MediaTek’s SoC designs are used in Android TVs from Sony, Philips, TCL, and others. The next-generation MT5598 SoC will be around 50% faster. It will also include support for 4 HDR formats and 120Hz.

Next-gen Android TVs
Most products based on Google’s ‘Android TV’ platform use a MediaTek SoC. The chip maker usually releases a new reference design each year that TV makers can modify somewhat before implementing it. Android TV manufacturers that use the MediaTek SoC today include Sony (USA & Europe), Philips (Europe), and TCL (Europe).

MediaTek has included a picture of a Sony TV in its press release announcing the new SoC. Sony told FlatpanelsHD at CES 2018 that the 2018 TVs scheduled for release this spring will incorporate the same MediaTek SoC as the 2017 models. Sony usually implements a new MediaTek SoC with the launch of its fall line-up so there is a good chance that new SoC will make it to Sony’s TVs later this year.

- "For 20 years, MediaTek has been a market leader in developing innovative chipsets for home entertainment products and devices," said Evan Su, General Manager of Home Display and Custom IC Business Unit, MediaTek. "Our newest SmartTV chipset will bring the most advanced online streaming standards and superior picture quality into homes around the world."



4 HDR formats, 120Hz, 50% faster
So what can we expect from next-generation Android TVs? First of all, the SoC supports 4 HDR formats, more specifically HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, and Advanced HDR by Technicolor. As you may know, Sony lacks the latter, whereas Philips lacks the two latter. There was no mention of HDR10+ in the press release.

The chip also supports 120Hz, the chipmaker said.

- “120Hz display support means fast, blur-free displays that are great for gaming.”

It is not clear if this extends to 120fps HFR, or High Frame Rate, video. LG will support HFR in its 2018 high-end TVs.

In addition, the chip has a SDR-to-HDR remapping engine, AI features to improve voice control, and a “13th generation Picture Quality Engine”. It is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core ARM processor, which implies a 50% increase in CPU power unless there are changes to the ARM processor structure.

MediaTek said that the SoC can power 4K TVs as well as UHD Blu-ray players.

As mentioned, we expect the first Android TVs based on this SoC to appear the second half of 2018 but of course that’s just a guess.

- Source: MediaTek, thanks for the tip & input, Daniel