Cell process decodes 48 streams simultaneously

[korben_dallas]

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english...050425/104149/

n the film, 48 MPEG-2 streams stored on a HDD were read, decoded and projected onto a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution display divided into 8 x 6 cells, each of which showed a different video in each cell. The company expects the technology to be used to display thumbnails for a video list. Of the eight synergistic processor elements (SPE) used in the Cell, six are used for decoding 48 MPEG-2 streams and one is used for scaling the screen. The remaining SPE can be used for a completely different processing function.

So get to it Hauppauge.. we want Cell decoders!

[ukmgranger]

That looks badass!!

[PGPfan]

Call me a skeptic, but I'll believe it when I see it live, in front of me, from hook up to actual use. It's too easy (and common) to find hardware and software vendors that announce great features and then not actually deliver the goods. Many manufacturers will build a 'flash' presentation showing the product "at work" when in reality it is more of a 'build up public interest' kind of thing.

This is common (faking a product) in the industry on new releases. When at MS, I saw MCE alot before the product was ever even in 'alpha' testing stage. The cell processor is coming, but don't kid yourselves. It is a HUGE undertaking considering what they 'hope' to use it for. They have to create, test, debug, and repair a completely custom OS for game creation-let alone possible use in the HTPC space. THEN they need to create a development environment for it, THEN there is getting developers familiar/comfortable with it to create applications, and on and on.........

Sorry if this sounds so pessimistic, there have been alot of cool sounding hardware products that just never delivered (remember TransMeta, Cyrix, etc.) one has to question this a little bit.

-PGPFan