NXP Semiconductors today announced that it has integrated NDS MediaHighway set-top box (STB) software onto CX2450x, a highly integrated SoC solution for high-definition set top boxes. The cooperation will largely reduce the set top box operators and OEMs' time to market and integration cost to bring new digital pay-TV services with a range of interactive TV applications to their subscribers. The CX2450x with NDS MediaHighway will be demonstrated at IBC 2009, Sept 11-15, Amsterdam.
NXP Semiconductors collaborated with NDS on the system integration of the NDS CDI system software abstraction layer and the MediaHighway platform to incorporate them on the CX2450x SoC. NXP CX2450x is a highly integrated high definition DVR SoC featuring single display and single decode MPEG-2/H.264/VC-1/DIRECTV/DVB compliant for worldwide markets. The MediaHighway set-top box software running on NXP SoCs is a prerequisite to support advanced digital TV services such as IP streaming, web browser support, easy-to-use Electronic Program Guides for advanced content search and seamless content access across the home network.
STB OEMs can leverage NDS MediaHighway to customize Electronic Program Guides and implement other value-added services unique to each operator. It enables operators to engage and sustain viewer interest by offering new digital pay-TV services with a range of interactive TV applications, supplementing linear TV with social media functionality and the contextual linking of related content. It combines both the broadcast and broadband TV to enhance the TV viewing experience for end users.
"We are witnessing a growing demand for digital TV services from viewers across the world. To address this demand, NXP Semiconductors has implemented NDS' set-top box software to enable STB OEMs and operators to offer best-in class TV viewing experience to their customers and helping them to accelerate healthy time to market at low costs," said Alan Smith, Director of Satellite Operator Product Line at NXP Semiconductors. "NXP and NDS are committed to offer a consistent pre-engineering system solution for the OEM suppliers and pay-TV operators."
"NDS MediaHighway provides operators with a unique advantage as it enables them to provide competitive offerings, both in the way of functionality and value added services. Interactive TV applications, targeted advertising and the delivery of over the top content are some of the many mutually beneficial features made possible by NDS MediaHighway," said Peter Yaxley, director of Consumer Devices, NDS Europe. "Expanding our relationship with NXP will mean that we are able to extend the reach of the services that we offer to a larger part of the market."
NDS MediaHighway is available on NXP's CX2450x HD SoC and will be rapidly migrated to NXP's next generation PNX847x/8x/9x SoC featuring 3D Graphics and advanced power management. The CX2450x in conjunction with NXP's tuner and demodulators provides a complete silicon solution for HD-DVR STB applications. The very high level of integration enables a low system BoM to support a variety of applications. A complete reference platform is available for customer evaluation and development. The system implements NDS MediaHighway in a Linux OS environment, with a complete set of low-level STB drivers.
