Silicon firm boasts quad-stream video transcoding for reference development kit (RDK) IP-enabled devices

Mari Silbey, Senior Editor, Cable/Video

June 10, 2013

1 Min Read
Zenverge Plugs Into RDK

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Cable Show -- Let the transcoding wars begin. As the Cable Show opens here this week, Zenverge Inc. is unveiling a transcoding plug-in for the Comcast-developed reference development kit (RDK) for cable IP set-top boxes, home media gateways and other IP-enabled devices. Hot on the heels of the company's launch of its video gateway solutions based on the ZN200 system-on-a-chip, Zenverge says it now supports Comcast software stack in a way that exceeds the work of its silicon rivals. (See Zenverge Preps New Gateway Solutions.) "Other companies are integrating RDK," said a Zenverge spokesperson, "but very few are actually contributing to the specs." Zenverge is using the ZN200 as the foundation for quad-stream transcoding in RDK-enabled devices. The SoC can transcode up to four HD streams at the same time and can transfer DVR content to mobile devices at four times the rate of normal playback speed. Zenverge also claims the ZN200 has the smallest memory footprint among comparable chipsets on the market. As home gateways grow in popularity, the ability to transcode QAM video into IP for mobile distribution around the home will become an increasingly important feature. The ZN200 is already in use with Arris Group Inc.'s MG2402 media gateway, which is based on the RDK, and the TiVo Inc. Stream box, among other products. Last week Broadcom Corp. announced its high-powered system-on-a-chip, which also includes quad-stream transcoding and support for Comcast's RDK. (See Broadcom Unveils 1.6G Gateway Chip.) — Mari Silbey, Special to Light Reading Cable

About the Author(s)

Mari Silbey

Senior Editor, Cable/Video

Mari Silbey is a senior editor covering broadband infrastructure, video delivery, smart cities and all things cable. Previously, she worked independently for nearly a decade, contributing to trade publications, authoring custom research reports and consulting for a variety of corporate and association clients. Among her storied (and sometimes dubious) achievements, Mari launched the corporate blog for Motorola's Home division way back in 2007, ran a content development program for Limelight Networks and did her best to entertain the video nerd masses as a long-time columnist for the media blog Zatz Not Funny. She is based in Washington, D.C.

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