Motorola's New Multimedia Set Top Platform Links to Mobile Handsets

Motorola introduced a multimedia set top platform that lets users transfer content to and from a mobile phone without needing to bridge through a PC. Users are also able to create and store personalized music and video libraries.


KDDI, a major mobile operator in Japan, is launching a new service, called "au BOX" using set tops based on Motorola's platform. The au Box service will allow mobile customers to transfer content between their home entertainment systems and their mobile devices. The au Box service, due to be launched on 1st November, 2008, will be delivered to au subscribers as an option on a leased basis.


The set top being implemented by KDDI also features a CD player and CD ripping capabilities to allow users to rip CDs from their personal collections, automatically retrieve CD information, store the files in their music libraries and then transfer them to a mobile handset or to a portable media player via USB. In addition, music from a CD, mobile handset, or portable media player can be played by the set top through its integrated stereo speakers.


The box also offers video encoding capabilities to allow users to upload video from their personal video recorders and then transfer it to a mobile handset. It can also play DVDs when linked to an external monitor. The set top can additionally serve as a portal for internet web browsing, enabling users to access a wide range services and user generated content in addition to the option of purchasing music and video content from online stores.


Motorola's new platform is based on the company's "KreaTV" open software platform for set-top devices. KreaTV is compatible with a wide range of OS middleware and Digital Rights Management (DRM), and supports multiple different video formats ranging from MPEG-2 SD to H.264 HD, DVR, and hybrid.http://www.motorola.com