BridgeCo Connects Audio Systems to Home Networks with New Embedded Digital Media Player Reference Design; Processor IC and Middleware Platform Eases Network Upgrade for Consumer Electronics Manufacturers.

LAS VEGAS -- BridgeCo (www.bridgeco.net), a leading provider of digital home entertainment networking solutions, today revealed BridgeCo's Embedded Digital Media Player (eDMP) reference design before a worldwide audience at the Consumer Electronics Show. Based on the company's popular, DLNA(TM) CERTIFIED DMP processor IC and middleware platform, the new eDMP reference design enables any consumer electronics (CE) OEM to add internal networking capability to their new CE product designs.

The BridgeCo eDMP platform is a sub-system that enables any CE product to become a node on a wired or wireless home network. A/V receivers, DVD players, stereos, home theaters and radios that incorporate an eDMP sub-system can play protected and unprotected audio files from any computer on the home network, or stream audio and online radio stations right from the Internet. With a built-in USB 2.0 port, the eDMP also enables the host audio system to play music files directly from portable MP3 players, memory sticks or hard disk drives.

"The BridgeCo eDMP sub-system is a proven network solution that handles all of the required communication protocols, media decompression and DRM authentication requirements," explained Denon President Hirofumi Ichikawa. "We have embedded BridgeCo firmware and silicon sub-systems into several members of our audio product line."

A world leader in the manufacture of the highest quality audio, audio/video, and software products, Denon is recognized internationally for innovative and groundbreaking products and has a long history of technical innovations. Denon's award-winning AVR-5805 uses embedded BridgeCo technology to enable its home networking capabilities. BridgeCo processors and middleware can also be found in Denon's DVD-5900 and DVD-3910 DVD players, and in the company's new AVR-4306 A/V receiver.

The BridgeCo eDMP Reference Design

The eDMP reference design is a complete networking solution that includes BridgeCo's proprietary ARM-based, DSP-enhanced DM850 processor, a real-time operating system (RTOS) and a proprietary application software stack. The DM850 processor interfaces directly to 802.11/Wi-Fi, HomePlug Powerline, USB and Ethernet PHY chips, and it drives both I2S and S/PDIF audio outputs that interface directly to the host audio system. The processor/firmware combination handles TCP/IP, Ethernet and USB networking protocols; MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM and other audio format decompression; and DTCP/IP, Windows Media Connect and many other popular digital rights management (DRM) encryption/decryption processing and authentication schemes.

Designed specifically for rapid integration into the existing remote control and display architecture of a host system, the eDMP sub-system communicates directly with a host controller using an XML-based proprietary protocol via an SPI slave interface. The BridgeCo eDMP receives commands from the host controller, and transmits menu navigation, operating information and other data via the same interface to the host controller, which formats the data for display on the CE system.

"Media content is increasingly sourced online, and stored on computers," said BridgeCo CEO Mark McEachen. "In the very near future, all CE devices will require embedded networking capabilities so consumers can access these media sources. BridgeCo's eDMP reference design enables OEMs to add this network capability today, with minimal design effort and maximum confidence in a proven, tested and mature solution."

Product Availability and Pricing

BridgeCo will continue demonstrating its eDMP reference designs at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, through January 8. The BridgeCo demo is located at LVCC South Hall 1, booth no. 20126D. A complete evaluation board, including wired Ethernet, wireless 802.11 and USB 2.0 interfaces and a fully functional eDMP firmware stack, is available for US$700.

About BridgeCo

BridgeCo, a digital entertainment networking pioneer, offers the world's most comprehensive, cost-effective and highly integrated processor and software platforms for connecting Internet media sources, computers and consumer electronics throughout the home. BridgeCo platforms are used in a wide range of innovative and legacy products produced by the multi-billion dollar global consumer electronics industry, including digital media players, audio/video adapters, DVD players, musical instruments and breakout boxes.

Underlying all BridgeCo solutions are proprietary, integrated semiconductor and software technologies that network computers and consumer devices via widely-used networking and signal processing standards and protocols, including IEEE 802.11/Wi-Fi, IEEE 1394 and UPnP. BridgeCo products are designed to be interoperable with a wide variety of consumer devices: they are DLNA(TM) Certified, and compliant with Intel(R) Networked Media Product Requirements (NMPR).

BridgeCo is an ISO 9001-certified company with headquarters in California, USA and with operations in Zurich, Switzerland. Its key investors include Benchmark Capital, Cipio Partners (formerly Infineon Ventures), Earlybird, Fidelity Ventures, Intel Capital and Wellington Partners. For more information, please visit www.bridgeco.net.

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