Question on the Sigma Design Chipset

[ejp]

As far as mpeg4 standalone players go, there are only 2 chipsets, right? ESS and Sigma.

I own a standalone with ESS support. now, aren't there some general limitations to these players? Such as no QPEL or GMC. (Also some encoders (like autogk) need that ESS-compatible option enabled otherwise the picture will bleed and can be fixed by some remote control toggle fix).

So, will the same go for Sigma standalone players? What are the limitations? Will the play ESS-compatible media without any trouble? Or would I have to re-encode it with Sigma-compatibility enabled?

Just in case someone was wondering, the specific chip in question is the Sigma Design EM8511. I don't expect many answers about this particular chip because I can't find much information myself. And if you did search on it, you'd surely find the TViX Multimedia Player. I'm planning to buy the Mini. It uses this chipset for media playback. The question I have is that their second upcoming player also uses a Sigma chip, another model, however. But it has support for WMV and HD video. I might hold out for that depending on price.

[celtic_druid]

There is also MediaTek, Zoran, Cirrus Logic and I think at least one other. Cirrus Logic chips are I think only found in recorder combos though.

ESS compatibility mode basically enables DivX Home Theatre so it will play on all DivX certified players.

Newer Sigma chipsets at least have no problems with qpel or I think CQM (Custom Quant Matrix (what causes the bleeding, etc.)).

No chipsets support 3 warp point GMC as used by XviD.