Flat screen TVs to get better with silicon tuners

BANGALORE, INDIA: With the advent of technology, even the viewing experience has got more advanced. In 2012, TV makers have been focussing on enhancing the viewing experience of their customers. The trend of flat screen TVs is high, right from HDTV to LED backlighting, from Internet connectivity to 3D TV. Another trend which is coming up in television design and manufacturing is the usage of silicon tuners instead of MOPLL-based can tuners. Last month, NXP semiconductors, has shipped its 650 millionth silicon tuner.

"Silicon tuners have finally surpassed traditional can-type modules in this year's line-up of new TV sets. The major name-brand TV set manufacturers have been convinced of silicon tuners' performance and reliability. With industry-leading experience in supporting worldwide broadcasting standards, its specialty RF process technology, and a strong global supply chain, NXP is driving forward this epochal shift from traditional can-type tuners to silicon TV tuners,” said Gerry Kaufhold, NPD DisplaySearch analyst.

As per a recent report in the NPD DisplaySearch 2012 Global TV Replacement Study, “on average, consumers worldwide are replacing their TVs more quickly, suggesting that there is continued growth potential in the flat-screen TV market, particularly in emerging markets where CRTs are still widely used.”

"TV manufacturers today face a very dynamic market landscape, with tremendous potential for forward-thinking players who are able to deliver the right combination of features, functionality, quality and cost to consumers. At NXP, we have been producing silicon tuners for over a decade, and are committed to working with our customers to develop cost-effective, high-performance solutions that enable sleek, reliable flat-screen TV designs,” said Olivier Harquin, senior director, TV front-end business line, NXP Semiconductors.

Legacy designs are largely dependent on oscillator phased lock loop (MOPLL) in tuner cans that need up to discrete components, out of which many need manual alignment.