First at CES 2011: A Chip Transforms Full-HD into 'Ultra-HD'

Leslie Meredith, TechNewsDaily Senior Writer

06 January 2011 09:46 PM ET

LAS VEGAS ― Sigma Designs has shattered the widespread belief that full 1080p high definition offers the best resolution in home entertainment viewing. With Sigma's tiny new chip using the company's exclusive VXP video-processing technology, viewers can watch movies with around four times the clarity of full HD, a level previously available only in broadcast and professional markets.

"We can make Blu-ray better with our VXP technology," Sigma product marketing manager Joseph Spisak said during the company’s presentation today (Jan. 6) at the Consumer Electronics Show . The proof was on the screen in Sigma’s showroom set up at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. A square area within the display was programmed to use the VXP technology, while the surrounding area portion of the image was shown without it. The contrast was stunning.

The 4X resolution is a defining feature of what industry professionals call ultimate or ultra- HD. While the technology is available, the content is not. But with the addition of a VXP chip into a wide range of devices including HDTVs , 3-D HDTVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes, ordinary full-HD can be displayed as ultra-HD.

"You will get near-ultra-hi-def experience without having to wait for ultra hi-def," Spisak said. "Further, when the time comes, this new Sigma chip will be able to make ultra hi-def even better than ultra hi-def."

The VXP chips will be available for manufacturers during the second quarter of this year. "VXP Inside" products will be released at retail in the fall.