MediaTek announces smart TV system-on-a-chip, already in use on new Sony Bravia TVs

MediaTek has announced that they will be powering Sony's upcoming 2015 Android TV-enabled Bravia sets, shown off on Monday at CES2015. The company is also collaborating with Google on the first Ultra HD TV platform powered by Android TV.

The Ultra HD platform uses MediaTek's MT5595 SoC and enables streaming and casting of Ultra HD content. The MT5595 is a quad-core SoC, and supports Google's VP9 and HEVC codecs for 4K content streaming at 60 frames per second. Devices powered by the SoC should become available to consumers beginning in March 2015.

Press release:

MediaTek SoC Designed for First Sony Android TV

MediaTek's smart TV SoC enables Android 5.0 Lollipop software

4pm GMT – Jan. 6, 2015 – MediaTek today announced that the company's smart TV System on Chip (SoC) will be used in the first Sony Android TV incorporating Sony's unique picture-quality algorithm, and enable Android 5.0 Lollipop software to run seamlessly. The TV enables users to experience movies and shows directly from Google Play, as well as stream apps and play Android games, all enabled by content voice search.

The TV is also Google Cast Ready, which allows consumers to cast their favorite entertainment from a mobile device or laptop straight to the TV, and it also supports up to 4K2K streaming content with simple and intuitive user interface and controls.

Sony's Android TV is being demonstrated at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"We are very proud to stand alongside Sony in introducing the new Android TV device. The experience of Sony's Android TV will set the standard for future smart televisions. This is a momentous occasion for MediaTek to be changing the way people watch TV with our strong partner, Sony," said Ching-Jiang Hsieh, President of MediaTek.

Masashi Imamura, President of Sony Visual Products Inc., said: "We are delighted to announce the new Sony Android TV at CES. Sony is committed to providing users with the best TV experience, featuring the best picture quality and rich features that are easy to use. MediaTek has a long heritage in cross-platform synergy and is well-poised to help us drive innovation in the home entertainment industry. Utilizing MediaTek's cutting-edge TV SoC, this partnership will allow both companies to spearhead the next level of television experience to the market."

MediaTek Enables the World's First Ultra HD TV Powered by Android TV Software in Collaboration With Google

New Android TV smart devices will offer an immersive lean-back experience, with intuitive search capabilities, without requiring any external converters

4pm GMT – Jan. 6, 2015 – MediaTek announces its collaboration with Google on the world's first Ultra HD TV platform solution for Android TV – made possible through Google's Android TV software integration on MediaTek's MT5595 System on Chip (SoC) hardware. Consumers can watch movies and shows from Google Play, stream their favorite app, and play Android games on their Ultra HD TV, all enabled by content voice search. All Android TV devices are also Google Cast Ready, which allows consumers to cast their favorite entertainment from a mobile device or laptop to their Ultra HD TV.

Android TV is being demonstrated by MediaTek and Google at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"MediaTek has a strong heritage and a leading position in the TV SoC business. By introducing the world's first Android TV devices, we are demonstrating a fast pace of innovation and strong commitment to the home entertainment business," said Joe Chen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MediaTek's Home Entertainment Business Unit. "MediaTek is proud to integrate Android 5.0 Lollipop software in its chipset portfolio and significantly improve consumers' engagement with their TVs."

MediaTek's MT5595 quad-core big.LITTLE™ SoC incorporates two high-performance ARM Cortex™-A17 and two ultra-efficient ARM Cortex™-A7 processors, resulting in a superior user experience at the most optimal power consumption. It is also the world's first TV SoC to support Google VP9 and HEVC codecs designed for 4K2K content streaming at 60 frames per second for a smooth playback experience.

MT5595 has already entered into silicon mass production. Well-regarded global brands are currently participating in the Android TV program. Consumers can expect MediaTek-powered Android TV devices to be commercially available by March 2015. Key features of MT5595:

  • Highly integrated 4K HDTV SoC
  • Quad-core CA17/CA7
  • 4K HEVC/VP9 60 frames/sec decoder
  • Quad 2K HEVC/H.264 60 frames/sec decoders simultaneously
  • MediaTek's proprietary ClearMotionTM advantage for up-conversion of low-frame-rate videos
  • Worldwide Broadcasting Standards
  • ATSC/DTMB/DVB/ISDB Broadcasting
  • Ginga/MHEG/MHP Middleware
  • Broadband Service (HbbTV)
Joseph Keller