Smart Home Blog

It seems that nVidia Ion has a serious competitor – Broadcom with its Crystal HD Hardware Decoder. The biggest advantage of Broadcom is a common API for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X and possibility to add it to the old boxes without upgrade graphical adapter. One of the first who added support of Broadcom was XBMC. Currently you can checkout XBMC with Broadcom from SVN repository and build it from the sources. Of course, you need Broadcom Hardware Decoder to test it. For example, that $69.00 PCIe Mini Card. That gives you possibility to decode mpeg2, h.264 and VC1 video content up to 1080p using Broadcom card. So, weak CPU won’t be a problem for HD video playback. Happy testing and Happy New Year!

Recently MediaGate announced MG-M²TV – non networked media player. Moreover it doesn’t have even internal storage like media HDD. In spite of supporting many well-known media formats, Full HD and price in $119 I don’t think that it’s better then any networked media tank like Xtreamer or media storage like WD TV HD Media Player. In my mind modern media player without Ethernet and HDMI is useless. Even it can play media content from USB flash or HDD.

It’s planning to add to MG-M²TV WiFi adapter for network connection. But it won’t happen tomorrow. So, I don’t see anything which can attracts attention of potential buyers. If I’m wrong, please, correct me.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

Marmitek, well-known producer European X10 and Z-Wave devices, announced its new 3 WayFull-HD HDMI Switcher Connect310. It provides three HDMI 1.3 inputs and one output with supported resolutions: 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p. Switching between inputs is done either automatically (by signal level, I guess) or using remote control.

The 40EUR Marmitek’s HDMI switcher Connect310 is an inexpensive way to connect more HD devices to your TV. So, if your TV doesn’t have enough HDMI inputs or you have a big number of HD devices Connect310 might really help you to enjoy HD content on your TV.

[via AutomatedHome]

San Mateo, California – September 28th , 2007 – MatrixStream Technologies, Inc., known for its end-to-end IPTV platform that instantly streams high definition (“HD”) video over any best effort broadband network without quality of service, proudly announces the introduction of an encoder suited for 1080p videos, dubbed the IMX e4080HD.

The IMX e4080HD encoder allows IPTV providers to encode and instantly stream live video feeds in real-time Full HD 1080p 24 and 30 frames per second at 3.5mbps. Currently broadcasters commonly transmit interlaced HD video (1080i) which translates to content loaded with artifacts and blurry video images, especially with sports or fast action oriented content. With the IMX e4080HD encoder, video is transmitted progressively so that the viewing audience can behold video free from artifacts and at the highest resolution possible on a given HD television screen. Furthermore, the IMX e4080HD encoder will allow IPTV operators to deploy the highest quality HD 1080p videos over the Internet utilizing MatrixStream’s end-to-end IPTV XMS streaming products.

“This new development will allow MatrixStream’s clients to deploy quickly and rapidly scale their HD video on demand and TV channel offerings to millions of users on a robust platform that is far more economical than systems currently offered by cable or satellite providers” says Jack Chung, CEO of MatrixStream. Demonstrations of MatrixStream’s latest HD IPTV platform will be made available at CEATEC Japan, scheduled from October 2nd – 6th 2007, booth 10A88, hosted by Fujisoft, Inc., a partner company of MatrixStream. To view a video demo of MatrixStream’s HD IPTV platform TV interface, go to: http://www.matrixstream.com/demo.php.

About MatrixStream Technologies, Inc.

MatrixStream Technologies, Inc., offers a complete end-to-end VOD and IPTV platform solution, utilizing patent pending XMS-HD technology that delivers DVD and HDTV quality videos over any broadband IP network to the viewing
audience. Currently, MatrixStream is working with 25 major broadband service providers around the world. For more information, please visit www.matrixstream.com.

Toshiba announced in Japan a new series of its LCD TVs – Z3500. The TVs of that series combine ordinary LCD TV and PC where Linux is used as operation system (no information about what Linux distribution is there). It includes three Ethernet port to get media content from any Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) devices or Toshiba’s in-house VARDIA recorders. Using two USB ports you can connect to the TV external HDDs for recording TV shows.

Regardless of size – 37, 42, 46, 52, and 57 inch, each set boasts native 1080p at 24 or 60 frames per second, a 120Hz LCD panel that eliminates motion artifacts, and three HDMI inputs with deep color support.

The new PC-TV from Toshiba will start to sell in late September with price started from $3153.00.

[via Electronista]