Broadcom aims to solve STB connectivity challenges

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLAND: Broadcom Corporation , player in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications industry, has announced a new platform that combines Broadcom(R) Bluetooth(R) wireless solutions with company's digital cable and satellite television set-top box (STB) technologies.

Driving Bluetooth wireless into set-top boxes will significantly expand traditional STB functionality and make these systems compatible with the vast and growing universe of Bluetooth remote control, audio and handset devices.

Bluetooth technology, which has continued to make significant advancements in the areas of range, connectivity and ease of use, has established high recognition among consumers as an increasingly useful and convenient wireless networking technology. As a result, Bluetooth is transforming the user experience for a range of electronic devices, from cell phones to gaming consoles to wireless peripherals.

With over 90 million set-top boxes sold worldwide every year, the addition of Bluetooth functionality in these devices will enable STB makers to offer unique and differentiated features in their products. Given Broadcom's strong leading position in the STB market, the company is poised to become the vendor of choice for Bluetooth-enabled set-top box technology.

"Bluetooth makes sense as it solves the immediate need of providing home phone line connectivity, and allows audio and remote control use without the need for line-of-sight infrared (IR) technology," said Jim Muth, Senior Product Line Manager of Broadcom's Wireless Personal Area Networking line of business. "In addition, Bluetooth opens up a whole new world of innovative and exciting applications by enabling set-top boxes to have connectivity to the hundreds of millions of Bluetooth devices that are sold each year."

There are some immediate benefits recognized by enabling Bluetooth technology into set-top boxes. The following includes a short list of benefits:

Enables a cellular network to be used for ordering or recovering orders for pay per view or other services when a land line is not present or not conveniently located near a STB. 

• Allows channel changes with the entertainment cabinet door closed, eliminating the need for line-of-sight IR technology. 
• Enables wireless headsets and wireless speakers.
• Enables more powerful remote controls such as: Whole house remotes with two-way services, sound, vibration and motion sensing controllers, user-friendly remotes with displays
• Enables cell phone downloads of pictures for storage or display.
• Enables Bluetooth connections from STBs to landline phone jacks.
• Enables Bluetooth mouse and keyboard connections.
• Enables Bluetooth connections of cell phones, laptops and PDAs to STBs and provides synchronization of calendars, meetings, etc.

"Bluetooth has been very successful in mobile phones, PCs, and video game consoles, and it has solid potential in other consumer devices as well," said Brian O'Rourke, Principal Analyst for In-Stat's Enabling Technologies Group. "Broadcom's strong position in both Bluetooth and set top box solutions make this market a potentially strong one for Bluetooth."