A new Linux-based set-top box has been announced by Video Without Boundaries Inc. (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). The VWB-3000 “MediaReady Internet/DVD Player”, which is roughly the size of a normal DVD player, combines the functions of DVD player and Internet access. Consumers can use the new device to browse the web, play streaming media, access their email, watch DVDs, and “even sing karaoke from any… television,” the company said.

Other features are said to include Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, picture-in-picture video, and compatibility with CDs, VCDs, SVCDs, CDs with MP3 files, and DVDs in the built-in DVD drive. Additionally, the device supports multiple forms of Internet connection, including dialup modem, xDSL, cable modems, and 10/100 Base-T Ethernet. The built-in web browser includes SSL 3.0 for secure online shopping.

Internally, the VWB-3000 is based on a 266 MHz Intel Mobile Pentium processor (with MMX), equipped with 64MB Flash storage and 128MB SDRAM memory, running a Linux 2.4 kernel based embedded operating system that provides a full-featured graphical user interface and support for TCP/IP, PPP, PAP, CHAP, UDP, HTTP, DHCP & FTP communication protocol stacks.

According to the product's datasheet, other key features and functions include . . .

• Choice of 56K dial-up modem or 10/100-baseT Ethernet NIC for Internet access
• Accelerated 32-bit VGA graphics controller
• S-Video/composite video in and out
• Enhanced TV output quality and screensaver protection
• 16-Bit stereo audio out, microphone in
• Built-in TV tuner
• Smart Card slot
• Parallel/Serial Port
• Wireless keyboard
• 16-bit stereo sound support for AU, WAV and MIDI files
• Intuitive, user-friendly, TV-optimized GUI
• Online upgrades of software stored in flash memory
• Dial-up networking configuration and connection manager
• Browser support for HTML 3.2, HTTP 1.0, frames, animated GIFS, JPG, tables, Javascript, SSL 3.0, RealAudio/Video, Flash 5.0
• Email support for POP3/SMTP
• Support for Video snapshot attachments with optional camera

The device is expected to be available for purchase during the first quarter of 2003, priced around $350 (USD).

 
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