| HOT TOPIC: IP set-top boxes |
(Revised Sep. 13, 2004)
"An IP set-top box is a dedicated computing device that serves as an interface between a television set and a broadband network. In addition to decoding and rendering broadcast TV signals, an IP set-top box can provide functionality that includes video-on-demand (VOD), Electronic Program Guide (EPG), digital rights management (DRM), and a variety of interactive and multimedia services. IP set-top boxes can support in-demand features such as Web browsing, e-mail and viewing e-mail attachments, advanced multimedia codecs, home networking, personal computer connectivity, gateway functionality, instant messaging (IM), and real-time voice over IP (VoIP). These types of advanced functionality are in demand by end-users and enable incremental network operator service opportunities." -- excerpt from Microsoft VoIP whitepaper (listed below)
In this exclusive WindowsForDevices.com "Hot Topic" article, we bring together links to IP set-top box related news, information, and resources . . .
Background information
- NEWS FLASH: Microsoft launches major push into IPTV -- Oct. 9, 2003 -- Microsoft's TV Division has unveiled plans for the development of a new end-to-end Internet Protocol television (IPTV) "delivery solution" intended to help cable and telecommunications operators offer improved and next-generation TV services over existing broadband networks. The IPTV set-top boxes (STBs) and IPTVs will be based on Windows CE .NET and XP Embedded OSes, and will achieve substantial bandwidth savings by using Windows Media 9 A/V technology, which, Microsoft says, "has approximately three times the efficiency of MPEG-2 and twice that of MPEG-4."
- Microsoft whitepaper on Internet Protocol (IP) set-top boxes -- Sep. 9, 2003 -- this paper discusses today's IP set-top box industry trends, defines the types of IP set-top boxes currently available on the market, and describes the latest Microsoft embedded software solutions for IP set-top boxes. It provides a detailed description of the multimedia, security, and architectural features of Windows CE .NET 4.2 and Windows XP Embedded. Finally, the paper includes recommendations for how to select the appropriate Windows operating system that best suits your IP set-top box design and deployment needs.
- PVR and VOD join forces to redefine future of TV -- Sep. 24, 2003 -- Video on demand (VOD) and personal video recording (PVR), the two non-linear video viewing models, will redefine the future of the television experience, according to a new study from technology research firm ABI. Presently, PVR might may be the weapon of choice for direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators, while VOD is favored by cable multi-system operators (MSOs). All pay-TV platforms, including the budding "Telco TV," will rely heavily on the non-linear aspect and convenience of these two technologies.
- Microsoft unveils new software platform for low-end TV STBs -- Jun. 10, 2003 -- Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates introduced "Microsoft TV Foundation Edition," a new digital TV platform, at the annual convention of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. According to Microsoft, the "end-to-end solution" enables network operators to offer enhanced services such as video-on-demand (VOD), games, news, weather, and sports to consumer set-top boxes (STBs) and TV devices, and includes an "innovative" interactive program guide. Microsoft TV Foundation Edition is a software layer targeting cable operators with tens of millions of installed low-end STBs, which have highly constrained hardware resources -- typically, processing performance on the order of 15 MHz with as little as 1MB of memory.
- Microsoft targets CE .NET at set-top boxes -- Apr. 8, 2003 -- In conjunction with the National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft announced that the soon-to-be-released Windows CE .NET version 4.2 includes several key enhancements that will be valuable for next-generation TV set-top box designs.
 - Quick Reference Guide: TV set-top boxes/devices with Windows inside -- a continually updated showcase of Windows powered set-top boxes, TVs, and other devices.
Product and technology announcements
- Set-top box vendors jump on Windows CE, IPTV bandwagon -- Sep. 13, 2004 -- At the International Broadcasters' Convention in Amsterdam last week, Microsoft showcased the growing use its Windows CE embedded operating system within internet protocol set-top boxes (IP-STBs). Additionally, Microsoft announced a market trial of its IPTV platform, based on Windows CE powered STBs from Thomson along with IPTV services from Bell Canada, Reliance Infocomm, SBC Communications, and Swisscom/Bluewin.
- Korea Telecom deploys VOD STBs running Windows CE -- Sep. 01, 2004 -- A new set-top box (STB) from LG Electronics will soon be deployed by Korea Telecom (KT) in the Seoul area. LG's Windows CE powered DOD2000 STB seemlessly delivers DVD-quality video on demand (VOD) over broadband, and also provides home gateway and home automation services, LG says. The same device is also being marketed by Tcom&DTVro of Korea as the TD800.
- Swisscom/Bluewin to deploy Microsoft IPTV technology in Europe -- Nov. 4, 2003 -- Microsoft and Swisscom/Bluewin are collaborating on the test and deployment of television services based on Microsoft TV's recently announced Internet Protocol television (IPTV) technology. As a key broadband services provider to Swisscom, Switzerland's leading telecommunications company, Bluewin plans to be one of the first companies in Europe and among the first in the world to conduct a trial of pay-TV services over an IP broadband network using IPTV technology being developed by Microsoft TV.
- New Intel set-top box reference design runs CE .NET, XP Embedded -- Sep. 23, 2003 -- Intel's 815 Digital Set Top Box Reference Design is based on an Intel low-voltage Celeron processor along with the Intel 815 chipset with integrated 3D graphics, and supports Microsoft's Windows CE .NET and XP Embedded operating systems.
- CE .NET powers patient-friendly hospital iTV system -- Sep. 23, 2003 -- TeleHealth Services launched TigrNet, a system that enables hospital patients to access the Internet, send and receive email, select entertainment programs, order meals, and provide real-time feedback via their bedside TV set.
- Microsoft trumpets TV set-top successes for Windows Media 9, CE .NET -- Sep. 16, 2003 -- Microsoft highlighted a string of recent successes for its embedded technologies in the consumer set-top box market. The list spans Internet Protocol television (IP-TV) and video-on-demand (VOD) consumer products and services utilizing Windows Media 9 technologies, and includes seven different set-top boxes running Microsoft's Windows CE .NET embedded operating system.
- Windows CE powers new Wyse OEM set-top boxes -- Sep. 16, 2003 -- Wyse Technology introduced a pair of advanced digital set-top box (STB) products based on Intel's 815 digital set-top box Reference Design. The two new STBs will not be sold directly by Wyse to consumers, but are instead aimed at OEMs and ODMs planning to develop and market consumer electronics products, and to companies seeking to introduce new video media delivery services to "digital living rooms" or large-format displays in retail environments.
- Equator showcases advanced IP STBs running CE .NET 4.2 -- Sep. 12, 2003 -- Silicon vendor Equator Technologies showcased its BSP-15 multimedia processors in several video-centric applications including several new advanced IP set-top boxes (STBs), including some running Windows CE .NET 4.2 as their embedded OSes.
- Coming soon to a theater near you: Windows Media 9 -- Apr. 04, 2003 -- Microsoft's Windows Media 9 Series technologies may soon be playing in a theater near you. Microsoft and Landmark Theatres announced that 53 theaters across the US are being outfitted with digital cinema systems capable of playing Windows Media 9 encoded movies by year end.
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