(If you haven't seen the dissection post, you should start there.)

Just got emailed a fun question from someone who obviously understands a little about silicon:

Hey, do you know what the chip near the south bridge is that is covered by an integrated heat spreader? It has a bunch of memory right next to it. Looks to be something that is helping with the decode but we can't figure out what. Can you see what's under the heat spreader? Also, what are the Analog Devices parts near there? They look like Blackfins...

Thanks - Inquiring minds want to know
Matt

Wow, this is one of the more in-depth questions I've ever been asked about one of my blog posts.  Well Matt, for that you've earned yourself this video post showcasing the unveiling of the h.264 video chip that is used in the player!

3.5 minute video analyzing the audio and video chipset (928x576 at 15fps, 31 megs)

Looks like the Broadcom chip has 64 megs of video memory at its disposal, and although it includes audio decoding, the real audio decoding is being done with the other silicon.

The other chips mentioned during the video are, in order of appearance:

Just a guess but perhaps the powerful Xilinx FPGA is the place where the AACS decoding is being done.  It seems like the only part truly capable of decoding a 20Mbps stream in real-time.  And I can't really imagine that work being done in x86 code, but perhaps it is...

There are a ton of other software questions people have asked.  I haven't forgotten about you.  I've just been extremely busy with work.  Sometime I'll have a moment and be able to blog more info.  Some I can't get too much into because I don't want to upset Toshiba that much (legal implications and such).  But some things can be discussed.

UPDATE: Thanks to Eric from Minnesota who pointed out that I meant 512K for the ISSI parts rathar than 512 megs!  (Very embarassing when I'm off by a whopping 3 orders of magnitude.)  There is still an error in the video, but at least it was corrected here in the text.

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# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

How about the DACs? Who is the manufacturer and how many does the A1 contain?

Thanks,

Paul 9/13/2006 5:59 AM | Paul_A/V

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

Lorin: I just bought my HD-A1 over the past weekend. Its a nice machine. Just wanted to say thanks for "sacrificing" yours for the good of mankind. Really enjoyed reading whats under the new hood of my little Toshiba BMW. 12/18/2006 5:02 PM | Brad

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

can you do something like this witha blueray player u can pic one up at tiger direct for 600$ bucks 12/28/2006 6:19 PM | julian reiche

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

Is there any place to get the audio/video chipset video, hdforever.com link above no longer works.

More interestingly, has anyone experimented with booting their own OS on the A1? Either Windows or Linux? Can you add a hard drive to the existing IDE/SATA connector? Would make a nice chassis for a DVR (with USB tuner), or some sort of networked media player.. 10/27/2007 10:28 AM | bholio

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

I love dissecting stuff (esp those older radios, computers etc) too. My wife thinks I'm crazy but looks like I've found another comrade! Julian's suggestion sounds good. I'll like to see one dissection on the blu ray player too! Cheers, Ed 10/15/2009 11:42 PM | Ed

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

This code gives a "Index was outside the bounds of the array" error. 11/6/2009 11:33 PM | DDos Protection

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# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

A dissection on blue ray player would be very interesting to watch. Looking forward to that video! 1/21/2010 7:33 PM | washing machines

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

Good post, but have you thought about Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio before?

2/18/2010 3:50 AM | Yachtcharter Griechenland

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

That's great, I never thought about Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for AUDIO like that before.
2/22/2010 12:11 AM | Yachtcharter Griechenland

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

I was just thinking about Thoshiba Hd dvd player and you've really helped out. Thanks!
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This is in response to reading that 4 of Oprah Winfreys "angels" got busted ripping off the system. Shame on them!
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# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

I can’t believe there really is an answer to this question. Chip near the south bridge? Analogue parts near by and black fins. Phew, obviously I’m way behind in the language you speak. Even after I’d re-read the original blog and all the comments, I still have no idea what the go is.
3/6/2010 1:38 AM | Home Appliances

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

Dear admin, thnxx for sharing this information. I found it incredible. Take care, Jeff B.! 3/6/2010 8:22 PM | sports games

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# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

Wow, I never knew that Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio. That's pretty interesting...
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# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

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# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

Great ....You have beautifully presented your thought in this blog post.
3/30/2010 6:18 AM | Eric Donald

# re: Toshiba HD-DVD player HD-A1 uses Broadcom for video, and SHARC for audio

I have that high definition DVD Player and i would say that is fantastic dvd player. It works like charm and i love it. 7/2/2010 3:21 PM | Toshiba Libretto W100

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