The first Intel Pentium-based set-top box was announced yesterday at Comdex by Intel Corp and Milpitas, California-based Neon Technology Inc. The box uses a Pentium processor with MMX multimedia instructions and supports ADSL and Ethernet for broadband consumer users. Neon says the use of the Pentium will enable its box to run CPU intensive applications such as full-duplex VoIP and RealNetworks’ RealPlayer 5. Neon also uses IntelÆs chipsets and flash memory for the device. Like NeonÆs other set-top boxes, the new device uses a 32-bit Posix-compliant real-time operating system, web browser with HTML 3.2, frames, tables and Javascript support, and with electronic mail. SSL 3.0 is supported for secure e-commerce and RealPlayer for streaming audio and video. The Neon device also offers real-time Internet telephony. Neon was formed in 1995, and has built network computers, USB ASICs and Internet set-top boxes. Earlier this month it introduced a low cost set-top box using the ST PC x86-compatible intgrated chipset from ST Microelectronics Inc. Neon has a manufacturing relationship with motherboard manufacturer A-Trend Technology Co Ltd in Taiwan, and its products have until now been sold in Taiwan, China and Canada. A spokesperson for Neon said the new box would be available in January 1999 and pricing will announced at the same time. Sales will be via a network of Neon distributors and resellers. The spokesperson added that Neon was currently working on a line of cable-compatible set-top boxes, to be introduced some time next year.
