Understanding the DaVinci Preview Engine

The Preview Engine block in the DaVinci video processing sub-system (VPSS) provides some critical functions for image and video processing. These functions, if implemented in software, require a significant number of computations in terms of million instructions per second (MIPs). By offloading these functions, the valuable MIPs can be used for more differentiating tasks, such as video compression and content analysis.

This application report provides an overview of the Preview Engine. Discussions are focused on the usage of each sub-block from an application development point of view. Examples are provided using the Linux Preview Engine driver that is developed by Texas Instruments.