Set-top box manufacturer Humax and Entropic, which provides semiconductor solutions for the connected home, announced today an IP-based set-top box (STB) based on hardware and software specifications developed by Comcast.
The Humax client device enables cable subscribers to view a rich set of IP-based video services at any TV in the home. The device can run native and cloud-based applications and provides a highly-efficient, media and graphics-rich end-user experience. The Humax client solution is powered by Entropic's TSC188 CPU, a dual-core ARM(R) Cortex(TM) A9 solution bundled with Entropic's leading Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA(R)) silicon and software to provide reliable whole-home network
connectivity.
The Humax device features both NTSC and HDMI outputs enabling it to connect to a TV or other external media device. The Humax unit, which recently passed FCC certification, will function as a video client to multi-tuner gateway servers. The compact Humax device includes recording functionality. The DVR feature works in conjunction with the multi-tuner hybrid gateway server and the on-board SD Card lets the IP set-top-box stream and play back programming using the MoCA specification. The Humax device provides NTSC and HDMI outputs, as well as MoCA, Ethernet and HDMI inputs. It also includes a USB port, which can be used to connect to a USB storage device for bringing additional entertainment to the TV screen.
"We worked with Entropic and Comcast to provide another way to deliver more media-rich, IP-based services and content to subscribers," said Albert Son, president of Humax Americas. "Our global development performances, time-to-market track records along with RDK empowers this new generation of content delivery through the gateway/client model."
"In working with Humax and Comcast on the Xi3 platform, our goal was to bring more Internet-like capabilities to each TV in the home," said Mark Samuel, senior vice president and general manager, Entropic's Set-top Box Business Unit. "By leveraging Humax' client STB expertise and our advanced STB SoC solution for video processing with our MoCA technology for the reliable connectivity backbone, we are delivering enriched ways for consumers to engage with their whole-home entertainment content."
"We are pleased to see our Reference Design Kit embraced by top technology partners," said Steve Reynolds, Senior Vice President of Premises Technology for Comcast. "The Humax-Entropic Xi3 device will help providers to offer their customers more interactive, rich and personalized entertainment experiences anywhere in the home."
Development for the new Humax client solution leverages Comcast's RDK. The RDK provides a framework to enable device manufacturers to rapidly develop, optimize and deploy new broadcast and IP-based solutions for richer consumer TV experiences.
On Display at CES 2013
Entropic will highlight the Xi3 platform at CES 2013. Entropic will be hosting demonstrations at its CES meeting suite, January 8 -- 11, 2013 in the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel.
