Framework accelerates set-top-box development

The Encirq Data Foundation Framework has been used by Sumitomo Electric Networks for its next generation IP set-top box, the StreamCruiser ST1300 Series.

The Encirq Data Foundation Framework has been used by Sumitomo Electric Networks for its next generation IP set-top box, the StreamCruiser ST1300 Series.

IP set-top boxes provide the television interface enabling the delivery of broadcast quality digital video and new interactive services delivered over broadband networks.

Sumitomo Electric Networks began shipments of the StreamCruiser ST1300 Series in April.

"With the StreamCruiser ST1300, our goal was to enable our customers to provide superior IPTV services and experiences", said Hiroaki Nishimoto, General Manager, CDN Development Group, Sumitomo Electric Networks.

"By using the ENCIRQ Framework, our new StreamCruiser series is able to more efficiently and securely handle on-demand video, live broadcast television, karaoke, and all broadcast content metadata to create a more responsive user experience despite limited hardware resources".

"The Encirq Framework contributed greatly to our ability to deliver high-quality applications within a very short development schedule and we plan to continue close co-operation with Encirq in building future IP set-top boxes and applications".

Interactive programme guides provide the user-interface for navigating and searching IPTV content.

These guides are driven by large amounts of content metadata, much of which resides on an external server.

Searching this data and screen switching is slow because of the huge volume of data to be processed and transferred across the network.

With the Encirq Framework, Sumitomo Electric Networks was able to quickly leverage an innovative approach to data management that provided more efficient data processing within the set-top box.

As a result, users get faster on-screen displays and a richer, more responsive experience.

"The growing size and complexity of metadata management has been holding back innovation in set-top box application development for many years", said Colin Dixon, Practice Manager, IP Media for the Diffusion Group.

"Encirq's data-centric application framework is exactly the kind of data management solution the industry needs to simplify and accelerate development while enabling great user experiences".

"Product differentiation is now driven by software", said Mark Vogel, CEO of Encirq.

"And efficient data management is critical for powering intelligence in data-driven device software applications".

"We are proud to have partnered with Sumitomo Electric Networks and help them accelerate the pace of innovation and deliver more compelling products with reduced engineering effort".

The Encirq Framework provides a simpler and more efficient approach for building the high-performance, data-driven applications that power today's intelligent devices.

It provides the benefits of the relational data model together with a streams-based approach that is ideally suited for the data management requirements of embedded applications.

The Encirq Framework includes a data-centric method for building solutions, extensible application components, automated code generation tools, plus performance-tuned service libraries to provide an ultra-efficient runtime environment for virtually any target operating and microprocessor.

Encirq products are distributed and supported in Europe by SDC Systems.

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