X-bit labs

Intel Releases Its First Consumer Electronics Platform.

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 04/12/2005 | 09:01 AM ]

Intel Corp. revealed at Intel Developer Forum Taiwan its first chipset – Intel 854 – designed for consumer electronics applications like IP-digital set top boxes (IP-STB) and digital media recorders (DMR).

The core-logic seems to be based on proven technologies originally found in the mobile PCs, but does not sport any wireless capabilities, which are gaining popularity among CE devices, leaving up to manufacturer to decide on their presence. In addition, the new Intel 854 platform does not support Intel’s latest achievements in audio and graphics, such as high definition audio and Intel GMA 900 core that contain numerous quality enhancements for multimedia playback.

Intel 854 chipset that consists of FW82854 GMCH and ICH4-M I/O controller supports Intel Celeron M Ultra Low Voltage processors with 400MHz processor system bus, up to 2GB PC2700 memory, Intel Extreme Graphics 2 integrated graphics core, Parallel ATA-100, USB 2.0, AC’97 audio, PCI bus and other necessary capabilities. Intel supplies Intel 854 Development Platform that includes Intel Celeron M Ultra Low Voltage processor 600MHz. to clients who are interested in testing the solution.

The platform is said to be capable to operate with various software CODECs, including MPEG-2, MPEG-4.2, MPEG-4.10 (H.264), and Microsoft Windows Media 9. It includes a board support package for the Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 operating system that provides developers with a significant time-to-market advantage.

Intel works closely with CE developers worldwide to bring advanced features to CE devices. These developers include: Eriya, Gigabyte, Handan BroadInfoCom, Hopen, Media Excel, Neusoft, Oregan Networks, Samsung, Tatung, Thomson and Toshiba Corporation.

Intel today also made available the next generation of the Intel Digital Media Infrastructure middleware solution to help developers design to the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) guidelines and the Intel Networked Media Product Requirements (Intel NMPR), which helps ensure CE devices and Intel architecture-based platforms work well together.

Intel Digital Media Infrastructure version 3 is an extensible middleware solution that is fully optimized and validated for a variety of CE platforms. It provides developers with an out-of-the-box networking connectivity, device discovery and media content sharing solution based on open industry-based specifications to build highly interoperable CE platforms for the digital home.

Pricing and availability information about Intel 854 chipset is not available.