Amino demonstrates Intel® Atom™-powered media gateway at CES 2012

New Amino Freedom Live media gateway to offer multi-screen “any content, everywhere” entertainment experience based on powerful new dual core-based platform

LAS VEGAS — 2012 International CES — Amino Communications (AIM: AMO), the world leading IPTV/OTT solutions provider, will unveil the world’s first hybrid/OTT media gateway to be powered by Intel Corporation’s (NASDAQ: INTC) next generation 32nm Intel® Atom™ SoC for CE at CES 2012 in Las Vegas this week.

The Amino Freedom Live media gateway will combine dual core processing power with a range of new enhanced transcoding and encoding capabilities with multi-screen distribution to deliver content seamlessly to TVs, smartphones and tablets around the home.

Visitors to the Intel booth at CES (#7253) will be able to watch the Amino Freedom handle a range of content sources – including broadcast, OTT, gaming and user generated content – delivered quickly and seamlessly via a newly-created user interface. Uniquely, Amino will also showcase a new feature that delivers high-definition video calling via the TV set.

The Amino Freedom includes new video encoding and transcoding capabilities which takes raw video and converts it into a high quality format for multiscreen playback around the home.

Other features include a USB3 high speed data port will allow users to plug in low cost HD webcams to enjoy high definition video calling – a unique feature for both home and enterprise use. A dual Ethernet switch will enable other devices – including existing pay-TV set-top boxes – to connect to the open Internet.

WebGL (Web-based graphics library) functionality will allow the creation of new 3D immersible experiences including applications, user interface, electronic programme guide and advanced online gaming. This new version of the Amino Freedom will also be more environmentally friendly, taking advantage of the “power island” design within the dual core chipset which mean that certain features can be effectively “switched off” when not in use.

Amino CEO Donald McGarva said: “This is a real home media powerhouse – fast, slick and with new levels of power and functionality to deliver new kinds of multi-screen entertainment. From dual core capabilities through the latest high speed data, transcoding and encoding functionality – to HD video calling – the Amino Freedom Live sets new standards in the media gateway market.

“From our experience of working with operators on OTT deployments we have learnt a great deal in terms of operator and customer preferences. This new generation of Amino Freedom devices combines all this feedback into a powerful hub for all a home’s entertainment needs.”

Intel’s Vice President and General Manager, Service Provider Division Alan Crouch added: “Amino continues to innovate with its hybrid/OTT offering – now driving new multi-screen experiences in the home that are very closely attuned to today’s rapidly changing consumer market. We are delighted that our next generation Intel Atom dual core processor underpins this experience.”

The Amino Freedom media gateway is the latest addition the award-winning Freedom range.

Already, available in two product formats – the Freedom Live media centre and Freedom Jump – the Freedom range has been specially designed to help meet growing consumer demand for TV-based “Over-The-Top” (OTT) video entertainment. The Amino Freedom Live hybrid/OTT media centre seamlessly connects users to their favourite TV, movies and home media and a new world of applications and gaming.

The Amino Freedom Jump OTT media centre is a “companion” device that enables pay-TV operators to deliver OTT content, but without the cost of changing out of existing set-top boxes. Movie-on-demand services, catch-up TV, Internet music services, applications and social networking can all be added – and then blended seamlessly into an existing cable operator user interface.

The Freedom platform has been deployed by Telecom Italia to support its Cubovision service, which delivers broadcast TV and OTT content to homes across Italy.