Smart switch devices TDA19997 and TDA19998 from NXP support HDMI 1.4 specs

NXP Semiconductor has rolled two new intelligent/smart switches supporting the newest HDMI 1.4 specification. The TDA19997 and TDA19998 feature Audio Return Channel (ARC) to reduce the number of cables required to deliver audio upstream for processing and playback. The TDA19997 and TDA19998 also support mandatory 3D over HDMI feature.

TDA19997 and TDA19998 smart switches provide built-in auto-adaptive equalizers to handle up to four HDMI 1.4 inputs, automatically maintaining audio-visual quality over HDMI cables up to 30 meters in length. These switches are embedded with five EDID extensions for HDMI and VGA and ESD protection.

"By the end of this year, nearly one billion HDMI-ready systems will have been shipped worldwide. With the Audio Return Channel, HDTV viewers will be able to enjoy top quality sound, without cable clutter," said Denis Marsault, media interfaces product line, NXP Semiconductors. "By bringing our HDMI 1.4 smart switches to market quickly, we're demonstrating our commitment to helping TV manufacturers deliver exceptional high-definition entertainment with the most energy-efficient solutions that fit easily into the home theater environment."

NXP switches are built on its own-patented F3 (Fast, Fair and Faithful) architecture, for guaranteed fast port switching between HDMI devices while keeping a secured HDCP-protected HDMI stream at the output and also consumer less power.

The TDA19997 and TDA19998 are pin-to-pin compatible with previous generation smart switch devices from NXP enabling smooth transition from old designs to new designs.

Availability: TDA19997: Now in samples
TDA19998: Available by mid-October 2009

For further information visit www.nxp.com/pip/TDA19997_PL_0.html