Amino's IPTV set-top box powered by Intel Atom processor CE4100

CAMBRIDGE, UK: Amino Communications, a world leading independent IPTV specialist, has demonstrated an IPTV set-top box (STB) that is powered by the new Intel Atom Processor CE4100 (formerly codenamed “Sodaville”).

The Intel media processor is the first 45nm consumer electronics (CE) system-on-chip based on the Intel Atom core and popular Intel architecture.

This new generation of Amino products will address growing consumer demand for TV-based entertainment from any source –- including broadcast, on-demand and open Internet “Over-the-Top” (OTT) services. Using the new Intel Atom Processor CE4100 will enable Amino to develop new types of hybrid/OTT devices that offer unparalleled flexibility and functionality.

Announced at the recent Intel Developers Forum (IDF) in San Francisco, the CE4100 media processor combines leading-edge CE features for high-definition video support, home-theatre quality audio and advanced 3-D graphics, with the performance, flexibility and compatibility of hardware and software based on Intel architecture.

The CE4100 will enable IPTV STBs to deliver a full open Internet experience, creating new opportunities for network operators and service providers to offer enhanced entertainment experiences to their customers.

As a result of strong and positive feedback from product demonstrations, Amino is now working with a number of customers to introduce a new hybrid broadcast/OTT STB.

This latest development marks a further strengthening of the close working relationship between Intel and Amino, which began with the Intel CE2110 media processor in 2006.

According to Amino CTO, Dominique Le Foll: “The CE4100 is a powerful media processor that is designed specifically for home entertainment and enables a greatly enhanced consumer experience. As one of the first IPTV solutions providers to demonstrate its capabilities, we are very encouraged by the response from customers and partners – particularly to its OTT capabilities.”

Le Foll added: “This builds on our relationship with Intel and we are delighted to have worked closely with them to showcase the benefits that CE4100 can bring to the performance of STBs in the IPTV world. We look forward to delivering a powerful new STB that harnesses the strengths of the CE4100 to deliver top-notch performance, improved functionality and reliability at a compelling price point.”

“With new Internet-based services and applications coming to TV, there is a need for a new generation of set-top boxes,” said Keith Wehmeyer, General Manager, IPTV, Digital Home Group, Intel. “Amino recognizes the requirements for processor performance and high-quality video and graphics, and is designing a set top box based on Intel’s CE4100 media processor to provide a premium entertainment experience to consumers.”

Developed for Internet-connected consumer electronics (CE) products such as optical media players, connected CE devices, advanced set-top boxes and digital TVs, the CE4100 is based on the same low-power core found in Intel Atom processors.

The CE4100 media processor is a highly-integrated solution that pairs a powerful Intel Atom processor core with leading-edge multi-stream video decoding and processing hardware. It also adds support for 2-channels of 800MHz DDR2 or 1333MHz DDR3, dedicated multi-channel dual audio DSPs, a powerful 3-D graphics engine enabling advanced UIs and EPGs, and support for multiple peripherals, including USB 2.0.