ALi launches set-top and sound bar combo platform

Chipset specialist ALi has launched a new DVB-plus-sound bar combination based on its DVB-C/T2/S2 and IPTV video streaming chipset.

The application supports premium-quality streaming music delivery to the set-top.

According to ALi, the solution fills a gap in the market created by moves by TV manufacturers to create devices that are as slim as possible, leaving little space for speakers that require volume in order to deliver decent sound, leading to the need to connect sound bars with TVs, set-tops and other equipment. The ALi chipset removes the need for this by combining set-top with sound bar for both video and audio.

The application not only enhances sound quality of audio streaming from the TV broadcast but also functions as a standalone speaker capable of playing music from local USB storage, mobile devices via Bluetooth technology, and online services such as Spotify, Qobuz, and Deezer, without having to turn on the TV, according to the company. In addition, ALi has also enabled remote control of the set-top/sound bar solution on Android smartphones.

“ALi’s chipsets are high performing solutions to support a wide range of innovative and diverse applications,” said Ben Lin, chairman and CEO of ALi Corporation. “The STB/Sound Bar combo we are introducing is an example of how ALi chipsets can be used to push the frontiers of home entertainment technology and inspire additional cutting-edge applications.”