Siemens IP-STB designs run Linux, do HDTV, DVB-T
Oct 31, 2006 — by LinuxDevices Staff — from the LinuxDevices Archive — 31 viewsSiemens of Switzerland is shipping three hardware/software reference designs for Internet protocol set-top boxes (IP-STBs). The STB-7100-series designs run Linux 2.6 on a SuperH-based processor, and support standard- and high-definition content, along with multiple access technologies, including DSL, cable, and… DVB-T (digital video broadcast — terrestrial).
Siemens Switzerland's STB-7100, STB-7110, and STB-7120 (L-R)
(Click any image to enlarge)
Siemens's STB-7100 series comprises:
- STB-7100 — standard definition H.264 IP-STB
- STB-7110 — high-definition H.264 IP-STB
- STB-7120 — high-definition H.264 IP-STB with integral DVB-T module
The STB-7100-series designs are based on ST's ST7100 SoC (system-on-chip), clocked at 300MHz. The SoC integrates Renesas's venerable ST40 SuperH core, long supported by Linux, with H.264 and WMV9 decoders, and a multiplicity of on-chip peripheral interfaces, including serial, ATA, and USB 2.0.
The STB-7100-series designs have 128MB of RAM, along with 32MB of dedicated video memory. They also come standard with 16MB of Flash.
I/O includes:
- 10/100 Ethernet on RJ-45
- Front-panel USB 2.0 host port
- SCART (RGB and component) audio/video out
- S-video (Hosiden) video out
- Analog (RCA) and digital (S/PDIF) audio outs
The STB-7110 and STB-7120 add an HDMI Type A connector, while the STB-7120 also adds:
- IEC 168-2 (female) 75 Ohm DVB-T antenna input
- IEC 168-2 (male) 75 Ohm connector for RF loop-out
Additional touted features include:
- Supports wireless USB dongles
- SD or HDTV up to 1080i
- MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 pt10/H.264 Video Decoder (DivX optional)
- Video on Demand, Audio on Demand
- Internal hard drive for PVR/time-shifting
- Integrated DVB-T/C Receiver (Hybrid STB) with EPG (electronic program guide) for DVB Channels (STB-7120 only)
- Embedded Web Browser (HTML, HTTP, HTTPS, DHTML, SSL, Cookie, Java Script)
- Classical-, IP- and Video-Telephony
- Internal Web server (TinyWeb)
- Extensive codec support:
- MPEG-1 layer I/II & MP3,
- MPEG-2 layer II
- MPEG-2 AAC, AAC-SBR
- Optionally Dolby Digital 2.0 / 5.1 (AC-3) incl. down mix to stereo
- MPEG-4 AAC
- MPEG-4 AVC [email protected] 3.1
- MPEG-2 [email protected]
- MPEG-4 AVC [email protected] 4.1 (STB-7110 and STB-7120 only)
- MPEG-2 [email protected]
The Siemens Switzerland designs come with a Linux 2.6 OS, complete with an embedded web browser and client-server IP-TV user applications. Available third party software includes Myrio Interactive on-screen display (GUI) software, and TwonkyVision's UPnP-compliant Media Server.
Siemens Switzerland Spokesperson Patrik Vonlanthen stated, “Interest in online services and applications that are innovative, comfortably operated, and funny is high. Market analysts quantify the future potential [at] more than 20 billion Euro.”
Availability
The STB-7100-series designs appear to be available now, along with a variety of third-party applications and codecs.
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