Intel confirms partnership with Comcast, brings Xfinity TV viewing to Intel-based devices

Well, there's no new set-top box box per se, but most of those rumored Intel / virtual cable TV details have come true here at CES. Intel just announced a new partnership with Comcast, which will enable Xfinity TV viewers to watch television on Intel-based devices in the home. According to Intel, the collaboration will enable users to tap into Xfinity TV on "IP set-top boxes, Ultrabooks, Intel-based all-in-one PCs, tablets and smartphones, as well as smart TVs in the home." It's like Tru2way, but slightly less restrictive. Evidently, the back-end magic is being handled by Intel's Puma 6MG-bsaed XG5 multi-screen video gateway. In other words, this is Comcast opening up live TV streaming to more than just the HDTV connected to your set-top box, but unfortunately, there's no mention at all about this working remotely. We're also getting the impression that Intel's pitching this kind of scenario to other pay-TV providers, and if we hear of any others hopping onboard, we'll be sure to let you know.

Update: It appears the box itself is actually being produced by (recent purchaser of Motorola's set-top box business) Arris. There's a few more details in Arris' press release after the break, we'll be checking it out for ourselves later this week.

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Watching Television on Devices around the Home Made Possible with Intel Technology

Intel collaborates with Comcast to support XFINITY TV viewing on Intel-based devices in the home

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Ultrabook™devices, all-in-one PCs, and Intel-based tablets and smartphones suited to stream XFINITY TV.

Intel® Puma™ 6MG-based XG5 Multi-Screen Video Gateway by ARRIS debuts emerging category of new devices.

INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 2013 – Intel Corporation today announced a TV experience that will enable customers to view live and on-demand television content on Intel-based devices.

Intel is collaborating with Comcast so that customers can enjoy the XFINITY TV experience on IP set-top boxes, Ultrabook™ devices, Intel-based all-in-one PCs, tablets and smartphones as well as smart TVs in the home. This experience is made possible by the Intel® Puma™ 6MG-based XG5 multi-screen video gateway.

"Working closely with service providers like Comcast allows us to bring exciting new entertainment experiences to tablets, phones, all-in-one PCs and Ultrabook devices," said Alan Crouch, Intel vice president and general manager, PCCG Service Provider Division. "Intel-based multi-screen video gateways in the home from innovative OEMs like ARRIS allow people to watch both live TV and on-demand shows whenever they want on their new Intel-based devices."

The XG5multi-screen video gateway, which is designed by ARRIS, a leading global communications technology company, allows any screen in the home to access high-quality live and on-demand entertainment. This new category of device provides video, voice and high-speed Internet via MoCA, DECT and Wi-Fi from one device creating a home network for numerous devices and second screens. Multi-screen video gateways are emerging devices that centrally manage pay TV, broadband access to voice as well as new services such as home security and home management.

"Intel has been a great partner as we work to develop a platform that supports an in-home gateway and client architecture," said Steve Reynolds, senior vice president of Customer Premise Equipment for Comcast. "Intel's powerful silicon platforms and their support for our RDK software initiative have enabled us to quickly develop a flexible platform for the delivery of our cable video services that will give customers the ability to view them on a wide range of consumer devices in the home."

Comcast is working with Intel to develop this technology based on upcoming enhancements to the DLNA Premium Content Guidelines to deliver its XFINITY TV experience to Intel-based devices in the home. DLNA is a set of interoperability guidelines that enable the delivery of enhanced content services and secure transport of protected digital content to devices around the home.

The demonstration in Intel's CES booth (Central Hall, #7252) shows XFINITY TV streaming from the XG5 multi-screen video gateway to an IP set-top box as well as directly to an Ultrabook, an all-in-one PC, an Intel-based tablet, a smartphone and a smart TV.

ARRIS Announces Cable Industry's First RDK-based Whole Home Network and Entertainment Gateway
ARRIS Gateway Demonstration at Consumer Electronics Show 2013

Showcases New Features and Services for Cable Subscribers

SUWANEE, Ga., Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ARRIS Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS) today announced the industry's first whole home network and entertainment system: the ARRIS Media Gateway MG2402 based on the Reference Design Kit (RDK) from Comcast. Ideal for quad play services, the MG2402 will be demonstrated at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2013 in the Intel booth #7252 in Las Vegas, January 8-11, 2013. The gateway allows cable operators to offer their subscribers new features and services such as streaming of live linear television to IP connected devices, whole-home DVR, and a remote user interface on an RDK-compliant platform.

The ARRIS Media Gateway 2402 uses Intel® PUMA-6™MG technology features a hybrid video architecture supporting QAM and IP delivered video is capable of bonding up to 24 DOCSIS® downstream channels and providing 8 QAM channels to support traditional MPEG/DVB video delivers nearly 1Gbps broadband service from the network and includes dual band concurrent Wi-Fi that provides consumers with superior in home coverage
supports four concurrent transcodes and DVR capability ensures seamless delivery of broadcast and On Demand video to IP set-top clients through onboard MoCA® 2.0 support
incorporates HD Voice with an integrated DECT base station, and includes Zigbee® support for home automation and security.

"The MG2402 delivers the vision of an open standards, fully converged home, in one simple, easy to manage device," said Derek Elder , ARRIS SVP & GM, Touchstone CPE. "This announcement represents the continuing evolution of our market-leading Media Gateway vision as we help define the future of the truly connected home."

"We congratulate ARRIS on the introduction of their new media gateway," said Steve Reynolds , Senior Vice President, Premises Technology for Comcast. "This device will work with the millions of IP-enabled consumer devices capable of displaying video and will help operators, consumer electronics companies and developers innovate at an even faster pace in today's rapidly-changing multiscreen TV environment."