You mention the possibility of dual modems, one for STB and one for Internet access. I think that this is what we are going to see. The IP capabilities of the STB appear to be limited in scope, from what I have read (although I may have misinterpreted the intent) to the "intranet" venue, while the CM does the "Internet." Corrections on that last point are welcome.
Hi Frank. I'm sure that I don't know half as much as you on the technical intricacies of cable networks, but I am fairly positive that Broadcom's vision of the networked home of the future involves the set-top box acting as a home gateway of sorts, containing a cable modem and a home networking card, with all PCs in the house containing home networking cards in order to access the modem in the set-top box, and with all phones naturally connected as well, facilitating IP telephony. Here's a press release of theirs regarding a set-top reference design:
broadcom.com
--------------
Broadcom's Dual Receiver Chip Embeds Cable Modem Function into Advanced Set-top Boxes
Transforms the Set-top Box into a Fully Interactive, Two-Way Residential Gateway for the Delivery of Video, Voice and Data
IRVINE, Calif. - May 3, 2000 - Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), the leading provider of integrated circuits enabling high-speed broadband communications to and throughout the home and business, continues its leadership position in digital cable set-top box technology with the announcement today of the first set-top box transmission chip that will enable consumers to experience the convergence of advanced, next-generation interactive two-way television.
This chip will turn television set-top boxes into advanced two-way communications devices, allowing simultaneous access to hundreds of digital television channels and broadband Internet access. Additionally, this chip will enable entirely new types of media programming seamlessly blending broadcast video, interactive content and commerce. This enables content providers and advertisers to generate additional information and immediate online transactions, while providing consumers the ability to instantly customize the content that they receive based on their own personal preferences. Providing further integration and performance at the silicon level, Broadcom's chip gives cable manufacturers a fully integrated, flexible front-end design solution compliant with the industry's most widely used cable modem standards and conditional access systems. It is the first single chip to integrate two digital receivers and a cable modem, enabling manufacturers to cost effectively build advanced interactive set-top boxes that can support the simultaneous viewing of high-quality television and video programming and Internet-based content -- web site, email, and e-commerce services. These advanced set-top boxes can also now serve as broadband residential gateways for distributing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony, video and data throughout the home.
"This device is the first set-top box chip to integrate cable modem functionality into the front-end of advanced interactive set-top boxes," said Rich Nelson, Broadcom's Director of Marketing, Cable-TV. "This device enables a cost-effective transition from one-way broadcast TV to fully two-way interactive TV."
"IDC believes that we are at the front end of a significant rollout period for interactive set-top boxes and services," said Kevin Hause, Director of IDC's Consumer Device research. "By the end of 2004, IDC forecasts that over 81 million interactive set-top boxes will be installed worldwide. Interactive capabilities could represent a potent growth opportunity for service providers in search of market differentiation and new revenue sources."
"Broadcom has already demonstrated its leadership in cable modem and cable set-top box technologies. With this new chip, the company leverages its expertise to enable an integrated, interactive solution that enhances the consumer's overall viewing experience and will ultimately drive mass market deployment of advanced, interactive set-top boxes," said Xavier Pucel, Semiconductor Research Manager with IDC.
The Broadcom® BCM3250 Advanced Set-top Box Transmission Chip combines Broadcom's core competencies in both digital cable set-top box and cable modem technology, providing manufacturers with a complete front-end solution that substantially reduces the bill-of-material costs of advanced set-top box designs. It incorporates support for both DOCSIS and DAVIC-based cable systems, enabling a single set-top box design to be used in networks throughout the world. This chip provides for interactive services and conditional access, as well as two in-band 64/256-QAM receivers, an out-of-band QPSK receiver and a QPSK/16-QAM upstream transmitter. All of the QAM transceivers comply with the major physical layer (PHY) standards used in cable plants around the world. The device also includes a peripheral unit for common set-top box devices such as IR remote, IR keyboard, LEDs and keypad. For design flexibility, the BCM3250 can be accessed via a processor interface or a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.
Broadcom is also announcing today the BCM93725 Advanced Set-top Box Home Gateway Reference Design, which is based on the BCM3250 and the Broadcom BCM7020 2D/3D Video-Graphics Chip for High Definition TV (HDTV)/ Standard Definition TV (SDTV). These two chips, combined with a high performance microprocessor, represent the industry's most integrated solution for advanced set-top boxes.
The reference platform includes a number of devices that enable the set-top to be used as a gateway for the delivery of broadband services to and throughout the home. Supporting components include Broadcom's HomePNA 2.0 iLine10™ chipset, capable of 10 Mbps transmission of voice, video and data over existing standard telephone lines, a Voice over IP (VoIP) module supporting 4 lines of compressed voice, a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet controller, and an IEEE 1394 interface for connection to consumer electronic products. For networks requiring telephony return path, the BCM93725 includes a V.90 softmodem. In addition, the reference design is configured for an internal Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for digital video recording and playback.
The BCM93725 Reference Design supports simultaneous viewing of television programming and Internet content on the screen in either HDTV or SDTV formats. This capability provides consumers with a true interactive environment, allowing them to access Internet content, such as a web site, while simultaneously watching a television program. Consumers can also access email as well as have video teleconferencing capabilities from their television.
In addition, the BCM93725 includes the Point of Deployment (POD) interface, a part of the OpenCable™ transmission standard, which will help expedite the retail distribution of cable set-top boxes.
The BCM3250 is packaged in a 352 PBGA and is priced at $45 in 100K quantities. The chip is now available in sample quantities.
------------
I suppose that it's best not to count on too many MSOs buying set-top boxes based on such a reference design, although software from Liberate, OpenTV, ACTV, and others does exist to fully exploit its functions. Being a monopoly can do that to you.
Eric |
