Texas Instruments and Wintech Digital Systems Technology have released the Videophone Development Platform (VDP), a combined hardware/software platform for developing point-to-point, IP-based videophone systems. The VDP includes two DM643 boards, two five-inch LCDs, two cameras, a network switch/hub, and application software.

Pradeep Bardia, Business Development Manager at TI, says, "The VDP will help developers create videophones that meet the main consumer demands: affordability, good technology (no dropped frames and audio/video synchronization), easy setup, and software deployable upgrades." TI says that it expects that some videophones designed using the platform will sell for less than $200. Bardia adds, "VDP will save OEMs significant development time. If they want to, OEMs can put a plastic shell around it and have a working videophone."

All application software runs on TI's 600 MHz DSP-based TMS320DM643 digital media processor, which provides audio/video compression, networking stacks, and control protocols. The DM643 lets OEMs customize their designs, from codec to user interface, to create different product families and price lines.

Each VDP includes all the software necessary to design and test video telephony endpoints. Developers can connect the development boards over a live network and/or the Internet to test under real-world operating conditions.

The VDP supports industry standard protocols, including TCP/IP and RTP/RTCP network protocols, H.263 and H.264 video codecs, G.723 and G.711 audio codecs, and the H.323 communications stack; TI says that it will add SIP support in the next release. The platform also uses complementary TI analog technology, including the TVP5150 video decoder and AIC23 audio codec.

"The VDP provides developers with the tools necessary to create... commercially ready, IP-based video client devices," says David Dong, Wintech's president. "Instead of spending months integrating different software algorithms, developers begin the development process starting with high-quality video and tight audio/video sync, enabling them to focus on product differentiating features, such as the user interface and out-of-box experience."

TI demonstrated the VDP to CommWeb's staff, and we liked what we saw. TI set the demo up in less than five minutes. Although we did not test video quality over the Internet, VDP performed as advertised with a direct Ethernet link. The video was crisp, with little observable jerkiness, and perfectly synched with the audio. We found the application software easy to use, with a simple menu system making the selection of codecs and other operating parameters a snap.

The VDP, which is available now, is priced at $6,950.