| Windows CE STB adds P2P video to traditional content |
Oct. 27, 2004
 [Updated Jan. 4, 2005] -- A new set top box (STB) running Windows CE aims to combine mainstream programming with original, end-user-generated content. DAVETV, from a company of the same name, is touted as a "new kind of television broadcast network" that offers not only traditional programming -- movies, music, music videos, sports, etc. -- but also new original content self-published by end users using allegedly secure, peer-to-peer DAVETV networking technology. "DAVE" is an acronym for Distributed Audio Video Entertainment.
(Click here for larger image of DAVETV Xport STB)
There are two principal components to DAVETV -- the Xport digital media receiver STB (pictured above), and "DAVE Media Center" (DMC) content publishing software.
Xport media receiver
The Xport media receiver STB runs Windows CE 5.0 on an Intel XScale IXP processor with a Sigma E8620 video coprocessor. An 80 GB hard drive stores up to 200 hours of TV quality video, according to the company. The device is claimed to be the first of its kind to use secure peer-to-peer networking to deliver on-demand content with High Definition TV (HDTV) quality directly from the Internet using a broadband connection.
Xport rear panel
(click for larger image)
The device includes a range of A/V I/O ports including: - Audio
- Stereo in and out, RCA jacks
- S/PDIF digital audio, out only
- Video
- Composite in and out, RCA jacks
- S video in and out, 4-pin miniDIN
- RF tuner in
- NTSC out
Digital I/O ports include: - 10 Base T Ethernet
- 2 USB
- PCMCIA
According to Sigma Designs, the EM8620 is a stand-alone media processor for decoding Windows Media Video 9, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, as well as audio formats including Dolby Digital, CD audio, MPEG-1 layers 2 and 3, and DTS. Video functions include NTSC TV resolution output (720x480) and 8-bit alpha blending of on-screen display and graphics information. A block diagram of the EML8620L internal functions is here.
The DMC content publishing software
The DMC software package, which will be available for free starting in January 2005, according to DAVETV, is meant to enable publishers to choose from a wide variety of business and DRM rules to publish, protect, and monetize their content. The network has the potential for a virtually unlimited number of channels, in the same way the Internet has spawned millions of websites, the company says.
"Publishers can set their own price or serve their own market-targeted ads, it's up to them," notes Oliver Eberle, DAVETV's Executive VP. No monthly service fees are anticipated -- all content will be available "a la carte," he adds.
Availability
DAVETV says its Xport STB will make its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next January. The DMC software will be available for download from DAVETV's website.
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