XStreamHD To Use Jennic Remote, Zigbee PRO Technology

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 12/4/2009

McLean, Va. - Satellite-delivered digital entertainment service XStreamHD said Thursday that it has selected Sheffield, U.K.-based Jennic to supply the remote control system for its forthcoming XStreamHD service.

Called the XStreamHD RF One remote control, the system will employ ZigBee PRO and Jennic's JN5148 ultra-low-power wireless microcontroller technology.

XStreamHD will announce at International CES next month launch plans for its high-definition video and audio digital entertainment service.

XStreamHD's service will provide a whole-home HD entertainment solution offering FullHD (1080p) video content, and up to 7.1 channels of lossless audio, including DTS-HD Master Audio and FLAC, via satellite.

Content will include movies, music and electronic games, which XStreamHD said will be delivered in higher-quality formats than are typically available from Internet, cable, telco or other satellite-delivered services.

Hardware will include an HD media server to access signals that can be multi-streamed to XStreamHD media receivers or other DNLA-certified devices in the home, including HDTVs, laptops, audio equipment and game consoles.

ZigBee PRO networking technology will address both current needs and future developments, the company said.

The remote control system will employ both RF and IR technology to allow the XStreamHD media receivers to be located out of the line-of-sight.

"XStreamHD provides consumers with unmatched HD entertainment quality and convenience that is enhanced with our advanced, ergonomic RF One remote control to complete the product offering," said George Gonzalez, XStreamHD founder and CEO. "Jennic's JN5148 technology was selected because it is uniquely placed to meet and even exceed those expectations."

Jennic's JN5148 supports over-the-air downloads and multi-image boot loading, future-proofing features that ensure the remote control will always deliver optimal performance for consumers.