Motorola Blackbird.........
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New Motorola Technology Aims to Revolutionize Multimedia in the Home
Open, Extensible Interactive Consumer Entertainment Architecture Expected to Change the Way Consumers View Their
Television
AMSTERDAM, Holland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1998--Motorola Monday unveiled a new open, extensible
multimedia architecture aimed at revolutionizing video entertainment and video communications.
The new architecture, code-named "Blackbird", combines the key functions of a broadband router, a network computer and a
digital home theater platform. This architecture offers an unprecedented integration of communications and interactive
entertainment.
Blackbird is the first open platform to support interactive 3-D graphics, Java, MPEG digital video, high-fidelity audio, Internet
access, electronic commerce and broadband networking in a single integrated unit. Dataquest estimates multimedia to be a
$10.5 billion industry by 2000.
Motorola is well-positioned in this industry by providing customers with state-of-the-art entertainment and communications
capabilities including video-on-demand, networked and DVD-based 3-D games, video information and conferencing, high
speed Internet access and secure electronic commerce.
By combining the longstanding strengths of its PowerPC CPU (central processing unit) and communications capabilities with
the remarkable ProjectX Media Architecture, Motorola has created the industry's first practical "soft" set-top box.
Powered by an independently programmable CPU, and communications and multimedia engines, the platform is able to
instantaneously change its role from one function to another to suit the consumer's immediate wishes or to adapt to new and
emerging requirements.
With a full convergence of video, audio and graphics, combined with a high-speed bridge for in-home networks, the Blackbird
platform is positioned as the successor to today's set-top-box -- much as the PC displaced the single function typewriter and
word processor.
"This is an important milestone in the industry's transition from its legacy of islands of unconnected appliances to its future of
seamless, friendly and powerful interconnectivity," said Jim Reinhart, general manager of Motorola's Media Processing and
Platforms Division.
"Not only will we provide users of this platform with an extraordinary interactive experience, we will also establish the hub for
tomorrow's in-home networks. This enabling technology should prove exciting to anyone involved in the design or
development of multimedia applications," he said.
Motorola has established an aggressive sales model to accelerate the adoption of this new technology, making it available to 1)
consumer electronics companies in reference form; 2) as a fully assembled and software-loaded motherboard to systems
OEMs; and 3) as a complete turn-key, private label box to be used by customers to develop their systems.
Both hardware and software developers for multimedia appliances can create their own low-cost Blackbird-derived designs
quickly and easily to meet the demands of the emerging interactive multimedia market. An integrated development environment
(hardware and software) is now available that significantly reduces design and development time while providing for very low
cost of market entry.
Blackbird -- The Truly Interactive Broadband Client
Built upon the foundation of a PowerPC CPU, an embedded multi-port, multi-protocol communications engine and the
ProjectX Media Processor, Blackbird integrates an ultra-modern software set. This set includes a robust real-time operating
system (RTOS), Java support, an HTML-based Internet content engine and user interface, high-level multimedia APIs,
embedded security and extensive support for broadband networking.
Blackbird's networking support includes complete support for ATM and IP protocols as well as for bridging between
broadband networks and the attached IEEE1394 and ethernet ports. As a highly flexible client, Blackbird is capable of
downloading new protocols, APIs or applications on-the-fly to provide for the ultimate in adaptability.
The inclusion of the VM Labs' ProjectX Media Architecture gives Blackbird interactive gaming capabilities that exceed those
of today's dedicated game machines while unifying a content base that will extend from entry-level consumer systems to
high-end theater products and offer comprehensive features for both cross-platform and cross-industry applications.
Blackbird employs industry-leading technologies to provide rapid adaptability to the rich variety of broadband networks and
conditional access systems around the world. With immediate support for ATM-based networks, Blackbird will rapidly gain
support for ADSL, HFC, satellite and terrestrial broadcast networks.
With an insertable security module, Blackbird is capable of supporting the emerging North American and international
standards for point-of-deployment security implementation.
Blackbird -- Reference Design Kit
The Reference Design Kit includes a production-ready motherboard based on the MPC860SAR integrated PowerPC
CPU/Communications processor and the ProjectX media processor. With configurations ranging from 8 to 32 MB of DRAM
and 2 to 16 MB of programmable ROM, the system provides great extensibility.
The reference platform is configured with Motorola's media-ready real-time operating system based on OS-9000, MAUI
2.1.1 and the DAVID 2.2 development environment. In addition, Blackbird comes configured with a robust Device Mosaic
3.0 content manager supporting HTML, Javascript, e-mail, Surf-Watch parental control and SSL security.
Also included in the reference design kit is a complete documentation package containing schematics, bill-of-material, source
code for I/O drivers, binary images of the RTOS and core application set, and executable licenses for redistribution.
Blackbird -- Charting the Course
Motorola is currently shipping developer-editions of the Blackbird system. During September and October, Motorola will be
making joint announcements with the technology, distribution, manufacturing, systems and integration partners who have
participated in creating the end-to-end solution supporting the Blackbird client.
Production shipments of Blackbird begin during the fourth quarter and commercial deployments begin in the first quarter of
1999. Extensive demonstrations of deployable solutions will be presented at the Western Cable Show in Anaheim, Calif.,
along with a number of derivative products.
Motorola
As the world's No. 1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector offers multiple
DigitalDNA solutions that enable its customers in the consumer, networking and computing, transportation, and wireless
communications markets, to create new business opportunities. Motorola's semiconductor sales were $8.0 billion in l997.
Motorola is a global leader in software-energized wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems
and services. Motorola creates cellular telephone, two-way radio, paging, data and satellite communications systems and
products that enable people to take their worlds with them.
Motorola's embedded semiconductors are essential digital building blocks for consumer, networking and computing,
transportation and wireless communications markets. Other businesses include automotive electronics, components, computing
and energy products. Sales in 1997 were $29.8 billion.
More information on the Blackbird can be found on the Web site at http//www.motorola.com/semi/blackbird.
Photographs and supporting press materials are available for download at "What's New" at
http//www.motorola.com/semi/blackbird.
CONTACT: Motorola Inc.
Una Kent (Europe), +44 1753 500056
fax: +44 1753 516243
r14783@email.sps.mot.com
Lulu Wong (Hong Kong), +852-2666-8333
fax: +852-2666-6015
r41242@email.sps.mot.com
Reiko Asanuma (Tokyo), +82-3-3440-3311
fax: +82-3-3440-3505
rnm366@email.mot.com
or
Capital Relations Inc.
Lisa Iruguin, 805/230-8281
iruguin@caprel.com
Rafael Larin, 805/230-8202
fax: 805/494-0780
or
Hill and Knowlton
Matthew McGuinness, +44 171 413 3000
fax: +44 171 413 3131
mmcguinness@hillandknowlton.com |
