Patent ID: 7908623

Claim:
A multimedia system, comprising: a computer for receiving audio data and video data from a source and transmitting said data serially over a high speed serial link; a set-top box remote from said computer, said set-top box connected via said link to said computer, said set-top box including: a southbridge module with a link interface connected to said high speed serial link over which said southbridge module receives said audio data and video data from said computer, said southbridge module having at least one audio playback channel for receiving said audio data; and a graphics processor connected to said southbridge module, said graphics processor receiving said video data from said southbridge module, processing said video data and providing a video output in at least one display format; at least one display device connected to said graphics processor of said set-top box for receiving and displaying said video output; and at least one speaker connected to said audio playback channel of said southbridge module, said at least one speaker receiving said audio data directly from said southbridge module via said audio playback channel; said computer and said set-top box together being operative to provide to a viewer of said multimedia system full high definition television capability and full personal computer capability on said at least one display device without installation in said set-top box of any hardware or software of said computer.