Silicon Optix

About Silicon Optix

Silicon Optix Inc. operated as a fabless semiconductor company, focusing on the design and manufacturing of integrated circuits for digital video and image processing. The company was established in 2000, originating as a spin-off from Genesis Microchip. This strategic move was led by Paul Russo, who was the CEO of Genesis Microchip at the time and became a founder and the Chairman of Silicon Optix. Louie Lee is also credited as a co-founder. Paul Russo's extensive background in the semiconductor industry includes founding Genesis Microchip in 1987 and later GEO Semiconductor in 2009. His earlier career involved roles at RCA Laboratories, where he contributed to the development of the first CMOS microprocessor, and management positions at GE's Microelectronics Center.

The company's business model revolved around providing programmable video and geometry processing integrated circuit (IC) solutions to a range of clients. Its customer base included prominent names such as Avid Technologies, Barco, Christie Digital, Grass Valley Group, Mitsubishi, and Thomson Broadcast Systems. Silicon Optix operated in the digital display market, with a particular focus on large area digital displays, including front- and rear-projection systems. Revenue was generated through the sale of its digital image processors and licensing of its technology. In a significant move to expand its offerings, Silicon Optix acquired Teranex in 2004, incorporating its patents into its product lines.

Silicon Optix developed a portfolio of advanced video processing chips. Notable products included the Realta system-on-a-chip (SOC), the Reon chip for mainstream video processing, and the Geo video/graphics-geometry processing chip that enabled pixel-by-pixel brightness control for rear-projection TVs. The company also held exclusive manufacturing rights for several of Genesis Microchip's video-image processors, such as the sxZX1 advanced image processor. A key technology was its Hollywood Quality Video (HQV), which offered features like true 1080i-to-1080p HD deinterlacing. The company secured substantial funding to support its growth, raising $27 million in a Series B round in March 2003, with lead investors including Canaan and Polaris Partners. By January 2004, the total for the second round reached $48 million.

In 2008, the company's assets were acquired by multiple entities. Integrated Device Technology (IDT) acquired the HQV and Reon product lines and associated engineering teams. Flexible Picture Systems took over the Image AnyPlace box systems business. Subsequently, in 2009, GEO Semiconductor, Paul Russo's new venture, acquired the Realta and Geo product IPs, and Jupiter Systems acquired the Teranex division.