IBM To Revolutionize TV

IBM announced Friday plans to release a new group of set-top box (STB) chipsets, which will enable compatible television sets to perform the same bi-directional commands any conventional computer could. These new boxes feature a built-in hard disk drive for digital media capabilities.

The new STB chips will enable Web browsing, e-commerce, Java and other useful applications to be used in conjunction with the user's TV. The unit also comes with a built in hard drive for downloading MP3 files, and other multimedia content. Users will be able to customize their set-top with what programs they wish to view, and when. The box also features Tivo-style technology, which allows the user to pause during a live telecast and return where he/she left off.

There are four chips to be released this year. The first three will be available in May, and will be based on the IBM PowerPC 405 (or 401) processor, which will be integrated into one chip. The fourth is expected to be available sometime later this year. Its chip will consist of a companion audio/video/transport decoder chip, which features dual channel platforms, as well as digital video recording.

While these new chips are able to perform many of the same commands any computer could, according to IBM digital video group marketing manager John Sixsmith, computers will not become obsolete. "There'll still be a place for PCs," he said.