NXP Semiconductors has unveiled an advanced media processor, the Nexperia PNX9520, for in-car audio and video applications. The chip allows system developers to implement new audio and video codecs as they become available and to add additional multimedia features as they develop and grow in popularity. Efficient video decoding and advanced video post-processing, together with a graphical user interface and acceleration features, are said to support high picture quality. The chip also enables multispeed audio encoding -- so that passengers and drivers can enjoy music from CDs, DVDs and digital music players by storing them on the car’s hard disk drive for playback on the go.

“By offering more functionality through software, NXP is making it possible for infotainment suppliers to bring highly differentiated in-car multimedia systems to market,” said Pierre Mehn, product marketing manager, car entertainment solutions business line, NXP Semiconductors.

The PNX9520 processor supports video decoding standards including MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video, Windows Media Video, H.264 baseline, as well as JPEG picture display. It also supports the DVB-T digital broadcasting standard for high-end picture quality and MPEGs, AC3 (Dolby Digital) and Window Media Audio decoding standards.