Device Profile: Pace DB440 IP set-top box

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(Sep. 14, 2004)

Pace Digital Technology describes the DB440 as a mid-range "Digital Broadband Media" set-top box designed for decoding high quality Windows Media 9 Series digital video delivered over broadband IP networks. The device targets broadband service providers delivering a range of advanced broadcast, on-demand, and interactive TV services.

Pace claims that the DB440 is one of the world's first commercially available set-top boxes to support the VC-1 "advanced compression video codec," an emerging Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard based on Microsoft's Windows Media Video 9 technology.

According to Pace, the DB440's Windows Media Video 9 decoder offers between 100Kbps and 5Mbps decoding up to full D1 resolution 720x576@25fps (PAL) including support for advanced post-processing for superior video quality at very low bit-rates. Additionally, low bit-rate content can be viewed on the DB440 at high resolution (full D1) due to full utilization of post-processing options available in Windows Media Video 9.

Key features and specifications of the DB440 appear below.

Hardware:

280MHz core processor (ATI Xilleon)
300MHz fully programmable digital media processor (Equator BSP-15)
64 MB SDRAM main memory, 32MB media processor memory
Multiple video planes, one graphics plane (multiple windows)
Pixel by pixel transparency control
Full alpha blending and cursor control, Anti-flicker hardware
Video scaling with arbitrary on-screen positioning
2D graphics acceleration
MPEG-1 Audio layer 3 (MP3)
Infra-red remote control receiver capable of receiving commands from standard handset (RC5) and IR keyboard support
Remote control (IR) handset
Internal PCI 3v3 expansion slot (Pace spec) for additional interfaces such as xDSL modem or tuners
USB hub, keyboard and printer support via USB port

Rear panel connections:

CDB440 Rear Panel

Mains Input -- Auto ranging power supply inlet
Composite Video Output (RCA Phono) -- To connect to primary
display
Left and Right Stereo Audio (RCA Phono) -- To connect to
primary display or audio equipment
Terrestrial Antenna Loopthrough -- Modulated UHF output
TV and VCR SCART -- RGB output for high quality connection to TV and video recorder
Electrical Audio SPDIF Output (RCA Phono) -- For coaxial
connection compatible surround sound audio system
Smartcard -- Slot and reader for optional smartcard
USB 1.1 -- Support for external devices
Ethernet 10/100 (RJ45) -- Connects to Ethernet broadband
service

Software:

Windows CE 4.2 or 5.0 operating system
Windows Media 9 Series video and audio decoding
Windows Media Player for CE
Internet Explorer 6.0 for CE
Certificates (CryptoAPI 2.0)

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