Device Profile: Siemens Speedstream IP set-top box

By Linux Devices
2004-11-23

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The Siemens Speedstream 8xxx set-top box for home entertainment, V2.0, is an all-in-one Linux-based device providing a wide range of home gateway and entertainment functions. It targets "triple play" (voice, data, video) television network operators, who can choose from several processors and DSP types, depending on their application.

Siemens HE or "Speedstream" STB
(Click to enlarge)

The Speedstream can provide functions that include:

Television-based broadband Internet access
Web gaming
Email access
Classical, IP, video, and PC telephony
IP-TV
Pay-TV
Video-on-demand, audio-on-demand
Walled garden applications (closed TV systems)
Parental control
PVR (personal video recorder)

Future firmware upgrades could expand functionality to include next-generation features, such as:

Video calls to mobile networks (UMTS)
Calling Line Identification Presentation (CLIP) and other traditional voice call features
Messaging (SMS and MMS)
Viewing pictures from memory cards

The Speedstream requires a TV set, DSL broadband access, analog telephone, service account for using the applications, and an infrastructure provided by the network operator or service provider.

The Speedstream connects to all sorts of consumer devices
(Click to enlarge)

What's under the hood?

The Speedstream 8xxx is available in a number of different processor/DSP/DRAM configurations, customizable to operator specifications.

I/O ports abound on the Speedstream 8xxx
(Click to enlarge)

I/O ports include an RJ-45 ADSL line interface, RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet LAN interface, 2x USB 1.1 for card readers, an RJ-45/11 for central office line, an RJ-45/11 POTS interface, SCART, S-Video out, and S/PDIF out.

The device measures 1.7 x 11 x 17 inches (45 x 280 x 430mm), and weighs 3.5 pounds (1,600 grams). It comes with an infrared remote control, with an infrared keyboard optionally available.

On the software side, the Speedstream runs MontaVista Linux, with a 2.4.20 kernel. It also includes a Java VM and JDK from Skelmir, and an Espial Escape web browser, said to offer customizability and a future-proof, modular design. Macrovision copy protection is available with required license.

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