OmniVision's OV2722 sensor promises 1080p tablet video chats, probably more than you wanted to see

OmniVision's OV2722 sensor promises 1080p tablet video chats, probably more than you wanted to see

We're seeing rear cameras on smartphones and tablets get better all the time; what about at the front? OmniVision might have that side tackled through the OV2722, a 1080p-native CMOS camera sensor. It won't allow for magnum opuses of photography like the company's own 16-megapixel behemoth, but it's just big enough and thin enough (at 3mm deep) to give a serious upgrade to the 720p-or-lower front cameras that prevail today, including webcams on Ultrabooks. The new sensor is both thinner and better in low light than an earlier iteration, so we'll hopefully see fewer instances of blurrycam self-portraits and video calls. The OV2722 is in mass produ ction now for unnamed clients, although we're worried that the resolution jump will show us a little too much detail in that chat with Aunt Mildred.

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OmniVision Expands Native 1080p High Definition CameraChip™ Line-up with 1/6-inch OV2722

OmniBSI+™ Pixel Enables High-Performance HD Video Solution for Smartphone, Tablet, Notebook and Ultrabook Applications

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OVTI), a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today introduced the OV2722, the Company's second-generation native 1080p high-definition (HD) CMOS image sensor, designed specifically for ultra-portable applications where high performance and low profile are critical. Using OmniVision's new OmniBSI+ pixel architecture, the OV2722 delivers improved sensitivity and image quality with a module height of less than 3 mm, making it an ideal choice for the burgeoning smartphone, tablet and Ultrabook™ markets.

"We believe that current market trends are quickly moving beyond 720p, and we are seeing strong demand for premium quality 1080p HD video sensors that can meet the criteria and specifications of online video sharing platforms such as Skype™, and unified communications platforms such as Microsoft® Lync®," said Nick Nam, director of product marketing at OmniVision. "In addition, many high-end cameras are required to have extremely small form factors so that they can fit inside next-generation smartphones, tablets, notebooks and Ultrabooks. The OV2722 is specifically crafted to meet these stringent performance requirements and design specifications, making it the ideal choice for these high-end devices."

The OV2722 is a 1/6-inch native 1080p HD CMOS image sensor, offering full field of view video with optimized image quality, sensitivity, color reproduction and clarity without scali ng or cropping. Built on the new 1.4-micron OmniBSI+ pixel, the OV2722 offers significant performance improvements over the first generation, OmniBSI™-based OV2720, including a 60 percent increase in full-well capacity, a 10 percent increase in quantum efficiency and a 10 percent improvement in low-light performance. Additionally, the OV2722 is designed to fit extremely thin modules with a z-height of less than 3 mm, while maintaining pin-to-pin compatibility with its predecessor, making it a drop-in replacement for system designers.

The OV2722 supports multiple platform architectures and controllers with both parallel and MIPI interfaces. It allows system designers to leverage the same opto-electrical design across various products and multiple market segments to reduce product development time. Exposure control, white balance and defective pixel canceling are programmable through the serial camera control bus (SCCB) interface.

The OV2722 is curr ently in volume production.

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