Semiconductor company Sigma Designs has introduced a second-generation chip for IPTV set-top boxes that the company claims offers a 50% performance improvement. Sigma has been the only set-top chip contributor to Microsoft's Mediaroom IPTV platform. That might be kind of like a tight, but little-known garage band opening for The Rolling Stones: It is a surprising and tremendous gig to have, and you have to keep fighting off bigger names from taking over your position.

Of course, Microsoft's IPTV dominance can be compared to The Stones' reign over rock in other ways: Despite cracks in the facade, the power remains as full as ever.

For more:
- see this coverage [1] at Light Reading's Cable Digital News

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