Intel today unveiled details around a high definition digital set-top box with integrated digital media adapter. Through the integrated DMA, the DIRECTV digital set-top box users can access pictures and music on their TVs from Intel Viiv PCs.
In a keynote at the Intel Developer Forum, Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini detailed plans for DIRECTV’s new set-top box, the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, which marks the first time a major service provider has endorsed an integrated DMA deployment. Otellini said the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is in the final stages of Intel Viiv technology testing and verification.
It can record and view 200 hours of standard definition content or 50 hours of MPEG 4 high-definition programming.
The DirecTV Plus HD DVR doesn’t have wireless networking capability, reports C/Net. That means users would still have to run cables between their PCs and televisions or plug the set-top box into a wireless adapter like Netgear’s WiFi Media Hub.
STMicroelectronics and Sigma Designs claim to be the first to ship its MPEG-4 HD “system-on-a-chip” products to set-top box makers. Broadcom says it will begin shipping its product late this year.
“Having the nation’s leading satellite television service provider with a 15 million and growing customer base introduce the world’s first Intel Viiv technology-verified set-top box is a significant milestone, accelerating the number of connected digital homes,” said Kevin Corbett, vice president of Intel’s Digital Home Group and general manager of the company’s Content Services Group.
Intel and Omnicom Media Group (OMG), also announced a collaboration for Internet-delivered advertising . The effort will connect content owners and advertisers for interactive, broadband-delivered content tailored to specific programming and audiences. Omnicom Media Group, is the media services division of Omnicom Group, the leading global marketing and corporate communications company.
Intel plans to deliver an integrated Wi-Fi and WiMax chip by 2008. WiMAX will be supported by Sprint and Clearwire in 2007 with commercial service by 2008. Intel also said it would extend WiMax support to future reference designs for the handheld Ultramobile PC, including a 2.5-pound version for students (left).
The UMPC platform could be customized for different applications said Brad Graff, director of marketing for low power products in Intel’s Mobile Platforms Group in Beaverton, Ore.
The Intel Core Processor Challenge announced $1m in total prize money for developers to create tiny PCs. Entries must boot Windows XP MCE or Vista Premium and run Intel Viiv drivers on a Viiv chipset. Intel Core Mini-ITX Motherboards might be a good place to start.
Other news at Intel’s Developer Forum included a demonstration of the tera-scale mega chip with 80 cores and Quad Core Microprocessors and 45nm Manufacturing.
Hot Hardware has daily coverage of the event as does Arstechnica, C/Net and eWeek.
