'CELL Microprocessor to Sweep over Game Market in 2006'

http://neasia.nikkeibp.com/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/asabt/intvw/309856

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'CELL Microprocessor to Sweep over Game Market in 2006,'

Sony COO Kutaragi Says

May 27, 2004 (TOKYO) -- Ken Kutaragi, vice president and COO of Sony
Corp, said that the electronics company will make a sensation with its
"CELL" microprocessor from fiscal 2006.




Ken Kutaragi, vice president and COO of Sony Corp
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) Inc has been co-developing the
microprocessor with IBM Corp and Toshiba Corp. Kutaragi spoke about
the microprocessor at a press conference explaining Sony's business
policy held on May 19.

'CELL' to Be Next-Generation Game Console

Kutaragi discussed the CELL microprocessor's prospects as follows:

Current general-purpose microprocessors have not been able to fully
support high-resolution image data. On the other hand, using a
proprietary LSI for image data would have a specific logic so that it
has no flexibility in supporting new formats or new services
distributed through a network. But the CELL microprocessor will handle
high-resolution image data and at the same time meet requirements of a
device that can be used for new services and formats.

Sony has already made an announcement with IBM to co-develop a new
workstation for creating entertainment content such as movies and
games. Specifically, Sony intends CELL to be embedded in
next-generation game terminals, TVs and home servers, said Kutaragi.

The company hopes to cause a sensation with CELL after fiscal 2006,
when the company finishes its structural reform program called the
"TR60."

Improving Profits of DVD Recorders by Sharing Software, Platform

Sony was able to significantly expand its market share in DVD
recorders from the end of 2003 to 2004, according to Kutaragi. The
company thinks it is necessary to improve profits and further expand
its market share.

Among several DVD recorder line-ups it offers -- PSX, CoCoon and
"Sugoroku" RDR series DVD recorders -- it is planning to standardize
and share the platforms, the basic components of built-in software and
semiconductors.

So far, Sony has been using such a software platform for each product
line. In order to boost profits, it will promote standardization as
far as possible while retaining the competitiveness in each product
line, Kutaragi said.

Related stories:
- Sony Decides to Invest 120 Billion Yen in 650nm Process for SoCs
- IBM Reveals New Microprocessor Strategy Adding Sony as Licensee for
Digital Appliances
- Sony Demonstrates H.264-based Real-time Video Reproduction

(Tomohisa Takei, Staff Editor, Nikkei Electronics)
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