8x8's chip powers low-cost ISDN videophones in Germany
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--8x8 Inc. here said it is participating with Siemens
AG and Deutsche Telekom in Germany to produce and supply low-cost
videophone systems for ISDN telephone lines.
Under the program, Siemens will use 8x8's video communications processor
(VCP) to produce T-View Videophones, which will be offered to German
consumers by Deutsche Telekom. Siemens has received an order for
250,000 systems from the German phone company, according to 8x8.
The T-View 100 will have an introductory price of DM 998 (about $565)
or DM 899 ($508) if two or more units are purchased. At that price, the
T-View is the least expensive ISDN videophone in the world, said Santa
Clara-based 8x8.
"The T-View 100 is a key milestone in the evolution of the consumer video
phone," declared Joe Parkinson, chief executive officer of 8x8. "The picture
quality, features and price of the T-View 100 combined with the
commitment and resources of Siemens and Deutsche Telekom make this an
outstanding product."
8x8 said its VCP chip was the first IC aimed at the video conferencing
marketplace to use a dual-programmable architecture, combining a RISC
microprocessor and a digital signal processor (DSP). The chip can operate
at an internal clock speed of up to 72 MHz, which 8x8 says makes it the
fastest and most powerful processor specifically designed for
videoconferencing applications.
A service of Semiconductor Business News, CMP Media Inc.
Story posted at 8:30 a.m. EST/5:30 a.m. PST, 12/5/97
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