i3 micro technology claims that its new Mood 130 is the first high-performance IP set-top box to provide video streaming for under $99. Housed in a very compact (6.69 x 4.21 x 1.10 inch) enclosure and running embedded Linux, the Mood 130 provides “triple play” services to users: Internet access, VoIP, IP television, and on-demand entertainment, along with MPEG-1 and -2 video, and MPEG-1 audio streaming.

(Click for larger view of i3's Mood 130 STB)

The Mood 130 is a “carrier grade” set-top box (STB) that meets the quality and security requirements of “both incumbent operators and demanding residential subscribers,” according to Jan Werne, CEO of i3. It provides DVD-quality viewing for the user, he said, and “remote and encrypted anti-fraud provisioning of base services and centralized upgrade management” for the service provider. Based on an STMicroelectronics STi5528 chipset, along with embedded Linux, the Espial Escape browser, and Skelmir JVM, the STB's support for industry standards provides maximum flexibility for rapid custom development, said Werne.

The new STB handles PAL, NTSC, and SECAM TV formats, along with teletext, closed captioning, WSS, and CGMS. Among the Mood 130's options are an integrated SmartCard reader, a Macromedia flash player, a wireless keyboard, and a variety of cable kits for different geographical regions. It is equipped with a 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet interface and, optionally, a USB 1.1 interface and RF output port.

 
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