Toshiba TVs to Contain Cell Processor in 2006

[bapenguin]

Engadget (http://homeentertainment.engadget.com/2005/01/05/toshiba-ces-cell-processors-for-all-tvs-in-2006-and-more) brings word that all of Toshiba's TV's shipping in 2006 will contain a cell processor.

Interesting, I guess we know that the chip is officially done. Though we don't know exactly what's in the chips going into the TVs. Also, wasn't there something about multiple cell devices communicating with each other and utilizing processors from other cell devices? Or am I making this shit up?

[Vandenh]

>Or am I making this shit up?

Sony was making that shit up.

[StoneGut]

Skynet......

[cppcrusader]

That was the way the cell was supposed to work, probably didn't though is my guess.

[phantomhitman]

does the tv automatically cut off when you hook up a gamecube or xbox 360?

[bapenguin]

does the tv automatically cut off when you hook up a gamecube or xbox 360?

That's the DRM Valuechain Wobulator.

[Grimgrock]

Skynet......

It's several years behind schedule then. August 29, 1997 has come and gone... almost 9 years ago. I am speaking of true Terminator canon that does not take into account the revised story told in Terminator 3.

[drakkarim]

probably to keep track of the shows you watch, so they can keep tabs on which shows are doing good and which shows need more commercials, perhaps even tailor the commercials to your watching habits (the latter part I wouldn't mind actually).

[Qoz]

Toshiba showed a tech presentation with the cell cpu displaying alot of HD streams on the screen at the same time. The decoding of 1 HD stream will strain even 3ghz+ systems, and they showed 20 or so AFAIK.

So the cell is powerful and capable of many things. We now have programable TVs and probably need to download firmware upgrades to boost the TV image enhancement software in the future.

The cell is built with performance sharing in mind. If you have a cell in both the TV and the DVD they could theoretically share the workload. I doubt this tech is implemented in 2006 hardware. And even if it, how would you know when to use the extra power? The PS3 would have to rely on being selfsufficient regarding CPU power because it would lag otherwise (unacceptable). So what extra fluff could you put into PS3 games, if another cell was located? hmm.. higher resolutions perhaps? And what could the TV do with extra power? Nothing really.
This is only usable if the cell is to become widespread - then some other hardware could plug into the cell network and use the extra power available. But I cannot really imagine what that product could be. Any suggestions?

[MrMeatshake]

The cell is built with performance sharing in mind. If you have a cell in both the TV and the DVD they could theoretically share the workload. I doubt this tech is implemented in 2006 hardware. And even if it, how would you know when to use the extra power? The PS3 would have to rely on being selfsufficient regarding CPU power because it would lag otherwise (unacceptable). So what extra fluff could you put into PS3 games, if another cell was located? hmm.. higher resolutions perhaps? And what could the TV do with extra power? Nothing really.
This is only usable if the cell is to become widespread - then some other hardware could plug into the cell network and use the extra power available. But I cannot really imagine what that product could be. Any suggestions?

i imagine these will not have the 'processor sharing' stuff turned on, i'm pretty sure that sony have said the PS3 won't, either. so it won't be able to run more powerful games if u turn on ur washing machine (awww! :( ).

p.s. thanks for an useful and well written post, Qoz. :) u win 1 internets.

[Vandenh]

>Any suggestions?

Read more marketing slides.

Amazing how people still take this part of the Cell architecture seriously.

It is quite simple. Cell is a collection of cheapo DSPs with a multi-threading controller build in (in hardware). Nothing more, nothing less.

Will it perform as advertised? Highly unlikely. Will it advertise well? YES! It is crap? Not really, there are some interesting design things that can be learned from the Cell experiment. Will it be a revolution? NO.

[Dr Quincy]

27GHz TV!!!1

[bapenguin]

Toshiba showed a tech presentation with the cell cpu displaying alot of HD streams on the screen at the same time. The decoding of 1 HD stream will strain even 3ghz+ systems, and they showed 20 or so AFAIK.


Doesn't matter on the processing power...it matters on what it's designed to do. Sure a general purpose 3ghz processor has a hard time decoding an HD stream, but a streamlined special purpose processor designed to take care of HD stuff is much more efficient.

[Heretic Machine]

Does this mean that Germans can HaXXoR the TV's to run Linux now? Awesome.

[51|RandoM]

Doesn't matter on the processing power...it matters on what it's designed to do. Sure a general purpose 3ghz processor has a hard time decoding an HD stream, but a streamlined special purpose processor designed to take care of HD stuff is much more efficient.


The only efficiency concern when it comes to consumer electronics is how much it costs to get the job done.

If the cell proc, which is already in production, gets the job done at a competitive price, there is little or no reason to develop a new chip just for that particular role.

In computers, you can argue effeciencies, and have lots of people listen. In consumer electronics? I can't even convince people that there are different quality comb filters out there....

[AniAko]

Skynet......


DUDE! You said it. Sony is the antichrist.

[Sl1pstream]

How long before they start working together and go on a killing spree?

[Sensei-X]

The Cell was designed by IBM and Toshiba, so I don't see how Toshiba using a product they helped design is earth-shattering news. Sony did not design the processor, the Cell design was started in 2001 before Sony had probably even begun to think about what CPU to use in their next console.

[AniAko]

The Cell was designed by IBM and Toshiba, so I don't see how Toshiba using a product they helped design is earth-shattering news. Sony did not design the processor, the Cell design was started in 2001 before Sony had probably even begun to think about what CPU to use in their next console.

Does that mean Sony's not the anti-christ? :(

[Mason]

Does that mean Sony's not the anti-christ? :(

No, you were right the first time, just for the wrong reason.

[mister_slim]

More interestingly, this is going to bring the PS3 production costs down quite a bit.

[Montgomery_Python]

Even more interestingly, I had bacon for breakfast.

(it had cell techgnology inside!)

[Twigz'N'Berries]

Man, the cell is nothing new. IBM had basically the Cell architecture years ago and then moved away from it. Now it is returning to the same structure. Everything old is new again I guess.

Lastly, I hardly ever use picture in picture now, why in the hell would i need 20 HD streams going at once?