Intel lines up partners for Viiv digital content

 

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By Alun Williams

Posted on 1 Dec 2005 at 16:40

Intel has fleshed out some of the services that can be expected for its Viiv platform, for home-based access to multimedia entertainment.

Companies such as BSkyB, TiVo, Napster and Tiscali are among those that have signed up to Intel's technology, which will work with Microsoft's Media Center, but also add extra connectivity options. The hardware that the chip-giant provides - under the Viiv platform logo - will effectively be the digital technology that controls access to the digital content.

The general manager of Intel's Content Services Group, Kevin Corbett, highlighted the way the Internet is changing the way the broadband-enabled access multimedia content. 'Intel intends to accelerate this trend through our strong relationships with leaders in digital entertainment,' said Corbett. 'This is about Intel Viiv technology-based PCs not only connecting to the TV, but also delivering the latest movies at home, creating 'music DJs,' playing games and showcasing home photos and videos - it's a "one-stop-shop" for entertainment.'

To this end, Intel is signing up providers who will offer downloads of their content to various portable media devices or laptops or desktops. These will, of course, have to be verified as working with Viiv in order to carry the logo 'Enjoy with Intel Viiv technology'.

For renting and downloading movies and TV programmes, Intel announces it us working with companies such as BSkyB, Canal + Group, Movielink, NEC, Telecom Italia, Tiscali and TiVo. The Viiv hardware will enable suitably-controlled access to subscription-based, pay-per-view or free on-demand services.

When it comes to music, Intel name checks Loudeye, Medion, Napster and VirginMega among those who will be providing streamed or downloaded content.

Ubisoft and Capcom are among those on board when it comes to providing gaming services.

Note that Viiv will be 'DRM agnostic', an Intel spokesperson insisted, ruling out any assumptions about Intel's hardware-based PC implementations of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which could underpin the DRM strategy of the Trusted Computing Group, which includes Intel, Microsoft, HP, AMD and IBM among its members. The TPM provides chipset-based support for encryption and security functions and provides the low-level means for implementing higher-level control strategies, such as DRM, a central issue when discussing the flow of digital content.

Viiv (pronounced vive) was unveiled at the Summer IDF. Just as the Centrino badge can only be used on notebooks with Intel Pentium M processors, Intel chipsets and Intel wireless chips, the Viiv badge will only be available to use on PCs with an Intel dual-core processor, Intel chipset, Intel networking chips and - it seems likely - Intel audio chipsets. The only other confirmed component is Microsoft's Media Center operating system.

You can read more about Viiv, which is scheduled for full availability at the beginning of 2006, at www.intel.com/viiv/.