CPU-maker Transmeta has announced an Efficeon initiative targeting digital entertainment centers, where Linux has been an early leader, in systems such as the TiVo. The initiative comprises two components: a digital entertainment center reference design, and a third-party partner integration and support program.

The reference design will ship in Q1, 2005, targeting OEMs interested in entering the high-growth digital entertainment device sector. Through the integration partner support program, companies that have contributed to digital entertainment products and prototypes based on the Efficeon architecture will be available as consultants to OEMs producing Efficeon-based digital entertainment products.

Lifesaver?

Transmeta may be looking to embedded Linux for a much-needed lifesaver. Earlier this week, the company announced that it might exit the chip business in favor of technology licensing. The potential strategy shift stems from losses in its most recently reported quarter of over $27M, and the recognition that the bulk of its revenue is derived from IP (intellectual property) licensing.

Today's announcement by Transmeta of a digital entertainment center initiative was described by CEO Matthew R. Perry as “synergistic” with an increased focus on technology licensing.

Additionally, Perry said, “This initiative can clear the path for consumer electronics manufacturers to more rapidly integrate Efficeon technology into their own entertainment products.”

Reference design

Transmeta says the Efficeon processor architecture is ideal for compact, passively cooled living room computers, because of its small-footprint, low thermal design power, and high-performance x86 compatibility. The forthcoming Transmeta reference design is based on an Efficeon 8820 processor, along with a ULI M1563 southbridge and an ATI Radeon 9550 graphics processor.

The design uses a board form-factor described as “compact,” and will feature PCI expansion slots for TV tuners and other peripherals, along with ten USB ports. And, the company says, it has “outputs necessary to enable high-quality consumer audio and video, supporting both worldwide and EU-specific standards.”

Integration partner program

Transmeta is demonstrating a variety of digital entertainment systems based on the Efficeon processor, at the CES show this week in Las Vegas. The company says that “many” of the integration partners involved in producing the prototypes are available immediately to provide consulting services to OEMs producing Efficeon-based systems, including those based on the forthcoming Transmeta reference design.

In addition to ATI and ULI, Transmeta's integration partners include:

• Embedded Software Group — ESG develops and ports media software to the Efficeon chip, and provides an embedded Linux distribution called Royal Linux.
• Hauppage Digital — Develops and manufactures analog and digital video, TV, and data broadcast receiver products, including TV tuner cards supported by Linux, and the Linux-based MediaMVP media adapter
• InterVideo — Provides audio and video multimedia products, including the LinDVD player and InstantOn Linux media player and PVR firmware for PCs.
• Moonlight Cordless — Provides MPEG-2 and H.264 software codecs
• VBox Communications — Provides products that bring rich media content to small- and medium-sized corporations, digital TV broadcasters, and Internet infrastructure providers
• Zedeon — Provides digital content storage, archival, distribution, and playback products
• Zoran Corporation — Produces processors and other products for media products such as DVD players and recorders, digital televisions, and set top boxes

Perry stated, “With our Digital Entertainment Initiative, Transmeta is showing the ability for Efficeon technology to enable a quiet and fanless form factor for the ultimate entertainment experience in the living room.”

 
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