NXP advances digital switchover with new integrated set-top box platform

NXP’s new DVB-C solution, STB150, speeds manufacturer time to market as operators convert analog TV subscribers to digital services

BEIJING, China — NXP Semiconductors, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, today unveiled the new STB150 system solution, delivering a complete production-ready platform for the fast growing digital cable TV services market. The NXP STB150 integrates the powerful new single-chip CX2448x MPEG-2 decoder for DVB-C reception with a TDA18252HN silicon tuner and complete software stack, giving cable operators a cost-effective silicon platform for a new range of advanced, revenue-rich digital entertainment services. NXP will be demonstrating the STB150 reference design at the NXP booth at CCBN show in Beijing from March 21-23 2009.

Targeting the high-growth digital cable TV market in China, NXP is working closely with iPanel Technologies to provide Chinese cable operators a turn-key solution that enables fast time to market. Integrated with iPanel-DVB MediaService middleware, the new STB150 platform enables set-top box manufacturers to meet the diverse needs of all Chinese cable operators with a single, pre-validated hardware and software platform, dramatically speeding time-to-market and reducing development costs. Optimised for iPanel-DVB MediaService middleware, the STB150 provides a range of digital TV broadcasting and interactive information services, with support for all worldwide and domestic Conditional Access Systems.

With advanced graphics and application CPU capabilities that allow services such as feature rich Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and Video-on-demand, cable viewers will also be able to enjoy a variety of applications ranging from digital video recorder (DVR) to multimedia movie and audio files through an integrated USB port within the STB150 that offers connection to external mass storage devices.

“While cable operators across China and worldwide look to capture increasing consumer demand for improved television services, it’s vital they have immediate access to platforms that deliver on the digital promise,” said Roger Gregory, Marketing Director, Product Line Cable & IP, NXP Semiconductors. “Our new STB150 platform has been fully integrated to slash time to market for both operators and set-top box manufacturers, ensuring they have a reception-ready system that can be tailored to individual operator needs. The new system solution is our latest innovation in digital TV, and underpins our commitment to helping a global audience enjoy a new improved quality of entertainment services with best visual experience.”

“As new advanced television services are increasingly in demand from a wider global audience, its vital that the industry and service providers guarantee a positive viewing experience,” said Mr. Jiahong Xu, President of iPanel Technologies Ltd. “We have worked closely with NXP to optimise iPanel-DVB MediaService for the STB150 system solution, ensuring manufacturers have access to a truly integrated hardware and software platform they can use to immediately convert subscribers from analogue services. Along with the advanced graphics and decoding capabilities, operators can offer a user-friendly programming guide with a range of information, news and data alerts so subscribers immediately realise the new possibilities of digital TV and for the operators themselves to access new revenue channels.”

The NXP STB150 system solution features the CX2448x fully integrated, single chip DVB-C IC. The CX2448x comes equipped with a high performance 32-bit ARM926 processing core, and has been designed to give STB manufacturers the highest level of performance in a form factor that saves space, cuts design time and lowers overall costs. The highly integrated platform also includes the MPEG-2 audio/ video decoder, an integrated QAM demodulator, an advanced 2D graphics rendering accelerator and advanced security features. Simplifying overall system design, the TDA18252HN silicon tuner incorporates tuning function along with IF selectivity, and lowers system costs by eliminating costly components such as low noise amplifiers and SAW filters.