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Kodak and Texas Instruments Team Up Again to Deliver New EasyShare System
DALLAS (May 8, 2001) -- Utilizing the imaging industry's first programmable digital signal processing-based solution from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) and Kodak's imaging science, Kodak recently introduced its new EasyShare system, featuring a camera dock and two new digital camera models that make digital still and video photography simple and affordable for consumers. The Kodak DX3500 Digital Camera and the Kodak DX3600 Zoom Digital Camera offer ease of use and an extensive range of features. With the announcement of the new EasyShare system, Kodak extends its commitment to TI's digital signal processor (DSP) platform, which began with the announcement of the Kodak mc3 portable multimedia device earlier this year. (See www.ti.com/sc/digitalcamera.)
"As with our recently announced mc3 multimedia device, TI's DSP technology has helped Kodak break new ground with our DX3500 and DX3600 Zoom digital cameras," said Willy Shih, president of Kodak's Digital and Applied Imaging Division. "The flexibility and processing power of TI's programmable DSP solution supported Kodak's goal on delivering user-friendly, feature-rich, high quality cameras at a competitive price."
The EasyShare system sets a new standard for ease of use in the digital photography market. The DX3500 digital camera features 2.2 megapixel resolution, 3X digital zoom and a convenient close-up mode to ensure great looking pictures every time. The DX3600 Zoom digital camera captures digital pictures and video with audio, offering 2.2 megapixel resolution and a 6X zoom. Both cameras offer 8MB of internal memory so your camera can capture up to 48 pictures without a CompactFlash memory card. For more pictures, there is an expansion slot for removable CompactFlash memory cards. The cameras utilize TI's DSC21 programmable DSP technology for flexible implementation of their image capture and processing functions.
TI's DSP Solution Provides Features and Flexibility
TI's TMS320DSC21 is the industry's first fully programmable DSP-based processor designed exclusively for the unique challenges of digital imaging applications. The new Kodak DX cameras are designed to take advantage of the DSC21's high level of integration, imaging-specific design and unparalleled performance. The device integrates two processing cores--a TMS320C5000™ DSP and an ARM7TDMI® RISC microcontroller--enabling the cameras to process still images, as well as video in the DX3600, in real-time while simultaneously controlling system functions such as continuous automatic exposure control. The DSP's programmability and performance also provide variable imaging resolutions and a digital zoom for greater flexibility in memory storage and display.
The DSP performs real-time video and audio compression on chip, so the DX3600 can record video with audio continuously, enabling movie-length video to be streamed directly to a memory card without extensive and costly discrete memory buffers in the camera. This integrated feature of the DSC21 can result in an overall system design that is much less expensive than previous solutions. In addition, the programmability of the DSC21, coupled with its support of multiple interface and storage mediums, offers a configurable platform that can directly communicate with the camera's internal memory, allowing consumers to take pictures without a CompactFlash memory card. A CompactFlash card can be added, however, for additional storage capacity. The DSC21 also integrates a Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller on-chip that is utilized by Kodak's EasyShare system camera dock, offering battery recharging and communication with a PC. This embedded functionality eliminates the cost of additional components while providing the most widely used interface to PCs. The processor also supplies NTSC/PAL-encoded outputs, making possible a direct television feed from the camera.
"TI is proud of its successful relationship with Kodak, as well as the innovative consumer products that have resulted from the collaboration between the two companies," said Dr. Raj Talluri, business manager of the Imaging Business Unit at TI. "TI continues to develop leading-edge DSP-based solutions that will enable future imaging products to offer consumers more features with higher-quality output at affordable prices."
An Ongoing Collaboration Creates a Line of Innovative Products
Kodak's mc3, announced earlier this year, delivers unlimited digital video, pictures and music in one inexpensive, pocket-sized unit. The programmability of TI's DSP enables Kodak to offer software upgrades for its products to customers as standards and encoding algorithms mature and shortens the company's time to market.
TI's line of DSP-based digital imaging solutions also includes the recently announced TMS320DSC24, a low-power solution that is targeted at imaging Internet appliances. TI also provides high-performance, programmable DSP- and analog-based solutions to various digital imaging and video streaming manufacturers. TI's broad range of imaging products provides the performance headroom and flexibility demanded in designs ranging from digital still cameras and portable imaging Internet appliances to high-resolution medical imaging and multi-channel video streaming applications.
The Kodak DX3500 digital camera is expected to be available worldwide in early May for a suggested retail price of $299.95. The Kodak DX3600 Zoom digital camera is expected to be available in early July with a suggested retail price of $399.95.
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Trademarks:
TMS320C5000 is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated.
ARM7TDMI is a registered trademark of ARM Ltd. Company.
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