providers and telecommunications industries," according to the company.
(Click for larger image of Media Excel's IP-STB)The reference designs are based on Intel's IXP420 XScale host processor, Texas Instruments' DM642 digital signal processor (DSP), Microsoft's Windows CE embedded operating system, and Media Excel's own software libraries for H.264, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, and VC-1 codecs. The package includes a hardware development kit, schematics and Gerber files, decoder SDK(s), a media client SDK, sample test clips, and documentation.
Key features and functions of the SoftStream IP-STB reference designs include:
- Processor -- Intel XScale processor
- Media processor -- Texas Instruments DM642 digital signal processor (DSP)
- Resolution: Up to Standard Definition (D1)
- Included video decoders -- VC-1 (Windows Media Video) MPEG-2 MP@MLMPEG-4 SP and ASP up to Level 5H.264 BaselineH.264 MP@L3 (AVC, MPEG-4 part 10)
- Included audio decoders -- Windows Media Audio (WMA)MPEG-1 Layers I, II, and IIIAdvanced Audio Coding (AAC)AC3
- Bit rates -- 256 kbps; 10.0 Mbps(varies with codec)
- Outputs -- Composite and S-VideoStereo Audio and SPDIF
- Operating system platform -- Windows CE 5.0
Rear panel connectionsAccording to the company, the reference designs significantly simplify the integration of fast channel switching, personal video recording, closed captioning, emergency broadcast services, third-party browsers, electronic program guides, and rights management "for a flexible, customizable, yet complete, solution."
The IP STB's internal single-board-computerThe company is offering seven configurations of the SoftStream reference designs, with different mixes of video and audio codecs:
| IP-STB model | Decoders |
| Model | Video | Audio |
| 3100 | VC-1 | Windows Media Audio (WMA) |
| 3200 | MPEG-2 | MP1 Lay I, II, III; AC3 |
| 3210 | MPEG-2 and VC-1 | MP1 Lay 1, II, III; AC3; WMA |
| 3300 | MPEG-4 | Advance Audio Coding |
| 3400 | H.264 Baseline | Advance Audio Coding |
| 3500 | Full D1 H.264 MP@L3 | Advance Audio Coding |
| 3600 | All of the above | All of the above |
The Media Excel IP-STB 3000 reference design series is available now. Evaluation kits are US $350, which includes hardware, software, codecs, streaming server, sample videos, "and some support," according to the company. Pricing for volume licenses "varies with volumes," the company adds.
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