WISchip International will soon release an IPTV (internet protocol television) reference design based on its real-time streaming media decoder SoC (system on chip). The DeCypher 8100 IPTV is described as a highly integrated reference design that combines advanced, network-ready video and audio decoding, hardware accelerated… security, and a “robust software ecosystem” that encompasses both Linux and Windows CE.

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The reference design is based on WISchip's DeCypher 8100 real-time streaming media decoder SoC. The SoC decodes high- and standard-definition video formats including H.264 (AVC/MPEG-4 part 10), VC-1/WMV9 and MPEG-4/-2/-1, and also supports audio decoding for Dolby Digital, WMA, WMA Pro, AAC, and MPEG audio layers I, II and III (MP3) audio, according to the company. Security and digital rights management for current and emerging standards are provided through a dedicated security processor and hardware acceleration for cryptographic functions, the company adds.

IPTV reference design block diagram
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The reference design provides comprehensive wired and wireless networking, analog and digital video and audio I/O, and various other interfaces. I/O ports include two USB 2.0, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11a/b+g/n wireless Ethernet via an onboard mini-PCI slot, an ATAPI/IDE interface, an IR remote control input/receiver, a flash media connector supporting all popular flash card formats, and both JTAG and serial interfaces for development and debugging.

DeCypher 8100 block diagram
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An onboard ATSC digital TV demodulator supports free-to-air digital broadcast reception, according to WISchip. HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface), component video, composite video, S-video, SCART and channel 3/4 RF video outputs are all provided, as well as 2-channel stereo and 5.1-channel analog audio, optical, coaxial S/PDIF digital audio, and digital audio to HDMI.

The company says it is collaborating with various software partners to offer a “flexible, robust software ecosystem” that supports both Linux and Windows CE operating systems running directly on the 8100's on-chip MIPS processor. Other available software is expected to include middleware stacks, wired and wireless network protocols, application-level software, and a wide variety of DRM and access control schemes. The platform is also DLNA compliant, and supports UPnP, as well as Apple Rendezvous, for “zero-configuration” network support.

The DeCypher 8100 IPTV reference design is expected to be available in the first quarter of this year, according to WISchip. Pricing was not announced publicly.

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