iWorld
Broadcom announces VideoCore mobile multimedia processor support for Microsoft Windows Media Video
MUMBAI: Broadcom Corporation has announced that its VideoCore mobile multimedia platform now supports Microsoft Windows Media Video. Microsoft’s implementation of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineer’s 421M video compression standard is popularly referred to as VC-1.
With integrated Windows Media Video support, Broadcom’s VideoCore mobile multimedia technology will enable new mobile TV services that will be rolled out in 2006. Support for VC-1 on the Broadcom VideoCore family of processors means that these devices are ready to be incorporated into next generation cell phones and portable media players designed to receive DVB-H and other forms of mobile TV content.
“Windows Media Video is a key technology in the evolving mobile TV environment. Ensuring support for VC-1 broadens the range of applications and end devices we can enable with our VideoCore processors, which are emerging as the multimedia solutions of choice for advanced mobile media players,” said Broadcom director marketing Multimedia Mobile Multimedia business unit Robert Swann.
“The Windows Media platform offers efficient content delivery capabilities that are key to making broadcast TV on mobile handsets a reality. Broadcom is providing an optimized video solution for handset manufacturers who are building new business models for mobile TV. By supporting VC-1, Broadcom’s family of VideoCore processors will be capable of delivering the highest quality mobile video experience to consumers,” said Microsoft Corp director of Windows Digital Media Kevin Unangst.
Mobile TV has attracted considerable interest as a new service offering for mobile devices, extending the recent trend toward video viewing on portable devices into the realm of live, broadcast television. ABI Research estimates there will be as many as 104 million users of mobile TV technologies by 2009, a trend that Broadcom technology is helping to enable.
Based on Broadcom VideoCore technology, the BCM2702, BCM2722 and BCM2724 chips support a complete range of standards for multimedia applications, including VC-1 and H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) video codecs, and a complete range of audio codecs such as AAC+, WMA and BSAC. This flexibility and programmability make the processors ideal for any mobile TV standard being deployed and make a truly worldwide multi-standard mobile TV receiver possible.
In addition to supporting a broad range of technologies, VideoCore processors provide industry-leading power performance with the capability to decode both VC-1 and H.264 video while consuming less than 150mW. This unrivalled performance for a programmable solution will allow for extended mobile TV viewing times and battery life when compared to conventional software-based products.
VideoCore features a power-efficient, two-dimensional digital signal processing (DSP) architecture that is particularly effective at low-power multimedia processing. By being fully programmable, VideoCore technology enables developers to program and re-program different applications in software rather than requiring new chip designs for each new product.
iWorld
Netflix launches Playground app to bring games and interactive play for kids
Interactive games, fresh series and returning favourites aim to blend play and learning
MUMBAI: Netflix is doubling down on kids entertainment with a major expansion of its family-friendly slate, anchored by the launch of Netflix Playground, a new interactive app designed to blend play with storytelling.
Aimed at children aged eight and under, the app allows young viewers to engage with familiar characters from shows like Peppa Pig and Sesame Street through games and activities, all within a safe, ad-free environment. The app is already live in select markets and is set for a wider global rollout later this month.
The move signals Netflix’s push to turn passive viewing into a more immersive experience. Alongside the app, the platform has unveiled a mix of new titles and returning favourites, including fresh episodes of Trash Truck and The Creature Cases, as well as a new preschool series, Young MacDonald. Popular titles such as CoComelon Lane and Ms. Rachel are also set to expand with new seasons and episodes.
Speaking about the strategy, Netflix vice president of animation series and kids and family tv John Derderian said, “We’re building a world where kids can not only watch their favourite stories, they can step inside them and interact with their favourite characters. We’re creating a seamless destination for discovery, learning, and play.”
The expanded offering also leans heavily on convenience for parents, with offline access, curated content, and robust parental controls designed to ensure a safe and tailored viewing experience. Features such as profile locks, content filters, and activity tracking aim to give families greater control while allowing children to explore independently.
The timing is strategic. Kids and preschool content has emerged as one of Netflix’s most-watched categories in recent years, making it a key battleground in the streaming wars. By combining games, education, and entertainment, the platform is looking to deepen engagement and build long-term loyalty among younger audiences.
With interactive play now joining its content arsenal, Netflix is not just streaming stories but inviting kids to step inside them, turning screen time into something a little more hands-on.
