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Streaming-media support added to Geode chip

National Semiconductor has licensed TriMedia's TM32A media processor core for use with National's Geode system-on-a-chip processor. National will use the TM32A to handle multimedia, such as streaming video, freeing the Geode for more mundane processing tasks. The chip combo will cost about $70 and will be marketed for use products such as set-top boxes and Internet appliances. Staring in about two years, National plans to integrate the TriMedia graphics core into the Geode chip itself. TriMedia, formerly of Philips Electronics, was recently spun out as its own company with the backing of Philips and Sony. National, with its licensing agreement, also took a stake in the new company.

John G. Spooner Staff Writer, CNET News.com
John Spooner
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John G. Spooner
National Semiconductor has licensed TriMedia's TM32A media processor core for use with National's Geode system-on-a-chip processor. National will use the TM32A to handle multimedia, such as streaming video, freeing the Geode for more mundane processing tasks. The chip combo will cost about $70 and will be marketed for use products such as set-top boxes and Internet appliances.

Staring in about two years, National plans to integrate the TriMedia graphics core into the Geode chip itself. TriMedia, formerly of Philips Electronics, was recently spun out as its own company with the backing of Philips and Sony. National, with its licensing agreement, also took a stake in the new company.