Intel's plans for Digital Home computer systems

Addressing key opportunities and challenges in the emerging digital entertainment industry, Intel Corporation executive Don MacDonald today said that technology innovation, new online services and industry specifications are helping to make digital content easier to access and enjoy both inside the home and on the go. Consumers also have more choices for experiencing digital entertainment on devices and screens of all shapes and sizes.

In his morning keynote speech at the Fall Intel Developer Forum, MacDonald, vice president and general manager of Intel's Digital Home Group, said Intel is developing a broad family of PC, consumer electronics (CE) and mobile platforms and technologies. The company is also advocating industry interoperability specifications for a variety of digital home technologies, from digital displays to wired and unwired technologies. MacDonald unveiled Intel Viiv technology, Intel's platform brand designed to enrich consumers' enjoyment of digital entertainment.

"Digital technology is driving the development of new types of content, a variety of media distribution options and innovative digital devices, all of which point to the emergence of a new digital entertainment industry," said MacDonald. "As we focus on making digital entertainment easier to access and view on different devices throughout the home, a vast number of companies have an enormous opportunity to provide a wider variety of innovative devices, content and software than ever before. Intel Viiv technology exemplifies this objective."

PCs based on Intel Viiv (rhymes with "five") technology will be easy to use with a remote control, will be powered by a suite of Intel technologies, and surrounded by a number of verified consumer electronics devices, software and online services (including movies, music, photos and games). Intel Viiv technology will help usher in a new era of entertainment choices for consumers.

Dual-Core Technology, CE Platforms for the Digital Home
Intel unveiled a small, sleek concept PC called "Golden Gate" based on Intel's next-generation, dual-core processor codenamed "Yonah." The combination of dual-core-powered performance with an energy-efficient platform enables a variety of smaller and sleeker designs. The Golden Gate concept PC can run high-definition videos or display life-like gaming images and fits right inside a TV entertainment rack.

Intel is also developing platforms to power consumer electronics devices such as plasma TVs and personal media players. MacDonald announced Intel's Oplus MN301 "system-on-a-chip" multimedia display processor that brings sharp images and truer color reproduction for flat panel displays. Production-ready reference designs for dual-channel HDTV are now available.

Industry Specifications Critical
MacDonald said industry interoperability specifications are vital to ensuring digital content can get inside and move between devices in the home quickly and easily. Intel continues to work closely with industry groups and alliances such as the Digital Living Network Alliance, a group that has grown to nearly 250 members worldwide, and key wired and wireless technologies such as WiMAX, Wi-Fi and Wireless USB. MacDonald also said Intel recently joined the HomePlug Industry Alliance that is working to advance the use of electrical wiring as a way to share data throughout the home.

Intel is also working with the industry to deliver a common display interface to allow consumers to view commercial content and high definition video in a consistent manner. The company believes a unified display interface is key to a better experience in any digital home layout.