Sharp intros LCD NTSC-PAL switching chip

JAPANESE GIANT Sharp said it has started sampling a video interface chip which will auto-sense and switch between NSTC and PAL video formats.

The device bridges the gap between different regions using different video standards, and allows manufacturers of small LCD devices to design units that will work in different countries.

According to the JC News Network, the not very sexily named RB5P0090M video interface IC is the world's first chip to autoswitch between PAL and NSTC and to convert the appropriate signal for LCD displays.

One application would include car navigation systems, but the opportunities are legion, we guess. µ