UHD: The Next Big Thing for Smart TVs

[ShangHai, China, December 4, 2020] Television sets have been the hub of the home entertainment universe for decades upon decades. They are capable of receiving broadcast signals from wired and wireless TV stations, and displaying audio and video signals transmitted by external devices (such as STBs and DVDs) via different analog and digital interfaces.

In 2007, the first generation of networked smart TVs came into being, representing an innovative new paradigm for TV products. Smart TVs can run a wide range of different apps, and enable consumers to view live and on-demand video directly from the Internet. They have allowed for TV viewing content to be actively selected, which represents a big departure from the passively-received nature of traditional TV content. Smart TVs also support signal reception (wireless and wired), as well as a myriad of digital/analog interfaces, network interfaces (wireless and wired), audio/video signal processing methods, and image displays.

Smart TVs have occupied as a similar role in entertainment and media as smartphones have in communications, serving as information and entertainment centers, smart home control hubs, and mediums for human-machine interaction.

The latest generation of smart TVs delivers immersive audiovisuals, supporting 4K/8K, premium audio, and high dynamic range (HDR) graphics, while also integrating AI cameras, neural-network processing units (NPUs), and easier network access capabilities, such as WiFi and Bluetooth. Main processors on smart TVs now integrate high-performance CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, 4K/8K codecs, image signal processors (ISPs), as well as premium audio digital signal processors (DSPs).

Notably, HiSilicon's smart TV solution supports proprietary HiStreaming technology, which equips smart TVs to quickly identify any peripheral devices that also support HiStreaming, facilitate seamless, secure, low-latency connections, and support transmission of AI structured data. This allows for peripheral devices to be virtually operated and controlled as if they were local devices, providing every member of the household with the best possible experience.

HiSilicon has designed and developed smart TV SoCs for nearly a decade, and millions of TVs depend on HiSilicon technologies to provide viewers with cutting-edge audiovisuals.

As a global leader in the smart TV SoC sector, HiSilicon offers a full set of smart TV SoCs that support HDR, AI picture quality (AI-PQ), motion estimation and motion compensation (MEMC), and in broad-ranging resolutions, from full high definition (FHD) to 4K/8K. All HiSilicon solutions support HarmonyOS, Linux, Android, and other mainstream operating systems. HiSilicon SoCs also come equipped with the peripheral chips that pack the following features:
■ Image enhancement: Further enhances image quality for high-end products
■ Display driver: Features the large-screen timing controller (TCON) and screen source driver chip, delivering clearer and more reliable graphics
■ Visual perception: Produces a smoother and smarter user experience via HiStreaming, harnessing the different HiSilicon AI camera chips
■ Wireless connectivity: WiFi, 4G, and more

Camera WiFi 4G TCON Source Driver

HiSilicon Smart Display Solution