Microsoft is hard at work on the development of the Next-Generation IPTV System-on-a-Chip in collaboration with Broadcom. The partnership will result in the interoperability between the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV and multimedia platform and the Broadcom BCM7405 system on a chip (SOC). According to the Redmond company, the fruits of the collaboration will be implemented into the next-generation of set-top boxes.

"We're providing our Microsoft Mediaroom customers with innovative connected TV services that help differentiate them in the marketplace", said Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for Microsoft TV. "Broadcom's high-performing chipsets provide our customers with greater choice while allowing us to deliver new, richer TV applications."

The debut of 2008 International CES, in Las Vegas, is synonymous with a strong focus placed by Microsoft on its IPTV client software. According to the Redmond company, its Mediaroom set-top boxes will pass the 1 million milestone worldwide in the first quarter of 2008, with a rapid adoption rate in the background, as Microsoft's service provider customers are pushing IPTV services to two new households per minute.

The BCM7405 system on a chip technology from Broadcom will enable users to enjoy an extensive collection of features, including whole-home digital video recording, digital content sharing and high-performance user interfaces. But most importantly, it will permit providers and original equipment manufacturers to offer support for the new functionality, in order to convert users from traditional TV services.

"We are very pleased to be working with Microsoft on this important collaboration", said Richard Nelson, vice president of marketing for Broadcom's Broadband Communications Group. "Microsoft is driving the movement toward exciting and connected TV experiences, and we see increased synergy between the breadth of Broadcom product offerings and what Microsoft wants to enable within the whole-home DVR environment and beyond."