Intel has released a reference design kit for IPTV set-top boxes (STBs) and media servers based on the company’s Atom CE5300 processor.

Intel has been producing set-top processors aimed at consumer products from the likes of Logitech. The chipmaker designed the CE5300 specifically for products specified by the service provider market. Amino was among the first to adopt the CE5300 for its set-tops.  

Intel’s CE5300 is a dual core Atom-based SOC that supports hyperthreading, virtualization, an advanced 3D/2D graphics engine, integrated power management, and a H.264 B-picture hardware encoder.

The media server reference design (MSRD) incorporates that chip, along with Futarque’s DVB-T2/T/C broadcast and media sharing stacks, Videon Central’s aVia media engine, and includes Hillcrest Labs’ Freespace Motion Engine software to enable a motion remote control.  

The MSRD was introduced at the TV Connect conference in London; the show is aimed largely at IPTV providers and over the top (OTT) companies.

The incorporation of Hillcrest’s software enables viewers to use a handheld remote control for mouse-like navigation, including point-and-click selection.

“Computers and smartphones have used motion-based, point-and-click interfaces for years because they are the most efficient way to navigate large volumes of content,” said Chad Lucien, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Hillcrest Labs.

Hillcrest’s Freespace MotionEngine is currently used across dozens of Smart TV models from LG, TCL, and Roku. Other companies that have licensed Freespace for use in their products include: Sony Computer Entertainment, Universal Electronics (UEI), SMK Electronics, Atmel, and Logitech.

The MSRD will be available in April 2013 from Intel and through the company’s distribution partner Videon Central.

Intel has arranged for Prodrive, an OEM, to prepare a hardware platform; Intel said this platform can be quickly ramped into production.