MDS offers two standalone platforms for the development of Digital Media adapter (DMA) devices based on NXP Semiconductors PNX1500 and PNX1700 devices.

DMA (datasheet) - full featured client/server with multiple expansion options. Sometimes called "DMA-THICK" to distinguish it from the Thin version.
DMA-THIN (datasheet) - Client only (playback) low-cost design.

Complete systems

Ever increasing customer expectations for ease of use, and the need to support a large and growing number of standards for networked media (DLNA, uPnP, etc.), could make product development from scratch a slow and costly undertaking. A number of NXP Semiconductors Nexperia partner companies have ported their middleware and applications to the DMA platform. For example see Ant's Pure Play and Macrovision's Media Player Software .

box picture of DMA unit front

DMA full-featured platform supporting client and server applications

box picture of DMA thin unit

DMA THIN client-only platform

DMA client/server platform

This full-featured platform provides hardware interfaces for both encoding and decoding audio and video, as well IDE (ATA) or SATA interfaces for creating PVR applications. A DVD drive is also available, and when combined with Mocean Lab's software, provides a DVD player solution.

The platform provides a number of expansion connectors to allow A/V connectivity hardware to be attached to the unit.

DMA-THIN client platform

The DMA-THIN unit is a minimal design that can play-back content over a network connection. As a reference design, it needs minimal modification to adapt it to your own product design.

In consumer quantity, the materials cost for the board will typically be less than US$ 50. A typical parts list is available here for download so that you can estimate your design. The reference design kit includes a complete bill of materials with manufacturer's part numbers.

Networking

Both the DMA and DMA-Thin have wired and wireless networking capabilities. A WiFi card is included with both the DMA and DMA-Thin, and uses the mini-PCI expansion connector to add 802.11 wireless networking capability. To develop code for networking, you will need to separately purchase either the Fusion or Blunk TCP/IP stack.

Development tools

To be able to write code for the DMA platform and download to flash, the following is needed:

NDK-5 The NXP Semiconductors compiler/linker tools and build framework for PNX1500/PNX1700 processor families.
PCI-JTAG or USB-JTAG JTAG interface card for program download/run and debug on stand-alone systems like the DMA and DMA-Thin.
Optional software libraries: audio and video codecs, networking, and media browsers . MDS carries software libraries from our partner companies. These libraries include the MPTK bundle of library code from NXP which includes decoders for MPEG2 (includes layer 2/3 audio), MPEG4, H.264, DivX, and Windows Media. To develop code for networking, you will need to separately purchase either the Fusion or Blunk TCP/IP stack.

To be able to rebuild the demonstration applications that ship with the DMA, you will need the following software libraries (all available from MDS in the NXP MPTK Bundle):

MPEG2 video, layer 2/3 audio, jpeg
MEPG4 (includes AAC audio)
DivX
H.264 decoder
WMV/WMA decoder
Fusion or Blunk TCP/IP stack

To enable recording of video you will need one or more of the following (from our "third-party" partner companies):

MPEG2 video encoder library
MPEG4 video encoder library
AAC Audio Encoder library
MPEG2 layer 2 or 3 audio encoder

Note that the MPTK bundle includes an MPEG-1/2 layer-3 encoder library component. Also an Ogg Vorbis audio encoder and decoder is available from MDS, at no charge.

More help?

In addition to providing tools, libraries, and platforms, MDS offers consulting services to assist you with getting your implementation into production. MDS also works with an array of 3rd party software suppliers such as Alarity, Blunk, Macrovision, and Ant Limited to offer custom versions of their standard products. Please use this webform to request more information.

Ordering information

Note that the availability of a particular hardware feature in the platform does not mean that software for a particular use of it is included with the kit. Please contact MDS or your distributor with your detailed requirements.

For complete details of each part number please see the datasheets.

DMA

DMA15-KIT: DMA demonstration and development unit based on PNX15XX. $3,995
DMA17-KIT: DMA demonstration and development unit based on PNX17XX. $3,995

DMA-DESF: DMA-15/DMA-17 Design Info transfer fee - includes schematics (OrCAD and PDF), layout files (PCAD 2002), Gerbers, BOM. PNX1500 or PNX17XX based. Includes 10 hours of engineering support. NDA required. $5,000

DMA-PROTO: prototyping card breaks out all A/V signals to .1" grid. $695 (set of two cards).

DMA-THIN

DMATHIN15-KIT: DMA-THIN demonstration and development unit based on PNX15XX. $3,395
DMATHIN17-KIT: DMA-THIN demonstration and development unit based on PNX17XX. $3,395

DMATHIN-DESF: DMA-THIN-15/DMA-THIN-17 Design Info transfer fee - includes schematics (PCAD and PDF), layout files (PCAD 2002), Gerbers, BOM. PNX1500 or PNX17XX based. Includes 10 hours of engineering support. NDA required. $5,000

Please use this webform to request more information.