If the OEM doesn't want to do MPEG, they don't need the decoder, but AOL TV? I don't know........................
national.com
For more information:
Linda Ashmore
(408) 721-7826
Email ID: lashmore@hoffman.com
Financial: Jim Foltz
(408) 721-5693
Email ID: invest.group@nsc.com
NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSOR TO POWER FIRST-GENERATION AOL TV SET-TOP BOX
May 11, 1999 - National Semiconductor Corporation© (NYSE:NSM) today announced that its MediaGX? processor has been chosen by America Online to power the first generation of set-top boxes that are key to the development of AOL TV(SM), an AOL-branded product that will extend connected interactivity to the television experience.
The set-top boxes, manufactured by Philips Business Electronics B.V., a division of Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG), based on a hardware reference design by Boca Research, Inc.©, and using software from Network Computer, Inc. (NCI), will help bring an enhanced television-viewing experience to the living room without the cost and complexity of personal computers.
"This move underscores National's continuing strategy of enabling easy-to-use information appliances that are optimized for Internet access," said Brian Halla, chairman, CEO, and president of National Semiconductor. "We are pleased that National can provide the integrated MediaGX? processor technology that will help make AOL TV possible."
The MediaGX? processor was selected for its low power consumption, x86 architecture, and high level of integration. Low power consumption eliminates the need for noisy fans to cool the device, and x86 architecture ensures full compatibility with plug-ins and applets found on many Web sites that deliver multimedia and other leading-edge Internet experiences. Integration enables National to combine several functions on a single chip, keeping the performance high and the cost low.
"National's information appliance strategy perfectly complements our ongoing strategy to extend consumers' connected interactivity beyond the desktop PC," said Anne Borsch, Vice President of AOL Devices. "Their chip will allow us a full range of interactive services from a set-top box."
National's MediaGX? processor is being widely adopted in such information appliances as interactive set-top boxes, thin-clients, point-of-sale terminals and portable Web-access devices. National's processor roadmap for the information appliance market extends from the MediaGX? processor through fully integrated system-on-a-chip versions that will include graphics, video, and communication functions.
National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of the-art digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the personal computer, communications, and consumer markets. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National has annual sales of more than $2 billion and 11,000 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
2000 ¸ National Semiconductor Corporation. National Semiconductor is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. |
