-
Alias/Wavefront adds Surfacing Product
Internet2 Moves Forward
New Real World 3D Benchmarks Posted
DPS Introduces the DPS Perception RT3DX Real Time Video Editing with 3D 
883.2 Story of the Issue
883.3 Cards
883.4 Design & OEM Wins
883.5 EDA
883.6 Operating Systems
883.7 Software
Visible Decisions announces SeeIT
883.8 Trade Association
883.9 Audio
883.10 E-Commerce
ICreditReport.com Offers Access to Credit Reports for Yahoo! Finance Users
Hitachi Enters the Internet Commerce Arena with TradeLink
883.11 Broadcasting
CBS chooses Mitsubishi/Tektronix HDTV Compression products
883.12 Home Entertainment
883.13 Companies
883.14 Deals
Quadrant International and ATI Partner to Deliver DVD Solutions to PC OEMs
National Semi Ends IBM Venture
883.15 Set-Top Box
Motorola's Newest Set-Top Box Approaches PC Complexity --------------------------------------
***Alias/Wavefront adds Surfacing Product
(September 29)Alias/Wavefront announced the SuraceStudio software product. This
is intended to complement Alias Studio 9 family of CAID
(computer- aided industrial design) products.The product includes the following tools and features:
Cloud Processing and Manipulation
-- Large cloud datasets can be read, displayed, manipulated,
modified and processed. Cloud data can be displayed using a
variety of visualization techniques, including smooth shading and
reflection mapping. Cloud datasets can be organized, filtered,
segmented and wrapped in a tight polygonal mesh in preparation
for taking coaxial, radial or arbitrary cross-sections which are
used further downstream to build 3D surface models. SurfaceStudio
Cloud technology supports the Clay-leads or reverse engineering
workflow where users need to work with large datasets of scanned
or digitized information.Reverse Engineering Tools
-- SurfaceStudio provides a set of reverse engineering tools,
including cloud data processing tools, sectioning tools,
advanced curve fitting tools, surfacing tools and deviation
measurement tools. Typically, reverse engineering experts have
used a variety of products, each specializing in one of the above
tool sets. SurfaceStudio offers all the required reverse
engineering functionality in a single integrated package.Advanced Surface Modeling Tools
-- In addition to NURBS-based surfacing tools, SurfaceStudio
allows users to modify surface patches in a Bezier-like patch
fitting modeling paradigm. With the ability to create high-order
curves and surfaces, SurfaceStudio makes it possible for both
modeling and reverse engineering to be accomplished using one
integrated system. As a result, SurfaceStudio is suited for
implementing both Math-lead workflows as well as Clay-lead
workflows.Accurate Real-time Diagnostics
-- SurfaceStudio offers of interactive diagnostic tools for
viewing information such as deviation from specified criteria,
surface curvature, reflection lines, highlight lines and cross-
sections. These diagnostics, displayed in real-time as the model
is interactively modified, enable the user to make precise
adjustments while interactively evaluating the effect on the
accuracy of the model. The real-time performance of SurfaceStudio
provides the user with the level of dynamic feedback essential to
efficiently achieve the degrees of precision and accuracy
required of engineering surfaces.User Interface
C The SurfaceStudio user interface is tuned to the reverse
engineering and technical surface workflow for productivity by
eliminating the distractions related to searching through pull-
down menus to find the right tool. Direct Modeling and View
Panels have been designed to give users easy access to all the
tools and controls required at any point in the process.Downstream Data Exchange
-- SurfaceStudio is designed to enable a technical surfacing
professional to deliver engineering surfaces for downstream
integration with a wide range of engineering and manufacturing
systems, through data transfer mechanisms including IGES, STEP
and Direct Connect Interfaces to CATIA, I-DEAS Master Series and
Unigraphics software. The ability for surface data to be
transferred cleanly into downstream systems is a component of the
overall workflow for SurfaceStudio.SurfaceStudio is scheduled to ship in December, 1998 and will be
priced starting at $38,500.http://www.aw.sgi.com/
***Internet2 Moves Forward
(September 28)The Internet2 project announced the Internet2 Middleware
Initiative to accelerate the development of advanced network
applications. As part of this initiative, IBM will provide state-
high-speed storage devices to the Internet2 Distributed Storage
Infrastructure initiative (I2-DSI). Additional support for the
I2-DSI will be provided by StorageTek, a new Internet2 corporate
sponsor, as well as Cisco Systems, Sun and Novell. In addition,
IBM will contribute a host of supercomputer and video technology
to the International Center for Advanced Internet Research
(iCAIR) for the Internet2 Digital Video Network initiative (I2-
IDV), which will develop and deploy advanced network technology
to establish a national, higher education video network service.The Internet2 Middleware Initiative will define a suite of
enhanced network services that will serve as building blocks for
the advanced research and education applications being developed
at Internet2 universities. These services include digital audio
and video frameworks, storage systems, security network quality
of service, multicast, directories and others. The Internet2
project and its members will develop specific implementations
based on standards set by existing organizations.The I2-DSI initiative will develop and refine advanced server
system technology located throughout the network to store and
deliver efficiently terabytes of data to users at any Internet2
campus.I2-DVN is a collaborative effort among several high-performance
network video initiatives at Internet2 institutions, including
the International Center for Advanced Internet Research (iCAIR),
the Research TV Consortium, the Southern University Research
Association's (SURA) Southern Crossroads Video Initiative. I2-DVN
will establish a national, higher education video network service
by developing scalable and easy-to-use applications to deliver
live or stored streaming and interactive digital video. These
applications will provide video quality comparable to high
definition television. I2-DVN will gather, store and establish a
means to license and distribute content for courses, informal
lectures, documentaries, videoconferences among Internet2 member
institutions and will dramatically reduce the cost of producing
and distributing highly specialized content. Also, I2-DVN will
develop archive and search capabilities for video libraries.The Internet2 project is being led by 130 leading U.S.
universities, working with industry and government, to enable and
facilitate the advanced network applications necessary to meet
emerging needs in higher education. Internet2 participants are
developing the broadband applications, engineering and network
management tools for research and education.http://www.internet2.edu.
http://www.ibm.com.
http://www.storagetek.com
http://www.utk.edu.
http://www.nwu.edu.
http://www.washington.edu/researchtv
http://www.internet2.edu/***New Real World 3D Benchmarks Posted
(September 30)The v2.2 version of the OpenGVS RealWorld benchmarks are on the
web athttp://www.opengvs.com/rwb
***DPS Introduces the DPS Perception RT3DX Real Time Video
Editing with 3D
(September 8)Digital Processing Systems has announced the DPS Perception RT3DX
with a suggested list price of just US$8,995 (US $9,995 with SDI
I/O option).There are 400 real time 2D and 3D digital video effects and
transitions, and the ability to create additional customized
effects and transitions within Video Action, video editors will
experience unparalleled creative freedom with the new DPS
Perception RT3DX.DPS Perception RT3DX includes:
- DPS Video Action NLE software, Version 6.2
- DPS R3DX Real Time 3D Effects Board.
- DPS Perception RT Dual Stream Real Time Hardware with
Component, S-Video, Composite & Stereo Audio I/O
- DPS RBX2 Breakout Box for all Video and Audio Connections
- Inscriber CG Real Time Character Generator Plug-inDPS Perception RT3DX Features:
- Instant manipulation of size, position, perspective and
rotation of live video images
- Warp effects include page curls, turns, splashes, random noise,
spheres and horizontal/vertical sine waves
- Component, S-Video, Composite and optional SDI video I/O
- Real time scrubbing preview on both Video and VGA monitors
- DVE supports five layers of real time video: two video streams,
dual image buffers and a shadow/border generator
- Real time scrolling/rolling titles with simultaneous
transitions or additional graphic overlays
- Field-based 4:2:2 broadcast quality effects
- Over 200 pre-defined real time 3D DVE transitions and effects
plus over 200 pre-defined real time 2D DVE transitions and
effects
- DVE totally integrated with the editing time-line
- All effects are keyframable and infinitely customizable
- Proc amp controls are keyframable on a per-clip basis
- All effects can be applied as transitions or filters
- Keyframable crop, freeze and strobe effects
- Real time chroma and luminance keying
- Trails, lighting, shadow and transparency effects
- NTSC and PAL versions availableExisting DPS Perception RT systems can easily be upgraded to full
RT3DX capabilities with the addition of a DPS R3DX Real Time 3D
Effects card (US$4,995). For a limited time only, DPS is offering
current Perception RT users the opportunity to purchase R3DX
upgrade kits for only US $3,000.http://www.dps.com
***NEC and VideoLogic Deliver to SEGA and Announce PC Plans
(September 10)VideoLogic and NEC Electronics Inc. announced that mass
production PowerVR chips have been delivered to SEGA for the
Dreamcast video game. This is the PowerVR 2DC chip and uses .25
micron process technology. Sega announced that it plans on
shipping more than one million units in Japan before the end of
1998.Evaluation units of the PC chip are due November 1998. NEC states
that a more optimised version is planned to go into volume
production by the end of this year. NEC described the delay in
the PC PowerVR chips as being due to a decision by VideoLogic and
NEC to accelerate the development of a more cost-optimised
version of the device (originally planned for early 1999). This
resulted in the delay of the first PC chip as some of the
resources were used on the more optimised version. Both versions
have the same market-leading 2D and 3D graphics performance and
use the same 3D core as PowerVR 2DC. Another reason given was the
the first PowerVR PC chip is following the console version
through the NEC 0.25 micron production process after the first
shipment in November.httP://www.videologic.com
http://www.nec.comReading the press release dancing steps NEC said:
Our priorities go first to Sega and then the PC;
We have our hands full doing the design work on the Sega
chip; and
Adapting to .25 micron process technology was more difficult
than we estimated.NEC has blown away the PC market for 1999.
It is all about execution.
***Zoran Vaddis DVD Decoder Chip Shipping On Real 3D DVD Daughter
Card for Starfighter
(September 17)Zoran announced that Real 3D is shipping the Zoran Vaddis IC and
the Zoran SoftDVD navigator with the new Real3D DVD daughter card
for its StarFighter graphics board.The two boards together offer customers a DVD solution.
http://www.real3d.com
http://www.zoran.com***ATI'S RAGE LT PRO Further penetrates mobile graphics chip
(September 9)ATI announced that the RAGE LT PRO mobile accelerator has been
selected by Apple, AST, Dell, Compaq, and Hewlett-Packard.The new notebook models include the AST Asentia M6000, Dell
Inspiron 7000 series and Compaq Armada 6500. HP has introduces a
revised OmniBook 7150 Notebook PC, which uses the RAGE LT PRO
AGP. Apple Computer, Inc. upgraded its Macintosh PowerBook G3 to
the RAGE LT PRO.http://www.atitech.com
***Multi-ICE Now Available in Production Quantities From ARM -
Debug Tool
(September 8)Multi-ICE, a debugging processor cores embedded into ASICs has
been announced by ARM.Multi-ICE enables the debug of multiple ARM cores in a single
ASIC, new ARM CPU cores, mixed processor and DSP devices, very
low voltage cores and slow and variable clock speed devices.Multi-ICE is a JTAG-based tool, which provides increased download
and stepping speeds when compared with the present EmbeddedICE
debug tool. This debugger is available from a local ARM office at
a cost of $3,500. The Multi-ICE tool is currently available on a
four-week lead time.http://www.arm.com
***Microware Systems Announces the availability of DAVID 2.2 and
the Introduction of MHEG-5 Content Decoder
(September 8)Microware Systems announced DAVID 2.2 (Digital Audio/Video
Interactive Decoder) system software, and the availability of the
Multimedia Hypermedia Expert Group (MHEG-5) Content Decoder for
future set-top-box designs in Europe.The MHEG-5 Content Decoder is based on core technology from
CCETT, located in France. MHEG-5 has been chosen as a standard
for multiple digital broadcast services in Europe. DAVID 2.2
meets compliance standards for both the Advanced Television
Systems Committee (ATSC) in the United States and Digital Video
Broadcast (DVB) in Europe.More than 20 leading manufactures have licensed DAVID for
implementation in DTV set-top decoders and digital entertainment
terminals. DAVID 2.2, built upon Microware's OS-9 real-time
operating system (RTOS) supports Microware's PersonalJava for OS-
9, and is essential as developers build JAVA applications into
next-generation products. DAVID 2.2 is the first digital
television solution to offer Java capability, Internet access,
compliance with DVB and ATSC digital broadcast standards, and is
referenced to the Motorola Hellcat hardware platform.DAVID 2.2 is referenced to the Motorola Hellcat platform, and
allows manufacturers the ability to design devices that do not
require extensive porting. The use of the Motorola Hellcat
provides developers the ability to be productive developing
applications from day one.MHEG-5 is designed for digital multimedia systems and is a
requirement for future European video deployments. MHEG-5
provides specific control of the programming viewers receive,
while using minimal processor and memory resources.http://www.microware.com
***Kaydara Launches Software Development Kit for FiLMBOX
(September 11)Kaydara Inc. announced Open Reality a software development kit
(SDK) which permits the integration of third-party software into
FiLMBOX. This is a development environment that supports SGI,
NT/Intel and Alpha platforms. It is now possible to complement
FiLMBOX's capabilities with additions such as hardware devices,
file format support, interactive tools, specialized tools for
real-time productions, and tools for game development.Available on both the Windows NT and Silicon Graphics IRIX (SGI)
operating systems, FiLMBOX is a real-time production software
used for 3D animation, applying motion capture data to 3D
characters and integrating live video sequences with motion
control in a 3D environment. FiLMBOX also provides add-on modules
for advanced animation techniques such as cartoon rendering,
synchronization of 3D models with audio and voice analysis.Open Reality is available free of charge to any customer and will
be shipping with the upcoming release of FiLMBOX version 1.5.http://www.kaydara.com
***Visible Decisions announces SeeIT
(September 17)Visible Decisions announced SeeIT, a 3D business visualization
software package. Visible Decisions complements its In3D
developer suite.By simply loading the data into SeeIT, users can turn hundreds or
even thousands of rows and columns into an Information Landscape
- a simple intuitive 3D picture of your data.SeeIT links to spreadsheet and other business data sources on the
desktop or over the network. The resulting Information Landscape
has interactive controls to let the user visually explore and
analyze data. SeeIT users leverage natural ability to visually
spot trends, anomalies and outliers in their data. With SeeIT,
productivity and completeness of results are improved over
conventional `row and column' analysis techniques.SeeIT will be available October 30, 1998 and will be sold through
Visible Decisions' direct sales force. Initial pricing for SeeIT
is $4,995 U.S. for a 10 user license with discounts available
for volume purchases. SeeIT is designed for Windows 95, 98, and
NT users, and is a perfect companion for Excel, popular
business intelligence tools and databases.http://www.vdi.com
http://www.pinetreecapital.com***New Group For Open Deep-Submicron Design Standards
(September 21)Newsbytes reports that a new association has been formed called
Open SIPPs International or OSI, will be a nonprofit mutual
benefit corporation. The goal will be to develop Standard
Interconnect Performance Parameters (SIPPs). It will produce the
first open model for describing the electrical performance of the
interconnect -- the millions of microscopic connections between
the transistors used in all integrated circuits (ICs).Initial members of OSI are AMD, Cirrus Logic, Frequency
Technology, Mitsubishi, Motorola, NEC, and Silicon Graphics.
Other key semiconductor manufacturers, foundries and EDA tool
suppliers are expected to join over the next few months.The initial specification of SIPPs will be contributed by
Frequency Technology Inc. A first draft of the specification
should be available for review by the end of the year.OSI is being founded because, at deep submicron levels --
especially below the current standard quarter-micron feature size
-- electrical signals change their behavior in subtle but
important ways when they travel between features.These changes have come to be called the "interconnect barrier"
because of the way they degrade predicted processes. At deep
submicron levels, the interconnect dominates overall performance.
Traditional methods used to predict how a design will operate
lose their accuracy.When a device's behavior can't be predicted, it can't be used.
http://www.sipps.org
***Diamond Multimedia enters into Exclusive Licensing Agreement
with MusicMatch and Xing Technology
(September 14)Diamond Multimedia announced that it has entered into an
exclusive, six-month licensing agreement with MusicMatch
Corporation and Xing Technology Corporation to bundle Jukebox CD
conversion and MP3 encoding software with it new Rio PMP300
portable music player and its new Monster Sound MX300 PCI audio
card.Under the terms of the agreement, Diamond Multimedia will bundle
and promote the popular Jukebox software with its line of new
advanced audio products and MusicMatch Corporation will only
license the Jukebox software to Diamond. Additionally, MusicMatch
will offer Diamond's Rio PMP300 portable music player for pre-
order starting today on its website at www.musicmatch.com and for
sale in October when the product begins shipping.Both companies will cooperatively promote and market the Rio
PMP300 and the Jukebox software through advertising campaigns,
Internet marketing and co-promotional programs, Internet E-
commerce and upgrade programs. MusicMatch will include licensed
MP3 content with Diamond's Rio PMP300. Rio customers will have
unlimited access to playing MP3 files and will be able to encode
tracks from music CDs to the MP3 format.The Jukebox software provides an easy way to create MP3 files.
Users load a CD into their PC's CD-ROM drive, select the tracks
they want to convert and click "start." Tracks are digitally
extracted and MP3 encoded at speeds up to five times faster than
normal playtime, without having to make an intermediate WAV file.
MusicMatch Corp.'s Jukebox software uses state-of-the-art Xing
MP3 encoding technology and supports the Intel MMC command set
for extremely fast MP3 encoding.Diamond's new Rio PMP300 is a portable, lightweight digital music
player for mixing and storing up to sixty minutes of digital
quality music and up to twelve hours of voice quality audio for
the Internet or a CD. The device uses MP3 compression and uses a
simple drag-and-drop interface for easily transferring and
converting files on the PC. The Rio PMP300 is smaller than an
audiocassette and has no moving parts so it won't skip, even
during extreme movement. It is powered by a single AA alkaline
battery for up to 12 hours of continuous playback and features
add-on flash memory upgrade cards that are available in half-hour
and one-hour configurations. Rio PMP300 will begin shipping in
October for an estimated retail price (ERP) of $199.95 and the
flash memory upgrade cards will be available for an ERP of $49.95
(1/2 hour configuration) and $99.95 (1 hour configuration)
through Diamond Multimedia's online store.Diamond Multimedia's PCI sound card, Monster Sound MX300,
features Aureal Semiconductor's Voretx/A3D 2.0 positional 3D
audio processor and is designed for discriminating PC gamers and
entertainment enthusiasts looking for a sound card with superior
positional 3D audio rendering technology. Advanced features
include support for up to four speakers, 128-DLS hardware
wavetable and acceleration of up to 16 positional 3D audio
streams. The MonsterSound MX300 includes several popular 3D
games, powerful soft-DVD and MP3 Internet audio utilities and
will begin shipping in October for an U.S. ERP of $99.95.http;//www.diamondmm.com
http://www.diamondmm.com/rio
http://www.musicmatch.com
http://www.xingtech.com***NetMind Updates Free Web Tracking Service
(September 18)NetMind has announced some additional features and improved
performance to Mind-it, its free online service that tracks
changes to any Web-based information. Mind-it is the largest free
Web tracking service worldwide with 4 million subscribers.Users are notified through e-mail of changes or updates to Web-
based information. Mind-it can monitor text, images, keywords, or
entire websites and will track both personal and business
interests, including items such as airline fares, news from the
Senate, or changes in medical treatments.Added features include:
Ability to track multiple pages
New user interface
Form minding - the ability to track forms configured on the Web
and monitor changes
Increased tracking ability - over 950,000 websitesIn order to use Mind-it, users will need a Web browser, the URL
of the page to monitor, and an e-mail address.http://www.netmind.com
***ICreditReport.com Offers Access to Credit Reports for Yahoo!
Finance Users
(September 14)Qspace, producer of iCreditReport.com announced that it is
providing access for Yahoo! Finance users. iCreditReport.com
allows users to instantly receive their personal credit reports
over the Internet for $8 a report.The system authenticates a user's identity from multiple sources,
then releases credit information after a positive identification
of the legitimate recipient. All data sent/received uses
encryption protocols to scramble the user's personal information
and securely transmit it over the Internet. The service also
truncates account and social security numbers when displayed on
browsers, and does not transmit information over unsecured
connections such as e-mail.iCreditReport.com also offers a free credit analysis once a
report is purchased and other reports can be obtained online or
through the mail for an additional cost.http://www.quote.yahoo.com
http://www.loan.yahoo.com
http://www.icreditreport.com***Hitachi Enters the Internet Commerce Arena with TradeLink
(September 14)Hitachi Computer Products, Inc. announced the availability of
Hitachi TradeLink, The Global Internet Commerce Software Suite.
The open standards-based software components can be used to
custom create a complete Internet commerce solution or can be
adapted by GLOBAL 2000 corporations on a modular basis, to
develop an integrated commerce network that plug-and-plays with
the majority of the industry's third-party hardware/software,
legacy ERP, and database systems.TradeLink was designed with features and functions geared towards
the transaction needs of high-demand business environments. The
suite satisfies the core requirements for business-to-business
and business-to-consumer online commerce markets.Hitachi will work with several Systems Integrators (SI) to
customize the TradeLink software modules for customer deployment.
The first companies involved with TradeLink as SIs will be
Deloitte Consulting and TRW.Comprehensive packages of Hitachi TradeLink - The Global Internet
Commerce Software Suite start at $100,000 and range to $175,000.http://www.hitachi.com/tradelink
***Tele Europe Going Virtual
(September 14)Tele Europe announced the purchase of a Virtual Studio System
from RT-SET. Tele Europe will become the first 3D Virtual Studio
System (VSS) to provide live-to-air broadcast and live-to-tape
services in France.Tele Europe, part of the TDF Video Service of the France Telecom
Group, is purchasing a two-camera RT-SET Larus Virtual Studio
System for use in its 130 square metre virtual studio production
site in the center of Paris. Tele Europe can now offer a complete
range of audio, video, film and post-production services.http://www.rtset.co.il
***CBS chooses Mitsubishi/Tektronix HDTV Compression products
(September 9)Tektronix and Mitsubishi Electric America announced that the CBS
Corp. has chosen the Mitsubishi, Tektronix line of second-
generation HDTV compression products.CBS will use the HDTV products for both terrestrial transmission
and return of contribution programming to its New York Broadcast
Center.Mitsubishi and Tektronix entered into a HDTV joint technology
development and exclusive distribution agreement earlier this
year. Bearing the Mitsubishi and Tektronix Grass Valley Products
brand name, these products will be used in HDTV transmissions and
in migrations to HDTV transmission capability.The CBS Television Stations Group will use the Mitsubishi,
Tektronix Grass Valley Products MH-1100EL encoders at four of its
owned-and-operated (O&O) stations that have committed to transmit
HDTV this coming November. The MH-1100EL is a low cost 4:2:0 HDTV
encoder for local terrestrial and satellite broadcasters who will
begin transmitting DTV to the home this fall.In addition to use for the over-the-air DTV transmission to the
home, the Mitsubishi, Tektronix Grass Valley Products encoder and
decoder can be configured for the backhaul of network
contribution material. Tektronix has successfully demonstrated
the system encoding 1080i material at 45 Mbps output via a DS3
interface, which will be used for transmission from an event to
the network. The Mitsubishi, Tektronix equipment encodes its
signal in the MPEG-2 4:2:2 scheme at 45 Mbps, the likely
contribution standard for DTV network feeds. Tektronix also
showed 4:2:0 encoding at 19.3 Mbps, which will be used for
transmission to the home.CBS will use the Mitsubishi, Tektronix Grass Valley Products MH-
1100E encoder to transmit contribution programming material
originating from CBS TV City in Los Angeles to its New York City
Broadcast Operations Center. The Mitsubishi, Tektronix Grass
Valley Products MH-1100E encoder is a full-frame encoding product
that outputs a 4:2:2 compressed signal at up to 100 Mbps. It
requires no other encoder to create the HD picture.http://www.tek.com/
***Panasonic Interactive Empowers Kids to Create New Worlds with
Elmer's Cut & Build 3D CD-ROM
(September 17)PanaKids, the newly-launched publishing label of Panasonic
Interactive Media Company, announced the availability of its
creativity product Elmer's Cut & Build 3D CD-ROM.Elmer's Cut & Build 3D CD-ROM combines play both "on and off" the
computer by enabling kids to create 3D paper designs that they
can easily print and assemble into fun castles, cool homes and
original designs. The CD-ROM (available immediately for a
suggested retail price of $29.95), comes as a complete activity
kit, including glue, scissors and glitter gel so that kids can
get started right out of the box.http://www.panakids.com
***Autodesk customers gather in Philadelphia for Design Software
(September 10)Autocad has announced its two millionth AutoCAD customer. AutoCAD
Release 14 is the best selling version of AutoCAD with more that
650,000 units sold.The fourth largest PC software company, Autodesk has over three
million customers in more than 150 countries.http://www.autodesk.com
***WavePhore and Philips Semiconductors agree to include WaveTop
Software
(September 14)WavePhore and Philips Semiconductors announced an agreement to
offer a single-supplier solution for PC TV tuner boards that take
use of WavePhore's WaveTop data broadcasting service.Under the agreement, WavePhore's WaveTop software will be
included with Philips Semiconductors' developer kits for PCI add-
on cards. The kits will allow for the integration of WaveTop
software with Philips Semiconductors' RF tuner, IC capture
chipset, and software drivers, allowing the simple development of
WaveTop-enabled TV tuner cards.WavePhore's WaveTop allows PC's equipped with a TV tuner card to
receive, decode and cache web-related content without the
bottleneck of the Internet or tying up a telephone line. The
free, advertising supported WaveTop service provides a range of
multi-media programming, including news, investment advice and
information, children's programming, weather, consumer reports,
software downloads. Distributed nationally via the unused portion
of television signals from 264 PBS member stations. WaveTop
currently reaches the top 100 U.S. markets, representing over 85
percent of all U.S. households. It will reach more than 99
percent of U. S. households by year-end.http://www.wavephore.com
http://www.wavetop.net
http://www.wavephore.net
http://www.newscast.com
http://www.semiconductors.philips.com./***Quadrant International and ATI Partner to Deliver DVD
Solutions to PC OEMs
(September 14)Quadrant International and ATI Technologies have executed an
agreement that enables ATI to provide DVD decoding solutions to
PC original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). ATI is licensing QI's
Software CineMaster 98 to provide software DVD playback
capabilities for its video graphics array (VGA) chips, as well as
QI's Hardware CineMaster 98 reference design and drivers.ATI had previously integrated QI's Software CineMaster into the
ATI DVD Player. The DVD Player is fully compatible with Windows
98, which provides native support for DVD drives, and with the
Windows 98 DirectShow multimedia API, which offers the highest
level of compatibility for multimedia applications.Software CineMaster 98 delivers video playback with no frame
drops, along with Dolby Digital audio. Its video decoding
algorithms enable the application to play DVD content on 233MHz
CPUs. Software CineMaster 98 is based on QI's software
architecture, giving it the same appearance as QI's hardware-
based DVD solutions.Hardware CineMaster 98 is a DVD decoder board that meets
Microsoft PC 98 requirements, provides DVD playback, and is built
on the ZiVA-PC DVD decoder chip from C-Cube. The board enables PC
manufacturers to produce PCs with support for digital video and
audio streams. Hardware CineMaster 98 utilizes the QI DVD Player,
Navigator and driver software based on QI's modular architecture.http://www.qi.com
***National Semi Ends IBM Venture
(September 25)Reuters reports that National Semiconductor has agreed with
International Business Machines to end a semiconductor
manufacturing pact, a move that will lead National to take a
charge against its second quarter earnings of about $50 million
to $55 million. As part of the deal to terminate the
manufacturing and marketing deal between the two, National said
IBM will cease selling its Cyrix-designed microprocessor chips
before the end of 1998. In return, National's Cyrix unit will be
relieved of its obligation to purchase semiconductor wafers from
IBM.National said that Cyrix will transfer certain assets to IBM.
***Motorola unveils new multimedia architecture
(September 14)Motorola has announced an 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 open platform which supports interactive 3-D
graphics, Java, MPEG digital video, high- fidelity audio,
Internet access, electronic commerce and broadband networking in
a single integrated unitBy combining the longstanding strengths of its PowerPC CPU
(central processing unit) and communications capabilities with
the remarkable ProjectX Media Architecture, Motorola has created
a "soft" set-top box.Powered by an independently programmable CPU, and communications
and multimedia engines, the platform is able to change its role
from one function to another to suit.Blackbird platform is positioned as the successor to today's set-
top-box.Motorola has established an aggressive sales model to support the
adoption of this platform by 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.http://www.motorola.com/semi/blackbird
http://www.microware***Motorola's Newest Set-Top Box Approaches PC Complexity
(September 14)Newsbytes reports that Motorola has said its new "Blackbird"
television set-top box that combines digital communications and
multimedia processing microprocessors that combines the functions
of a broadband router, a network computer and a digital home
theater platform.Motorola claims that Blackbird is an open platform which supports
interactive three dimensional (3D) graphics, Java, Motion
Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) digital video, high-fidelity audio,
Internet access, electronic commerce and broadband networking in
one unit.Blackbird combines Motorola's PowerPC CPU (central processing
unit) and communications capabilities with the ProjectX Media
Architecture. The set also includes a robust real-time operating
system (RTOS), Java support, a hypertext markup language (HTML)-
based Internet content engine and user interface, high-level
multimedia application programming interfaces (APIs), embedded
security and extensive support for broadband networking.Production shipments of Blackbird begin during the fourth quarter
and commercial deployments begin in the first quarter of 1999.http://www.motorola.com
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