At the Intel Developer Forum, Intel Corp. introduced the Intel Media Processor CE 3100, the first in a new family of purpose-built SoCs for consumer electronics (CE) devices based on the company's popular Intel architecture (IA) blueprint.
Intel calls the CE 3100 "the first in a new family" of SoCs aimed at the consumer electronics segment. More specifically, it targets network-enabled optical drives and set-top boxes, where today MIPS is probably the dominant architecture, thanks to popular offerings from Sigma, Broadcom, and others. Intel appears to be hoping that x86's better support for the software needed to run YouTube and other PC-based entertainment platforms will help it compete, as the PC and CE markets continue to converge.
Feature Set:
Canmore features include:
- High-definition video support
- "Home-theater quality" 7.1 audio
- 3-D graphics
- Multi-stream video decoding and processing hardware
- Dedicated multi-channel dual audio DSPs
- 3-D graphics engine enabling advanced UIs and EPGs
- USB 2.0 and PCI Express expansion
- Intel Media Play:
- Hardware MPEG-2, H.264, and VC-1 decoders, for broadcast TV and optical media
- Software codecs for "Internet content" (for greater flexibility)
- Hardware MPEG-2, H.264, and VC-1 decoders, for broadcast TV and optical media
Sources: Various