Tech Giants Make Moves in Digital Camera and Set-Top Markets

Strategic Insights -

IBM Corp.'s microelectronics unit will announce the development of CCD sensors for the digital camera market, allowing vendors to build megapixel cameras at affordable prices. Meanwhile, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures has invested $10 million in Wink Communications, and Sony Electronics has taken a stake in General Instrument Corp. in exchange for a licensing deal. Additionally, IGST Technologies is sampling its Cyberpro5300 multimedia processor, which has already garnered thousands of orders from major set-top box manufacturers.

Key Takeaways:

  • IBM's CCD sensors will enable camera vendors to build megapixel cameras at prices ranging from $300 to $500, with a pixel density of 1.3 million and 2 million pixels.
  • Sony's investment in General Instrument Corp. will allow GI to use Sony's middleware and 1394 silicon in their set-top boxes, incorporating home-networking capabilities.
  • IGST Technologies' Cyberpro5300 multimedia processor will be used in set-top boxes by America Online Inc., Acer Inc., and Sun Microsystems Inc., among others, with prices ranging from $14 to $19 per chip, depending on quantities ordered.
  • Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures has invested $10 million in Wink Communications, Inc., which will deploy its software on Charter Communications and Marcus Cable's systems.
  • IGST Technologies' Cyberpro chip combines a 2D/3D graphics accelerator, TV tuner, video processor, audio processor, and software modem, offering a comprehensive solution for set-top box manufacturers.

Statistics:

  • IBM's CCD sensors will offer a pixel density of 1.3 million and 2 million pixels.
  • The prices of cameras using IBM's CCD sensors will range from $300 to $500.
  • IGST Technologies' Cyberpro5300 multimedia processor will be used in set-top boxes by several major manufacturers, including America Online Inc.
  • The prices of IGST Technologies' Cyberpro chip will range from $14 to $19, depending on quantities ordered.
  • IGST Technologies has already received thousands of orders for its Cyberpro5300 processor.
  • Sony's investment in General Instrument Corp. totals $187.5 million.
  • Vulcan Ventures' investment in Wink Communications, Inc. is $10 million.

Sources:

  • [IBM Corp.]
  • [Sound Vision Inc.]
  • [Wink Communications Inc.]
  • [Vulcan Ventures Inc.]
  • [General Instrument Corp.]
  • [IGST Technologies Inc.]
  • [America Online Inc.]
  • [Acer Inc.]
  • [Sun Microsystems Inc.]