| SoC for STBs has triple processors |
Apr. 15, 2008
 Sigma Designs has introduced a pair of set-top box SoCs that run Windows CE and Microsoft's Mediaroom IPTV software stack. Powered by three MIPS cores apiece, the SMP8654 and SMP8655 boast accelerated graphics and compliance with HDMI (high-defintion multimedia interface) 1.3, says Sigma.
The SMP8654 and SMP8655, differing only in the latter's omission of Macrovision, are designed to replace the company's "industry leading" SMP8634. And indeed, they appear to be a significant advance on it. Where the older SMP8634 had a 300MHz MIPS CPU and a 200MHz security CPU, the SMP865x chips boast triple MIPS processors, for a claimed fifty percent speed boost, according to Sigma claims:- A 500MHz processor runs the operating system and applications
- A 333MHz processor manages interrupts and part of the network stack
- A 333MHz security CPU, deliberately inaccessible by external interfaces, manages authentication, key generation, and content access functions
Sigma's 865x SoC sports three processors
(Click to enlarge)
The SMP865x chips offer high definition video decoding, including H.264 (MPEG-4 part 10), WMV, VC-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4 (part 2). They also support China's home-market AVS (audio video standard). HDMI 1.3 support offers bandwidth to 340MHz, while adding support for the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD formats used by Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.
Other touted features for the SMP865x chips include:- On-chip flash memory (24K for 500MHz processor, 4K for interrupt/stack processor)
- DRM (digital rights management) engines
- 2D graphics processor including scaling, JPEG and OpenType acceleration
- Dual gigabit Ethernet controllers
- Dual USB 2.0 controllers
- DDR2 controller supporting memory up to 666Mbps
- NAND flash controller
- SATA controller
- Audio I/O
- Simultaneous HD and SD video outputs
Sigma did not cite pin compatibility with its previous SoCs, but said the SMP865x chips are software-compatible with them.
About Mediaroom
 Microsoft's Mediaroom (right), renamed from IPTV Edition last July, is a Windows CE-based technology that is licensed directly to broadband service providers. Features include simultaneous recording of multiple HD and SD programs, media sharing, and a MultiView feature that lets one screen show up to six channels simultaneously.
IPTV has been expanding rapidly, with more than 10 million subscribers in Europe, North America, and Asia, according to figures cited by Sigma. The company says it ships chipsets to "nearly all" of the top STB manufacturers, and 24 of the top teleco operators. Deployments are split between Mediaroom and various flavors of Linux.
Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for Microsoft TV, said "Sigma's new system-on-a-chip technology gives our customers new ways to reduce costs and improve performance. Our latest SoC collaboration with Sigma will give our customers the ability to offer their subscribers new ways to get the best in TV plus all their media, such as photos, music and favorite shows, in one place."
Further information
Sigma's 865x series is sampling now, the company says. Product demonstrations are being provided at this week's National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas.
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed