Vividlogic offers comprehensive set of Firebus® IEEE 1394 protocols and tools to speed delivery of Digital TV products
FireBus® Provides Complete Set of Core Digital TV software Components to provide connectivity and interoperability to CE devices
Fremont, Calif. – January 6, 2003 – VividLogic Inc., a leading provider of embedded solutions for the Digital TV, Set Top Box and digital home entertainment markets, today announced that it is shipping the FireBus® digital TV IEEE 1394 entertainment infrastructure to leading brands of CE and STB companies. Demonstrations of FireBus® are available at CES 2003, which runs in Las Vegas from January 9-12 in booth No: 37230 South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.
FireBus® combines all the core components of digital TV applications, protocols and drivers on a comprehensive, ready-for-production platform that is easy to port to different target hardware. The software is pre-integrated with TeraLogic, Broadcom and ST Micro MPEG-2 Decoders, IEEE 1394 chipsets from TI and NEC, and with several OS that include VxWorks, WinCE, PSOS, Linux, OS-20 and Windows XP. Using FireBus® software, OEMs will have a wide choice of OS, HD decoders and IEEE 1394 chipsets to choose from and will be able to speed the delivery of next-generation digital TV offerings priced for the broad consumer market – including televisions, set-top boxes, personal video recorders (PVRs), DVD RW, DVHS and digital video recorders (DVRs). Digital TV products based on FireBus® have been shipping since Nov 2001 and include the premium Mitsubishi DTV and RCA Scenium DTV.
FireBus® is a complete software solution based on best-in-class technology from VividLogic, a leader in Home Entertainment Software based on the high speed IEEE 1394 digital interface. FireBus® is a comprehensive set of applications, software development kits, protocols and compliance test suites that offer the following benefits:
Digital Connectivity and Interoperability: FireBus® is a global digital TV architecture enabling CE companies to easily develop localized products for regional markets, including the US terrestrial, satellite, and open cable markets.
Digital software infrastructure for DTV and STB is very complex and involves several protocols, drivers, middleware and applications. FireBus® DTV/STB infrastructure makes it simple by integrating all the necessary protocols that include IEEE 1394 transaction layer, Bus Manager, IEC 61883-1 protocols, IEEE 1212r Config ROM, 5C content protection, AVC Generic and specific modules for DVD, AVHDD, DVHS, Camcorder, Amplifier & Tuners, Home Audio Video interoperability software (Full, Intermediate and Basic), On Screen display based on EIA-775A, AVC Panel Sub unit, HAVi Level-1 and HAVi Level-2 (Java based). The software supports DTV LINK® and planned upgrades to the software will include the emerging CEA-931A standard as well. A substantial amount of time has been invested in integrating, plug festing and compliance testing the combined software and deploying it on leading brands of CE devices worldwide. The software has also been pre-integrated with the popular HD decoders; IEEE 1394 chipset and OS saving CE manufacturers significant time and reducing schedule risks.
Software Development Kits (SDK) on Standard Platforms: CE manufacturers invest a significant amount of time developing custom applications that include the GUI for device discovery, device control, On Screen Display from remote devices based on EIA-775, AVC Panel, HAVi Level-1 and Level-2 and control of AV sources such as DVHS, AVHDD, Amplifier, Tuner, etc. VividLogic’s FireBus® SDK allows CE manufacturers to develop the custom GUI on standard PC platforms and then port the software to the target platform. FireBus SDK runs on Windows XP and Linux platforms using standard PC hardware (equipped with 1394 card) and allows application developers to develop their applications and test on PC before they are ported to the target CE hardware. This allows for parallel development of the applications while the target CE hardware is under development.
IEEE 1394/5C/AVC/HAVi Compliance Test Tools: VividLogic strongly believes that interoperability to CE devices must be designed in and that compliance to standards is a pre-requisite. FireBus Compliance test suites includes (a) CableLabs defined IEEE 1394 test suites for STB that include IEEE 1394, 5C, AVC, IEEE 1212r and EIA-775 protocols and (b) HAVi compliance test suites and (c) HAVi Level-2 compliance test suites that are now absorbed into DVB/MHP and OCAP.
FireBus® PC Digital Video Recorder: Starting Feb 2003 VividLogic will be releasing its PC Digital Video Recorder software that allows any Windows XP based PC (or laptop) to seamlessly connect to a commercial DTV and act like a Digital Audio Video Disk. The PC can be discovered by the DTV by merely connecting the IEEE 1394 interfaces and using the DTV remote control one can store HD content (in the clear) on the PC, retrieve the Table of Contents of AV content from the PC and play back to the DTV.
Availability and Pricing
FireBus® IEEE 1394/AVC/5C/HAVi software is commercially available and is being deployed in Digital DTVs, Satellite and cable STB. Please call for pricing information.
About VividLogic
VividLogic is a leading supplier of Home Entertainment infrastructure for Digital CE devices. The company is located in Fremont, California and is privately held. For additional information about VividLogic, visit www.vividlogic.com. VividLogic develops software and integrates hardware and software platforms for digital TV that enables the delivery of compelling entertainment, information and interactive services to the home. With products powered by the VividLogic, consumers can enjoy crystal-clear video and audio, electronic program guides and interactive data services. VividLogic’s customers and partners include Mitsubishi, Thomson/RCA, Echostar, TI, NEC, Broadcom, TeraLogic, Digital Stream and WindRiver Systems.