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Wi-Fi Arrives On TV |
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Written by Adam Gosling
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Wednesday, 31 May 2006 |
Wireless connectivity for you set top box got a step closer with an announcement by Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) developer Airgo Networks, to release a set top box maker Caton to develop a high-speed wireless set top box to stream digital video around the home.
China-based Caton Overseas is a manufacturer servicing the cable TV and IPTV service provider market. It announced the V2O Wireless Home Media Network media hub, which will be sold to satellite, cable and ITTV service providers world wide.
Capable of delivering multiple independent digital channels and personal video recording (PVR) content throughout the home, it doubles as a storage server for media files like MP3s, digital video and digital photos. The system uses what Airgo calls its True MIMO Gen3 technology which is optimised for multimedia distribution.
The technology enables three MPEG2 video streams from the server to client set-top boxes.
"After thoroughly vetting all Wi-Fi chips on the market or even in development, Caton identified Airgo True MIMO Media wireless chips as the only technology for the foreseeable future that has the performance necessary to deliver robust, error-free multimedia streaming throughout the home," noted Michael Yang, President of Caton.
"Caton's unique RapidMedia protocol provides a superior digital TV experience as well as all the benefits of a wireless system for the consumer that were not possible before now. The V2O's network PVR brings full PVR functions to up to three individual rooms, like 3-PVRs-in-1.
“Wireless LCD TV, as part of the V2O system, can be placed anywhere in the household. Caton is confident that its broadcast partners will also benefit from the dramatically reduced installation and customer service cost that comes from a robust wireless home media network powered by True MIMO Media technology," he said.
Although the MIMO based set top boxes will initially be released for Satellite TV providers and then early next year for Cable and and IPTV, the technology demonstration may see other developers adopt the Airgo technology to build standalone media servers based on the wireless networking idea.
Airgo has also announced it is working with leading set top box maker STMicroelectronics on the STx7100 Platform. "Wireless offers consumers much greater convenience and eliminates expensive support and installation costs that are currently preventing service providers from fully distributing video content around the home," said Christos Lagomichos, corporate vice president and home entertainment group general manager of STMicroelectronics.
"Airgo was a natural choice of partner since it has consistently led the field in developing wireless technologies for home networking that offer superior speed, range and reliability."
"Airgo and STMicroelectronics' reference design is the first wireless STB solution that provides the foundation of the digital home by delivering reliable high definition streaming to replace cables and deliver internet content to TVs and displays," said Greg Raleigh, president and CEO of Airgo Networks.
"Moreover, we are enabling the convergence of other high value digital services such as VoIP, gaming and intensive data applications. Airgo believes its partnership with STMicroelectronics, the leading provider of chipsets to the STB market, will drive the creation of more powerful, feature-rich and high-performance wireless home entertainment networks that will firmly lend competitive advantage to service providers."
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