MediaTek Upgrades Flagship 4K 120Hz TV Experiences with New Pentonic 1000 Chipset

[TheLostSwede]

MediaTek today launched the Pentonic 1000, its latest flagship smart TV system-on-chip (SoC) designed for 4K 120 Hz displays. Pentonic 1000 integrates Wi-Fi 6/6E support, MEMC for smoother video, a powerful AI processor, Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail, and 8-screen Intelligent View so users can watch or preview multiple streams of content at once. The chipset also supports the most advanced video codecs and global TV broadcast standards in a single platform.

The MediaTek Pentonic 1000 combines a powerful multi-core CPU, dual-core GPU, dedicated AI processing unit (APU) and video decoding engines into a single chip. The chipset provides resolution support up to 4K at 120 Hz and is capable of VRR up to 4K at 144 Hz for gaming applications. In addition to supporting super-fast frame rates for smoother gaming, it provides a lag-free experience with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).




MediaTek's exclusive Intelligent View technology enables consumers to watch different media sources and video conference with their friends at the same time, with incredible picture quality in every view thanks to MediaTek's suite of AI technologies. Intelligent View stands out from the competition by making it possible for users to showcase up to eight views in one display (4X more content compared to alternative solutions) and providing seamless video and graphic synchronization when users are moving, swapping and resizing windows.

Joining Dolby's suite of Advanced Imaging technologies available through Dolby Vision IQ, Precision Detail unlocks more from Dolby Vision content by revealing incredible detail in both bright and dark areas. With added texture and depth, images take on a new dimension with astonishing crispness on 4K smart TVs. In addition to Precision Detail, MediaTek's Intelligent View technology paired with Dolby's latest advancements in imaging technology can process multiple Dolby Vision streams simultaneously. Consumers can now watch different media sources at the same time in Dolby Vision in multiple windows, all in stunning detail.

"By integrating Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail, the Pentonic 1000 will enable 4K smart TVs to expand the Dolby Vision experience," said Mathias Bendull, Vice President, Living Room at Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby will work with MediaTek and our OEM partners to bring the astonishing Dolby Vision imaging for more use cases to 4K smart TVs."

"We designed the MediaTek Pentonic 1000 specifically to accommodate today's smart TV trends, including 4K streaming, cloud gaming, video conferencing and watch parties," said Alex Chen, General Manager of the TV Business Unit at MediaTek. "With support for 4K HDR content, 120 Hz frame rates, MEMC, AI enhancements, Wi-Fi 6/6E connectivity and cutting-edge codecs like VVC, Pentonic 1000 will deliver the ultimate 4K viewing experience."

The Pentonic 1000's on-chip AI engine delivers industry-leading AI enhancements with higher performance and power efficiency compared to other multi-chip platforms. MediaTek's upgraded AI-Super Resolution (AI-SR) technology provides edge smoothing and detail reconstruction to make FHD look like 4K, while the company's AI-Picture Quality (AI-PQ) Scene Recognition and AI-PQ Object Recognition technologies improve picture quality for realistic depth perception that brings content to life.

Other key features of the MediaTek Pentonic 1000 include:

• Ultra-fast Connectivity: With support for Wi-Fi 6/6E, consumers can enjoy low-latency Cloud gaming and 4K streaming without interruption.
• Global Video and 4K120p Decoding Built-in: Pentonic 1000 not only supports the popular ATSC 3.0, AV1, HEVC, VP9 and AVS3 standards, but is also designed for VVC (H.266) to usher in the first wave of VVC adoption.
• Advanced Audio Features: The chipset has cutting-edge voice assistant features so consumers can use their smart TVs to connect with their other smart home devices, along with Dolby Atmos immersive sound.

Smart TVs powered by the Pentonic 1000 will be available in the market by Q1 2023.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Valantar]

Wait, so it supports resolutions up to 2160p120, but supports 2160p VRR up to 144Hz? That... doesn't seem to quite add up.

 

[ncrs]

Wait, so it supports resolutions up to 2160p120, but supports 2160p VRR up to 144Hz? That... doesn't seem to quite add up.

My understanding is that the 2160p120 is the maximum for HDR which has higher bandwidth requirements. The VRR figure is most likely SDR.

 

[Valantar]

My understanding is that the 2160p120 is the maximum for HDR which has higher bandwidth requirements. The VRR figure is most likely SDR.

That's a possible explanation, but tbh that would be rather disappointing. I'd definitely want HDR enabled for gaming. It has 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 support, which is plenty of bandwidth for 2160p144 10-bit or even 12-bit HDR (that would require just below 43Gbps), so IMO HDR support at 144Hz ought to be a basic requirement for anything calling itself a flagship TV controller chip in 2022.

 

[ncrs]

That's a possible explanation, but tbh that would be rather disappointing. I'd definitely want HDR enabled for gaming. It has 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 support, which is plenty of bandwidth for 2160p144 10-bit or even 12-bit HDR (that would require just below 43Gbps), so IMO HDR support at 144Hz ought to be a basic requirement for anything calling itself a flagship TV controller chip in 2022.

To be honest this one is marketed as 4K120 while Pentonic 2000 is 8K120 which would make it the flagship IMO[1], however the latter doesn't have VRR mentioned at all in the specification.
It's an interesting discrepancy with the VRR support. Unfortunately I'm unable to find any more documentation for those SoCs beyond the PR materials.

[1] - unless you meant "flagship for 4K"

 

[TheLostSwede]

To be honest this one is marketed as 4K120 while Pentonic 2000 is 8K120 which would make it the flagship IMO, however the latter doesn't have VRR mentioned at all in the specification.
It's an interesting discrepancy with the VRR support. Unfortunately I'm unable to find any more documentation for those SoCs beyond the PR materials.

Mediatek is notorious for not sharing a lot of details on these types of products, partially because the TV vendors are apparently branding them as whatever marketing name they want to use for their TV lines.

 

[Valantar]

[1] - unless you meant "flagship for 4K"

Nah, I was just referencing the press release title, "MediaTek Upgrades Flagship 4K 120Hz TV Experiences with New Pentonic 1000 Chipset". I guess you could indeed read that as "Flaghip 4K (...) Experiences" rather than "Flagship (...) Experiences" though.

Mediatek is notorious for not sharing a lot of details on these types of products, partially because the TV vendors are apparently branding them as whatever marketing name they want to use for their TV lines.

It's kind of fascinating how TV vendors seem to put so much into bragging about their entirely proprietary, not-at-all-off-the-shelf™©® display controllers, when there are few tech sectors where I could imagine the audience caring less about the hardware as long as the firmware and software have the desired capabilities.

 

[TheLostSwede]

It's kind of fascinating how TV vendors seem to put so much into bragging about their entirely proprietary, not-at-all-off-the-shelf™©® display controllers, when there are few tech sectors where I could imagine the audience caring less about the hardware as long as the firmware and software have the desired capabilities.

And that there's enough storage for apps, since these days you tend to install at least half a dozen different ones, even if you don't use them all at once.

 

[chodaboy19]

Doesn't SONY use their chips? Hopefully now Sony TVs will support 4 x HDMI 2.1 ports.

 

[Fatalfury]

wait a minute...so what were all these 4k 120Hz TVs that was released in the past year until now using??
they must have had some kind of "chip" inside probably the more affordable brands using mediatek i suppose.

 

[ixi]

Sony, I wonder in which TV series you will put this is?

 

[Valantar]

wait a minute...so what were all these 4k 120Hz TVs that was released in the past year until now using??
they must have had some kind of "chip" inside probably the more affordable brands using mediatek i suppose.

This isn't MTK's first 42160p120 TV controller chip, just their most recent high end one. And of course there are other companies making similar chips too - it's just not a product category that typically gets consumer facing press releases.

 

[ixi]

This isn't MTK's first 42160p120 TV controller chip, just their most recent high end one. And of course there are other companies making similar chips too - it's just not a product category that typically gets consumer facing press releases.

Sony TV which I have has Mediatek cpu but rebranded as Sony something blah, blah. 4k, 100 or 120Hz (with motionflow up to 1000Hz, wicked, jungle is massive). So yeah, this most likely is something cheap and affordable for masses. TV which I have is 2017 end release.

 

[ARF]

What is HDR? Something from a GFX from year 2006?

Sapphire X1600 Pro PCIe Video Card Review - Legit Reviews

 

[Valantar]

What is HDR? Something from a GFX from year 2006?

View attachment 269707
https://www.legitreviews.com/sapphire-x1600-pro-pcie-video-card-review_304

That's quite different from the actual HDR we have today, thankfully. And of course literally no HDR displays existed at that point, even if CRTs did have good contrast (their peak brightness was crap). Mid-2000s HDR rendering has next to no relation to HDR display pipelines today.

 

[ARF]

That's quite different from the actual HDR we have today, thankfully. And of course literally no HDR displays existed at that point, even if CRTs did have good contrast (their peak brightness was crap). Mid-2000s HDR rendering has next to no relation to HDR display pipelines today.

What is "HDR" today and why is it labelled as such?

Is "HDR" 6 bit colour, or 8 bit colour? Is it 50% Adobe RGB coverage, is it 100% BT.2020 coverage? Is it 1.07 B colours, is it more, or less?

 

[Valantar]

What is "HDR" today and why is it labelled as such?

Is "HDR" 6 bit colour, or 8 bit colour? Is it 50% Adobe RGB coverage, is it 100% BT.2020 coverage? Is it 1.07 B colours, is it more, or less?

None of the above. Mainly it's the ability to display at least 14 stops of dynamic range (which roughly translates to a real world contrast ratio of 8000:1). Other than that, the current standards for HDR video are somewhat variable, but most also target a wide color space and high peak and sustained brightness - but these targets vary a lot. But dynamic range itself only really denominates the ability to have a wide range of brightness levels in one image.

 

[ixi]

What is "HDR" today and why is it labelled as such?

Is "HDR" 6 bit colour, or 8 bit colour? Is it 50% Adobe RGB coverage, is it 100% BT.2020 coverage? Is it 1.07 B colours, is it more, or less?

HDR10 - Maybe it is 10bit panel and BT 2100. And nits over 1000

HDR - correct me if I'm wrong. Starts from 600 nits and does not have specified bit colours so most likely supports 8.

 

[Valantar]

HDR10 - Maybe it is 10bit panel and BT 2100. And nits over 1000

HDR - correct me if I'm wrong. Starts from 600 nits and does not have specified bit colours so most likely supports 8.

Being a TV controller it's extremely likely that this supports HDR10, 10+ and Dolby Vision, and that TV makers just pick which they enable. And it would then support at least 10-bit panels, likely 12-bit too.

 

[ARF]

So, now I see better. HDR10 is supported by OLED screens, for example my LG G8s ThinQ smartphone is HDR10, G-OLED.

 

[Valantar]

So, now I see better. HDR10 is supported by OLED screens, for example my LG G8s ThinQ smartphone is HDR10, G-OLED.

HDR10 is supported by essentially every HDR capable device out there, LCD or OLED, as it's the simplest HDR video standard and is royalty-free. Samsung made HDR10+ as a semi-proprietary alternative to Dolby Vision, both of which support dynamic metadata (which allows for adjusting peak and base luminance per scene rather than for the whole video file under one, which allows for a broader overall utilization of the brightness range and color space compared to the static metadata of HDR10).

Each of these are just standards for video content though, and don't actually make demands of the display on a device. They just tell you that the display and its processor is capable of deciding data encoded in these formats. That's what VESA DisplayHDR ratings are for - to tell you how much of the data from these HDR video formats the display can actually show you.