Siemens IP-STB designs run Linux, do HDTV, DVB-T

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Oct. 31, 2006

Siemens of Switzerland is shipping three hardware/software reference designs for Internet protocol set-top boxes (IP-STBs). The STB-7100-series designs run Linux 2.6 on a SuperH-based processor, and support standard- and high-definition content, along with multiple access technologies, including DSL, cable, and DVB-T (digital video broadcast -- terrestrial).

Siemens Switzerland's STB-7100, STB-7110, and STB-7120 (L-R)
(Click any image to enlarge)
Siemens's STB-7100 series comprises:

STB-7100 -- standard definition H.264 IP-STB
STB-7110 -- high-definition H.264 IP-STB
STB-7120 -- high-definition H.264 IP-STB with integral DVB-T module

The STB-7100-series designs are based on ST's ST7100 SoC (system-on-chip), clocked at 300MHz. The SoC integrates Renesas's venerable ST40 SuperH core, long supported by Linux, with H.264 and WMV9 decoders, and a multiplicity of on-chip peripheral interfaces, including serial, ATA, and USB 2.0.

The STB-7100-series designs have 128MB of RAM, along with 32MB of dedicated video memory. They also come standard with 16MB of Flash.

I/O includes:

10/100 Ethernet on RJ-45
Front-panel USB 2.0 host port
SCART (RGB and component) audio/video out
S-video (Hosiden) video out
Analog (RCA) and digital (S/PDIF) audio outs

The STB-7110 and STB-7120 add an HDMI Type A connector, while the STB-7120 also adds:

IEC 168-2 (female) 75 Ohm DVB-T antenna input
IEC 168-2 (male) 75 Ohm connector for RF loop-out

Additional touted features include:

Supports wireless USB dongles
SD or HDTV up to 1080i
MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 pt10/H.264 Video Decoder (DivX optional)
Video on Demand, Audio on Demand
Internal hard drive for PVR/time-shifting
Integrated DVB-T/C Receiver (Hybrid STB) with EPG (electronic program guide) for DVB Channels (STB-7120 only)
Embedded Web Browser (HTML, HTTP, HTTPS, DHTML, SSL, Cookie, Java Script)
Classical-, IP- and Video-Telephony
Internal Web server (TinyWeb)
Extensive codec support:
- MPEG-1 layer I/II & MP3,
- MPEG-2 layer II
- MPEG-2 AAC, AAC-SBR
- Optionally Dolby Digital 2.0 / 5.1 (AC-3) incl. down mix to stereo
- MPEG-4 AAC
- MPEG-4 AVC HP@level 3.1
- MPEG-2 MP@ML
- MPEG-4 AVC HP@level 4.1 (STB-7110 and STB-7120 only)
- MPEG-2 MP@HL

The Siemens Switzerland designs come with a Linux 2.6 OS, complete with an embedded web browser and client-server IP-TV user applications. Available third party software includes Myrio Interactive on-screen display (GUI) software, and TwonkyVision's UPnP-compliant Media Server.

Siemens Switzerland Spokesperson Patrik Vonlanthen stated, "Interest in online services and applications that are innovative, comfortably operated, and funny is high. Market analysts quantify the future potential [at] more than 20 billion Euro."

Availability

The STB-7100-series designs appear to be available now, along with a variety of third-party applications and codecs.

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