controller that can support either analog or digital LCDs up to XGA resolution. Other features include an advanced memory interface for embedded memory and all major memory card formats including SD/MMC/SM/MS/CF/xD, advanced graphics capabilities, USB 2.0 OTG, infrared input and real-time operating system support.

Samsung's S5L2010 media processor is sampling now and will be in mass production in the first quarter of 2009.