LAS VEGAS, Jan. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW 2012 – BOOTH #31253) -- Entropic Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ENTR), a leading provider of silicon and software solutions to enable connected home entertainment, today unveiled the first-ever multi-band Ethernet-to-Coax Adapter (ECA) reference design, based on the MoCA® (Multimedia over Coax) standard. This reference design, which will be showcased in working multi-band ECAs at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES2012), works across multiple pay-TV service networks, including cable, satellite and telco, by automatically detecting, configuring and joining an in-home MoCA network to deliver the fastest entertainment networking speeds.
Consumer Electronics (CE) devices such as connected TVs, game consoles, and Blu-ray players among others are increasingly taking on the function of a "virtual" set-top box, streaming high definition (HD) IP video over a home network from a digital video recorder (DVR)/Gateway Server or directly from the Internet using an over-the-top (OTT) service such as Netflix, VUDU, Amazon, Cinema Now, ESPN3 or HBO GO. Pay-TV service providers are also launching new services that allow subscribers to view content through these devices. Recent examples include:
- Live Verizon FiOS TV on Xbox: Leveraging the Xbox as a "virtual" set-top box (STB) in FiOS homes
- NFL Sunday Ticket available on PS3: Premium programming package delivered over the Internet
- Comcast Xfinity TV on Connected Devices: Streaming TV/VOD on Smart TVs and game consoles
- DIRECTV RVU: Samsung TVs with "virtual" STB capabilities to connect to a DIRECTV RVU DVR Server
To take full advantage of these new services, connected CE devices will require the same robust, high speed MoCA connection being deployed in millions of STBs and DVRs by major operators today. A multi-band ECA can either be connected as an adapter or embedded directly into a TV, enabling both IP and broadcast content through the single coax network in a home.
"Maintaining operator-class quality of service with these 'virtual' set-top boxes is going to be challenging," said Tom Lookabaugh, chief technology officer, Entropic "The multi-band ECA eliminates many of the issues associated with streaming video content over in-home Wi-Fi networks, thus reducing the potential for service calls, lowering product returns and enhancing the user experience. Additionally, the multi-band ECA allows pay-TV subscribers to leverage the power of the service provider installed MoCA network as the best means for distributing premium live broadcast, recorded or OTT video content to their 'virtual' set-top box."
Leveraging its widely deployed and field-proven MoCA silicon with its core legacy in communications and Radio Frequency (RF) technologies, the Entropic-powered multi-band ECA reference design introduces a networking solution that enables MoCA D-Band (Verizon, Cable MSO) and E-Band (DIRECTV) network capability on a single platform. Key benefits include:
- Pay-TV Service Providers: A multi-band equipped Smart TV or game console with "virtual" STB capabilities enables new services to be offered without the need to invest in new hardware or a truck roll. This significantly reduces capital expense and time to revenue
- OTT Content Providers: Deliver HD quality video to the home theater using a "carrier class" wired MoCA network backbone rather than a "best effort" wireless connections
- CE Manufacturers: New opportunities for revenue-generation by bundling multi-band ECAs or integrating multi-band MoCA capabilities into future connected CE devices
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) / Original Device Manufacturers (ODM): More efficient inventory management by having one SKU to manage across cable, satellite and telco product lines
- Retailers: Simplified sales processes for multi-band ECAs as multi-band support eliminates qualifying the consumer's Pay-TV service at purchase and reduces potential returns
- Consumers: Ease of use and installation as the multi-band ECA simply plugs and plays into an existing MoCA home network whether the consumer's pay-TV service is through a cable, satellite or telco provider.
The multi-band MoCA adapter reference design is based on the EN2580, Entropic's fourth generation MoCA 1.1 silicon solution, which is fabricated in a 40nm advanced sub-micron process and integrates a baseband MAC/PHY, analog front-end and new RF transceiver technology. The multi-band ECA reference design includes all hardware and software required for an end-to-end Entropic design from F-connector to Ethernet port, supports MoCA band switching and is targeted at the consumer electronics market. The development of multi-band technology is the culmination of Entropic's extensive experience and success deploying multiple generations of MoCA home networking platforms.
Lookabaugh continued, "The growth of MoCA in the home has largely been driven by multi-room DVR deployments; however we're now seeing opportunities rise as connected CE device attachments take off. The multi-band ECA is a perfect solution to be bundled with connected CE devices, and we see it as a springboard toward driving advanced new streaming IP video services via embedded Entropic silicon, directly into connected CE devices, including smart TVs, DVRs and game consoles."
CES2012 Demonstrations
Major CE device OEM, Actiontec, will be demonstrating the multi-band ECA based on the MoCA 1.1 standard, which is fully interoperable with devices powered by Entropic's MoCA 2.0 silicon. Prime will also be demonstrating a multi-band solution for TV manufacturers. Multi-band adapters are scheduled to be available in 2012. All ECAs will be demonstrated in the Entropic CES2012 booth#31253, South Hall, January 10-13, 2012, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
About Entropic Communications
Entropic Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ENTR) is a leading fabless semiconductor company that is engineering the future of connected home networking and entertainment by providing next-generation silicon and software technologies to the world's leading cable, telco and satellite service providers, OEMs and consumer electronics manufacturers. As a co-founder of MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance), Entropic pioneered and continues to evolve the way high-definition television-quality video and other multimedia and digital content such as movies, music, games and photos are brought into and delivered throughout the home. For more information, visit Entropic at www.entropic.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Entropic's MoCA technology, its related prospects and its role in the future of home networking. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Entropic's actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, competition, risks associated with Entropic's dependence on a limited number of customers and suppliers, technology risks, the risk that the market for HD video and multimedia content delivery solutions may not develop as Entropic anticipates and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Entropic's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Entropic is providing this information as of the date of this release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.