Cable set-top box solutions from Sigma Designs

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Cable Solutions

Overview Products Reference Designs Software Tools Standards

With the adoption of DOCSIS 3.0, cable service providers can increase the data bandwidth to the home, enabling the eventual adoption of Internet Protocol (IP) for delivering content. As the leading supplier of IPTV set-top box solutions, our technology is easily adapted to address this new opportunity.

A new deployment architecture is also emerging. Currently, each TV in the home uses an expensive cable set-top box. However, deployment costs can be substantially reduced by using a gateway and multiple low-cost thin clients. Each thin client controls one tuner in the gateway or accesses recorded content. The selected live or recorded program is then sent to the thin client over the home AV network.

Our family of architecture-compatible Secure Media Processors, SDKs, and wide variety of reference designs enable fast development of a cable gateway, set-top box, set-back box (mounts behind the HDTV), or thin client with a wide variety of feature options:

DOCSIS 3.0, QAM, VoIP, and eCM (embedded Cable Modem).
PVR
Z-Wave^® RF remote control.
Integrated support for Z-Wave^® enabled home automation, home security monitoring, and home energy management products. This enables service providers to offer additional premium services, such as home security monitoring, for the home.
802.11n or MoCA^® v1.1 home AV networking.
Streaming of on-line movies, TV shows, and videos (over-the-top or OTT content).
Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA^®) support enables consumers to locate and enjoy content anywhere on their home AV network and effortlessly move or stream this content between DLNA-connected devices.
3D graphics, enabling dynamic and customizable user interfaces by supporting the flipping, rotating, warping, and moving of images.
3D video, enabling consumers to experience a new level of 3DTV viewing experience in the home.
VXP^® video processing to improve HD video quality and offer highest-quality SD video upscaling.

Software Partners

Sigma Designs is working with the following software companies to provide a more complete solution for our cable products.

		4Home has developed an advanced XML-based software and services platform that OEM hardware vendors and service providers can use to deliver compelling applications and services into the connected home. 4Home empowers its partners to deliver monitoring, control, security, energy, health, and media for-fee services. http://www.4home.com
		ACCESS is a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets. ACCESS delivers unique solutions that bring value to its customers and partners and which help make life easier, more productive, and more enjoyable. http://www.access-company.com
		ActiveVideo Networks is the world leader in cloud-based interactive services that are redefining television (iTV 2.0). Available in nearly 5 million homes, ActiveVideo immerses viewers in an engaging experience that combines Web video, Web 2.0 functionality, and traditional television. http://www.activevideo.com
		Adobe^® Flash^® Lite™ enables OEMs and service providers to differentiate their devices via customized applications and user interfaces, a more complete web experience, the delivery of high-definition content, and rich applications for Internet-connected devices. http://www.adobe.com/products/flashlite/
		Allegro Software Development Corporation is a leading provider of software toolkits that are used by manufacturers to enable their products to be used on the Internet. The Allegro toolkits offer rapid integration and provide a range of simple through sophisticated application value to the embedded world. http://www.allegrosoft.com
		ANT is the leading provider of client software solutions and services to the digital media industry. It develops open-standards-based client software and applications to enable operators to exploit digital media across a broad range of consumer electronics devices and set-top boxes. http://www.antplc.com
		Avtrex has created core software components for digital home entertainment devices. These applications can be customized and integrated into HDTVs, set-top-boxes, Blu-ray players, DVD recorders, home media servers, network gateways, and more. As an OEM software provider, Avtrex has focused on portability and customizability to allow seamless integration with our clients existing technical infrastructure. http://www.avtrex.com
		AwoX provides OEMs with network media solutions that enable consumer electronics products to stream video, music, and photos seamlessly using digital audio and video devices in people’s regular home networks as well as from commercial, Internet-based services. http://www.awox.com
		BitRouter provides comprehensive products and engineering services for digital TV systems. We take pride in exceeding our customers' expectations by providing robust, elegant, and complete software and hardware solutions. We bring years of experience in providing digital TV solutions to major silicon, CE, and set-top box manufacturers. http://www.bitrouter.com
		CodeSourcery builds software tools that enable its customers to get the most out of hardware platforms ranging from embedded devices to supercomputers. CodeSourcery's products and services deliver on the promise of open-source software and open standards. http://www.codesourcery.com
		Founded in 2003, our experience includes developing software for cable, satellite, and IPTV set-top boxes in the international and domestic markets. We also offer our extensive experience in deploying digital video systems and set-top boxes around the world. http://www.confocus.com
		DigiOn is a software developer with experience in the development of multimedia, storage, and networking products, and has established a firm position in the home network field. DigiOn products have been adopted by CE device and PC manufacturers both inside and outside of Japan. http://www.digion.com
		Located in Tokyo Japan, Entis provides product planning, development, and consultation services in the state-of-the-art digital media technologies both in software and hardware. Entis can provide valuable consultation and development services in various ways that meet customer requirements. http://www.entis.co.jp
		Espial Group Inc. is a leading provider of on-demand software to telco, cable, and hospitality operators as well as to consumer electronics manufacturers. Its middleware, browser, and video-on-demand solutions provide superior service delivery, advanced service innovation tools, and the ability to serve a wide range of market segments - including over-the-top, IPTV, hybrid IP, multi-dwelling unit, and enterprise. http://www.espial.com
		Fujisoft provides integrated solutions, from LSIs for information and communications devices such as mobile telephones and digital home electronics to board design, control and embedded software development, and evaluation. Since its founding in 1970, Fujisoft has grown into one of Japan's leading independent system integration companies. http://www.fsi.co.jp
		JetHead Development, a California-based private company, headquartered in Carlsbad, CA, is the leading developer of RVU software technology. JetHead today employs over 50 people in the development, testing and integration of embedded software for the digital audio/video consumer electronics market. http://www.jetheaddev.com/
		Novatec is a leading software and hardware provider with the most integrated solutions encompassing DTV, IPTV, PVR, Interactive TV, Personal Media Contents, and optical disc applications. It is the first and only company to provide such broad range of software/hardware solutions in Japan with comprehensive engineering services. http://www.novatec.co.jp
		Opera Software ASA has redefined Web browsing for PCs, mobile phones, and other networked devices. Opera's cross-platform Web browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance, and small size, while giving users a faster, safer, and more dynamic online experience. http://www.opera.com
		Oregan Networks is a leading provider of embedded solutions for digital home entertainment devices, comprising digital media streaming, home networking, TV browsing, and user interface technology. Consumers today expect to be able to access communications and entertainment services anytime, anywhere, and on any device. http://www.oregan.com
		Qt allows open source and commercial software developers to code less, create more, and deploy everywhere. Qt enables developers to build innovative applications and user interfaces once and then extend the innovation across all major desktop, consumer electronic, and other embedded platforms without rewriting the code. Qt underpins Nokia's strategy to develop a wide range of products and experiences that people can fall in love with. http://qt.nokia.com
		TVSTORM develops and provides middleware solutions and embedded software products for digital data broadcast, including ATSC-ACAP, DVB-MHP, OpenCable-OCAP, IPTV middleware, HTML browser, HTML+Java, DTV embedded software, etc. http://tv-storm.com

3D Video Partners

Sigma Designs is working with the following 3D Video companies to provide a more complete solution for our cable products.

		RealD is the global leader in 3D technology, leveraging 30 years of expertise to create the most stunningly realistic and enjoyable digital 3D experience in theaters worldwide, cutting-edge visualization tools for professionals, and technology for tomorrow's 3D TVs and other display screens today. http://www.reald.com
		SENSIO Technologies develops and markets Stereoscopic 3D digital compression, decompression, and display formatting technologies. Its solutions are deployed on a global scale by content creators, game developers, broadcasters, specialty channels, and digital cinemas. Its flagship technology, SENSIO^® 3D, allows the high-quality distribution of 3D content through conventional existing 2D broadcast networks (cable, satellite, IPTV, etc.). http://www.sensio.tv

Over-The-Top (OTT) Partners

Sigma Designs is working with the following Over-The-Top (OTT) companies to provide a more complete solution for our cable products.

		Netflix is the world's largest online movie rental service, with more than 11 million subscribers. Netflix is partnering with leaders in consumer electronics to bring to market a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to members' TVs. http://www.netflix.com
		Yahoo! Connected TV brings the best of the Web right into your living room. Connected TV integrates Yahoo!'s most popular services with the latest in big-screen home entertainment. So, there's no more crowding around a laptop to share family photos. And news, traffic, and weather updates are just a press of the remote away. http://connectedtv.yahoo.com/

Industry Associations

Sigma Designs is an active member in many standards organizations and industry associations to enable our cable solutions to quickly support new features and standards.

		The 3D@Home Consortium was formed in 2008 with the mission to speed the commercialization of 3D into homes worldwide and provide the best possible viewing experience by facilitating the development of standards, roadmaps, and education for the entire 3D industry - from content, hardware and software providers, to consumers. http://www.3dathome.org
		The objectives of ARIB are to conduct investigation, research & development, and consultation of utilization of radio waves from the view of developing radio industries, and to promote realization and popularization of new radio systems in the field of telecommunications and broadcasting. http://www.arib.or.jp/english/index.html
		The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) is an international, non-profit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. The ATSC member organizations represent the broadcast, broadcast equipment, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, satellite, and semiconductor industries. http://www.atsc.org
		Founded in 1988 by members of the cable television industry, Cable Television Laboratories is a non-profit research and development consortium that is dedicated to pursuing new cable telecommunications technologies and to helping its cable operator members integrate those advancements into their business objectives. Cable operators from around the world are members. http://www.cablelabs.com
		The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) unites 2,000 companies within the consumer technology industry. Members tap into valuable and innovative members-only resources: unparalleled market research, networking opportunities with business advocates and leaders, up-to-date educational programs and technical training, exposure in extensive promotional programs, and representation from the voice of the industry, CEA, promoting and advancing member needs and interests. http://www.ce.org
		Members of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) share a vision of an interoperable network of personal computers (PC), consumer electronics (CE), mobile devices, and service providers in and beyond the home, enabling a seamless environment for sharing and growing new digital media and content services. http://www.dlna.org
		The Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB) is an industry-led consortium of over 250 broadcasters, manufacturers, network operators, software developers, regulatory bodies, and others in over 35 countries committed to designing open technical standards for the global delivery of digital television and data services. http://www.dvb.org
		HomeGrid Forum is a global, non-profit trade group promoting the International Telecommunication Union's G.hn standardization efforts for next-generation home networking. HomeGrid promotes adoption of G.hn through technical and marketing efforts, addresses certification and interoperability of G.hn-compliant products, and cooperates with complementary industry alliances. http://www.homegridforum.org
		The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has played a key role in building today's vast interconnected infocommunication networks spanning telephone, radio, television, satellite systems, mobile, and wireless communications and Internet technologies. http://www.itu.int
		The MPEG Industry Forum is an independent and platform neutral not-for-profit organization representing more than 20 international companies and organizations from diverse industries with the goal to facilitate and further the widespread adoption and deployment of MPEG and related standards in next generation digital media services. http://www.mpegif.org
		The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA®) is the worldwide standard for home entertainment networking. It is the only such standard that appeals to all three pay TV segments—cable, satellite, and IPTV. MoCA technology can also be used to extend WiFi connectivity in the home. http://www.mocalliance.org
		The RVU Alliance develops and makes available technical specifications for the distribution of content between a gateway and client, with a pixel-accurate user interface on the client. The Alliance also helps ensure compatibility between RVU compliant products. http://www.rvualliance.org
		The SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers) standards program provides an ANSI-accredited forum for the development of technical specifications supporting the cable telecommunications industry. The work program includes: data and telephony over cable; application platform development; digital video; emergency alert systems; etc. http://www.scte.org