Top Players Project 3Q12 ‘TV Everywhere’ Solution
A collaboration between EchoStar subsidiary Sling Media Inc., and Broadcom Corp., could pave the way for set-top box (STB) makers and consumer-electronics devices to offer consumers an Internet-based way of watching content on any device anywhere they want, with full authorization.
To do this, the Sling Media SDK is being integrated into Broadcom’s latest STB system-on-a-chip (SoC) platforms. Sling Media’s licensed software ecosystem will be supported on the Broadcom MoCA 2.0 Gateway SoC, reportedly giving users a multi-screen, multi-platform viewing solution sometime during the third quarter.
According to a new survey sponsored by Broadcom and conducted by JZ Analytics, more than 60 percent of U.S. consumers said they would likely watch live TV on laptops, tablets and smartphones if their content providers offered the service for free. Comments Dan Marotta, executive vice president/GM at Broadcom, “It’s clear that consumers expect a wide array of television viewing options on their favorite wireless devices, and EchoStar’s Sling Media technology solution is the gold standard for placeshifting. SlingLoaded support on our high-performance STB solutions paves the way for exciting new mobile entertainment experiences.”
In related Broadcom news, the company will be showcasing what it says is the industry’s first MoCA 2.0-Integrated Portfolio, including six new STB and Hybrid IP Gateway system on a chip (SoC) platforms. In one example, Broadcom’s BCM7425 Dual HD Transcoding Gateway STB SoC features dual HD decoding and dual transcoding support for streaming simultaneous video broadcast content wirelessly to multiple devices, paving the way for advanced services like video conferencing and faster channel change with Broadcom’s FastRTV.?
Operators supporting MoCA 2.0 include Charter, Cogeco, Comcast, Cox Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Rogers Communications Inc., and Verizon’s FiOS services.
