STMicroelectronics and Microsoft today
announced that the two companies are working together to develop a series of
new integrated circuit components for manufacturers of consumer electronics
products.
These components will extend the reach of high-quality, secure
Windows Media(R) 9 Series content, in both standard and high definition, to a
wide range of popular devices such as set-top boxes and DVD players. Support
of Windows Media 9 Series in products such as these means consumers will be
able to easily enjoy the high audio and video quality that Windows Media
provides.
STMicroelectronics will supply these new components to consumer electronics manufacturers to
enable fast market delivery of appliances such as set-top boxes, DVD players,
digital video recorders (DVRs), Portable Media Centers, home-networking
devices and more. The new STMicroelectronics integrated circuit components
will support a range of Windows Media 9 Series technologies to help ensure the
broadest possible range of applications.
Philippe Geyres, corporate vice president and
general manager of the Consumer and Microcontrollers Group at
STMicroelectronics says, "By adding support for Microsoft's Windows Media 9 Series
in the next generation of our decoders, we will provide consumer electronics
manufacturers with a stable and cost-effective platform on which to display
high-quality Windows Media content in the home."
Using STMicroelectronics' new integrated circuit components in affordable
terrestrial, satellite, cable and IP set-top boxes will enable broadcasters
and network operators to deliver more high-quality content directly to the
living room, thanks to the compression efficiency of Windows Media 9 Series,
thereby increasing the potential audience and improving the economics of
content delivery to consumers.
"Consumers want seamless access to high-quality digital media without
worrying about format support or other potential incompatibilities," said Will
Poole, senior vice president of Windows Client Business at Microsoft. "Device
manufacturers need to bring new products to market quickly, with support for
formats that offer the highest quality and that have broad industry adoption.
By teaming with ST, Microsoft is taking the next step in bringing exciting new
scenarios such as high-definition video to new areas of the home, with
solutions that work for both consumers and device manufacturers." |