Dune HD @ CES 2013

There’s always something cool just around the corner from Dune HD, so it is one of the first companies that makes it on my CES list and this go round was no exception. The two most interesting items have already be covered but there was a more that was worth mentioning too. Click through to get the rundown from our meeting with Dune HD and some picutures of the devices they brought along to the show.

• Launching a high-end Intel CE515 “Berryville” player late summer. This is very interesting, not only because it combines Dune HD’s expertise in the media streamer market with the visual candy and core functionality that XBMC provides, but also because it marks a shift away from Sigma Designs hardware. Dune HD wouldn’t comment directly on the specifics of the decision, but it’s hard not to speculate that Sigma’s inability to deliver modern high-end SoCs in a timely way, or at all (8911 = vapor unavailable in quantity), played a large part. 
• “Launch on Power-On” firmware coming soon. Launches first on the TV-303D.
• Zappiti Player, TV-303D and Base 3D (Sigma Designs 8672/8673) should launch in the next 30 days.
• “Pro” will now be based on same Intel platform as the the Max instead of Sigma Designs 891x
• Next gen UI with metadata features, “jukebox”, VUDU, etc. for Sigma Designs SoC still in progress.
• Connect (HDMI dongle streamer) is planned for retail release, but is currently limited to MSO depoyments

Dune HD