Thomson Multimedia to Offer DSL Set-Top Receiver

Thomson Multimedia (www.thomson-multimedia.com), which manufactures consumer electronics under the Thomson and RCA brand names, has announced plans to offer a newly designed set-top gateway for delivering multiple entertainment services through telephone networks supporting broadband DSL technology. The device is the fruit of Nextream, a joint venture between Thomson and Alcatel.

"Thomson is extremely excited over the potential deployment of this new DSL set-top receiver for telephone network operators in all parts of the globe,'' said Thomson's Enrique Rodriguez, executive vice president - Multimedia Products. "Thomson is developing end-to-end solutions for a new era of video delivery. The total solution includes cost-effective customer premise equipment, video encoding and transport. This decoder is a key piece in the total solution.''

The set-top box will be called the RCA DSL 1500, and enables telephone service providers to deliver an array of broadband services such as TV channels with digital quality picture performance, video on demand (VOD), e-mail, Internet access, and other entertainment services.

The RCA DSL1500 features an Ethernet interface, an integrated ADSL modem, and integrated HPNA, a networking technology to distribute IP services throughout the home, to other decoders and multiple PCs. Thomson states that all models have the option of supporting personal video recording services through a hard disk drive.

Last month Nokia announced that it will also jump into the set-top box market offering a Linux-based box, the Media Terminal. Nokia's media terminal will ship with the Real Player already installed.

Thomson acquired stream indexing company Singing Fish in August of 2000.