26 June 2008

CEZZER Utilises TI DaVinci For HD Video-on-Demand

CEZZER Multimedia Technologies has rolled out its high-definition (HD) video-on-demand (VoD) terminal, the CEZZER videoclub, which can provide VoD to Internet subscribers who have an unlimited Internet connection with rates starting from 512 Kbit/s.

CEZZER's HD40 VoD videoclub terminal, developed in just 18 months, utilizes TI's DM644x system-on-chip (SoC) digital media processor as its sole processor. The DM644x is based on TI's TMS320C64x+ core and an ARM926EJ-S. The C64x+ core performs WMV9/AC-1 720p video decoding, while the device's ARM9 implements the sophisticated and user-friendly interface, I/Os and Microsoft DRM.

To use the device, the user simply plugs the unit into the home television and Internet box, and then turns on the unit. The user can either watch a movie already stored on an internal hard disk that is automatically updated, or make a selection of another movie from a large video catalogue. The user pays for the selected movie and if it is not already stored on disk, then the CEZZER videoclub downloads it immediately so that the user can view it in less than 24 hours time.

Due to the device's hard disk, CEZZER videoclub is nomadic. Once a program is ready to read, the user can just plug the videoclub into any television and watch it, without the need for an internet connection. In addition, a USB device allows the reception of free over-the-air TV programs transmitted using DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcast - Terrestrial), and the videoclub supports both analog and digital video outputs.

CEZZER has just announced partnering with TF1 Vision, a major video portal in France. "We are delighted to add the CEZZER videoclub to our customer offerings," said Pierre Brossard, CEO at TF1 VIDEO. "We can significantly expand our customer base because this capability will be extremely attractive to the 60 percent of Internet French subscribers who do not have high-speed Internet connections and cannot access to existing VoD on TV of tripleplay offers. Now HD VoD content is readily available to everybody. Most of all, CEZZER came with a ready to use solution which was easy and quick to interface with our catalogue. Further, the CEZZER VoD videoclub's ease of use is outstanding, which adds to the user experience."