[IDF2009] Intel introduces CE4100

The keynotes of the third and last day of Intel's Developer Forum 2009 were provided by Eric Kim and Justin Rattner. Kim is the general manager of Intel's consumer electronics branch, while Rattner is CTO, making him responsible of Intel's research branch. Almost the entire keynote was dedicated to the developments in the television market. After Intel introduced the CE3100 System-on-Chip processor on last years IDF, they've become determined to become an important player in the market of consumer electronics. The unique thing about the CE3100 is the combination of an x86 processor with a media processor. This makes it possible to use more complex interfaces and functionalities than conventional devices would allow.

The most important announcement was that of the successor to the CE3100, a chip branded Atom CE4100. The name immediately resembles its key feature: the CPU-core the new chip is based on is Intel's very own Atom processor. The CE4100 chip supports the simultaneous decoding and processing of two 1080p videostreams, required with modern-day Blu-ray discs. The speed of the integrated 3D-engine has been doubled in comparison to the CE3100. The new chip also supports capturing uncompressed 1080p video.

Intel showed a concept user interface for televisions and settopboxes that extensively uses 3D-graphics. The concept also allows to share recorded TV-programs with friends and family.

Additional announcements included improvements to make the CE-platform more flexible. Adobe stated that Flash 10 is now supported on Intel's CE-chips as well, providing developers with an extra foundation to design their programs. TransGaming introduced GameTree.tv, a portal which allows several games to be played on CE3100/4100-powered devices.

In his keynote, Rattner spent quite some time talking about 3DTV. During last month's IFA, we already saw that basically every manufacturer presented 3D televisions to the public, and Intel seems to be wanting to contribute as well. A demonstration was held showing a third-party developed 3D TV based on laser-technology, as well as new methods to distribute 3D images live. Intel's exact position in this area shamefully wasn't clarified.

Lastly, the Light Peak technology was demonstrated again. This optical interconnect is to make it possible to connect systems  at speeds of up to 10 Gigabit/s.

De CE3100 (left) and CE4100 (right) in hands of Eric Kim.

Tags: hd atom blu-ray ifa

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