CAC Media has joined the Consumer Electronics Linux Forum (CELF), and along with partner Video Without Boundaries (VWB) hopes to license its embedded Linux based MediaReady Convergence Software Suite for home entertainment devices to consumer electronics (CE) device manufacturers. CAC Media claims its patent-pending solutions overcome many of the obstacles and challenges that have thus far inhibited convergence between the personal computing and consumer electronics markets.

CAC and digital media on demand solution provider VWB recently worked closely in developing VWB's MediaReady 4000 device, expected Q4, 2003 and already licensed by Lafayette Electronics. The MediaReady 4000 is a convergent device based on embedded Linux which unifies feature-rich TV, Internet, email, karaoke, MP3/CD/DVD/MPEG-1/MPEG-2/MPEG-4 playback, and local and networked digital storage. It is based on the MediaReady Convergent Software Suite, which the companies say integrates consumer electronics chip-based media functionality with PC motherboard technology.

The VWB/CAC MediaReady 4000, as licensed by Lafayette
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CAC lists the following features of the MediaReady 4000 device:

• DVD/CD Player with Progressive Scan and 5.1 Dolby
• Upgradable, media-friendly personal computer
• Internet connectivity
• Full-screen, DVD-quality video on demand over the Internet scaling up to 720p
• Media Jukebox music and home video management and CD burning tools
• MPEG-1, 2 and 4 decoder chip

CAC Media and VWB have entered into a joint-venture for OEM software licensing sales of the MediaREADY platform to both private label and brand-name CE and PC manufacturers.

Video Without Boundaries, a publicly traded company, invested in CAC Media in Jan. 2003 and again in June of 2003. CAC Media is also a shareholder in VWB. CAC is privately held company founded in 2001.

“As VWB's strategic partner, CAC Media's work in Linux systems for convergent interactive consumer electronics products has put the MediaReady 4000 at the forefront of its field,” claims Jeffrey Harrell, president of Video Without Boundaries.

CELF was founded by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., Sony Corporation, Hitachi Ltd., NEC Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sharp Corporation, and Toshiba Corporation. Early joiners include IBM, LG Electronics, Nokia, Sanyo, and Texas Instruments, along with TimeSys and MontaVista.

 
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