Communications

Mediaroom boosted by Sigma

13 May 2008

Sigma Designs and Microsoft are to collaborate to enable the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV and multimedia platform to operate on next-generation set-top boxes, using the new Sigma SMP8654 System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

The solution will give service providers the ability to offer innovative connected TV services, such as PC to TV photo and music sharing, as well as ‘DVR Anywhere’, which allows consumers to watch their recorded programs on any TV in their home.

“Sigma’s new SoC technology gives our customers new ways to reduce costs and improve the performance of their IPTV service deployments,” said Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for Microsoft TV. “Our latest 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 favourite shows, in one place.”

The SMP8654 includes a 500 Mhz Mips 24k main CPU enabling a wider range of application-based features that enhance the future-proofing of the platform. A second Mips processor called the IPU, manages interrupt operations and offloads system tasks, such as portions of the network stack, to further optimise main CPU utilisation. In addition, the SoC maintains software compatibility with the Sigma Multimedia Library, and so can build on the proven performance and reliability of Microsoft Mediaroom.

“We are very pleased with the success we’ve experienced as a key technology partner within the Microsoft Mediaroom ecosystem,” said Ken Lowe, a vice president at Sigma Designs. “Microsoft is a key driving force in the development of the IPTV industry, and we are energised to be moving into our second generation platform together.”