Century Embedded Technologies and National Semiconductor today announced the launch of Linux4.TV, a new website dedicated to the promotion and support of open source projects and application program… interfaces (APIs) for Linux-based interactive TVs and next-generation digital set-top boxes (STBs). The site will host open source software projects and applications for broadcast and digital TV, web browsing, gaming, and video-on-demand, and will serve as a community portal for information and interaction among companies and developers.

In addition to the founding partners, Red Hat and Tuxia have become members of Linux4.TV's “Development Partner Program”.

Much of the software available on Linux4.TV will target National's SP1SC10 set-top box reference platform. Based on a National Geode SC1200 system-on-chip processor, the SP1SC10 reference platform includes multimedia functions, peripheral and network interfaces, and PCI expansion slots. National has developed Linux drivers and an API for the platform that provide a foundation for open source development.

An open source set-top box design based on National's Geode system-on-chip processor is said to be available for immediate download. Downloadable software components include Century's WebMedia set-top box front-end application, which provides a video middleware API, and National's enhanced Video for Linux 2 (V4L2) API, which provides features such as alpha blending, VIP, overlay, and picture-in-picture (PIP) support. The website also currently includes a collection of technical documentation for National's Geode system-on-chip processor and platforms, video standards, and source code.

Linux4.TV offers two kinds of partner programs for individuals and companies who are developing open-source projects based on Linux4.TV distributions, designing set-top box systems, or are involved in the creation or delivery of content for interactive set-top box systems. Individuals and organizations who contribute to the hosted open-source projects can become part of the “Development Partner Program” at no cost. As an alternative, the fee-based “Sponsor Program” is available for individuals and organizations who wish to take advantage of Linux4.TV projects but choose not to contribute to the open-source projects. Members of the both partner programs will gain access to early software releases, play a leadership role in standards development and API definition, and receive other benefits which remain to be defined.

Century Software will demonstrate National's Geode SP1SC10 set-top box reference platform running WebMedia on Red Hat Linux in Red Hat's booth (#653) at LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco next week.

 
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