Science & Technology

Microsoft, Broadcom Enable DVR and Home Networking on TV Platform

June 11th, 2001

Today at the Cable 2001 convention, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq: BRCM) announced that Broadcom has developed a third-party hardware reference platform, which will enable digital video recording (DVR) and home networking capabilities in set-top boxes running on the Microsoft® TV platform.

The Broadcom reference platform will enable set-top box manufacturers to more easily add DVR and home networking features to a Microsoft TV-powered set-top box so that network operators can offer those services to their subscribers. Under the memorandum of understanding, Broadcom and Microsoft will work together to integrate the Broadcom advanced set-top box platform with the Microsoft TV Advanced client software solution. Broadcom will become the first cable set-top box reference platform to enable DVR capabilities on Microsoft TV.

The DVR capabilities enabled by Microsoft TV Advanced and the Broadcom reference design include digital recording of TV programs, live TV controls and creating customized viewing preferences for watching time-shifted TV. The Broadcom reference platform also features a high-speed cable modem interface and a communications engine that turns the set-top box into a hub for a networked home. This allows users to share PC peripherals and high-speed Internet access.

Broadcom's reference platform enables set-top boxes to provide for the delivery of voice, video and data to and throughout the home. The platform includes a dual analog video encoder to support full watch-and-record DVR, giving viewers greater TV-programming control. The watch-and-record function lets the viewer record a program while watching and time-shifting another program, or record two programs simultaneously. The platform also offers 2-D and 3-D graphics engines for studio-quality text and graphics.

"Broadcom's technology allows Microsoft TV to streamline development efforts for consumer electronics manufacturers and ultimately will make it easier for our network operator customers to deliver compelling Microsoft TV-based interactive services," said Alan Yates, vice president of sales and marketing for the Microsoft TV Group at Microsoft. "By enabling features such as DVR and home networking applications, Microsoft and Broadcom can help network operators capitalize on revenue-generating services now and in the future."

"The combination of Broadcom's technology with Microsoft TV gives consumer electronics manufacturers and network operators a powerful platform to easily deliver rich interactive TV services to consumers," said Tim Lindenfelser, vice president and general manager of Broadcom's Broadband Communications Business Unit. "We're pleased to work with Microsoft in providing a solid foundation for two-way interactive TV applications. This collaboration will help OEMs and network operators more quickly deliver these compelling new capabilities."