Microtune introduced the world's first silicon-based upconverter solution for video-on-demand (VOD) applications, shrinking radio frequency (RF) electronics the size of a VCR unit into three miniature chips. Developed in partnership with nCUBE Corporation, Microtune's new VideoCasterý solution achieves technological, size and power breakthroughs, while significantly reducing the costs associated with sending thousands of simultaneous channels of real-time video to subscribers via the existing cable network.

Microtune's VideoCaster product, consisting of the chipset and the production-ready, fully tested MicroModule that houses them, offers the smallest upconverter in the world with the lowest power and lowest cost per video stream. Compared to typical alternatives, the VideoCaster solution reduces upconverter space by 90 percent, power by 40 percent and costs by 80 percent. For the first time in the industry, Microtune provides a silicon-based RF technology that is expected to feasibly enable full-scale and widespread deployment of on-demand movies and other digital content.

Microtune created the new VideoCaster upconverter product in partnership with nCUBE, a leading supplier of scalable streaming media solutions for broadband networks. nCUBE provides the streaming infrastructure required by cable operators and telephony companies to deliver to their customers VOD, digital advertising insertion and network-based personal video recording (PVR). The nCUBE n4 Streaming Media appliance, systems and software are implemented in more than 20 countries worldwide. nCUBE has deployed the largest video server in the world for Kingston Communications in the United Kingdom and is building the largest video server in the United States for Time Warner Cable, Los Angeles Division, for its VOD service. "nCUBE was a natural product development partner for us. The company is recognized as a leader in the development of the VOD marketplace, dedicated to delivering the most cost- effective, yet scalable, infrastructure possible for its customers," said Douglas J. Bartek, Chairman and CEO of Microtune. "We share in nCUBE's commitment to increase the efficiencies of the key enabling components necessary to the growth of the VOD marketplace."

"The VideoCaster family also reinforces Microtune's commitment to continued RF technology leadership," Mr. Bartek added, "and it demonstrates the strength of our core silicon and systems expertise in developing products that drive the emerging broadband markets. At the same time, it signals Microtune's strategic move beyond consumer RF cable access equipment into RF cable infrastructure products, providing customers complete end-to-end solutions."

"nCUBE has always kept its eye trained on today's and tomorrow's technology needs. Microtune's new VideoCaster technology, coupled with nCUBE's video-on-demand architecture, provides a fully integrated platform for broadband cable operators, leading the market in five critical areas -space conservation, throughput, scalability, power efficiency and cost," explained Michael Pohl, President of nCUBE. "The Microtune/nCUBE combination offers technology and cost efficiencies that make video-on-demand a more compelling proposition for cable operators. At the same time, it is designed for easy incorporation into existing cable networks, while meeting the robust requirements for on-demand offerings and interactive television applications of the future."

As the foundation, Microtune's new VideoCaster upconverter products are based on three custom-designed RF chips that replace the function of a typical 19-inch rack-mounted unit containing cable headend electronics. Microtune integrates four of the miniature chipsets into a fully tested, production-ready subsystem, called the VideoCaster MT5000 MicroModule. Packaged in a small 3.5 x 4-inch form factor, the VideoCaster MicroModule replaces four rack-mounted upconverters.

In cable systems that demand thousands of streams of video for full functionality of VOD services, the VideoCaster solution offers a significant technology and business advantage. As an example, in a cable system with 200,000 homes passed, in which 10 channels are allocated for digital voice, video and data services, a VOD implementation could require 2,000 upconverters. Microtune can serve this same market with 500 VideoCaster MicroModules in one-tenth of the space and with significant cost reduction, while delivering 20,000 streams of digital video.

Based on silicon-germanium process technology, a new patent-pending architecture and advanced circuit designs, the VideoCaster chipset functions as the RF 'portal' to the network in the cable operator's headend. The RF-ICs take the video signal inputs from multiple sources (satellite feeds, off-air programming, video servers), boost and condition them and then place them in an operator-selectable channel for transmission across the network. The chipset, which includes the MT5011 upconverter, the MT5012 downconverter and the MT1150 driver amplifier, handles ten streams of digital video per chip set.

Reinforcing Microtune's technical achievement with its VideoCaster chipset, Jack S. Kilby, inventor of the integrated circuit and Nobel Laureate stated, "In 1999, Microtune's integration of a broadband tuner/receiver into a single monolithic microcircuit was an extremely significant technical accomplishment for the semiconductor industry. Now with the integration of hundreds of components into a three-chip upconverter, Microtune continues to pioneer RF integrated-circuit technology, sustaining a high level of technical innovation and accomplishment for the semiconductor industry."

Consisting of four VideoCaster chipsets, the VideoCaster MicroModule is a frequency-agile upconverter subsystem. Designed for easy and simplified incorporation as an OEM component into existing end products, the MicroModules provide a ready-to-implement upconverter that can be designed into a headend chassis. By eliminating the need for customers to manage complex RF issues within a broader system design, the VideoCaster MicroModule is expected to enable accelerated time-to-market and time-to-volume.

The VideoCaster MicroModule accepts modulated IF signals centered at about 36 or 44 MHz and converts them to any one of 134 RF channels in the 50 to 860 MHz range. With very low phase noise, low spurious levels and very high dynamic range, the MicroModule provides the high-quality output signal required for digital transmission. From a consumer perspective, the VideoCaster solution is expected to ensure a high-quality video delivery system.

At the same time, the VideoCaster products were designed to address critical power and reliability issues. Consuming little more than six watts of power per channel, the VideoCaster MicroModule achieves the lowest available power dissipation per channel of any upconverter on the market today. The high level of integration reduces the total number of components in the system, improving overall reliability. Built-in fault detection and automatic shutdown circuits also ensure the highest possible level of reliability for the system operator.

Microtune, Inc., 2201 Tenth Street, Plano, TX 75074. Phone: 972-673-1600, Fax: 972-673-1602. Website: "http://i.cmpnet.com/chipcenter/analog/products_700-799/www.microtune.com"

nCube, Inc., 110 Marsh Drive, Suite 200, Foster City, California 94404-1184. Tel: 650 593-9000 or 800 654-2823; Fax: 650 508-5408. web site: "http://i.cmpnet.com/chipcenter/analog/products_700-799/www.ncube.com"

It never hurts when one of the pioneers of the industry, Jack Kilby, inventor of the integrated circuit and Nobel Laureate, offers high praise for a company's designs. And what's most impressive is that Microtune has kept at it, designing complementary products (look at a previous review) and most recently combined with another company (nCube and their n4 Streaming Media appliance) to provide a slam-dunk solution for VOD. This will bring on-demand movies and other digital content to the masses, and hopefully at a price we can handle. I wonder how video rental stores will respond when this becomes common-place. Taking this idea further, will universities and local schools be able to centralize their media content needs, thus needing fewer parts and allowing upgrades to occur in a more favorable time-frame?

The VideoCaster upconverter comes at a time when suppliers are struggling to get video on demand costs under control. The VideoCaster will certainly help. It reduces the 19" rack-mount sized upconverter box down to three SiGe chips. Microtune didn't stop there - they incorporated four of the chip sets onto a micromodule, which neatly replaces four rack-mount upconverters. The company says that this will reduce current upconverter costs from $150 - $200 down to $30 - $40, enough to put a smile on your face. If that isn't enough, these chips also support all existing world standards for output.

Microtune also figured out how to make these highly technical modules easily accessible by the cable operators. They combined with nCube to provide an end-user product, the n4 video server. I would think that just the space and power savings would be enough to win over some cable operators looking to get into the digital video market. But the reduced costs makes this product the inescapable choice.

The VideoCaster MT5000 MicroModule, including the VideoCaster chipsets, is sampling now with nCUBE and is scheduled for production in 2002. The MicroModule is priced at $1500 per unit in quantities of 1,000.

Web site: "http://i.cmpnet.com/chipcenter/analog/products_700-799/www.microtune.com"