European Set-Top Makers Bullish on C-Cube Silicon

<%=company1%>' (Milpitas, CA) shipments of silicon to power digital set-top boxes for Germany-based BetaResearch have reached more than one million units since deliveries began last fall.

Nokia and SAGEM are using C-Cube's AViA@TV chips, which include a separate audio/video decoder and graphics transport network processor to power BetaResearch's DVB-based "d-box2" advanced digital set-tops. The BetaResearch DTVarchitecture includes system software components, an application programming interface (API), conditional access (CA), subscriber management and head-end scheduling equipment, and complete hardware and software reference platforms for different multimedia applications. BetaResearch is a subsidiary of Kirch Group, targeting delivery of digital programming via broadband.

The d-box, whose technology has been adopted by all major digital pay television service providers in Germany, receives data from high-speed cable or satellite broadcasts to provide subscribers with hundreds of digital television and radio channels. Television access to the Internet, including e-mail and e-commerce services, will be provided soon. Philips will also manufacture the boxes for BetaResearch.

Edited by Tom Butts