3view launches first hybrid Digital/IPTV HD DVR with DVB-T2 tuners

Considering our frustrations with the closed nature of most DVRs stateside, now that 3view has started shipping pre-orders of its first £299 [$472] Hybrid Digital / IPTV HD DVR set- top box, we're certainly jealous. That's because for starters, it performs all of the basic functions of a 500GB HD DVR and provides viewers with access to 50+ TV channels, as well as all free OTA HD channels, thanks to partner MaxLinear's dual MxL5007T DVB-T2 broadcast tuners. There's also integrated support for YouTube and IPTV sources like BBC's iPlayer, with Sky Player slated to join the mix soon. If that wasn't enough to make you pity your recorder, UK owners can even view digital media content via the box's HDD, external USB storage, or DLNA networks, and easily rub in their gleeful media freedom via Twitter or Facebook. No, it may not be fair, but it seems remembering that we don't have to pay a license fee just to get basic national news is the only cheap shot worth clinging to for solace in this situation.

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3view Launches Hybrid Digital/IPTV HD PVR Set Top Box with MaxLinear DVB-T2 Tuner

MaxLinear MxL5007T DVB-T2 tuner is critical element of new STB that enables UK consumers to receive free-to-air HD channels and Internet content

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MaxLinear Inc. (NYSE: MXL), a leading provider of integrated radio frequency (RF) and mixed-signal integrated circuits for broadband communication applications, and 3view Ltd., an innovative supplier of interactive HD set-top boxes, today announced a joint collaboration on the 3view HD Digital TV Recorder, a hybrid IPTV and DVB-T2 set top box.

"3view is emerging in a competitive market through its very clever design and innovative feature set and we're glad to be a part of this new product effort."

The 3view HD Digital TV Recorder includes a 500GB hard drive, dual MxL5007T DVB-T2 broadcast tuners and broadband connectivity. The receiver enables consumers to view and record a wide variety of free content in the UK, including 50+ TV channels, all free-to-air HD channels, YouTube videos, and other Internet protocol TV (IPTV) content. The integrated Sky Player and BBC iPlayer allow users to "catch up" on previously broadcasted TV shows on these two networks. In addition, the receiver provides a simple user interface to view personal photos and home videos, stream digital music, and interact with friends & family through Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites.

"The market for hybrid set-top boxes that combine IPTV and broadcast services is set to experience strong growth in the coming years, particularly in markets with healthy broadband penetration and rich free-to-air broadcast offerings," said Paul Erickson, senior analyst at IMS Research. "The number of total hybrid set-top box shipments of all types is forecasted to grow to nearly 86.9 million units worldwide by 2015."

MaxLinear's MxL5007T digital terrestrial tuner measures only 5 mm x 5mm in a 32-pin QFN package, providing a small, flexible and low power front end solution that's ideal for multi-tuner terrestrial STBs and digital TV designs. The tuner uses MaxLinear's proprietary digital CMOS technology to meet the stringent performance requirements of the UK DTG DBook6.1 for DVB-T2 receivers and legacy DVB-T receivers. The device features integrated channel filtering and on-chip 94dB gain to deliver high quality signal reception of weak signals even under conditions of extreme analog and digital interference typically found in terrestrial applications.

"We're excited about the prospect of more multi-tuner designs, because these really show off the low power and small size advantages of MaxLinear's CMOS tuner family," said John Graham, vice president of marketing for MaxLinear. "3view is emerging in a competitive market through its very clever design and innovative feature set and we're glad to be a part of this new product effort."

The MxL5007T has a flexible output intermediate frequency (IF) ranging from 4 to 44 MHz to support a wide variety of demodulators for DVB-T2, ATSC, ATSC M/H, and ISDB-T applications. An integrated on-chip loop through function greatly simplifies STB designs for multi-tuner applications such as PVRs, media servers/gateways, and televisions supporting picture-in-picture.

3view is currently accepting orders for the 3view HD Video Recorder at £299 ea (with the 500GB HDD). Units will begin shipping in August 2010. Full details on the product are at http://www.3view.com/BuyNow.aspx.

About 3view

3view is a UK-based technology company that was founded in 2006. John Donovan and Ed Silvester set up the company to provide the first set top box on the market that effectively combined the best of the Internet with free-to-air TV in a single package. 3view is using advanced technology and open standards to challenge conventional rigid methods of broadcast delivery and to provide the benefits of Internet TV and video direct to the consumer. 3view aims to use the Internet attributes of openness, community and personalization to deliver a higher quality and more in-depth experience from their set-top box. 3view have brought together a team of highly focused experts dedicated to responding quickly to market changes which allows the company to challenge the sector and deliver the most innovative and forward looking product available. More information is at www.3view.com.

About MaxLinear, Inc.

MaxLinear, Inc. is a leading provider of radio-frequency and mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for broadband communication applications. MaxLinear is located in Carlsbad, California, and its address on the Internet is www.maxlinear.com.

MxL and the MaxLinear logo are trademarks of MaxLinear, Inc. Other trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.