Intel acquires TI's cable modem unit, might be sneaking into your AV rack

Intel's been trying to break into the home entertainment market for years, and while it's made some inroads, it's also looking at a notable list of ho hum attempts that never managed to gain traction. Take the CE3100 processor, for instance -- a couple of years ago, the outfit seemed certain that this here chip would be powering every last living room box for the rest of eternity, and nowadays it's hardly a household name. But this week, Intel has picked up Texas Instruments' cable modem unit, which gives it a direct link into the very area it's been trying to exploit. The goal of the acquisition -- which is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of this year -- is to combine TI's Puma product lines with DOCSIS and Intel SoCs. Once that magical marriage takes place, Chipzilla intends to push out complex set-top boxes, residential gateways and modem products, possibly even going for the OEM artery. Details beyond that are few and far betwixt, but we doubt it'll be too long before the pickup begins to bear fruit.

What Everybody Should Know About Cable Modem

A system device that gives high-speed Internet access to your home via cable TV networks is generally known as cable modem. Cable modems are made to work over television lines, usually linked to the TV outlet for the transmission of cable TV. In order to have a fast access to the Internet, a cable modem is used.
Look for cheap cable modem now!
Cable modem comes as an internal, external or set-top box device. An external type of cable modem is a small with 2 cable connections, one to the cable wall outlet and the other being connected to a computer via a standard 10Base-T Ethernet card. An internal type of cable modem, on the other hand, is a PCI bus add-in card for a desktop PC. They can be used in desktop PCs only. Whilst the set-top box type is a cable modem in a cover that gives return channel through the plain old phone system.
Regular modems make use of a phone line to dial up and get connected to another modem. Cable modems connect a computer to an Internet service provider by translating the networks info therefore it can be handed back and forth within the cable channel. Cable modems can also be connected straight into your computer via a USB connection or a network card in your PC. A network card is some hardware that allows you to connect on a network. When a cable modem connection is made, it permits your computer to communicate with the cable modem. It will then serves as a normal modem in your computer. Simply turn the computer on. By having a cable modem, your connection is always on. Therefore, you don’t need to dial in. As your PC is on, you are connected to the Internet, instantly.
Cable modems vary in cost. Since there isn’t a universal standard for them, you will need to get a cable modem that works with your specific provider. There are several companies who are providing or have released cable modem products. They include: 3Com, Bay Networks, Com21, General Instrument, Hayes, Hybrid Networks, Motorola, NEC, New Media Communication, neighborhood, Scientific Atlanta, Terayon, Toshiba, U.S. Robotics and Zenith.
CheapDSLModem.org covers meaning of cable modem, kinds of cable modems, companies that provides cheap cable modem and basically how modem works. He also provide suggestions in where to acquire cheap DSL modems at http://www.cheapdslmodem.org.

http://adf.ly/4JKL

Motorola SURFboard SB5120 - Cable modem - external - Hi-Speed USB / Fast Ethernet - 38 Mbps

Product Description

Motorola's next-generation SURFboard SB5120 Cable Modem incorporates the latest DOCSIS 2.0 Advanced Time Division Multiple Access (A-TDMA) and Sychnronous Code Division Multiple Access (S-CDMA) technologies to provide up to three times greater upstream capacity than DOCSIS 1.0/1.1 systems. Packed with power, the SB5120 is interoperable and backward compatible with DOCSIS 1.0 and 1.1 for a fast and timely transition - operators can deploy the SB5120 today without a service interruption.The Motorola SURFboard SB5120 is flexible and allows operators to maximize their current infrastructure investments and also offer additional cost-effective services, all at the same time. Convenient for both operators and end-users alike, the SURFboard SB5120 ensures end-user security via a top-mounted stand-by switch that quickly isolates the USB and Ethernet connection to the PC without disconnecting the cable modem from the RF network. What's more, the SB5120 simplifies troubleshooting with its front panel status indicator LEDs and integrated HTML diagnostics page. The SURFboard SB5120 is competitively priced and includes many of the valuable features found in previous SURFboard models, such as USB and Ethernet connectivity, software upgrades available over the network, proven field reliability, a quality, advanced RF design, and a high-performance processor.Highly functional and attractive, the Motorola SURFboard SB5120 features a new, compact design that is a stylish and clutter-free addition to virtually any desktop.

Details

• Latest DOCSIS 2.0 Advanced Time Division Multiple Access (A-TDMA) and Sychnronous Code Division Multiple Access (S-CDMA) technologies
• Compatible with DOCSIS 1.0 and 1.1 for a fast and timely transition
• Convenient for both operators and end-users alike

Comcast's New VOIP Modems Offer Blackout Protection

by Natali T. Del Conte

Comcast said Monday that is offering a new cable modem with a battery backup, providing some level of assurance that VOIP services will continue to operate in the event of a power outage.

Comcast has placed orders for an undisclosed number of Motorola SBV5220 modems, Motorola representatives said. The modems will be used in conjunction with Comcast's Digital Voice offering, which costs $39.95 per month including unlimited local and long-distance calling. Users will not have to pay to upgrade.

VoIP's reputation has generally suffered from two criticisms: first, that the service does not allow the use of location-based 911 services without configuration from the user, and second, that the service's modems and routers are susceptible to power outages. The SBV5220, a combination cable modem and phone adapter often referred to as an embedded Multimedia Terminal Adapter (eMTA), solves that problem with its lithium-ion battery back-up, which provides up to eight hours of extended battery life.

"The rise in VoIP services and folks using VOiP to replace the primary landline [was the reason we created this new modem]," said Paul Alfieri, a spokesperson for Motorola. "Landlines have power already in the line so should your power go out, you can still make and receive phone calls. So this is just a way to deliver more comparable service."

Comcast will offer the new modem to customers later this year with Comcast Digital Voice, an IP-based service that uses the company's broadband network rather than the Internet to transmit phone calls. Comcast has offered Digital Voice since late 2004 but up until now has only provided modems made by ARRIS, a Canadian company.

"ARRIS and Motorola are our two eMTA partners that we've announced to date," said Jeanne Russo, a Comcast spokeswoman. "They both have the battery back up. It's an important requirement for our Digital Voice service."

Comcast's first-quarter earnings reported over 416,000 Digital Voice customers. Cox Communications, one of Comcast's main competitors, reportedly has over 1.5 million customers on their Digital Telephone plan but the company does not use eMTAs, instead installing a Network Interface Unit (NIU) to the side of customer's homes. Cox provides back-up power so that their NIUs are not susceptible to power outages.

Motorola currently sells modems without lithium-ion back-ups to all of the major cable companies but Comcast is the first to order the SBV5220. It can service up to two phone lines in the home using standard RJ-11 telephone connectors, as well as connect to a computer with either an Ethernet cable or USB data port.

Users must also own a phone equipped with its own battery backup to be able to place calls during a power outage. Some wired phones are also powered solely by the phone line.

Editor's Note: Through an editing error, a previous version of the article erroneously stated that the Motorola modem was the first modem with battery backup that Comcast had marketed.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1966170,00.asp