Chipmaker ViXS Systems is using this week’s confab in Las Vegas to demo the CordCutter TV streaming stick a device that converts over-the-air TV signals to IP format, enabling a variety of connected video devices to receive, decode and display free HDTV content.

ViXS said it has developed the device, a “while labeled” product for original equipment manufacturers, in partnership with Geniatch, a free-to-air TV tech specialist, and Nuvyyo, which designed the CordCutter TV’s interface, which will support platforms such as the Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV (via AirPlay), Google Chromecast adapter, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, and Web browsers.

Nuvyyo is also the company behind the Tablo OTA DVR for cord-cutters.

The product bakes in ViXS’s XCode 5505 hardware transcoding platform, sports single-tuner support for ATSC OTA reception, a real-time OTA streaming server, and Ethernet or WiFi streaming to video devices.

ViXS said the CordCutter TV platform is available for orders today, with samples to become available in May, and production set for June 2016. 

Taking aim at a growing consumer segment, video chipmaker ViXS has introduced the CordCutter TV Stick, a single-stream transcoder that delivers over-the-air TV programming to mobile devices.

The CordCutter TV Stick, powered by the company’s XCode 5505 chipset, will become available in the first quarter of 2016, ViXS said. The company’s new chipset is available now.

ViXS did not release pricing on its new streaming stick, but the company will show off its OTA streaming wares at this week’s International CES in Las Vegas (booth MP26055 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 2, lower level).

ViXS said the CordCutterTV Stick features ATSC/DVB OTA reception options, streaming via Ethernet or WiFi, and support for iOS and Android clients. Its XCode 5505 provides single-stream transcoding of HD video, a USB 2.0 host port, and is powered by a 600 MHz CPU.

Toronto-based ViXS is introducing the OTA TV stick as traditional pay TV operators battle a small, but growing cord-cutting trend. The top 13 U.S. MVPDs lost 190,000 net video subs in Q3 2015, according to Leichtman Research Group.

Sling Media revealed last week that a chipset from ViXS Systems is helping to power the MS4000 Media Streamer, a stand-alone Slingbox tailored for cable operators and other types of multichannel video programming distributors.

Sling said the network transcoder used in the device uses the ViXS XCode 5190 chipset, which can handle full 1080p video delivery and up to four independent video feeds, live or recorded, to mobile devices.

Arris, off its exclusive distribution and technology licensing deal with Sling Media announced last fall, has secured at least two operator deals for the MS4000 Media Streamer -- Service Electric Cable TV and Comporium.

Sling Media noted that the network transcoder used in its MVPD-tailored Slingbox uses the same baseline technology as its retail products, including the recently introduced Slingbox M1 (a new entry-level model) and rebranded and refreshed SlingTV model.

“Deploying Sling technology is one of the best ways for operators to extend the entire living room TV experience anywhere and our retail Slingbox products have long been a leader in this space. We are pleased to again be working with our long-time partner, ViXS, to deliver this solution to MSOs and MVPDs who are looking to add more value to their current customer offerings,” Michael Hawkey, Sling Media’s SVP and GM, said in a statement. “The Sling Media network transcoder provides a seamless way to integrate Sling technology for new and existing customers, further enhancing cable & telco TV offerings by extending the entertainment experience beyond the living room TV.”

Entropic Communications, a set-top and MoCA chipmaker that’s already undergoing a major restructuring, said its board has authorized the company to pursue “a wide range of alternatives” aimed at boosting shareholder value.

Entropic, which hired Barclays for the exercise, did not outline any specific alternatives it will pursue and whether that might include a potential sale of Entropic, but the announcement caused Entropic shares to jump almost 7% in mid-day trading Tuesday.

Entropic said it has not set a timetable on that effort, and won’t disclose more until after its board approves a specific action or otherwise concludes its review.

On Monday, Entropic announced that it and with rival company ViXS Systems settled their litigation and have entered a cross-licensing agreement, a move that seemingly removes any legal-facing hang-ups that might trouble Entropic's pursuit of a sale or another strategic alternative.

Entropic is considering alternatives amid a plan to streamline its R&D and speed up its return to profitability. In June, Entropic announced it would lay off 23% of its global workforce as part of its reorg. It ended the first quarter of 2014 with about 650 employees and expects to reduce that to fewer than 500 in the fourth quarter of 2014. That will follow smaller restructuring last summer that included a 10% layoff.

Entropic, which also competes with Broadcom, announced revised third quarter guidance on Tuesday, and now expects revenues to be $43 million alongside a GAAP loss per share of 28 cents, versus original third quarter guidance of a loss of 24 cents on revenues of $49 million to $51 million. Entropic said the revisions were primarily due to sales softness for its satellite TV outdoor unit (ODU) business, but said it has won some key designs recently to help it take steps toward break-even.

At the end of the second quarter, Entropic had four customers driving more than 10% of revenues: WNC, a supplier into DirecTV (25%); CyberTAN, a subcontractor for Cisco Systems (14%); Actiontec, a supplier to Verizon Communications (14%); and MTI, a supplier of ODU gear to satellite TV companies (11%).

“Our Board of Directors and management are committed to taking the appropriate steps to enhance value for Entropic shareholders and we have determined that undertaking a thorough and deliberative evaluation of strategic alternatives, with the assistance of financial advisors, is in the best interests of the Company and all of our shareholders," Patrick Henry, president and CEO of Entropic, said in a statement. "The entire Entropic team is fully committed to meeting the needs of our OEM customers and service provider partners and we will continue to provide them with industry-leading solutions for connected home entertainment throughout this process."

Following a string of lawsuits about alleged patent violations and unfair trade practices, chipmakers Entropic Communications and ViXS Systems announced Monday that they have settled all litigation and agreed to execute cross-licensing deals that cover patents linked to the litigation.

The peace agreement smooths out what has been a rocky relationship between rivals that has grown more competitive in part because both companies make silicon for Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA), a high-speed home networking platform for set-tops, gateways and Ethernet-over-coax bridge devices.

Last May, Entropic targeted ViXS in a California district court, alleging that its competitor had infringed on two of its “core” home coax networking patents.

In April of this year, ViXS filed a complaint at the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that Entropic had engaged in unfair trade practices by using certain set-tops, gateways and other devices that, it claimed, infringed on four asserted patents. ViXS also complained that Entropic's timing was suspect becasue the suit was targeting ViXS as the Toronto-based company was in the midst of an initial public offering. ViXS's complaint also sought to halt the importation into the U.S. and sale after importation products that use Entropic’s MoCA silicon, and included DirecTV, Wistron NeWeb Corp., and CyberTAN on the list of defendants. The settlement announced Monday dismissed actions against those defendants, the companies said.

Other terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

"Today's settlement allows both companies to move on as two of the industry's innovation leaders," said Patrick Henry, president and CEO, Entropic, in a statement. "We have set aside our differences while addressing the needs of our customers, our shareholders and the industry."

"We are pleased to find an amicable and effective solution to the litigation with Entropic," added Sally Daub, president and CEO, ViXS. "We expect to continue the productive collaboration the companies have established over the years."