[Updated 8:00pm PDT] — Interact-TV unveiled a developer version of the Linux-based Telly MC1000 Digital Entertainment Center, at LinuxWorld today. According to Interact-TV, the Telly MC1000d developer version is a complete system with full capabilities for playing, recording, and archiving TV shows; ripping and burning CDs; playing DVDs, music, and digital photos; and sharing media over a home… network. But in addition, the special developer version comes with tools that enable developers to create new features, enhancements, and in other ways customize the Telly.

What's a Telly?

Here's a brief description of ambitious set of features and capabilities the Telly entertainment center, in the words of Interact-TV . . .

Telly is designed exclusively for the television and is controlled by its IR remote and wireless keyboard — which means you can access all of Telly's features from the comfort of your sofa. A single, simple to set-up unit connects to your TV, your home network and PCs, and to your Internet connection Includes a powerful subscription-free Electronic TV Program Guide, customizable for your favorite channels from any cable or satellite source.

Telly main menu

Telly includes a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to record your favorite TV shows to hard disk just by clicking on the program. Using Telly, you can watch your recorded shows, DVDs, CDs, even play digital photo albums with a click of the remote. Use Telly's 80 GB drive to store hundreds of hours of digital music, up to 60 hours of digital videos and thousands of digital photos. Record, organize, and create playlists of all your music, organize your photos and your videos for convenient access and playout on Telly or your Networked PC using media management libraries. Easy, up-to-the-minute access to weather forecasts (local or anywhere in the US), a personal stock portfolio, and local movie theatre listings. Use Telly's built-in web server to access your media libraries and program guide from any browser and any networked PC Easily move music, photos and video back and forth, to and from your PC or Mac using standard networking and web browsers.

Want a bigger hard drive or a second drive for more media storage? Want more memory or that new DVD-RW drive? Go ahead! You can upgrade Telly with off-the-shelf PC components and Telly software updates are available online IR trackball remote control and wireless keyboard included.

Linux-based software architecture

The Telly MC1000 is based on a unique “Entertainment Operating System” (EOS), developed by Interact-TV, that manages the device's internal multimedia and entertainment and user interface functions. According to Interact-TV, EOS consists of a combination of Linux kernel 2.4.18 and other standard Linux components (such as X Windows and a built-in webserver and samba server), along with custom media management and media distribution technologies, device drivers, user interface, and other software.

EOS Software Architecture

APIs (application programming interfaces) enable developer-written software to make use of the device's internal software functions, and the developer version comes with an online development manual that provides details on the available APIs. Additionally, the developer model includes a compiler and debugger environment that is said to enable developers to begin creating their own enhancements and custom applications quickly and easily.

“We've always planned to encourage third-party developers to expand and enhance this product,” commented Interact-TV CEO Ken Furhman. “While we ship a feature-rich system today, a core strength of our solution is that it is open and will be enhanced and expanded over time.”

“With this introduction, dealers and system integrators can create additional versions to meet specific market segments to broaden the appeal for wider markets,” Furhman added. “This release will also let enthusiasts and hobbyists experiment and customize Telly systems with their own desired set of capabilities.”

What's inside Telly?

From a hardware perspective, the system is based on a VIA EPIA-M series motherboard with built-in audio and video functions, which is powered by a 933MHz or 1.2MHz VIA C3 Processor (with the Nehemiah core), along with 256MB of SDRAM (potentially expandable to 1GB). The device boots from its built-in hard drive; a 80GB is included in the standard model, but an additional drive can also be added.

The system's dizzying array of input/output connections include . . .

• Svideo/Composite video output
• SVGA output
• RF TV input
• Svideo/composite video input
• Analog stereo input
• Analog stereo output
• 5.1 digital audio output
• 10/100-BaseT Ethernet
• Four USB 2.0 ports (2 front/2 rear)
• IEEE-1394 (FireWire) — 1 front/optional, 2 rear)
• RS232 serial port
• Parallel printer port
• Keyboard/mouse inputs
• Front audio connectors
• Consumer IR receiver
• Optional IR transmitter via serial port

Availability and price

The Telly MC1000d developer version of the Digital Entertainment Center is being sold for the same price, $899, as the consumer model, but will include the developer libraries and documentation. The units are available from the company's online store.

Additionally, Interact-TV said it plans to license its Linux-based EOS software on a volume basis to device manufacturers.

 
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.