Broadcom powers RCA D/A converter box

IRVINE, USA: Broadcom Corp. announced that the RCA DTA800B digital-to-analog converter box utilizes a Broadcom digital television (DTV) system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution designed specifically to facilitate the transition from analog-to-digital broadcasting.

As part of the US Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA's) digital-to-analog converter box program, the RCA DTA800B, powered by Broadcom DTV technology, has recently been certified as a "coupon-eligible converter box."

Under the direction of the NTIA, this government program will provide up to two $40 coupons per household towards the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes. As a result of this program, consumers with analog TVs that receive their broadcast signals using an antenna can use these converter boxes to receive new interference-free digital TV broadcasts.

On February 17, 2009, full-power analog TV broadcasting will terminate in the US Consumers may call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) for more information or apply online to receive these coupons.

With the opportunity presented by the NTIA, RCA has introduced the model DTA800B -- an easy-to-use digital-to-analog converter box that will enable millions of consumers to easily bridge the transition from analog-to-digital television broadcasting. The RCA DTA800B converter boxes are expected to be available in February 2008, and the NTIA has budgeted a total of 33.5 million coupons for the program, which began January 1, 2008 and concludes on March 31, 2009.

Utilizing the Broadcom BCM3543 ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) receiver, the RCA DTA800B converter box is designed to receive ATSC high definition television (HDTV) broadcasts and convert them to NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) signals.

Designed in 65nm, the BCM3543 SoC is a highly integrated, low power digital "television-on-a-chip" receiver that provides superior ATSC signal reception targeted at the NTIA's coupon-eligible "analog switch-off" converter box program. The BCM3543 features on-chip support to convert all ATSC standard and high definition inputs to 480i output formats for display on analog televisions.