By Shutterbug Staff

March 14, 2006 — Giving digital still camera (DSC) manufacturers the benefits of full software programmability with the performance of hard-wired solutions, Texas Instruments Incorporated has introduced DaVinci technology optimized for the digital still camera market. The technology includes a new highly flexible processor, a software suite that simulates a full digital still camera system and third parties offering camera-specific algorithms.

With more than three times the performance of previous processors, cameras using the new processor based on DaVinci technology is said to offer stunning image quality and allow photographers to take the perfect shot every time. Camera users will now have the ability to combine higher quality images with rapid processing speeds for both still shots and high-definition (HD) video, while still leaving headroom for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to add their own intellectual property.

The processor will support camera resolutions up to 16 megapixels (MP) and offer a high-definition video capture mode greater than 30 frames per second at 720P resolution. HD video can also be captured with instant playback on the camera or on any computer monitor or HD television including DLP HDTVs.

The abundance of processing headroom allows the camera to rapidly perform core features, including shutter lag, boot time and picture playback, that rival DSLRs (digital-single lens reflex.).

Benefits are said to include noise filtering (high ISO 3200), providing stunning pictures in low-light environments; instant red-eye removal as the shot is captured so consumers never have to experience red-eye; high-quality prints extracted from video so consumers truly capture the perfect shot every time; in-camera editing of pictures allowing consumers to edit photos and print directly from the camera, bypassing a PC; and the wireless transmission of photos to any PC and instant photo access via email or the Internet at any connected spot.

DaVinci technology optimized for the digital still camera market is available today. For more information, please see: www.ti.com/dscinfo.