SGS-THOMSON Initiates Video Module Interface

February 19, 1996 -- A video interface specification initiated by SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics and offered as an open standard is winning support from the PC Multimedia industry, including leading manufacturers such as STB Systems, Cirrus Logic, Trident, Sierra Semiconductor, Oak Technology, SiS, Alliance Semiconductor, and ULSI Systems. Known as the Video Module Interface (VMI), the proposal addresses the connection of video modules such as MPEG, video phone, and video decoder, to a GUI chip.

Developed in conjunction with other manufacturers, including Cirrus Logic and Sierra Semiconductor, the key benefits of VMI are its flexibility and low-cost. "We realized the proliferation of 'video-enabled' graphics controllers, MPEG decoders, and other video components has created compatibility issues among these devices," said Chris Lam, Market Development Specialist of SGS-THOMSON. "Today, VMI addresses this need with a simple, open non-proprietary, and cost-effective solution. Devices such as MPEG1, MPEG2, Videophone, as well as many leading GUI devices already support VMI."

Bob Brummer, Director of Strategic Marketing for Desktop Display Products at Cirrus Logic, Inc. said, "VMI gives our customers the ability to attach a broad range of multimedia products to our VisualMedia(TM) Accelerated Graphic Controllers without tying up valuable card slots or using expensive, unreliable ribbon cables. VMI support is built into not only current devices like our GD5462 and GD5446, but also our GD4072 TV Decoder. We have worked closely with SGS-THOMSON to make sure VMI supports the industry leaders in MPEG, and Video Conferencing to give our customers the ability to choose the multimedia upgrade solutions best for their application and customer base."

"Video-Enabled" GUI chips represent the second generation video/graphics architecture. It offers substantial cost savings over the old overlay architecture which required an expensive external overlay sub-system. However, it also created the problem of non-standard interface between video and graphics. VMI is designed to address this problem.

Today, proprietary interfaces do exist. However, they prevent PC manufacturers from putting together an affordable multi-vendor video/graphics solution. Due to their proprietary nature, these interfaces limit future growth, which is critical in the fast-changing Multimedia PC marketplace.

The VMI proposal solves this problem by combining two de facto standard ports: an 8-bit generic host port for data transfer and control and a video display port consisting of pixel and synchronization signals. These signals, along with system signals and an I2C port, form the Core Set. An additional Optional Set allows for the use of audio, analog video, and user-defined signals. VMI Version 1.4 establishes a foundation standard to maintain compatibility among devices that either exist today or are soon to be released. To ensure broad industry support, SGS-THOMSON will submit the standard to VESA shortly with some proposed enhancements. The key enhancements will be Plug-n-Play and additional port configurations to further reduce the pin-count.

According to Pier Del Frate, Assistant VP of Strategic Planning & Marketing at Trident Microsystems, "The VMI standard offers an open, non-proprietary interface between a video device and a 'video ready' graphics chip. Customers are demanding this type of low-cost multi-vendor video/graphics subsystem that allows future growth. As a result, VMI is gaining considerable acceptance, and our TGUI9682 integrated GUI and video accelerator is the first Trident device which supports this interface."

Gary Kellar, Director of Video Product Marketing at STB Systems, Inc. said, "STB is pleased to endorse a standard peripheral interface specification such as VMI as it allows our company to manufacture multimedia peripherals which may be used across our line of graphics and video accelerators, thus increasing flexibility for our customers and shortening time to market."

According to Dave Kocsis, Director of Graphics Business Unit at Oak Technology, "The ultimate winner is going to be the end-user. Peripherals based on the Oak 64111 GUI/Video accelerator and other VMI-compliant silicon will allow OEMs to create the best solution for a particular market segment. This ability to mix and match silicon will result in products that offer more features and performance than the single-vendor solutions available today."

SGS-THOMSON's MPEG1 and MPEG2 single chip audio/video decoders, the STi3430 and STi3520 respectively, already support VMI. Other products under development from various vendors will follow suit.

SGS-THOMSON is a global independent semiconductor supplier listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:STM) and on the Bourse de Paris. It designs, develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronics applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products, and industrial automations and control systems.

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