Looking to serve a vendor market that wants to deliver agile, OTT-capable set-tops to pay TV operators, Broadcom and RDK Management have jointly announced the RDK Accelerator Program.
The new initiative will deliver chip sets that are pre-integrated with the Reference Design Kit software stack, which includes access to the Metrological App Store. Much like the Google Play Store that’s integrated into set-tops built around the rival Android TV operating system, these RDK set-tops have access to Netflix, Hulu and many other popular OTT apps distributed through the Metrological App Store.
The Broadcom chipsets have actually been around for a while now.
Released January, Broadcom’s BCM72180 is the latest generation of Advanced HDR Ultra High Definition (UHD), high-security system-on-chip (SoC) devices for set-tops. It delivers with 50% higher performance and 50% lower power than the prior generation. Newly integrated technologies include the streaming optimized AV1 UHD IPTV video codec, personalized Far-Field Voice (FFV) control, and 2x2 Wi-Fi 6 for significantly better streaming performance, higher security, and lower power consumption. Meanwhile, the BCM72180 supports hybrid (cable, satellite and terrestrial) and traditional IPTV designs, with and without FFV.
Developed jointly by Comcast, Liberty Global and Charter Communications, RDK is an open source software platform for the connected home that standardizes core functions used in broadband, video, and IoT devices.
“Broadcom has always been committed to RDK, and this new effort is aimed at the growing demand for RDK-based video solutions from global OEMs and service providers,” said Rich Nelson, senior VP and general manager for Broadcom’s set-top box and cable modem division, in a statement “By creating pre-integrated chipset platforms, our customers can create compelling new RDK-based STB designs and products and get to market quickly and effectively.”
Added Steve Heeb, president and general manager of RDK: “Thanks to Broadcom, OEMs seeking to deliver turnkey RDK video products can now build, test and deploy a range of STBs to meet the various needs of service providers around the world. We’re very pleased with their expanded support for the RDK Video Accelerator program and look forward to future collaborations.”
