Date: 20/04/2009

NXP's IP set-top box platform to support adobe flash

NXP Semiconductor is adding Adobe flash technology feature to its IP STB platforms, the STB225 and STB222. The trend of watching video content from Internet channels such as youtube and other video portals is expected to takeoff quite well.
Semiconductor companies in this domain are advancing their home entertainment platforms including STBs and other TV based video systems to handle Internet video and audio streams. Once the consumer enjoys watching online videos on TV by keying through his remote control, the home entertainment system without Internet connectivity will hardly sell in the top-class home entertainment market.

The challenge for OEMs in this market is to keep their IP STB design flexible enough to adapt to any sudden future trends without wasting much of time and resources. Semiconductor companies providing such easy to migrate platforms will be a better choice than total replacement solutions.

The others in the semiconductor industry who have recently announced Adobe flash support on home entertainment systems are Intel, Broadcom, and Sigma Designs. This is the market to watch in year 2009 and 2010 for embedded software, Silicon and OEM companies in this domain.

Availability: A first commercial release of NXP's IP STB platform with flash support is expected in the second half of 2009.