eXtremeDB Embedded Database Enhances MOD Systems’ Home Media Server Firmware Design
August 31, 2009 — McObject®, developer of the eXtremeDB™ in-memory embedded database, announced that Seattle-based MOD Systems has integrated eXtremeDB into its firmware reference platform for home media server technology that plays Secure Digital (SD) memory card-based movies, TV shows and music videos provided in MOD Systems’ retail distribution system.
In the reference platform, eXtremeDB manages title, description, TV season, episode and other meta-data to help users navigate entertainment quickly. In previous media playback reference designs, MOD Systems’ engineers developed their own code, based on XML, C++ and hash table indexes, to manage this information.
But to address much larger content volume – up to 2 terabytes on forthcoming SDXC Cards – as well as increasingly complex data and data relationships in this next generation product, the company determined that using a commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded database would better meet critical development deadlines. That prediction turned out to be accurate, said MOD Systems Technical Program Manager Todd Duffin. “eXtremeDB had a quick learning curve and easily handled every use-case we attempted. Using eXtremeDB removed risks and unknowns inherent in custom-written code, shortening development time and proving the cost-effectiveness of this COTS solution,” he said.
Key database requirements were fast performance and minimal RAM and CPU demands, Duffin said. As an in-memory database system (IMDS), eXtremeDB eliminates SD Card and file I/O, caching and other processes that burden traditional database management system (DBMS) performance. MOD Systems benchmarked several embedded databases for the project, and “eXtremeDB turned in results almost 10 times faster than the next-closest competitor,” he said.
eXtremeDB’s small memory footprint sealed its selection for MOD Systems’ media server reference design. While other embedded databases typically consume a half megabyte of RAM or more, eXtremeDB’s code size is 100K or less, depending on platform and use of optional features. Manufacturers of set-top boxes, digital televisions and other consumer electronics will be encouraged to adopt the reference design. “Reducing a device’s RAM requirements represents direct manufacturing cost savings and eXtremeDB contributes significantly to this strength,” Duffin said.
MOD Systems, Inc. enables retailers to deliver digital entertainment to consumers through interactive kiosks for downloading music and movies to portable devices and SD cards. The company’s growing entertainment catalog, which contains nearly 4,000 video titles and 5 million music tracks, is part of the MOD Retail Enterprise System which handles all aspects of securing, ingesting, and fulfilling digital content in retail stores.
MOD Systems has completed significant milestones, including securing $35 million in funding from consumer electronics manufacturers including Toshiba and NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), and signing the first major U.S. studio agreements to distribute digital video from Warner Brothers and Paramount Digital Entertainment, along with other major and independent studios. More information about the company is available at www.modsystems.com.
McObject’s eXtremeDB provides a highly portable database management system that meets the unique performance requirements and resource constraints of embedded systems and intelligent, connected devices. eXtremeDB provides critical data management features—-including transactions, concurrent access, and a high-level data definition language—-while maintaining a code footprint as small as 50K. It is available as a standard in-memory database system and in editions offering high availability, hybrid in-memory/on-disk data storage, kernel mode data management, 64-bit support and more. McObject’s Perst™ is an open source, object-oriented embedded database, available for Java and .NET, including Android, Java ME and .NET Compact Framework.
About McObject
Founded by embedded database and real-time systems experts, McObject offers proven data management technology that makes applications and devices smarter, more reliable and more cost-effective to develop and maintain. McObject counts among its customers industry leaders such as Chrysler, Maximizer Software, Siemens, Phillips, EADS, JVC, Tyco Thermal Controls, F5 Networks, DIRECTV, CA, Motorola and Boeing. McObject, based in Issaquah, WA, is committed to providing innovative technology and first-rate services to customers and partners. The company can be reached at +1-425-888-8505, or visit www.mcobject.com.
McObject and eXtremeDB are trademarks or registered trademarks of McObject LLC. All other company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.