Motorola has introduced a new concept in multimedia set-top box design which is intended to allow users to transfer content between the set-top box and a mobile phone via USB directly without the need for a PC.

The first introduction is in Japan and local mobile operator KDDI is launching in November, a service, called “au BOX” using Motorola’s set-top box platform.

According to Dan Moloney, executive v-p and president of Motorola's Home and Networks Mobility business: “Consumers increasingly want to access their content where and when it is convenient to them.”

The set-top box is based on Motorola’s KreaTV open software platform. It is compatible with various OS middleware and Digital Rights Management (DRM), and supports multiple different video formats ranging from MPEG-2 SD to H.264 HD, DVR, and hybrid.

The set top being implemented by KDDI also features a CD player and CD ripping capabilities, so users will be able to retrieve music files and then transfer them to a mobile handset or to a portable media player via USB.