STMicroelectronics Enables Economical 'Zapper' Set-Top Boxes for Worldwide Digital-TV Access
January 06 2010 - 2:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Single chip consolidates proven demodulator and H.264/MPEG2 decoder
for cable, terrestrial and Internet-TV, unlocking economies of
scale and cutting time to market GENEVA, Jan. 6
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), a world
leader in set-top box ICs, has introduced a single-chip
demodulator/decoder for Internet-TV, terrestrial or cable set-top
boxes, to increase accessibility to digital television in growing
markets such as China, India, Latin America and African
territories, as well as countries where analog switch-off is
ongoing. The STi7167 enables entry-level 'zapper' boxes using fewer
components, saving bill-of-materials and assembly costs.
Manufacturers can achieve additional savings by eliminating
multiple product variants, as the chip is capable of receiving
Internet-TV, cable or terrestrial signals. The integrated
H.264/MPEG 2 decoder uses the same design as ST's standalone
STi7105 decoder. In addition, for increased flexibility and cost
reduction, the device integrates user-selectable DVB-C and DVB-T
demodulators. This allows product developers to re-use existing
software for designs using the proven STi7105, thereby lowering
development and support costs and also shortening time to market
for zappers using the more highly integrated STi7167. Designers can
create very low power consumption designs using this device family.
For example, a set-top box with standby power consumption of less
than one watt is possible because of the device's low passive
standby power consumption of less than 200mW. Alongside the
STi7167, which is capable of decoding High-Definition (HD) signals,
ST has also announced the STi5267 integrated demodulator/decoder
for Standard-Definition (SD) boxes. Pin compatibility between the
two devices allows manufacturers to establish a common platform for
SD and HD products, thereby benefiting from further economies of
scale. Software from boxes using the STi7167, or the STi7105
decoder or its SD equivalent the STi5205, can also be shared
bringing the benefit of additional cost savings. The STi7167 is in
mass production now, in a 27mm x 27mm BGA package, and priced at
$15 in quantities over 10,000 devices. About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the
spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor
solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia
convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of
technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual
property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing
strength. In 2008, the Company's net revenues were $9.84 billion.
Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com/.
DATASOURCE: STMicroelectronics CONTACT: Michael Markowitz of
STMicroelectronics, +1-781-591-0354, Web Site: http://www.st.com/
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