ViXS Systems Collaborates with Qualcomm Atheros to Develop Next-Generation Home Network Media Gateways

Companies join forces to develop the next generation of home network media gateways to provide whole home video distribution

TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - ViXS Systems Inc. today announced its collaboration with Qualcomm Atheros to deliver an n-Screen Home Multimedia Gateway platform that can distribute multiple HD quality streams seamlessly across mobile and fixed screen devices on any of the widely used home networks: Wi-Fi^®, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA^®), HomePlug^® Powerline and Ethernet.

The multimedia gateway combines Qualcomm Atheros' video-over-wireless solutions for carrier-grade video streaming with ViXS' patented Video Quality of Service (VQoS) to optimize video compression rates for screen resolution and available Wi-Fi bandwidth, thereby maximizing capacity and meeting stringent service provider video quality requirements.

The gateway platform will also support pervasive home connectivity for high-performance video distribution to devices throughout the home by leveraging the recently approved IEEE P1905.1 hybrid networking draft standard for seamless interoperability across HomePlug, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and MoCA devices. The platform, which integrates all widely used connectivity technologies with media processing, includes:

• ViXS' XCode^® 5195 multi-stream network quad HD-to-HD transcoder and media processor system on chip (SoC) with integrated XConnex™ MoCA^®,
• Qualcomm Atheros XSPAN^® 802.11n 3-stream, dual-band solution
• AMP^® high performance HomePlug

The combined solution will revolutionize the distribution of content by enabling direct streaming from the gateway to any screen using any connectivity technology.  Additionally, the platform integrates all necessary software technology for media gateways, including:

• ViXS Xtensiv™ home networking and DLNA^® stacks for ubiquitous content distribution and remote user access to the gateway
• middleware
• digital rights management (DRM)
• digital video recorder (DVR) and streaming software such as HTTP-live
• ViXS partner content mobility software solutions such as Morega systems

With the combined chip and software portfolio from both companies, the Qualcomm Atheros and ViXS collaboration will yield a complete platform solution for broadcast and media delivery in the home.

This platform will be showcased at the ViXS Systems booth at 2012 International CES in the Las Vegas Convention Center in MP25958, South Hall 2.

"With the availability of endless broadcast, Internet and user-generated content, new devices are needed for storing, processing and streaming this content to all media devices in real time in the home," said Sally Daub, president and chief executive officer of ViXS Systems. "ViXS' ability to support multiple HD video streams combined with Qualcomm Atheros' leadership position in wireless and powerline networking makes our media gateway platform a true whole home uninterrupted media distribution solution to any screen in the home."

"We are pleased to work with ViXS to deliver high-performance service provider gateways that employ their network media processing and MoCA capabilities combined with Qualcomm Atheros' Wi-Fi and Powerline technologies," said Dan Rabinovitsj, senior vice president and general manager, networking business unit, Qualcomm Atheros. "Together, we have developed advanced video-over-wireless home distribution solutions, based on ViXS' rate control algorithm and patented VQoS techniques that offer exceptional wireless video quality without the need for more expensive technologies."

About ViXS Systems Inc.
ViXS is a multimedia solutions innovator providing technologies for processing, managing, securing and distributing high quality video and audio allowing seamless control, conversion and connectivity between many classes and sizes of digital entertainment devices.

ViXS supplies advanced System-on-Chip semiconductors, software solutions and hardware reference designs for the world's top manufacturers of Digital TVs, DVDs, Set-top boxes, Personal Video Recorders, PCs, Network-Attached Storage devices, Residential/Home Gateways, Blu-ray players/recorders, as well as Broadcast and Professional Equipment OEMs.

ViXS is headquartered in Toronto, Canada with global operations and offices in Europe, Asia and North America. ViXS has filed more than 334 patents worldwide with over 103 patents being issued to date. Listed for four years running as one of Deloitte's fastest growing North American companies, ViXS is setting new standards in the way digital entertainment is viewed and transmitted across an endless array of multimedia products.

For more information on ViXS, please visit our website: www.vixs.com.

The ViXS^® logo, XCode™, XConnex™ and Xtensiv™ are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ViXS. MoCA and MoCA logo are registered trademarks of Multimedia over Coax Alliance. MoCA Certified logo is a trademark of Multimedia over Coax Alliance.

SOURCE ViXS Systems Inc.