Synaptics Introduces VideoSmart BG5CT 4K HDR Multimedia Video Processor for Set-Top Boxes

Marvell used to design Media SoCs running Android TV such as ARMADA 1500 Ultra (aka BG4CT). That part of Marvell business has very recently been sold to Synaptics, which has just unveiled VideoSmart BG5CT multimedia SoC with 4K “Advanced” HDR video processing for the set-top-box market. The BG5CT is said to be pin-to-pin compatible with BG4CT Android TV SoC, features a quad core ARM CPU @ 1.6 GHz with 15K DMIPS, an Imagination PowerVR Series8XE GE8310 GPU, and a security engine enabling secure boot, Trusted Rendering Path, full TrustZone, and video watermarking carrier-grade security making it suitable for Pay TV operators and set-top-box manufacturers. Synaptics’ Qdeo video processing technology adds 4K “Advanced HDR” – including HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, and Technicolor HDR, among user video processing technology. The company did not provide that many details, but BG5CT appears to mostly add HDR support compared to BG4CT, and replace Vivante GC7000 GPU by […]

Synaptics Natural ID USB Dongle Brings Fingerprint Authentication to Older Laptops and Computers

Many new smartphones features a fingerprint scanner, and some computers such as Kangaroo Mobile Desktop also include one, but you’ll soon be able to add a USB dongle to your existing notebook thanks to Synaptics USB dongle reference design featuring the company’s Natural ID secure fingerprint authentication module. The dongle will allow secure authentication with a single touch of a finger, and be compatible with Windows Hello and Microsoft Passport. So I’m not sure the press release claim that it will work “on any notebook PC” is valid if you use Linux or an older Windows operating system that is not Windows 10. The solutions is also FIDO Certified (Fast IDentity Online), so it will be compatible with other certified software, services, and devices. The company is now showcasing the solution at Computex 2016.  USB dongles will sample in Q3 2016, with mass production scheduled for Q4 2016. But if […]

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