Taiwanese embedded software firm EzHomeTech is shipping a Linux implementation for inexpensive consumer-electronic devices based on Sigma Designs system-on-chip (SoC) processors. It is also offering an application stack that enables such devices to be used as low-cost PCs or notebooks costing less than $100.

EzHomeTech says its SSP (SoC Software Platform) brings Linux to Sigma's 85xx series of SoCs, and targets video-on-demand (VOD), media adapters, thin clients, personal video recorders, digital video recorders, residential gateways, portable DVD and media players, and IP set-top-boxes (STB) priced under $100. The company says it also offers STB applications such as browsers, VOD players, DVD players, and TV viewers, as well as software integration services.

EzHomeTech describes its “Fast PC” as an application stack based on SSP that targets low-cost PCs and notebooks priced below $99. The company claims devices based on Fast PC enable users to surf the Web, send email, watch DVDs or listen to MP3s, play games, find restaurants, or plan vacations seconds after powering on the device.

Fast PC's task-oriented user interface
Fast PC's hardware requirements include:

• Sigma Design 8550
• 4MB of Flash
• 16MB of RAM
• DVD-ROM
• Mouse and keyboard

It supports output to TV (NTSC or PAL), as well as DVI and VGA, stereo analog and optical digital audio, 10/100 Ethernet, 2 USB ports, and a remote control.

In addition to the Sigma 8500-series, EzHomeTech offers Linux software and services for SoCs that include the National Semiconductor GX1 (Geode) and SC1200, the VIA cle266, and the SiS 552.

A uClinux-based distribution that supports the Sigma Designs 8500-series chips is also available from Sigma Designs.

---

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.