Are you all set for HDTV? Mysteries of set-top boxes
,----[ Quote ]
| As I noted here a couple of weeks ago, current top-of-the-line offerings from
| cable and satellite providers are really computers, with an operating system
| (usually Linux), built-in programming, plus hard drives and memory and
| networking.
`----
http://www.latimes.com/technology/ny-bzdolinar095492695dec09,1,4787622.column?coll=la-utilities-technology&ctrack=1&cset=true
http://tinyurl.com/2q6ynr
it's one of the quietest cases of Linux taking over (similar to 90%+ in
supercomputers and ~98% in Hollywood). At the very bottom I'm including cases
of Microsoft getting dumped for instability and repeated failures to deliver
the goods (something along the lines of Vista).
Related:
Linux is de facto OS for TV set-top boxes
,----[ Quote ]
| "The major chipset manufacturers are introducing new Linux platforms
| almost monthly," said Ken Helps, managing director of Ocean Blue Software.
|
| The attraction is that the Linux operating system will support
| advanced functions without requiring a license fee.
`----
http://www.edn.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6426925&partner=eb&spacedesc=news
http://tinyurl.com/2zofx9
Linux STB used in award-winning eldercare product
,----[ Quote ]
| Dutch telecom operator and Internet service provider KPN has
| bestowed an award for innovation on DataBalk's ZorgTV
| ("CareTV" in English) product. The product is based on
| Amino's Linux-based Aminet110 set-top box (pictured at
| left), and aims to help elderly people "stay independent"
| longer, according to DataBalk.
`----
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS9694147567.html
IP-STB runs Linux, supports USB-based descrambler
,----[ Quote ]
| The AccessKey Home IP-STB is optionally available with an "AccessKey
| USB" storage device, that appears to resemble a USB-based cable card.
| It may also include a bootable Linux-based OS.
`----
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS7799346990.html
The Google Set-Top Box (Think Android For TV)
,----[ Quote ]
| Google may very well want to do to the set-top box what it is trying to do to
| the mobile phone with its Android operating system—create an open-source
| hardware platform and attract developers to build applications on top of it.
| At least that is the unconfirmed rumor I’ve heard from two knowledgeable
| industry sources.
`----
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/20/the-google-set-top-box-think-android-for-tv/
Now that your TV is a computer
,----[ Quote ]
| It is also a computer that runs Linux, the free open-source operating system.
| I know because it crashed once, and I got a command prompt. (Plus, the Dish
| people have Linux programming code posted on their Web site, as they're
| supposed to under the open-source license.) Since it is a computer, it can be
| upgraded. And it's been getting upgraded like crazy.
`----
http://www.newsday.com/technology/ny-bzdolinar1118,0,866932.column
European Operators Select Motorola's Linux-Based IP Set-Tops For IPTV
Services
,----[ Quote ]
| Motorola announced that it has been selected by two leading
| telecommunications providers to supply its Linux-based VIP range of
| IP set-tops for IPTV services.
`----
http://linux.sys-con.com/read/284402_p.htm
Electronics firms plan Internet televisions
,----[ Quote ]
| The new televisions will use Linux operating systems instead of
| Microsoft Windows, it added. That feature is aimed at cutting the time
| needed to boot up and reducing the risk of virus infection.
`----
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Parody_of_Al_Gore_Film_tied_0803.html#comments
TV Makers to Collaborate on Internet TV Standards
,----[ Quote ]
| The new sets reportedly will be based on the Linux operating system.
`----
http://www.linuxinsider.com/rsstory/52614.html
,----[ Quote ]
| The Japanese consumer electronics companies aim to develop
| broadband-enabled televisions that can download and display videos from
| the internet wihtout the need for a separate set-top box or computer.
|
| They plan to establish a common standard for aspects of internet TV,
| based on a Linux operating system.
`----
http://informitv.com/articles/2006/08/05/internettvplans/
PS3 + Linux + Firefox = Office 2.0 computing
,----[ Quote ]
| Sony and a technology site are using a conference to show off a confluence of
| next-generation, monopoly-bypassing technology: a Sony Playstation 3
| videogame console running Linux and Firefox as a foundation for
| Web-based "Office 2.0" applications.
|
| IT|Redux, a site run by blogger and tech adviser Ismael Ghalimi, is showing
| off the system at the Office 2.0 Conference in San Francisco. IT|Redux is the
| show organizer.
`----
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9772115-1.html
Java and Linux based IPTV kit and PVR from Amino showcased
,----[ Quote ]
| The Amino software is based on open standards such as Linux and Java,
| and Javascript and Java APIs are provided so that third party software
| and devices can interface with the set top box functions. Software
| updates can be delivered remotely using a signed software image
| authorised by the IPTV service provider. The multicast software on
| the head-end also runs on Linux.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34934
PS3 available pre-installed with Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| TerraSoft is now taking direct pre-orders with no delivery
| time guarantees for a Sony PS3 pre-installed with Linux,
| priced at $650.
`----
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS7863481537.html
Microsoft blamed for AT&T TV hiccups
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft has a spotty history on the gogglebox. In 1997 it
| spent about $425m to purchase WebTV Networks but failed to
| make the much-hyped phenomenon a success.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37231
AT&T Resumes Rollout for Cable TV
,----[ Quote ]
| But because the software, provided largely by Microsoft Corp., has never
| been deployed on such a large scale, assorted glitches have forced AT&T to
| repeatedly delay and scale back the service rollout even though the
| required network upgrade remains on pace.
`----
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070228/at_t_tv.html?.v=2
Windows Media center crashining at CES 2005
http://youtube.com/watch?v=j7EEbokKLHI
Verizon takes over Microsoft TV code
,----[ Quote ]
| Unhappy over the memory footprint of applications and delays in rolling
| them out, Verizon has ditched some of Microsoft's television software and
| has chosen instead to write its own.
`----
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060914-7742.html
Microsoft shuns IPTV open standards - is a web TV format war brewing?
,----[ Quote ]
| As if consumers didn't have enough to contend with, the fact
| Microsoft and Alcatel-Lucent have shunned the Open IPTV Forum
| could mean we'll have another ludicrous format war on our hands.
`----
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/10664/1085/
SageTV shows love for Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| Fortunately, one of the big names in DVR software, SageTV, has
| been supporting Linux for some time now (there are also other
| Linux-friendly DVR apps, such as MythTV). Sage is now offering a Linuxe
| dition of SageTV 5, including the add-on Placeshifter app, which we
| looked at when it was released for PCs back in April.
`----
http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6625067.html
FiOS TV and MSFT: When End-to-End Becomes Best of Breed
,----[ Quote ]
| Quoting: "With the project in danger of running behind schedule, Verizon
| sent its own employees to oversee the work between Microsoft and Motorola.
| Engineers from all three companies had several meetings a day to nudge
| the project along. Eventually, Verizon took over the development of the
| program guide altogether from Microsoft, and ended up writing a new
| version of the software that was less memory-intensive."
`----
http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/laszlo/archives/017055.html
MSNTV2 cluster using Linux!
,----[ Quote ]
| These MSNTVs can be networked together to distribute tasks. The great
| thing about them which made it easier for Niacin was the fact that the
| MSNTV2 had normal PC hardware with a proprietary BIOS. Here's a picture
| of the MSNTV being flashed to run Linux.
`----
http://gadgets.qj.net/MSNTV2-cluster-using-Linux-/pg/49/aid/66787
Vista testers get unexpected holiday gift: No TV
,----[ Quote ]
| Some people testing Microsoft's Windows Vista got an unexpected
| holiday surprise: their TVs stopped working.
`----
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-6147259.html
Nortel not the only winner at Telus IPTV deal
,----[ Quote ]
| But now it is back as the main contractor in an IPTV deal at Telus - a move
| that sees the Alcatel system thrown out or sidelined, the Microsoft Alcatel
| partnership that is dominating tier one telcos, snubbed, and a number of
| the small fry of the IPTV market getting access to the tasty 5.5m Telus
| customers this system is aimed at.
|
| [...]
|
| Faultline gave a heads up about this contract in May, when we heard that
| Microsoft's solution was internally rejected.
|
| [...]
|
| "To facilitate the rapid adoption of additional third party applications
| as they emerge, it is imperative that the environment be open and
| standards-based."
|
| The significance of this contract is that all the big guns from
| Microsoft, Alcatel, Lucent and Siemens were in the bidding and fell by
| the wayside and that Nortel was able to leverage its strength as an
| IP player.
|
| [...]
|
| If that results in any new business for Cisco then acquisition of
| Minerva can't be too improbable, and then it would own an end to end
| IPTV system, with or without Microsoft middleware.
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/24/nortel_telus_iptv_deal/
Ex-MS security guru to dump Media Center for Linux?
,----[ Quote ]
| Veteran Microsoft security expert, Jesper Johansson, says he may dump
| Microsoft's Windows Media Center in favour of Ubuntu-affiliated LinuxMCE
| after struggling with Redmond's DRM (Digital Rights Management) software.
`----
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Ex-MS-security-guru-dumps-Media-Center-for-Linux/0,130061733,339282399,00.htm
http://tinyurl.com/34as9b
Windows Media Center Restricts Cable TV
,----[ Quote ]
| A simple search on the subject reveals that HBO programming and, in
| my case, Braveheart on AMC are among the many selections now
| restricted for playback or recording by Windows Media Center
| Edition. What's next, restricting every piece of programming
| on television?
`----
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/21/0138255&from=rss
|
|
