Intel, a little older news, still thinking about software decode. By the time it's ready, You can buy a MPEG-2 single chip encoder for under $50. That's value added.................................................
INTEL CHANGES COURSE ON DIGITAL TELEVISION
<Picture><Picture><Picture>
Intel Corp. [INTC] executives have acknowledged that they must build equipment that can accommodate the 18 digital TV formats broadcasters want if the technology is to converge with the desktop and create business opportunities for the PC industry.
Intel outlined some of the building blocks they're working on so that multimedia companies can consider the new format in their development plans.
The company's new DTV direction should give software and hardware companies looking to combine DTV with PC content more confidence that they will have the necessary tools. If Intel comes through with the new initiative, content and hardware developed to play back a derivative of DTV (perhaps combined with Web data) will be viewable on PCs.
Rather than stick to the plan outlined with Microsoft Corp. [MSFT] and Compaq Computer Corp. [CPQ] earlier this year at NAB, which involves building DTV-enabled PCs that can receive a limited number of formats, Intel is working on a software algorithm that will allow a desktop to decode the 18 DTV formats promoted by the broadcast industry.
If DTV programs were broadcast today, under Intel's new plan, the most powerful PCs available (with DTV receivers) would not be able to display the 1080 interlaced format in full screen, but would scale them back to 360 interlaced or 480i image, for example.
Intel last month unveiled a software codec called an all-format decoder, which was created with Hitachi's Digital Media Systems Lab. The company also showed a reference design similar in application to a DBS add-in card that could be used to receive DTV sent via terrestrial, cable or satellite broadcasts.
Both technologies were prototypes, and Intel wouldn't say when they will be available or how much they will add to the price of a desktop.
Intel's DTV move appeared to take Compaq and Microsoft by surprise. Officials from both companies who spoke with sister publication Multimedia Week weren't prepared to say if they support the proposed enhancements to the desktop.
Microsoft officials were quick to say the three companies are still approaching digital television as a team effort.
"There always have been different approaches to certain technical details," according to Hank Vigil, Microsoft's senior director of Advanced TV. "Since we were not there [at the Intel meeting] we are not fully up to speed on the discussion, but were confident that we are all in agreement on the larger goals of the initiative."
Compaq officials wouldn't comment on the developments.
In related news, Intel will release an updated implementation of the Intercast viewer and tools, giving developers more creative control over the desktop. The updated software will let programmers extend their content across the desktop while integrating video and animation more effectively.
"They want total ownership without mention of Intel or Internet Explorer," said Mike Richmond, Intel's business unit manager for broadcast products. (Compaq, 16101 Wall St., Houston, Texas 77040-1267, 713/518-9392; Microsoft, 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, Wash. 98052-8300, 206/882-8080; Intel, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, Calif., 95054-1537, 408/765-1488) |
