Cirrus Shoots for $799 Convergence System
Gregory Quick
Fremont, Calif.
10:58 AM EDT, Wed., June 03, 1998
Cirrus Logic teamed with three other developers to create a blueprint for a consumer electronic device that combines powerful computing capabilities with advanced home-entertainment features, the company annouced yesterday.
The MediaMax EC-II was designed with IBM's Microelectronics division, Philips RCS and Universal Scientific Industrial. The product will provide a home entertainment solution which includes computing, for a price under $799.
The device will function as a computer, and will feature DVD, TV-in and -out capabilities, USB and IEEE 1394 peripheral connections, a fast modem and game- playing capabilities.
Each of the companies focused on its area of expertise in contributing to the specification. Cirrus provided hardware-accelerated 3D graphics and sound, a PCI V.90 modem, TV encoder, DVD video and the overall design.
The IBM6x86MX PR233 MMX microprocessor came from IBM's Microelectronics division, along with Lotus consumer and multimedia software and the DVDExpress Player/Navigator.
Philips contributed the reference material for support of a USB IR Hub, which can support up to seven wireless remote devices, the IR keyboard/mouse and the specs for the optional universal remote with mouse and IR gamepad.
Universal Scientific Industrial said it will build the systems for sales to its customer base. The first products are expected to hit the market in early fall. |
