This week Intel heads to TV Connect 2013 to highlight its solutions for set-top boxes, media servers, and video gateways. At the London event, Intel will launch the Intel Media Server Reference Design (MSRD) at TV Connect. The MSRD is both a hardware and software design kit for OEMs and system integrators that allow them to develop Intel-based set-top boxes and media servers. Intel has pre-integrated components such as a media engine, broadcast stacks, virtualization, and motion control technology so that validation testing time is reduced and time-to-market is accelerated. The MSRD is based on the Intel Atom processor CE5300, a dual core Atom-based SOC that supports hyperthreading, virtualization, an advanced 3D/2D graphics engine, integrated power management, and a H.264 B-picture hardware encoder.

Intel is working with a number of companies to provide technologies to create the latest set-top boxes and media servers. The MSRD features Futarque's DVB-T2/T/C broadcast and media sharing stacks, Videon Central?s aVia media engine, and includes Hillcrest Labs' Freespace Motion Engine software to enable a motion remote control. Additionally, the hardware platform designed by Prodrive can quickly become production ready.

The MSRD will be available in April 2013 from Intel and through Intel's distribution partner Videon Central.