One of the booths that I really wanted to check out at CES 2007 was the RICAVISION booth where they were showing off a full lineup of Windows Vista enabled remote controls.

RICAVISION Windows Vista SideShow Media Center Remote Control

Of course the main attraction was the Microsoft Windows SideShow Media Center Remote Control that made the waves on the net a few weeks back. Unfortunately I didn’t take a good picture of the device but I do have tons of information about the remote.

Features of the RICAVISION Microsoft Windows Vista SideShow Media Center Remote Control include:

• 2.5 inch QVGA color LCD display
• Class 1 (100 meter) Bluetooth capability
• Provides a set of four Vista Gadgets that will be an extension of the Media Center for Windows Vista
  • TV
  • Music
  • Pictures and Videos
  • Now Playing
• The Gadgets will extract data from Media Center in Windows SideShow XML format and send it through Windows SideShow to the remote control.

Here’s a breakdown of the above Gadgets and what you’ll be able to do with them. (The information was courtesy of RICAVISION)

TV:

• Browse TV and schedule recordings: You can browse the TV program guide, view metadata on upcoming or current shows, and pick shows to watch and record without interrupting the current TV viewing experience
• Recorded TV - For previously recorded TV programs, a list of programs by name and by date will be available along with details such as:
  • Program name
  • Channel number of ID
  • Episode title if there is one
  • Program summary
  • Date Recorded
  • Program Length
  • Program picture snapshot

Music:

• Play Music - browse the media library, control music playback on the PC by using the remote instead of the TV
• Play radio presets - browse your radio presets and playback that station
• Add to Queue capability - add tracks to the Now Playing List

Pictures and Videos:

• Browse the pictures and video libraries - Make a selection on the remote, and the specified media will show on the TV

Now Playing:

• Provides “now playing” information - the remote control device shows the information about the current playing medium
  • Album name
  • Artist name
  • Track title
  • Elapsed time and total track time
  • Album art

Of course that’s not all with the Windows Vista SideShow Remote Control. You can select other Gadgets to be viewed on the remote - such as email, calendar, and RSS feeds. You can also receive calendar reminders and notifications of when your friends sign on to Windows Live Messenger.

Some notes on the GUI display on the remote. The options are laid out in a similar fashion as the Media Center UI. The menu will always be “center locked” which means the selected menu option or category is always in the center of the device.

With the RICAVISION Windows Vista SideShow Remote Control, you get the remote and an external USB RC6 receiver.  Finally - availability - the RICAVISION Vista SideShow Remote Control and Receiver Kit will be available for an MSRP of $199 in April of 2007.

RICAVISION Microsoft Windows Vista Remote Controls

The SideShow remote control wasn’t the only remote control from RICAVISION. They actually have a family of three Windows Vista Remote Controls - the Standard Vista Remote Control, the Multifunction Remote Control and the Universal Remote Control.

General features of the RICAVISION Vista Remote Controls include:

• Conveniently access your digital entertainment from a single remote
• Remote control designed to work with Media Center application

The three remotes are for slightly different purposes of course.

The standard Vista Remote Control is designed for PCs only with an RC6 signal. The Multifunction Remote Control is designed for PCs and TVs - with an RC6 signal and a TV signal from the remote. Finally, the Universal Remote Control is designed for PCs, TVs, DVD players, VCRs, and an Auxiliary device with an RC6 and IR signal.

One other sidenote - RICAVISION also has a SideShow enabled Keyboard design for Windows Media Center. Unfortunately, I do not have a scanner with me so I can’t provide the pics that I have on the keyboard from their press releases. Nothing on their website about the keyboard either but I can provide some info.

The keyboard comes with a charging plate which also works with their SideShow remote control and mouse.  The keyboard itself has a LCD display at the top of the keyboard and comes with hot keys for:

• My Music
• My Videos
• My Photos
• My TV
• My Radio

Media keys on the keyboard include:

• Rewind
• Play
• Forward
• Replay
• Pause
• Record
• Stop
• Skip
• Volume + and -
• Mute

There are also Internet shortcut keys and optional backlighting for the display. That’s all the info I have on it thus far.

[Check it out] (republished from Krunker.com)

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However, there appears to be one catch thus far. The press release mentions the following:

The ATI TV Wonder™ Digital Cable Tuner is scheduled for release Q1 2007 shipping with new Digital Cable Ready PCs running Windows Vista™. Hardware requirements include HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) support on digital displays, providing a robust and premium HD viewing experience.

Notice - nowhere does it say that it will be available for purchase in retail stores - only that it’s going to be shipping with new Digital Cable Ready PCs… Hmm.. that’s a bit suspicious - Could it be that ATI won’t sell this tuner directly to consumers? That would be a bummer.

Well  let’s get back to the description of the device - this is the world’s first PC TV tuner offering CableCARD support for receiving premium HD content. What does this mean for you if you have a Windows Vista system with Windows Media Center? You’ll be able to use your digital cable service (assuming you have that) and be able to finally tune into the premium channels without the need of a set top box. You just need a CableCARD from your cable company and you’ll be in business. Of course you still need to have the service enabled on your line!

The ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner also supports over-the-air ATSC digital TV, NTSC analog TV, and satellite set top box connectivity. Inside the new ATI device is the OpenCable Unidirectional Receiver (or OCUR) which was looked at by Anandtech last year.  Other features found on the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner include:

• Advanced 3D comb filtering
• Support for ClearQAM, OTA ATSC, and NTSC analog

Pretty exciting folks.. but here’s hoping ATI will do the right thing and sell the unit direct to consumers.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner, ATI, OTA ASTC, NTSC analog, CableCARD

Looking for a portable TV tuner product? Consider the new Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950 Hybrid TV Receiver which was announced earlier this week. This TV tuner on a “stick” allows you to watch and record analog cable TV or ATSC HD digital TV whether at home or on the road. You simply plug the WinTV-HVR-950 Hybrid TV Receiver into your USB port, connect the appropriate cables, and laod the software.. and BAM! You’ll be enjoy TV right on your computer - whether it’s a home desktop system or a portable laptop system.

Features of the WinTV-HVR-950 Hybrid TV Receiver include (taken from the Hauppauge website):

• Watch analog cable TV or the new ATSC HD digital TV
• USB 2.0 support - Note: will not work with USB 1.1
• Includes Hauppauge’s WinTV2000 application to watch and record TV, in a window or full screen. If you live in an area where you can receive both digital and analog TV, you can switch between analog and digital channels automatically.
• Includes WinTV-Scheduler, so you can record your favorite TV programs on a daily, weekly or once only schedule.
• ATSC over-the-air digital TV receiver built-in. Supports all ATSC formats, up to the high definition 1080i format
• Record ATSC digital TV to your PC’s hard disk using high quality MPEG-2. ATSC digital TV recordings will typically consume from 1 to 5 Gb of disk space per hour, depending upon the TV broadcasters ATSC format.
• Analog cable TV receiver built-in. Will also work with TV antenna
• Record analog TV shows to your PC’s hard disk using our SoftPVR™ MPEG-2 encoder. Analog TV recordings will typically consume 1.5 Gb of disk space per hour

Hauppauge claims the device also works with Windows Media Center too. One final note - remember - this is a single tuner. You can either tune to analog channels or digital channels - not both at the same time.

[Check it out]

WinTV-HVR-950 Hybrid TV Receiver Now Available for PCs, Notebooks

Watch & Record Cable TV or Over-the-Air ATSC HD TV with Pocket-Sized “Stick”

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. –(Business Wire)– Jan. 3, 2007 Hauppauge Digital, Inc., the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of analog and digital video, TV, and data broadcast receiver products for personal computers, announces the addition of the pocket-sized WinTV-HVR-950 Hybrid TV Receiver to its WinTV family of PC-based home entertainment system applications. Whether at home or on the go, you can now use your PC or laptop to watch and record your favorite analog or digital TV shows with one click.

The easy-to-install WinTV-HVR-950 Hybrid TV Receiver allows you to watch and record analog cable TV or the new ATSC HD digital TV on your PC or laptop screen. Just plug it into your computer’s USB 2.0 port, connect a cable TV or a TV antenna, and load the software from the installation CD. The WinTV-HVR-950 also includes a portable digital antenna so you can receive digital TV while you travel. To check the ATSC digital transmissions in a given area, just input the Zip code at http://www.titantv.com.

The WinTV-HVR-950 includes Hauppauge’s WinTV2000 application for watching and recording TV in a window or a full-sized screen using high-quality MPEG-2. If you live in an area that receives both analog and digital TV, you can switch automatically between analog and digital channels, and the WinTV-Scheduler lets you record your favorite analog or digital TV shows on a daily, weekly, or once-only schedule to play back to your screen at any time.

Even if your area does not currently receive ATSC digital TV, use the WinTV-HVR-950 to watch and record analog TV, knowing that you are prepared for the future. When ATSC digital TV does come to your area, your WinTV-HVR-950 will receive the new digital channels.

System Requirements -0-

Minimum processor recommended
    2.2 GHz P4 or 1.8 GHz Centrino or equivalent (minimum)
    2.8 GHz processor for analog TV recording with MPEG-2 (minimum)

Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP, XP Pro, or Windows Media Center Edition,
 with Service Pack 2
Graphics with 64MB of memory (minimum)
USB 2.0 port (will not work with USB 1.1)
CD-ROM drive (for software installation)

Package Includes:

– WinTV-HVR-950 USB 2.0 TV stick with cable TV or ATSC antenna connection

– USB extension cable

– Portable antenna

– Software on CD-ROM (including manual)

– Quick installation Guide

For more information about the WinTV-HVR-950 Hybrid TV Receiver, please visit http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/products/data_hvr950.html.

About Hauppauge Digital:

Hauppauge Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAUP) is a leading developer and manufacturer of digital TV and data broadcast receiver products for personal computers. Through its Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc., and Hauppauge Digital Europe subsidiaries, the Company designs and develops digital video boards for TV-in-a-window, digital video editing and video conferencing. The Company is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York, with administrative offices in New York, Singapore, Ireland and Luxembourg and sales offices in Germany, London, Paris, The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Singapore and California. For more information, please visit http://www.hauppauge.com.

SSPR
Belinda Banks, 908-685-2300
belinda@sspr.com

Technorati Tags: Hauppauge, WinTV-HVR-950 Hybrid TV Receiver, HDTV, Analog TV

Those of you looking for a Windows Media Center capable laptop may want to consider the Dell Inspiron E1405. Sure it’s boring looking but you get a good feature set for an inexpensive price. Features include:

• Intel Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors
• Windows XP Media Center Edition OS
• 14.1 inch widescreen display with 1280 x 800 resolution
• WiFi support (802.11 b/g)
• Optional Dell Wireless 350 Bluetooth module
• Supports RoadReady design technology for dealing with everyday bumps and bruises
• Dell MediaDirect for instant on access to calendar, contacts, presentations, videos, music, photo slideshows
• Up to 2GB of memory
• Measures 12.99″ x 1.52″ x 9.56″ and weighs only 5.3 lbs

LaptopMag recently reviewed the notebook and found the following:

While the design is getting a bit stale, the Dell Inspiron E1405 delivers the performance users on the go are looking for, along with lots of endurance. The MediaDirect functionality and multimedia controls are icing on the cake.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Dell, Dell Inspiron E1405,

Consumers will use ExtendMedia’s OpenCASE software to download the video content directly onto their Windows Vista systems. You’ll then be able to play back the content from within Windows Media Player or through Windows Media Center.

You’ll be able to see all this in action at the Microsoft Windows Vista Booth # CP9.

[Check it out]

At CES, ExtendMedia and SHOWTIME Preview World’s First Video Download-to-Own Service on Microsoft’s Windows Vista

Demonstrates How Windows Vista PCs are Poised to Become the Media and Entertainment Center of Choice for Today’s Consumers

NEW YORK and BOSTON –(Business Wire)– Jan. 2, 2007 SHOWTIME Networks Inc. and ExtendMedia will showcase the world’s first consumer video download-to-own service designed for Microsoft Windows Vista technology. Visitors to the Microsoft Windows Vista booth at CES in Las Vegas next week can view a pilot of what SHOWTIME and Extend are creating. Using the service, which is scheduled to be launched in late January, consumers will be able to download episodes from groundbreaking Showtime Original Series such as Weeds, The L Word, Sleeper Cell and more from the Web - and play them on their home PC, or transfer to a portable player for viewing on the go.

The SHOWTIME-Extend service showcases the power and usability made possible by Windows Vista for consuming digital media content. Since Windows Vista comes packaged with Microsoft’s acclaimed Media Center Edition capabilities, Vista PCs easily become the hub of the home digital entertainment center. With fast, user-friendly click-to-download offerings, SHOWTIME’s work highlights its leading position as a programming and technology innovator. ExtendMedia’s OpenCASE software handles the video content download in the service with a Vista-compliant application, and gives SHOWTIME flexibility and control in monetizing its direct-to-consumer business.

SHOWTIME and ExtendMedia are demonstrating the new service in Microsoft’s Windows Vista Booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Plaza, booth # CP9. Executives from SHOWTIME and ExtendMedia are available for comment.

WHO: Representatives of SHOWTIME and ExtendMedia

WHAT: Pilot of new consumer download-to-own service designed for Microsoft’s Windows Vista that delivers hit SHOWTIME TV shows directly to consumers’ homes

WHEN: Monday, January 8 thru Thursday, January 11, 2007 starting at 9 am PT (10 am PT on Monday)

WHERE: CES 2007, Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Plaza

Microsoft Windows Vista booth, booth # CP9

About SHOWTIME Networks, Inc.

SHOWTIME Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME(R) TOO(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE(R) and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD(TM), SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(TM) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(TM). SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME(R) PPV.

About ExtendMedia, Inc.

ExtendMedia delivers digital content service infrastructure solutions that provide the foundation for today’s leading content businesses. Our flagship product, OpenCASE(TM), is a flexible content service management platform that allows companies to swiftly provision, secure, package and monetize digital content offerings. OpenCASE’s sophisticated business rules and automation controls allow our customers to lower operational overhead and adapt to changing business needs. Its rich feature set for metadata and asset management, DRM policy, syndication, billing, and consumer profiling powers the online offerings of top-tier media companies, broadband service providers, and mobile operators. ExtendMedia brings years of content management and delivery experience to the table in solving each customer’s unique challenges. ExtendMedia’s customers include ClickStar, SHOWTIME, Cablevision, Nelvana Entertainment, Bell Canada and MTS. For more information, please visit us at http://www.extend.com. -30-

All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective registered owners.

Stuart Zakim
SHOWTIME
212-708-1590
stuart.zakim@showtime.net
or
Michael Coulson
ExtendMedia
416-535-4222 x2210
press@extend.com
or
Mary Kae Marinac
MKM Corporate Communications
978-685-3136
mkmarinac@comcast.net

Technorati Tags: ExtendMedia, SHOWTIME, Microsoft Windows Vista, Vista, Windows Media Center

• 10bit ADCs and New 3D Y/C Separator for NTSC/PAL
• 3D Noise Reduction for NTSC (except for using the PAL 3D Y/C)
• Support picture quality enhancement functions
• Support Component Y/Pb/Pr, S-Video, Composite signal capture
• Hardware MPEG-II Encoder
• Watch high-quality TV with stereo in full screen or a scalable window.
• Support Stereo audio, enjoy high quality Entertainment.
• Live TV and Personal Video Recording: Take full control of your TV viewing experience.
• Industrial fastest - 23* seconds full-channel scan
• Multiple channel preview with “Channel Surfing in a Snap”
• 3 changeable favorite control panel skins
• Continuous snapshots of live video into still images
• Supports “Scheduled-Recording”
• Supports “Time-shifting”
• Supports EPG (Electronic Programs Guide)
• Supports PIP(Picture-in-Picture) with play back
• Supports DirectBurn to VCD, DVD.
• Supports TV hardware recording in MPEG I / II format

The new Leadtek WinFast PVR3000 Deluxe comes with the PVR3000 PCI card, a 7 in 1 A/V cable, IR sensor cable, FM antenna, remote control and batteries, software package, and a quick installation guide.

We’re still waiting on pictures so stay tuned

[Check it out]

WinFast PVR3000 Deluxe

26-Dec-06

Taking your Personal Video Recording Experience to the next Level
Taipei, Taiwan (TechMessenger) — LeadtekÂŽ Research Inc., a world-leading VGA card and multi-media solution provider, has announced the latest version of its high end personal video recorder for PC: the WinFastÂŽ PVR3000 Deluxe, an enhanced PCI 3DY/C Hardware MPEGI/II encoder TV card.

With he Conexant Cx23416 Hardware encoder chip, NEC 3D Y/C video processing chipset and High quality Micronas Stereo audio chipset, the user is able to enjoy top performance, superior video quality LCD TV and a world of stereo audio entertainment. Its powerful 3D NR (Noise Reduction) can clear noise from the TV source and deliver clear, vivid TV pictures. No more ‘snow or raindrop’ effects or poor channels on CATV.
WinFastÂŽ PVR3000 Deluxe gives offers a sensational visual experience while watching TV on PC. Its Low profile form factor design suits all ATX size PCs. For mini PC just change the metal panel.

Because its designed especially for Home Theater PC it is compatible with MCE and Vista OS. It also provides many capture I/Os such as S-video and Composite, Audio (L/R), Y Pb Pr. It will comply with the user’s video recording needs thanks to its efficient hardware encoder engine chip.

You can also record favorite programs with MPEG-2 encoding, freely pause, rewind and fast forward without bypassing any live detail by using the Time-shifting function. Organize your recording lists with EPG* and “Schedule-Recording” - a fully functional remote control integrated with the DVD player and FM function allowing you overall control of the system with a single remote. You can also run Microsoft Windows MCE or Vista for multi-media entertainment in your living room. WinFast® PVR3000 Deluxe brings all the top features and a lot more live entertainment and pleasure into the bargain.

High Quality Video/Audio Experience

WinFast PVR3000 Deluxe provides superior video quality expecially when implemented with Can tuner, NEC’s famous 3D Y/C chip and a stereo audio chip from Micronas. Now you are able to experience the very best of TV viewing quality with a vivid image and color saturation. The DirectBurn function also turns your favorite program into a new disc for your DVD collection without overloading the CPU. Undoubtedly the best choice for professional multi-media PC players for setting up a home theater PC.

FEATURES:

-10bit ADCs and New 3D Y/C Separator for NTSC/PAL
-3D Noise Reduction for NTSC (except for using the PAL 3D Y/C)
-Support picture quality enhancement functions
-Support Component Y/Pb/Pr, S-Video, Composite signal capture
-Hardware MPEG-II Encoder provides better video quality with lower CPU usage.
-Watch high-quality TV with stereo in full screen or a scalable window.
-Support Stereo audio, enjoy high quality Entertainment.
-Live TV and Personal Video Recording: Take full control of your TV viewing experience.
-Industrial fastest - 23* seconds full-channel scan
-Multiple channel preview with “Channel Surfing in a Snap”
-3 changeable favorite control panel skins
-Continuous snapshots of live video into still images
-Supports “Scheduled-Recording”
-Supports “Time-shifting”
-Supports EPG (Electronic Programs Guide)
-Supports PIP(Picture-in-Picture) with play back
-Supports DirectBurn to VCD, DVD.
-Supports TV hardware recording in MPEG I / II format
-Compatible with MicrosoftÂŽ Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Vista
-Bundle software: Ulead® Videostudio® 8 SE, Ulead DVD MovieFactory™ 3.0, Ulead® Cool 3D™SE, Cyberlink® Power DVD® 6, Orb

Package Contents:

-WinFast PVR3000 Deluxe PCI card
-WinFast software CD pack
-7-in-1 A/V cable (Y, Pb, Pr, S-Video, Composite, Audio L, Audio R)
-IR sensor cable
-FM antenna
-Remote Control and Batteries
-User’s manual
-Quick Installation Guide

WinFast PVR3000 Deluxe delivers the outstanding performance and excellent quality for the multimedia users and will turn PC into a multimedia center to rich your life. Please visit http://www.leadtek.com.tw for more detail information.
* Depending on the different country, location and local services provider.

Technorati Tags: Leadtek Research, WinFast PVR3000 Deluxe, TV Tuner

Hauppauge Digital in the UK has announced the new WinTV HVR-3000 hybrid video recorder. The WinTV HVR-3000 is billed as an all-in-one tri-mode TV tuner offering DVB-S digital satellite, DVB-T digital terrestrial, and analog cable TV support. You’ll also be able to tune into FM Radio via the tuner card.

Features of the WinTV HVR-3000 include:

• Triple mode free-to-air TV receiver
  • Digital satellite DVB-S
  • Digital terrestrial DVB-T Freeview
  • Analog PAL cable or TV aerial TV
• Record digital TV and digital radio in high quality MPEG
• Record analog cable TV in MPEG-1 or MPEG-2
• Pause and rewind digital or analog TV
• Listen to DVB-T, DVB-S, and FM radio
• Schedule using WinTV-Scheduler
• Includes Hauppauge IR remote control

[Check it out via Pocket-lint]

Technorati Tags: Hauppauge, WinTV HVR-3000 hybrid video recorder, DVB-S, DVB-T

Leadtek Research has announced a new hybrid TV tuner card called the WinFast DTV1800 H which includes support for DVB-T, analog TV, and FM Radio.

The WinFast DTV1800 H is a low profile expansion card equipped with the Xceive tuner chipset with version 2.0 firmware. Leadtek also packages a PVR software application called WinFast PVR2 in case you don’t have Windows Media Center.

Features of the WinFast DTV1800 H include (taken from the Leadtek website):

• Enjoy digital terrestrial TV and digital radio with HDTV/AC3 support in full screen or a scalable window for your high quality entertainment
• Fully-functional Remote Control with user -friendly interface : With use of a single Power up/off button users can now switch on/ off PC at ease..
• Supports EPG (Electronic Programs Guide) for easily gather daily or weekly TV program information
• Industrial fastest - 23 sec full-channel scan
• Picture-In-Picture (PIP), Picture-On-Picture (POP), Picture-And-Picture(PAP)
  • 2 channel programs processing at same time and master video can be alternative. The slave video can be displayed with any size and anywhere
• Time-Shifting:
  you can pause, rewind live television and instant replays. Take your breaks during a TV show or movie and never have to miss a scene again.
• DirectBurn:
  let you easy to make your own high quality DVD/VCD directly
• Exclusive M.V.P mode (Multiple-Video-Processing):
  Enable 2 video cards; 4 channel programs processing simultaneously)
• Capture format profile:
  • Support friendly setting for MPEG-1/2/4*3, WMV/VCD/DVD video and MP3/WMA audio encoding format from analog capturing, digital TV recording in MPEG 2 format
  • NTSC/PAL analog reception from Composite and S-video
• Powerful schedule:
  You can schedule your digital TV recordings on a daily, weekly or once only according info from EPG. You can select Stand by/Hibernate (S3/S4) mode for scheduling power saving.

The WinFast DTV1800 H is also compatible with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

[Check it out]

WinFast DTV1800 H-2-in-1 Analog and Digital TV in a single PC

15-Dec-06

Taipei, Taiwan (TechMessenger) — LeadtekÂŽ Research Inc., a world-leading VGA card and multi-media solution provider, has announced a new edition of its advanced Silicon tuner Hybrid TV card complete with DVB-T, analog TV and FM radio.

WinFastÂŽ DTV1800 H equipped with the best hybrid silicon Xceive tuner with v2.0 Firmware offers superior visual quality for both DVB-T and analog TV. Because Analog TV supports NTSC/PAL/SECAM there are no international barriers. Its Low profile form factor design suits all ATX size PCs. For mini PC just change the metal panel.

Its innovative silicon technology means that peripheral components are highly integrated in the chip thus providing Digital TV, analog TV and FM radio reception with a small form factor. Its compact design and advanced integration technology ensures that the board delivers the most competitive cost to performance ratio.

By supporting SDTV/HDTV broadcasts, it can provide a static free, sharp picture with enhanced high resolution! The user is also able to record favorite programs with MPEG-2 encoding, freely pause, rewind and fast forward without bypassing any live detail with the Time-shifting functionality. Recording lists are organized with EPG* while “Schedule-Recording”, a fully functional remote control integrated with a DVD player and FM function allows overall control of the system with a single remote.

WinFastÂŽ DTV1800 H also comes with a remote power on/off PC function, allows you to fully control your PC as a consumer electronics device in the comfort of your living room. It can directly launch the TV function with a single click on the remote control.

A unique Video/Audio Experience

WinFast® DTV1800 H equipped with Leadtek’s ‘own design’ 2nd generation application program, WinFast® PVR2, gives the user a reliable PVR with superior video quality, a brand new User interface and DVB-T multi-windows viewing features. It provides 3 free changeable Control Panel UIs for user selection and keeps a program record through the PVRs fast channel scan and channel switching To watch DVB-T simply activate the PIP(Picture-in-Picture), POP(Picture-On-Picture) and PAP(Picture-And-Picture) to view 2 program channels in the same transport stream from the same broadcast station. This could be helpful to any user with running 2 favorite programs simultaneously and makes sure he misses neither. The DirectBurn function could turn your favorite program into one in your DVD collection. Undoubtedly the best choice for multi-media PC users who want the best cost / performance solution for the triple functions of digital (DVB-T), Analog TV and FM radio (triple functions) in a single card.

FEATURES:

-High-quality digital/analog TV tuner
-Both digital and analog TV reception
-Global TV standard support for NTSC/PAL/SECAM
-FM Radio reception
-Remote Controlled Power on/off
-Low-profile card design
-Fully functional IR remote control to operate TV and DVD players
-Stereo/SAP/NICAM TV audio for analog TV
-Capture analog video from Composite or S-Video
-Support Stereo audio, enjoy high quality Entertainment.
-Industrial fastest - 23* seconds full-channel scan
-Multiple channel preview with “Channel Surfing in a Snap”
-3 changeable favorite control panel skins
-Continuous snapshots of live video into still images
-Supports “Scheduled-Recording”
-Supports “Time-shifting”
-Supports EPG (Electronic Programs Guide)
-Supports SDTV/HDTV/AC3 standards
-Supports PIP(Picture-in-Picture), POP(Picture-On-Picture) and PAP(Picture-And-Picture) in the same TS streams or with play back
-Supports DirectBurn to VCD, DVD.
-Supports TV recording in MPEG-1/2/4 format
-Package Contents:
*WinFast DTV1800 H Hybrid TV card
*Software Pack CD
*Quick Installation Guide
*Remote control with batteries
*IR Receiver
*FM antenna
*4-in-1 cable for Composite ,S-video, Audio (L/R)

WinFastÂŽDTV1800 H delivers the outstanding performance and excellent quality for the multimedia users and will turn PC into a multimedia center to rich your life. Please visit www.leadtek.com.tw for more detail information.
* Depending on the different country, location and local services provider.

About Leadtek Research Inc.

Founded in 1986, Leadtek Research Inc. is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan and has five overseas subsidiaries in the USA, Netherlands, China, Japan and France. Three Business Units – Computer Multimedia, Wireless Communications and Audio/Video Communications – are focused on the design and manufacture of 3D graphics, PC Multimedia, PCTV solutions, GPS module and navigation devices, Bluetooth-enabled products, as well as audio/video communication products including videophones and IP set-top boxes. They provide integrated systems and total customer solutions that drive the company’s revenue. Living up to its reputation for reliability, quality and performance based on unrelenting R&D, Leadtek continues to stir the market’s imagination, turning new dreams into digital reality with ever more original hi-tech products forged in its laboratories of cutting edge technology. For more information, please visit www.leadtek.com

Technorati Tags: Leadtek, WinFast DTV1800 H, DVB-T, HDTV

Let’s dig into the SAA7164E a bit more deeply. Features include:

• two high quality AV decoders supporting NTSC, PAL, SECAM
• TV Serio sound (BTSC, NICAM, Dual FM, EIAJ)
• FM Radio and RDS decoding
• Adaptive 3D comb filtering including 3D noise reduction for each channel
• Two separate hardware compression engines
• Supports MPEG1/2/4, WMV VC-1, DivX
• Supports AAC, MPG1L2, MP3, WMA, AC-3
• Includes two high quality IF demodulators
• includes PCI-e 1.1 interface
• and tons more..

Both TV processors are designed to support a vast array of multimedia applications and solutions such as Intervideo’s WinCinema, Microsoft’s Windows Media Center PC, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Samples are now available for companies looking to build TV tuner products out of these chips Pricing is sub $40 dollars per chip in quantities of less than 10,000 pieces.

[Check it out]

New NXP PC TV Solution Delivers a Vibrant Media Experience on Desktop and Notebook Computers

Highly-Integrated, Single-Chip AV Engine Powers Advance PC TV Watch-and-Record Capabilities

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands –(Business Wire)– Dec. 14, 2006 NXP Semiconductors today introduced SAA7164E and SAA7163E, the first in a family of PC TV processors designed to bring new levels of performance and system integration to desktop and notebook multimedia PCs. SAA7164E provides dual channel TV as well as radio capture and streaming capabilities with hardware AV compression, allowing for independent watch, record and advanced personal video recorder (PVR) features. The SAA7164E is a highly-integrated 90-nm device in a space efficient BGA364 package, with the SAA7163E providing a cost-effective single-channel derivative of SAA7164E. The solution will be showcased at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 8-11.

SAA7164E and SAA7163E support exciting multimedia solutions such as Intervideo’s WinCinema, Media Center PCs, Microsoft Windows XP and Windows XP Media Center Edition(1), and the Windows Vista(1) operating system. As a result, this enhances end-users’ PC TV viewing experiences by powering vibrant media devices that expand the capabilities of current and future mainstream consumer PC software platforms.

“Our focus has always been to offer the consumer a more flexible and interactive user experience,” said Chris Matichuk, program manager of the eHome TV Team, Microsoft Corp. “Media Center technology and NXP’s leading edge PC TV chipset technology transform TV viewing into a whole new experience. Microsoft continues to drive the evolution of the PC from beyond a simple computing platform to a truly integral part of each consumer’s digital entertainment experience, and technologies like Windows and NXP’s PC TV solution are making this happen.”

“PC TV tuner cards will comprise a market of $3.7 billion worldwide in retail value by 2009, with a compound annual growth rate of 42.6 per cent,” said Gerry Kaufhold, principal analyst multimedia, broadband & consumer content, In-Stat. “This rapid predicted growth demonstrates that the digital home is quickly becoming a connected home. People want to experience entertainment anywhere in the home, not just on the TV, but on their PC as well.”

“As consumers demand more from their PC, NXP has worked to develop a low-cost, easily implemented solution that can offer advanced digital TV and PVR facilities at home and on the move,” said Martin Maloney, marketing director & manager BCT PC Video, BU Home, NXP Semiconductors. “NXP is number one in the TV solutions semiconductor market, and the SAA7164 underpins this position, by enabling manufacturers to develop devices that offer simultaneous, independent reception of two channels of live TV or baseband video capture on a PC.”

SAA7164E

The SAA7164E includes two high quality AV decoders, each supporting worldwide analog broadcast (NTSC/PAL/SECAM), TV stereo sound (BTSC, NICAM, Dual FM, EIAJ), and FM radio and RDS decoding. It provides crisp video performance with adaptive 3D comb filter including 3D noise reduction for each channel. The PC TV processor also supports global reception of all digital broadcast standards by streaming dual transport streams, allowing combo and hybrid analog/digital reception configurations. Two independent hardware compression engines enable reduction in the host CPU load, and generate dual compressed AV streams for time shifting, recording, networking, and downloading files to portable media players (PMPs). The independent AV compression engines support a variety of formats for high quality and low bit rates, including several kinds of video compression standards, such as MPEG1/2/4, Windows Media Video(1) (VC-1) and DiVX. Audio compression standards supported are AAC, and MPG1L2, MP3, Windows Media Audio(1) and AC-3 (Dolby Digital). The AV compression can either output DVD compliant program stream or transport stream.

The SAA7164E also includes two high-quality IF demodulators, supporting small form-factor and cost-effective system designs based on NXP’s innovative line of silicon tuners. It also includes baseband video inputs supporting high performance NXP tuner cans and NIM modules, and video capture from camcorders, VCRs, DVD players, cameras, and microphones, allowing recording and archiving of consumer content to multimedia PC hard drives and, CD and DVD recorders. The SAA7164E includes a PCI Express 1.1 compliant bus interface for desktop and notebook PCs, including mini-card and Express Card form factors. It also extends the capabilities of PC TV tuners to include the reception and protection of premium TV content, with encryption and decryption capabilities, including AES and (T)DES. A remote control receiver and two RC transmitter interfaces ensure a convenient control of TV reception and PVR functionality.

Subsequent derivatives of the SAA7164E will include support for additional bus interfaces, including PCI and USB, allowing a complete PC TV portfolio to use a common core for design and qualification engineering efficiency.

NXP Semiconductors is powering the revolution in the TV viewing experience by not only improving picture quality, but also enabling a variety of audio, video, data and images to be available anytime, anywhere throughout the home and on-the-move. The TV will soon be the window to a world of new content, and NXP is unique in supporting these developments with a full range of semiconductor components, system solutions and connected systems based on industry standards.

Availability

Samples are available now with volume shipments planned for the Q107. Pricing is sub$40 USD for less than 10,000 pieces.

About NXP Semiconductors

NXP is a top 10 semiconductor company founded by Philips more than 50 years ago. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company has 37,000 employees working in 20 countries across the world. NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in mobile phones, personal media players, TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices. News from NXP is located at http://www.nxp.com/news.

Forward-looking Statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of NXP and certain plans and objectives of NXP with respect to these items. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

(1) The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

NXP Semiconductors
Carlo van Pelt, + 31 40 27 22075 (Europe)
carlo.van.pelt@nxp.com
Paul Morrison, +1 408-474-5065 (USA)
paul.morrison@nxp.com
Terry Chiang, +886 2 3789 2821 (Greater China)
terry.chiang@nxp.com
Mark Chisholm, +81 3 3740 4792 (APAC)
mark.chisholm@nxp.com

Technorati Tags: NXP Semiconductors, SAA7164E, SAA7163E

The SuwonExpress card utilizes the Siano SMS1000 MDTV receiper chipset and comes bundled with a multi-standard software suite from Cyberlink including an EPG, TV player, and DVR.

For those of you visiting CES in January, the SuwonExpress will be demoed at Siano’s meeting room (#68544, Sands Meeting Place).

[Check it out via ExtremeTech]

CyberLink, Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Siano Introduce Slim ExpressCard for Mobile TV
SuwonExpress targets notebook makers and accessory card OEMs; Offers multi-mode mobile TV, including built-in antennas

December 11, 2006: Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEM), Korea’s leading maker of electronic parts and components, CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a world leader in digital home solutions, and Siano Mobile Silicon, a fabless semiconductor maker of solutions for Mobile Digital TV (MDTV), announced today the launch of their joint solution for bringing MDTV to notebooks - the SuwonExpress.

The SuwonExpress will be demonstrated in Siano’s meeting room (#68544, Sands Meeting Place) at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, taking place January 8-11 in Las Vegas.

The SuwonExpress is an ExpressCard accessory aimed at notebook OEMs and ODMs, accessory card OEMs and accessory card retailers. ExpressCard is a new type of module that slots into a computer system to allow the addition of hardware capabilities. Introduced by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) in 2003, it constitutes a thin, light and fast modular expansion for users of desktop and especially notebook computers.

The SuwonExpress is based on Siano’s MDTV receiver chipset, the SMS1000, and ejectable antenna technology from SEM. It supports four spectrum bands that are commonly used for mobile TV and five modes (or standards) of mobile TV: DAB, DAB-IP, T-DMB, DVB-T, and DVB-H. It is bundled with a complete multi-standard mobile TV software suite from CyberLink, that includes Electronic Service Guide, a TV player, and a recorder.

Introducing the lowest bill-of-materials (BOM) and lowest power consumption in the market, the SuwonExpress is a step forward in PC TV technology from the human interface engineering standpoint. Instead of having the end user connect external antennas to the card, the SuwonExpress comes with built-in antennas for all supported spectrum bands. Furthermore, when the card is not in use, the antennas are “buried” inside the ExpressCard slot, making the card flush with the side panel of the host notebook. In addition, its ultra-low power consumption eliminates heat dissipation problems even in long usage scenarios.

The SuwonExpress is offered bundled with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Linux application software from CyberLink.

Rethink, a research group that publishes forecasts for mobile TV to notebooks and other non-handset devices, estimates that this market will rise to a minimum of 40 million devices over the next 5 years. “In some territories there is a case to be made that mobile TV penetration on laptops will be far higher than in handsets,” said Peter White, managing director, Rethink Research Associates Ltd. “Multi-spectrum devices like the SuwonExpress card mean that a single device will work in many territories, driving economies of scale for laptop based mobile TV.”

“Siano’s SMS1000 is the only mobile TV silicon that enables global reception,” said TaeHo Kwon, Vice President, Wireless Solution module division, Samsung Electro-Mechanics. “Furthermore, its high sensitivity, combined with SEM’s antenna front end technology, allows solid reception both indoors and outdoors.”

“The consumer market needs comfortable, attractive, cost-effective ways to integrate mobile TV,” said Alon Ironi, CEO, Siano. “In the SuwonExpress SEM has harnessed its rich experience in modules and TV tuners to create the slimmest, most comfortable solution for bringing mobile TV to notebooks.”

“Featuring support for DVB-H and DVB-T, CyberLink PowerCinema offers an advanced player for enjoying digital TV on notebook PCs anywhere and anytime,” said Alice Chang, CEO, CyberLink. “In collaborating with Samsung and Siano, we’ve brought our expertise at developing TV software to the partnership, ensuring a completely integrated entertainment platform for receiving, decoding, and playing DTV.”

About CyberLink

CyberLink Corp. is the maker of award-winning applications PowerDVD, PowerDirector, PowerCinema, and DVD Solution. CyberLink has built a solid reputation for delivering high-quality, competitive products that add value to OEM customers and end-users alike. Business partners include leaders in the PC hardware industry: drive manufacturers, graphics card makers, and top desktop and notebook brands. CyberLink’s digital multimedia range includes software for capturing and editing videos, authoring and playing DVDs, and burning Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs. CyberLink’s digital home products offer complete solutions for accessing, sharing, and enjoying content within the digital home: TV, video, photos, music, and DVDs. These include advanced connectivity solutions that enable the anytime, anywhere entertainment experience across PC, CE, and mobile devices. CyberLink’s eHRD solutions provide tools for developing and managing human resources. CyberLink listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (5203.TW) in 2000 and has posted positive year-on-year results ever since. CyberLink has operations in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific including Japan, with its worldwide headquarters located in Taipei. For more information, please visit: http://www.cyberlink.com/ or our Press Room.

About Samsung Electro-Mechanics

Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEM) was established in 1973 as a manufacturer of key electronic components, and the company has grown into one of the industry leaders, thanks to cutting-edge technology and top product quality.
SEM pioneered the technological framework for Korean production of A/V components in the 1970s, and in the 1980s the company diversified into materials and computer parts. In the early 1990s, the focus was on manufacturing chip components, multi-layer circuit boards, and mobile communication components. In the late 1990s, operations expanded into the production of digital products with applied high-frequency, software, engineering and design technologies.
These changes, combined with uncompromising quality, helped Samsung Electro-Mechanics to become the leading electronic parts maker in a major world player. Sales for FY 2005 reached approximately US $2.5 billion
Samsung Electro-Mechanics, which directly sells over 80 percent of its own products, operates manufacturing facilities, R&D distribution and sales centers, and offices in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and Southeast Asia. As a Global Supplier, we guarantee distribution of our high quality products in any corner of the world.
For additional information on Samsung Electro-Mechanics, please visit www.sem.samsung.com

About Siano Mobile Silicon

Siano Mobile Silicon provides integrated silicon receivers for the mobile digital TV (MDTV) market. Tailored specifically for handheld and mobile devices, the company’s all-CMOS multi-standard solution overcomes formidable engineering challenges such as mobility reception, hand-offs, power consumption, form factor and small antenna. Since its establishment in June 2004, Siano raised $34.5M from JVP, Walden Israel, Star Ventures, and Bessemer Venture Partners. The company has more than 60 employees. It is based in Israel, with business development offices in Beijing, Taipei, and Seoul. In May 2006 Siano was selected to the prestigious Red Herring 100 Europe, a list of the most promising start-ups in the EMEA area.

For additional information on Siano Mobile Silicon’s solutions, please visit www.siano-ms.com.

Press Contacts:

CyberLink:
USA:
Belinda Banks
+1-212-946-2823
belinda@sspr.com

Germany:
Dunja Helene Derenk
+49-821-34300-21
dh.derenk@konzept-pr.de.

Corporate:
Renee Chen or Manal Ma
+886-2-8667-1298 ext. 301 or 303
press@gocyberlink.com

Samsung Electro-Mechanics:
Johee Lee
SEM Public Relations
joorilee@samsung.com

Siano Mobile Silicon:
Jennifer Hicks
ink Communications
+1-617-488-0988 ext. 2
jennifer@theinkstudio.com

Technorati Tags: Siano, SuwonExpress, Samsung, Cyberlink