Intel Corp.’s next-generation Atom platform code-named Pine Trail will get support for hardware decoding of high-definition video with Broadcom Corp. BCM70015 single-chip Crystal HD advanced media processor. The new chip is optional and it remains to be seen whether a lot of next-gen netbooks will feature it.

Broadcom BCM70015 single-chip Crystal HD media processor supports standard-definition (SD) and high-definition HD multi-format video decode of industry standard codecs, including H.264/AVC, MPEG-2, VC-1, WMV9, MPEG-4, DivX, Xvid and AVS. Besides, the BCM70015 provides software support for Adobe Flash Player (v10.1), Windows Media Player (v12), as well as support for other third-party media players including both commercial and open-source.

“We recognize that OEMs have the desire to offer HD video playback on netbooks, and are pleased that Intel has validated Broadcom as an HD solution provider for the Intel Atom platform for netbooks. Our Crystal HD technology provides high quality video playback within a low power, low cost solution that will enhance the consumer netbook experience in 2010,” said Dan Eiref, vice president and general manager of Broadcom's consumer electronics line of business.

Intel Atom “Pineview” processor combines Intel Atom central processing core with Hyper-Threading support and 512KB of cache, graphics core and integrated memory controller onto a single piece of silicon. Thanks to high level of integration, systems based on the code-named Pineview chips will be smaller compared to previous-generation devices.

The price of Broadcom BCM70015 media processor is unknown. The company said that it will be featured on select 2010 netbook platforms from top-tier OEMs including Asustek Computer, Dell and Samsung.

Tags: Broadcom, Intel, Atom, Pineview, Pine Trail, 45nm