HDTV Reviews

Siemens set-top boxes deliver HDTV quality to the screen.

Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices is presenting a family of IP set-top boxes (IP STBs) for digital television over the Internet (IPTV). The devices also enable many other applications, such as video on demand, time-shift TV or surfing in the Internet. Both Gigaset IP STBs support high-definition television (HDTV), thanks to new compression standards such as H.264.

The greater compression of video data thanks to standards such as H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10) and VC-1 reduces the bandwidth required for transmitting data and optimizes utilization of network capacity – something that is necessary for transporting broadband-hungry services such as HDTV over the existing network infrastructure. The conventional standard format can also be received.

The Gigaset HD360 IP and 860 IP are designed on the “system on a chip” concept, in which all the main components of the IP set-top boxes – including the main processor, video and audio decoding units and peripheral components – are integrated on a single chip.

A hard disk with a capacity of up to 250 GBytes, a smart card reader or two DVB tuners can also be built into the Gigaset HD860 IP. This creates a hybrid box that can receive IPTV as well as television via satellite, cable or terrestrially. The hard disk provides end users with two very useful functions. First, they can record films just as with a video recorder (PVR function). Second, the time-shift function allows them to stop programs and play them back with a time delay.

Both IP set-top boxes have an impressive range of other functions and services. Video on demand allows users to choose from a selection of films at any time. Among other things, the IP STBs also permit surfing in the Internet, online gaming or music on demand. The electronic program guide (EPG) can be used to reserve and record programs automatically, for example.

The set-top boxes have interfaces such as SCART, S-video, S-PDIF and HDMI for HDTV, as well as Ethernet for connection to the Internet. Devices can be connected via USB – digital photo cameras, for example.

All the functions are intuitive to use thanks to the convenient on-screen display (OSD) and self-explanatory user interface. With the help of remote device management, the device’s settings are automatically configured and managed. In addition, service providers can update software remotely , something that simplifies installation and operation of the end-user devices for them and customers alike .

The Gigaset IP set-top boxes are based on an open platform. They support different middleware (Siemens Myrio, Microsoft IPTV, Imagenio, Alcatel OMC) and operating systems (Linux, Windows CE), as well as various forms of digital rights management (Verimatrix, Windows DRM, NDS). This diversity enables carriers to choose the solution that is best for them. Together with the SURPASS Home Entertainment platform, Siemens can offer carriers an end-to-end home entertainment solution from a single source.

Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices GmbH & Co KG is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Siemens AG. The company focuses on the design, manufacturing and distribution of the full range of Siemens Gigaset products, including cordless phones, home media devices and broadband products and services which enable seamless, integrated communication solutions for operators and consumers. The company operates worldwide with a fiscal years’ revenue stream ( September 30, 2005 ) of approximately 1 billion euro.
Source: http://www.noticias.info/