Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006) | Subject: Digital media processors
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 04 July 2005
Digital media processor helps timeshift
TV
TI's DSP-based digital media processor technology is at the heart of the first-of-its-kind Slingbox from Sling Media.
TI's DSP-based digital media processor technology is at the heart of the first-of-its-kind Slingbox from Sling Media The Slingbox, which is shipping to retailers today, enables "placeshifting", allowing consumers to watch live TV programming from wherever they are, by turning virtually any networked laptop or Internet-connected device into a personal TV
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 12 Dec 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Processor enables flexible multimedia appliances
Texas Instruments DSP-based digital media processors are at the heart of five of the latest multimedia imaging products.
Media processors take on video applications
Two new digital media processors are tailored for the video and imaging market, including video over IP, multichannel digital video recording and high-quality video encoding and decoding.
Sling Media selected TI's DSP-based digital media processor technology because of its flexibility, performance, and optimal peripheral set.
For the primary audio and video codecs, Sling Media turned to Microsoft for the Windows Media 9 Series platform, which provides excellent quality and device compatibility.
This powerful and efficient platform, combined with a proprietary streaming optimisation technology developed by Sling Media, enables the Slingbox to provide a high-quality video experience across a wide range of network conditions.
Further reading
Digital media processors run Linux applications
Starting this week, Softier and Texas Instruments will demonstrate a new software technology that allows Linux applications to run natively on TI's TMS320C64x-based digital media processors.
Media processors power up latest IP set top boxes
Kreatel has chosen the TMS320DM64x generation of digital media processors based on TI's C64xT DSP core for its upcoming IP set top box products.
Digital media processor powers OEM videophone
The Sorenson VP-200T is a broadband OEM videophone solution for the mass market, which leverages TI's digital media processor.
The Slingbox uses the flexibility and performance of TI's digital media processor to provide sophisticated capabilities, while helping reduce the overall cost of the product, making it affordable for consumers.
With its high-level of integration and small form factor, TI's low-power, single-chip solution reduces the total system bill of materials (BOM).
"The performance, price and integration options provided by TI's digital media processors have made it possible for Sling Media to develop a first device of this kind that's affordable to consumers", said Blake Krikorian, cofounder and CEO for Sling Media.
"We have achieved superior quality and device compatibility with technology from TI and Microsoft, and we are pleased to now be able to pass that along to consumers".
The widespread availability of broadband and wireless networks is creating new personalised entertainment opportunities that require sophisticated network-aware software in order for consumers to enjoy content at any place, any time they want in the home.
TI's digital media processor, coupled with the compression efficiency of Windows Media Video 9 (Microsoft's implementation of VC-1, the proposed SMTPE standard), enables Sling Media to customise and tailor its product to meet network requirements and connections - thus resulting in a top-quality picture.
Exceptional compression rates of Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) implemented on TI's DSP allows the Slingbox the ability to adapt to varying network conditions.
"We're very excited to see the Slingbox become a reality with our technology playing a key role in the new experiences it makes possible", said Kevin Unangst, Director of Windows Digital Media at Microsoft Corp.
"The combination of expertise from TI and Sling Media with the quality and compatibility of Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) has delivered a truly innovative offering for personal entertainment".
This groundbreaking product won numerous awards at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show and recently appeared on Fortune magazine's 13th annual list highlighting its pick of the 25 most innovative upstarts.
The Slingbox is expected to be on store shelves in early July at a price of $249.99, with no monthly service fees.
"It's exciting to see Sling Media leverage the advanced capabilities of TI's digital media processing technology to establish a new product category with its placeshifting Slingbox", said Jeremiah Golston, CTO DSP Streaming Media, TI.
"Sling Media has brought to market a breakthrough product that is pioneering new ways of watching television from this point forward; TI is proud to help enable such innovation in the entertainment experience".
The TI processor features a level of programmability critical to the Slingbox.
The DSP-based solution enables Sling Media to implement its proprietary streaming algorithms, perform remote upgrades and introduce additional software and services once units are already in the field.
Delivering exceptional video quality with next-generation functionality and flexibility, TI's digital technology enables OEMs to evolve their designs to keep up with ever-changing technology demands.
• Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
