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May 02, 2006

A high-tech product vendor in Sofia, Bulgaria will ship a triangle-shaped set-top box (STB) that runs Linux to service providers in Q4, 2006, it says. The Media Systems iSetBox-Home is powered by a Pixelworks processor, and lets users watch TV and DVD movies, listen to music, record CDs/DVDs, and access the Internet.

Media Systems says the iSetBox-Home's unique design makes use of passive, convective cooling, eliminating fans for quiet operation. It is optionally available with a hard drive.

The iSetBox-Home supports a variety of tuner options, including NTSC (U.S.) and PAL (European) video standards, as well as digital video broadcast standards DVB-C, DVB-S, and DVB-T. It also supports IP (Internet protocol) TV, FM radio, digital radio, and teletext. Users can record content directly to CDs/DVDs, the company says, or to the optional hard drive.

iSetBox-Home ports, front and back
(Click to see labels)
The iSetBox-Home comes with a web browser and email client. Other features include picture-in-picture, a pause function for live TV, photo slideshow software, a "6-in-1" memory card reader, and parental control through restrictions on channel or time, according to the company. The device can also be accessed remotely via the Internet, using a web browser on a laptop, mobile phone, or PDA.

Networking is provided through a standard wired Ethernet port, and the device also includes a PCI slot, for additional hardware expansion modules. Two USB 2.0 slots support human interface devices (HIDs) such as keyboards and mice; a future version will also support Bluetooth HIDs, as well as DVI/HDMI ports, Media Systems says.

The iSetBox-Home has a front-panel LCD screen and control buttons, and comes with a standard remote control.

Availability

The iSetBox-Home will be available from Media Systems in Q4, 2006. It was designed by Media Data, a Media Systems subcontractor that previously created the eCos-based Personal Securer kidnap panic button device.

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