InstaPort Technology
“Most of us who use HDTV with several sources such as DVD players and satellite boxes have been wondering why it takes so long to switch from one source to another or even just change TV channels. Sometimes we may have even thought the wrong button had been pressed on the remote control because it takes so long for the new channel to show up on the screen. Well, with Silicon Image’s new InstaPort™ technology, time between changing sources has been reduced from more than 5 seconds to less than 1. This will mean less frustration and confusion, and happier TV watching. It looks like one major HDTV annoyance has been solved beautifully.”
John E. Johnson, Jr.
Editor-in-Chief
Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
What is InstaPort™ Technology?
As
a wide range of HDMI-equipped DVD/Blu-ray players, set top boxes, PCs, mobile
devices and game consoles proliferate the market, consumers are simultaneously
connecting more source devices to their DTVs via HDMI ports. The viewer
typically switches between these connected sources using the “input” button on
the TV remote control. When consumers select the next input, they expect that
source material to appear on screen immediately without delay. With HDMI, this
is not always the case because when a new HDMI source is selected, the DTV and
the source device perform an HDCP authorization routine which can sometimes
take up to five to six seconds.
InstaPort
technology solves this problem. Typically, when a source device is connected to
the TV, the HDCP authorization process is not initialized until that source is
selected as the input to be displayed on the DTV. However, DTVs that support
InstaPort technology perform the HDCP authorization routine immediately upon
connecting the device. Then when a user selects that source, it will begin to
stream the content immediately—often within 1 second—without
waiting for HDCP authentication.
How
will consumers benefit from InstaPort technology?
InstaPort
makes the home theater experience more enjoyable. Consumers will no longer be
subject to a five to six second delay when switching between the source devices
connected to their DTVs.
What
type of CE devices will benefit from InstaPort technology?
InstaPort
technology is designed for DTVs, A/V receivers and HDMI switches that are equipped
with multiple HDMI input ports. Many DTVs available today include anywhere from
three to seven HDMI ports on the rear, side and/or front panel.
As
popular HDMI-equipped source devices like the Roku Box, Apple TV, portable
media players, and smart phones become mainstream additions to conventional
devices like DVD/Blu-ray players and cable set top boxes, DTVs and A/V
receivers will continue to increase the number of HDMI ports. InstaPort
technology will become a check-list must-have for DTV buyers who plan to
utilize multiple HDMI inputs.
Why is
there an inherent delay in switching between HDMI ports?
HDMI
uses HDCP encryption to secure the transmission of premium, high-definition digital
content over a serial digital interface. When a device is selected as the HDMI input
source, the HDMI transmitter semiconductor exchanges secure keys with the HDMI
receiver semiconductor to authenticate the connection. Content begins streaming
to the DTV only after the source and sink devices are validated and a secure connection
is established. Depending on the manufacturers’ implementation of this firmware
and key handshake, it can take anywhere from 3 to 7 seconds.
How
does InstaPort technology solve the delay problem?
InstaPort
technology allows the DTV to perform simultaneous background HDCP authentication
with all connected source devices as soon as they are connected to the DTV. When
a new input source is selected by the viewer, the HDCP authentication scheme
has already been performed and the newly selected source can begin streaming
content immediately. The time required to switch between HDMI inputs is reduced
to a fraction of a second.
Is InstaPort
technology compatible with legacy HDMI source devices?
Yes,
in fact many older HDMI-equipped source devices take longer to authenticate
than newer devices. InstaPort technology in the DTV will make port switching
uniform across all connected HDMI source devices.
What Silicon
Image products feature InstaPort technology?
PinnaClear Input Processors
Silicon
Image’s PinnaClear SiI9251 input processor includes four HDMI 1.3 inputs plus
four analog inputs, with InstaPort technology supported on the HDMI ports. By managing
all of the input interfaces into the DTV, input processors give manufacturers
the ability to add new features to their HDTV platforms quickly and
cost-effectively without requiring a lengthy and costly redesign of their
proprietary video processor. Input processors also offer innovations in legacy
analog video inputs with high-quality 12-bit state-of-the-art ADCs and AVI
interfaces, new Mobile High-definition Link (MHL™) interfaces to connect HD
mobile devices and Silicon Image’s new InstaPort technology for instant
switching between input ports.
PinnaClear Port Processors
Silicon
Image’s PinnaClear SiI9287 port processor includes four HDMI 1.3 inputs that
support InstaPort technology. Port
processors are a new generation of highly innovative yet cost-effective HDMI
solutions for price-sensitive mid-range DTVs. Port processors output TMDS
directly to the integrated HDMI inputs in DTV SoCs, allowing manufacturers to
differentiate their products by focusing their R&D efforts on video
processing or other proprietary advantages. The SiI9287 also supports MHL,
allowing MHL-equipped mobile devices to be connected directly to an
SiI9287-equipped DTV without a dock or dongle, with complete auto discovery of
HDMI or MHL source devices in the hardware.
Silicon Image: a Market Leader
Silicon Image developed InstaPort technology and was first-to-market with DTV products that deliver its benefits. InstaPort technology makes the home theater experience more enjoyable by reducing the delay when switching between the source devices connected to their DTVs. Silicon Image continues to lead the way in innovation and in delivering the most advanced solutions in HD content. Click the links below to learn more about PinnaClear semiconductors that support InstaPort or contact a Silicon Image sales representative to order a starter kit today.
PinnaClear SiI9251 Input Processor
PinnaClear SiI9287 Port Processor