CES: Broadcom Says Bye Bye to Standalone Set-Top Boxes?

In further evidence that the days of standalone set-top boxes may be numbered, processor giant Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) has announced a high-definition set-top box (STB) system-on-a-chip, complete with home networking, that can be built into consumer electronic devices.

Such chips are sought by operators who claim that they are tired of taking care of cpe in the home. One cableco claims STBs represent the largest part of their annual capital spending, which they’d like to spend elsewhere.

Combine those facts with the actions of CE device makers, including TV manufacturers, which are building home networking, security and communications (Internet access) into their boxes with plans for more going forward.

Broadcom claims the high definition (HD) set-top box (STB) system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution with Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) support enables operators to more offer whole-home media services. The offerings also support the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) CE-driven specs. The DLNA, which had previously supported WiFi and Ethernet, just recently announced support for MoCA, landing important attention from telco TV providers.

With STB and gateway applications enabled with Broadcom products, the vendor says, service providers can now offer whole-home digital media distribution services that enable subscribers to securely access, store and share multiple types of digital media content including HDTV programs, video on demand (VoD), digital video recorder (DVR), Internet content, video, music and photos, and VoIP.

Research giant In-Stat claims more than 80 percent of U.S. homes have multiple coax outlets.

With this data point in mind, Broadcom has announced two new HD multi-format video decoder SoCs with integrated MoCA.

Broadcom said both units are “sampling to early access customers.” Pricing is available upon request to manufacturers of set-top boxes.

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