Equator Technologies has released a reference design for multi-format video-over-IP devices based on embedded Linux. The “Starfish” design targets IP set-top boxes, video streaming appliances, digital media players, personal video recorders with extra-long recording, DVD jukeboxes, and digital-media adaptors for… sharing media between PCs and TVs.

Equator claims Starfish supports “the industry's widest selection of audio and video formats, including certified Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series at Main Profile.” It also says that Linux-based audio/video applications written in C or C++ can be ported to Starfish quickly using Equator's gcc-compatible compiler tools.

Starfish reference design, front and back
(Click to enlarge)
The Starfish design includes Equator's BSP-15 processor, described as a low-cost, single-core SoC (system-on-chip) that runs Linux and system software natively. Equator says the BSP-15's advanced processor architecture, strong optimizing compilers, and on-chip MMU support full-featured Linux with memory protection, making multi-threaded, complex application software more robust.

Engineering VP Frans Sijstermans said, “We finalized the hardware design with our manufacturing partner to reduce the ultimate BOM (bill of materials) cost. With Linux on board, our customers can reduce software cost [and take] advantage of the abundance of Linux applications that are available.”

The Starfish hardware platform is available now, with Equator's iMMediaTools software development toolkit.

---

 
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.