Using existing standard coaxial cabling, STi7108M MoCA 1.1-compliant HD-video decoder supports sharing of content and services without requiring new wires

The MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) standard for home-entertainment networking uses existing coaxial cables to distribute high-bandwidth content such as streamed HD-video, gaming, broadband Internet access and Over The Top (OTT) services to every room in the house. Providing high speed and quality of service (QoS) features for glitch-free streaming, MoCA provides a convenient solution for homes, multi-occupancy dwellings and commercial properties such as hotels. With the strong commitment from US cable and Pay-TV operators, and trials under way with European operators, according to the MoCA organization, there are large potential markets for MoCA-certified equipment. ST is a Contributor member of MoCA.

“STMicroelectronics’ entrance is a welcome addition to the connected home and supports growing demand for a highly reliable backbone,” said Charles Cerino, MoCA President.

Set-top boxes featuring the MoCA-certified STi7108M can be added to a home network simply by connecting to the coaxial wall socket. As a high-end chip, the STi7108M offers advanced functions such as dual application processors providing 3D TV capability, a high-performance ARM® graphics engine capable of supporting 3D gaming and advanced program guides, and ST’s Faroudja™ video processing, which maximizes the quality of displayed images. With these features, the device makes optimum use of MoCA’s reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity to deliver exhilarating user experiences.

“Successfully obtaining MoCA 1.1 certification for the STi7108M positions us to support customers by delivering even more new MoCA-certified chips to market quickly and efficiently,” said Laurent Remont, General Manager for the Connected Home Division, STMicroelectronics. “In short order, we will offer a complete MoCA-enabled portfolio for end products ranging from simple clients to multi-demodulator gateways.”

Major features of STi7108M:
• Video decoding: H.264, MPEG2, VC-1 or WMV9 Internet video, MPEG4 part 2
• Dual ST40-300 CPUs (4000DMIPS total host-processing performance)
• ARM® Mali-400™ graphics processing unit MoCA 1.1 band D (certified), E, F on request
• Ethernet GMAC
• Inputs for up to 6 transport streams, including Ethernet, two eSATA interfaces supporting DVR functionality, three USB2.0 host ports
• Peak MoCA data rate of 170 Mbps
• Five MoCA QoS queues (PQoS, high, medium, low, broadcast)
• Connectivity of up to 16 MoCA nodes
• Dual-Core CPU providing 2400 DMIPS
• Low-power architecture

Samples of the STi7108M are available now.

This mainstream connected set-top box product is intended for high-volume consumption by OEMs and ODMs, and is not available through distribution. If your company has a high-volume need, please contact your ST sales office.

About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2010, the Company’s net revenues were $10.35 billion. Further information on ST can be found at  www.st.com.

About MoCA 
The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) is the worldwide standard for home entertainment networking. It is the only such standard that is in use by all three pay TV segments—cable, satellite and IPTV/telco. MoCA technology is also as an in-home backbone to extend WiFi connectivity.
MoCA has more than 100 certified products and 55 members representing the home entertainment network value chain including service providers, OEMs, middleware developers, consumer electronics companies and chip vendors. Visit  http://www.mocalliance.org for more information.

MoCA is an internationally registered trademark.