Sigma Designs announces availability of the first low-cost Microsoft Mediaroom compatible set top box platform based on Sigma's SMP8652 media processor SoC. SMP8652-based set top box designs have completed integration with Mediaroom client software and are anticipated to begin deployment with leading carriers in the second half of 2010.

Microsoft's Mediaroom platform has achieved unparalleled success in establishing the premier solution for IPTV deployments of all sizes. Mediaroom is the world's most deployed IPTV platform, with a global customer base delivering services to more than five million subscriber households. Mediaroom is also enjoying increased deployments in new geographies and segments where the business model demands very low-cost set top boxes along with the high performance required to deliver an increasing set of features and improved user experience.

To meet these emerging demands, Sigma Designs established a new low-cost IPTV platform using the second-generation SMP8652 media processor. The SMP8652's efficient architecture offers substantial savings for new set top box designs while providing all the performance required to deliver high-quality Mediaroom user experiences. Multiple Mediaroom OEMs are currently designing new set top boxes based around the SMP8652 for low-cost applications such as additional rooms in the home.

Additionally, OEMs are also moving ahead with implementations of the SMP8654, another Mediaroom platform from Sigma offering even higher performance within the same family of devices. The first to market will be Tatung, with its recently approved SMP8652-based set top boxes.