Nvidia chips in video iPod

Nvidia will reportedly manufacture the video chips in the next version of Apple's next-generation video iPod, adding 3D graphics functions to the forthcoming version of Apple's music and video player. A new analyst report says that Nvidia has scored a major design win over Broadcom for supplying the next-gen iPod video chips. The current-generation "5G" iPod uses PortalPlayer's MP3 processor and Broadcom's multimedia chip; however, according to the EETimes, the chip designs for future players from Apple have been up for grabs. The report also says the video has been delayed and is now due out in the first half of 2007, although it does not provide any further details. "Based on our analysis, we believe Nvidia is designed into the next-generation vPod socket at the expense of Broadcom," said Satya Chillara, an analyst with American Technology Research (ATR) in a new report. ATR has upgraded Nvidia to a "buy," while downgrading Broadcom to a "hold."

"We believe the Nvidia chip adds 3D graphics functionality in addition to all of the existing features (such as H.264) that Broadcom supported with the existing vPod," the analyst said in a report obtained by the EETimes.

by MacNN Staff