Equator and Mediabolic Demonstrate Network Media Player Reference Design At Intel Developer Forum.SAN FRANCISCO -- Joint Development Effort Redefines State-of-the-Art Digital Media Adapters (DMAs) Equator Technologies, Inc. ("Equator"), a leading provider of high-performance, programmable and power-efficient system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors for video streaming and processing applications, and Mediabolic, Inc., an industry leader in providing software infrastructure and services for connected entertainment devices, will jointly demonstrate the capabilities of their Network Media Player (NMP NMP New Millennium Program (NASA) NMP National Military Park (National Park Service) NMP N-Methylpyrrolidone NMP Network Management Protocol NMP Not My Problem ) reference design at the Intel Developer Forum Intel Developer Forum (IDF), is a twice yearly gathering of technologists to discuss Intel products and products based around Intel products. The first IDF was in 1997. There is usually a Spring IDF and a Fall IDF. (IDF (Intermediate Distribution Frame) A wiring rack located between the MDF (main distribution frame) and the intended end user devices (telephones, routers, PCs, etc.). Cables run from the outside world to the MDF and then to the IDFs. See MDF and wiring rack. ) 2005, held March 1-3 in San Francisco. Based on Equator's Babelfish(TM) hardware platform, Mediabolic's NMP is a powerful, highly flexible, cost-optimized and ready-to-manufacture solution for both consumer electronics and PC OEMs and ODMs. Equator's BSP BSP Bromsulphalein, a dye used in the study of liver function. See also sulfobromophthalein clearance test. (TM)-15 video-centric SoC is at the heart of the design, enabling multi-codec and multi-DRM functionality, as well as running the Linux 2.6 operating system, network stack and Mediabolic's application interfaces. The NMP's unique architecture, designed specifically for video processing, supports a wide range of media formats commonly found on the home PC, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and derivative technologies, WMV (Windows Media Video) A family of digital video compression technologies from Microsoft based on MPEG-4. Version 9 of the WMV codec was released to the SMPTE organization and became the SMPTE 421M standard, otherwise known as VC-1 (see VC-1). 9, MP3, WMA (Windows Media Audio) An audio compression method from Microsoft. Known originally as MSAudio, this proprietary format competes with the MP3 and AAC methods. WMA encodes rapidly and is known to be especially effective at low bit rates. , AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) An audio compression technology that is part of the MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 standards. AAC, especially MPEG-4 AAC, provides greater compression and better sound quality than MP3, which also came out of the MPEG standard. , PCM (1) See phase change memory. (2) (Plug Compatible Manufacturer) An organization that makes a computer or electronic device that is compatible with an existing machine. , and AC3. Because the BSP-15 SoC is programmable, it may be upgraded post-manufacture with the latest video and audio codecs, middleware, DRM and applications as they evolve -- providing customers with a "future proof" NMP. "Technology continues to transform the way consumers experience home entertainment," said Daniel Putterman, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Mediabolic. "The Mediabolic NMP reference design, powered by Equator's processor, provides an excellent platform for feature-rich, connected entertainment devices. Together, we are enabling the digital home entertainment market with software solutions and reference designs that deliver the ultimate 'lean-back' experience." The BSP-15 SoC enables the advanced user interface of the Mediabolic NMP, with support for alpha-blended advanced user interface features. With its rich set of on-chip I/O, it eliminates the need for many external components, reducing overall system cost. The NMP reference design includes support for DTCP-IP, USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. 2.0, 802.11 a/b/g wireless networking, S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital InterFace) A serial interface for transferring digital audio from CD and DVD players to amplifiers and TVs. S/PDIF is typically used to transmit PCM and Dolby Digital 5.1, but is not tied to any sampling rate or audio standard. input/output, and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) A digital interface for audio and video signals designed as a single-cable solution for home theater and consumer electronics equipment. and component video output. "The rapid growth of digital media availability on the home PC and the growing interest in distributing that content throughout the home are driving the need for devices that bridge the PC and the TV," said Rich Christopher, president and CEO of Equator Technologies. "Being the first to market with an Equator-based solution of this nature is a strong position to be in, and we look forward to demonstrating the exciting capabilities of the Mediabolic Network Media Player as part of the Digital Home Community at IDF." Mediabolic's software, running on Equator's BSP-15 SoC, is a premium turnkey solution with a special focus on meeting each manufacturer's branding requirements. It delivers a true end-to-end solution that unleashes the power of the PC to the TV through rich applications. In addition, it enables OEMs and ODMs to deliver standards-based solutions to their customers by means of an open platform that complies with UPnP standards, emerging DRM technologies, Intel NMPR NMPR Networked Media Product Requirements (Intel) specifications, all major media formats, and is designed to DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) A coalition of computer and consumer electronics companies that was formed to ensure interoperability in home networks. guidelines. "Digital media adapters are a critical component in the digital home, providing consumers the ability to enjoy personal and premium content from their PC to any TV in the home," said Kevin Corbett, vice president and chief technology officer for the Intel Digital Home Group. "DMA designs from companies such as Equator and Mediabolic, designed to meet DLNA guidelines, enable OEMs and ODMs the ability to bring interoperable and cost-effective DMA solutions to the market quickly." First-hand demonstrations and meetings with company representatives at IDF will occur in Equator's booth #228 and Mediabolic's booth #227. About Mediabolic, Inc. Mediabolic, Inc. is a provider of software infrastructure and services for connected entertainment devices. Mediabolic embraces industry standards and provides infrastructure and services that empower our manufacturing partners to extend the capabilities of their products to ultimately expand their revenue potential. Using a standards-based, open architecture, Mediabolic's technology has enabled our partners to ship award-winning solutions across diverse platforms to the consumer market. Founded in 1999, Mediabolic is located in San Mateo, Calif. For more information, please visit www.mediabolic.com. About Equator Technologies, Inc. Equator Technologies is a provider of high-performance, programmable and power-efficient system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors for video streaming and image processing applications. Equator offers its proprietary BSP family of chips, iMMediaTools(R) software development toolkit, media libraries and reference platforms to customers worldwide. Equator's video-centric SoC solutions are available for digital media, digital video communications and video security and surveillance applications. Founded in 1996, Equator is a privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. headquartered in Campbell, Calif., with additional offices worldwide. More information about Equator is available online at http://www.equator.com. The following are trademarks of Equator Technologies, Inc., and may be used to identify Equator products only: Equator, the Equator logo, Equator Around, the Equator Around logo, MAP, MAP1000(R), MAP1000A, MAP-CA, MAP Series, BSP, FIRtree, DataStreamer, DS, iMMediaC(R), iMMediaTools(R), iMMediaToolsLite, Media Intrinsics, VersaPort, SofTV, StingRay, Dolphin, Tetra, Starfish and Babelfish. Mediabolic and the Mediabolic logo are trademarks of Mediabolic, Inc. Other product and company names contained herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. |
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