Motorola and Wind River Team Up to Provide Digital TV Solution for the TV and Set Top Box Markets

Business Wire, Nov 13, 2000

Business Editors/Technology Writers

CHANDLER, Ariz. & ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nov. 13, 2000

Motorola Delivers MDTV Solution With Wind River's VxWorks,

Reducing Time-to-Market for OEMs

Motorola Inc. (NYSE:MOT) and Wind River Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:WIND) today announced that Motorola has become a value-added reseller (VAR) of Wind River by integrating Motorola's MCT5100 M-DTV(TM) module and Wind River's VxWorks(R) real-time operating system (RTOS) -- a market-leading RTOS for embedded development.

The solution allows OEMs to develop digital TV products and set top box products with improved time-to-market. The MCT5100 module is based upon Motorola's digital television (DTV) chipset and provides an OEM module that can receive all ATSC DTV formats and convert them for display on a standard television set.

The module will enable consumers to receive DTV and high-definition television (HDTV) broadcasts using affordable digital set top boxes and DTVs. This DigitalDNA(TM) solution will assist Motorola's customers in shortening design time on television-related applications and is available immediately.

This solution arrives at an ideal time, as the chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Committee (FCC), William Kennard, recently announced its intent to speed up the adoption of digital television in the U.S. market.

"Motorola has taken a bold initiative to enable the design and production of low-cost standard definition TV sets that can take advantage of the capabilities of local DTV broadcasts," said Gerry Kaufhold, principal analyst at In-Stat's Converging Markets and Technologies Group. "The announcement with Wind River sets the stage for a lot of innovation to begin."

Motorola's module utilizes Wind River's VxWorks RTOS as the basis for running the drivers and application programs. This module integrates the functionality required to convert the ATSC digital TV signals to the existing standard definition format. The TV module is designed to increase the precision and clarity of the picture and enhance the audio of today's televisions.

Motorola and Wind River have teamed together to provide a development system to OEMs based on the Motorola module and using Wind River's VxWorks operating system, graphics and Java libraries.

OEMs will be able to use this development system to evaluate the chipset and develop custom solutions tailored to their own specific markets. The development system solution reduces the cycle time for DTV products to reach the marketplace.

"VxWorks is a leading operating system choice among embedded designers and we are pleased to be able to offer our customers this best-in-class software," said Wil Salhuana, vice president and general manager of Motorola's Entertainment Solutions Division.

"The challenge today is to bring products faster to market and this effort will assist Motorola's customers in shortening their design time. This is the latest example of how DigitalDNA(TM) solutions from Motorola bring greater functionality and flexibility to DTV and set top box markets."

"Wind River is delighted to team with Motorola on DTV solutions through our VAR program," said Curt Schacker, vice president of marketing and corporate development at Wind River.

"Wind River's breadth and depth of embedded software and services expertise, combined with the horsepower of Motorola's robust DTV chipset, will provide an ideal solution for OEM designers. We look forward to working closely with Motorola and its OEMs as we reinforce our commitment to enabling next-generation smart devices, including DTV and set top box applications."

Pricing and Availability

The MCT5100 M-DTV module is immediately available from Motorola and the suggested resale price is $150 in quantities of 100,000. Motorola plans to offer the development system solution in first-quarter 2001.

About Motorola

As the world's No. 1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector offers multiple DigitalDNA(TM) technologies which enable its customers to create "smart" products and new business opportunities in the networking and computing, wireless communications, transportation and imaging and entertainment markets.

Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $7.4 billion (USD) in 1999. Its Web site is http://www.motorola.com/semiconductors/.> Motorola Inc. is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were $33.1 billion. The Web site is http://www.motorola.com.

About Wind River

Wind River, www.windriver.com, is a worldwide leader in embedded software and services for creating connected smart devices.

Wind River provides software development tools, real-time operating systems and advanced connectivity for use in products throughout the Internet, telecommunications and data communications, digital imaging, digital consumer electronics, networking, medical, computer peripherals, automotive, industrial automation and control and aerospace/defense markets.

Wind River is how smart things think. Founded in 1983, Wind River has headquarters in Alameda, with operations in 16 countries worldwide.