PowerVR's Other TV Solution

VideoLogic announced that its PowerVR 3D will power the next generation Microsoft TV set-top box development platform (code-named Orion-HD1) from STMicroelectronics. The first boxes will include the PowerVR 3D PCI chipset with later implementations of the box using the PowerVR Series3 processor.

Microsoft has been eyeing the set-top box market since purchasing WebTV from Sony. The Orion-HD1 machines have the ability to output high-end digital cinema sound, 2D/3D graphics, and HDTV/SDTV resolutions.

While games have yet to be announced for the platform, Microsoft branding and the reinvigoration of the PowerVR name with the Neon 250 graphics card and the Dreamcast should bode well for the device - we'll keep our ears and eyes open until then.