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To: DiViT who wrote (33260)	5/18/1998 4:38:00 PM
From: BillyG	Respond to of 50808

Broadcom satellite receiver chip. You need to add an MPEG-2 decoder....... Broadcom Launches First Integrated Universal Satellite Receiver Chip to Support DVB, DSS and Primestar Satellite Systems IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1998-- Integrated Features Significantly Reduce System Design Costs Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq:BRCM) Monday announced the satellite broadcast industry's first integrated universal satellite receiver chip that supports DVB, DSS(R), and Primestar(R) satellite systems. Designated the BCM4201 Universal Satellite Receiver, Broadcom's integrated single-chip solution allows satellite receiver manufacturers for the first time to cost effectively design a satellite Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) that supports all digital transmission standards worldwide. The BCM4201 is a highly integrated, digital transmission solution for digital satellite IRDs. It is the first satellite receiver chip to support 480 MHz input signals, enabling users to design systems with lower cost 480 MHz output tuners. It incorporates a 2-90 Mbps variable BPSK/QPSK/OQPSK receiver, dual 8-bit A/D converters, a phase/frequency recovery block, variable rate digital filters, square root Nyquist matched filters, acquisition and tracking loops, and a DVB/DSS/Primestar compliant FEC decoder onto a single chip. The BCM4201 produces an MPEG-2 or DSS compliant transport stream in either serial or parallel format. This feature-rich device enables the same IRD design to be used for all digital satellite applications. The BCM4201 is the first integrated digital transmission solution to have an on chip DVB/DSS/Primestar compliant FEC decoder. This universal solution allows the device to address the entire digital broadcast satellite (DBS) market. The chip supports the DVB digital transmission standard for satellite broadcasting, the DSS digital transmission standard used by DIRECTV(R) licensees, and Primestar ITU-R 217/11 digital transmission standard. With its ability to demodulate variable data rates up to 90 Mbps (45 Mbaud), the BCM4201 permits the same satellite IRD to adapt to various satellite transponders in Europe, North America, and Asia. Because of its integrated 8-bit A/Ds, the chip can also operate down to 1 Mbaud with excellent adjacent channel rejection characteristics, which allows the chip to be used in single channel per carrier (SCPC) applications. "The BCM4201 is an ideal solution for manufacturers that want to reduce their system cost by leveraging the 480 MHz input mode and develop one receiver that supports all digital satellite applications," said Peter LaRocca, Broadcom's Product Line manager, Satellite Products. "When using the BCM4201, manufacturers can design one receiver to support one standard or multiple standards. This design flexibility not only reduces the IRD manufacturer's development and manufacturing costs but also the satellite operator's costs, which carries over to a cost savings to the subscriber." The BCM4201 is also the first satellite receiver chip to have a direct 480 MHz IF input mode. The chip accepts an analog baseband or IF modulated (up to 480 MHz) signal and transmits a demodulated error corrected MPEG-2/DSS transport data stream. This front-end capability reduces the number of components needed in the tuner, which significantly decreases the system design costs. The BCM4201 is the second-generation satellite receiver chip from Broadcom. It incorporates several new features. The chip's integrated dual 8-bit A/D converters and digital filters increase adjacent channel rejection, which improves the overall performance of the receiver. These A/D converters also significantly reduce system manufacturing costs and complexities. Additional circuitry has been added to the BCM4201 to improve tuner phase noise tracking and minimize cycle slips at very low signal-to-noise ratios. An automatic false frequency lock detection circuit has been added to the device to minimize CPU overhead and reduce acquisition time. BCM4201 is packaged in an 80-pin PQFP. Samples of the BCM4201 are available today. The BCM4201 is priced at $9.50 each in quantities of 10,000. More................ newsalert.com

To: DiViT who wrote (33260)	5/18/1998 4:44:00 PM
From: BillyG	Respond to of 50808

Grundig & TV/COM settops used for BSkyB................. TV/COM Forms Alliance With Grundig in BSkyB Deal; Set-Top Box Order Highlights Growing Commitment to Digital Satellite TV LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1998--TV/COM International, Inc., a leading provider of global digital communications solutions for the direct-to-home, cable, and terrestrial markets, announced that it is providing the design for the receivers in the Grundig-manufactured set-top boxes (STBs) that receive BSkyB's new-generation digital services. The set-top boxes, designed by TV/COM and manufactured and branded by Grundig, feature Open TV interactive software and a cash card slot for electronic commerce. The TV/COM set-tops incorporate the NDS VideoGuard Conditional Access Control System (CAS). The CAS authorizes commercial and consumer subscriber access and controls overall system security. This announcement pulls together three key industry players: BSkyB as the UK's leading satellite broadcaster, Grundig as a major manufacturer of satellite receivers, and TV/COM (a subsidiary of Hyundai Electronics) as a world leader in the design of digital consumer set-tops and installation of open-architecture digital networks. TV/COM will design and develop the advanced digital receivers that will give BSkyB its market edge. These STBs will give BSkyB viewers the highest quality TV images, from the most advanced digital set-top boxes on the market. Demand for BSkyB's new service is expected to be high, and all three companies have made sizable investments to ensure the successful UK introduction of digital satellite broadcasting. Grundig UK has been involved in satellite television since its commercial European launch in 1988, and has established itself as a leading brand name in the UK. Last year, Grundig and TV/COM formed a strategic alliance in Digital STB design, manufacture, marketing and sales with the express intention of making advanced digital technology available to both broadcasters, such as BSkyB, and the many UK retailers selling Grundig receivers. Grundig UK's Chairman Koen van Driel commented, "We are delighted to be associated with this project and to be working with TV/COM because of the company's digital technology expertise. BSkyB have proven themselves over the years to be an outstanding broadcasting company and their reputation can only be further enhanced with the launch of digital television." Jeff Wallin, president and CEO of TV/COM, added, "We are very pleased to be chosen by BSkyB to design and develop this advanced digital satellite set-top box. Our strong partnership with Grundig will ensure that BSkyB customers receive the highest quality, most fully featured digital set-top boxes on the market." More................. newsalert.com

To: DiViT who wrote (33260)	5/18/1998 7:08:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 50808

Sony's showing a portable DVD-ROM player. It's got a MPEG-2/AC-3 decoder in it................................................ ijumpstart.com Sony displayed a prototype portable DVD-ROM player, but executives would not commit to a ship date or pricing. Mike Williams, Sony multimedia marketing manager, said as a product it will include an MPEG-2 and AC-3 decoder within the small chassis, which measured less than 8 inches by 8 inches, and a SCSI port. Look for Sony to debut a portable DVD-Video first. Sony plans to ship a DVD+RW drive capable of writing to 3 GB later this year, but executives were tight-lipped about product details. Robert DeMoulin, Sony marketing manager, said the unit will ship for less than $1,000. He said the reason Sony is targeting a fall release is the company wants to build in backward compatibility for DVD-ROM into the drive. The company also is working to add DVD+RW read capability to its DVD-ROM drives. That feature will be included in drives, be they sold inside Sony PCs or in upgrade kits, in September or October.