Sigma Designs introduces first UHD self-install set-top box

FREMONT, CA — IBC Amsterdam — Sigma Designs® (NASDAQ: SIGM), a leading provider of intelligent system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for Smart TV, Internet of Things for Smart home, media connectivity and IP-based set-top-boxes (STBs), today announced its latest reference design for the first UHD self-install set top box. The new design is a wall-outlet mounted concept, about the size of a remote control, the smallest ever seen in the market, low-profile and non- intrusive. It supports the latest in video technology including 4k and HDR. The embedded G.hn power line modem establishes a link as soon as the user powers up the STB.

The goal of the platform is to significantly reduce an operators cost on a multi-room video service install. The wall-mounted approach in a small form factor allows an installation as close as possible to a televisions own power connection at the wall. Once plugged into a power receptacle the only other connection is that of HDMI to the television. The set top box connects to broadband via a G.Hn power line network using a home’s power infrastructure set up via a gateway and a G.Hn module. Additionally, each platform has a Z-Wave IOT controller that help build out a Z-Wave mesh network to control Z-Wave devices throughout the home.

The set top box reference designs utilize Sigma Design’s SMP8758 or the SMP8980 media processor which is designed to decode HEVC’s Main-10 profile, VP-9, HDR supporting the content industry’s move to lower bit rate video at resolutions up to 4K. The strong combination of CPU, GPU and SDK allows for a powerful middleware framework deployment for OTT and IPTV streaming services. Currently, the platform can be setup with Linux or Android operating systems and run several OTT applications like Netflix, YouTube and Hulu and some operator developed applications for VOD/SVOD and catch up TV.

G.hn technology offers a single, broadly supported standard for connecting networked devices over any existing wired infrastructure in the home. With the rapid expansion of 4K (Ultra-high Definition) content and the ubiquity of multi screens in the home, the need for a robust, high throughput home networking fabric is more demanding than ever. The ability to deliver dependable coverage in real home environments that are plagued with interference obstacles such as surge protectors and appliances and the congestion challenges of MDUs is becoming essential for service providers to meet their customer’s requirements.

Sigma Designs will showcase the new reference design products at IBC 2016, September 9-13 at the RAI, Amsterdam, Suite BM7.