Intel Corp. has unveiled additional details regarding its platform product aimed at digital home – Viiv. Intel says computers with Viiv brand-name will feature numerous capabilities that are designed to enrich “consumers’ enjoyment of digital entertainment”.

“Intel Viiv technology is our first platform designed from the ground up for the digital home, where consumers are passionate about the idea of accessing their content anytime, anywhere in their home on a number of devices,” said Don MacDonald, vice president and general manager, Intel Digital Home Group.

Intel did not unveil actual hardware configurations that will be shipped under Viiv brand-name, but disclosed capabilities of the platform. Earlier it was reported that Intel would ship a processor, a chipset and a special software suite inside the Viiv package.

Intel integrated consumer electronic features into the Intel Viiv platform to make it easier to use and contribute to the overall entertainment experience. All PCs based on Intel Viiv technology will ship with a remote control, the Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition operating system and media software that lets consumers interact with their PC in the same way they operate a TV. Consumers are enabled to watch a movie or play a game while also downloading the latest music, all from one integrated system using a remote control, Intel explained.

In another TV-like function, consumers will be able to quickly turn their PCs on and off (after initial boot-up) with the touch of a button through a new platform feature called Intel Quick Resume Technology. Each Intel Viiv technology-based PC will also ship with 5.1 surround sound (with optional support for up to 7.1 surround sound) for home theater-quality sound.

With an optional TV tuner card, this same PC will be able to record, pause, and rewind live TV programs, and store them on the hard drive for later viewing. Consumers will also be able to enjoy content on demand. Intel Viiv technology-based PCs will connect easily to the latest online entertainment services, enabling movie and music downloads, as well as access to the latest games, Intel said. The chipmaker did not disclose any plans about launching its own content service or inking special contracts with content providers.

To help make setting up a home network easier for consumers, Intel Viiv technology will include specially-designed software. The software will contain a network configuration wizard that can be navigated with the system's remote control, making it easy for consumers to connect many devices including portable media players, DVD players, TV sets and stereos.

Intel Viiv technology also includes an integrated media server “engine” that can reformat various digital content files so they can be viewed on a selection of devices verified by Intel to work with Intel Viiv technology-based systems. Additionally, Intel worked with the PC, CE and content industries to set interoperability specifications so that consumers can easily move a variety of online media from room to room and between various devices in the home network.

Intel Viiv technology-based entertainment PCs are expected to be available from a number of system manufacturers worldwide in the first quarter of 2006 and will come in various shapes and sizes to fit different styles and sizes of homes.