i3 breaks $100 barrier

i3 micro technology this week launched an IP set-top box that marks possibly the first time a unit can be bought for under $100 in volume.

The Mood130 is an MPEG-2 set-top box that is bundled with the company's Espial Escape browser and a JavaScript interface. The company is marketing the unit as either an inexpensive way for carriers to get into IP video or as a box for the second and third TV.

"Combined with either Home Powerline products or Scientific Atlanta's IP over coax adapters, there's some pretty cost effective ways for people get into this," said Gordon Lewandowski, vice president, U.S. operations for i3.

While the company has been gaining momentum with smaller independent telcos, i3 also has been in conversation with several larger carriers, though Lewandowski would not be specific. The Mood130, which will begin shipping in early summer, will include most of the standard U.S. interfaces including RF and S-video out. International versions will be adapted to specific countries' requirements.

"For IP TV, it can be used on any TV," Lewandowski said. "If a home has a PVR unit, that would be the second box. For deployments where what the service provider needs is basic MPEG-2 and fast channel changing, then the 130 is a great box."

Future versions of the product also will include MPEG-4 decoding, though the initial units will be built with support for the new compression.