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Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. revealed their Fujitsu IP-9500e was the exclusive broadcast contribution video encoder used by CBS News to deliver its coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in HD. The IP-9500e enabled CBS News to send high-quality HD video feeds from the convention floors as well as Investco Field to its new HD Control Room 47 in New York with exceptionally low encode/decode latency. The highly compressed HD video stream from the IP-9500e enabled multiplexing 10 to 14 HD video channels and simultaneously transmitted them back to the CBS Control Room over terrestrial IP networks with bandwidths traditionally associated with standard-defiintion feeds. This deployment continues the CBS News rollout of HD for contribution feeds. The network first used the IP-9500e to broadcast the 2008 Presidential State of the Union Address in HD—marking the first time CBS used HD MPEG-4 AVC compression for a network contribution feed—and CBS News also uses Fujitsu encoders for HD SNG as part of the Evening News with Katie Couric. The network also plans to use the IP-9500e to broadcast its coverage of the upcoming presidential debates and election coverage in November.
Sony has released The Reader Digital Book, which holds about 160 eBooks or hundreds more with optional removable memory cards. The unit's portable size makes it perfect for travel and there are thousands of eBook titles available at the eBook Store from Sony. Users may select to download new releases, classics, and popular book titles as well as view other document formats such as Adobe® PDF10, RTF, TXT, BBeB® and Microsoft® Word. The Reader Digital Book's battery life lasts up to 7,500 continuous page turns, and the paper-like screen technology is easy on the eyes. The Reader Digital Book is available in Silver, Dark Blue, and Sangria Red. More compact than many paperbacks, the unit weighs about 9 ounces (without cover), is 1/3-inches thin, and can be held in one hand. The 6-inch uses E Ink® technology that’s almost paper-like, making it easy to read, even in bright sunshine. In addition, the screen allows for high contrast and high resolution, with a near 180° viewing angle. The text can also be magnified for sight-impaired readers.
Shortly to be en route from Digidesign is Pro Tools 8, an advanced audio creation and production application. The new version will feature a new interface, dozens of plug-ins, five new virtual instruments, new scoring/MIDI/editing/mixing capabilities plus deeper controller integration and enhanced performance. Also coming from the Company is their new Pro Tools expansion option for music creation with more tracks, instruments and tools. Pro Tools 8 is for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered systems. There's full Windows Vista (32-bit Business or Ultimate) as well as QuickTIme HD for Mac OS X-based systems support and the application will support files as large as 4 GB in size, so users may work with higher sample rates.
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Sony Electronics is demo'ing its latest digital cinema technology innovation, that being a single-projector 3D adaptor that's designed to work specifically with the Company's 4K projectors in movie theaters. The new adaptor uses the full height of Sony's 4K imaging device, with the ability to display full 2K images for the left and right eye simultaneously and in parallel, from top and bottom. The new lens units, models LKRL-A002 (X1.1 -1.9) and LKRL-A003 (X1.9 - 3.3), consists of an optical and mechanical assembly for each left and right eye image. It is designed to meet DCI specifications for 3D digital projection, while overcoming the bandwidth and resolution limitations of currently available 3D systems. When used with Sony's integrated media block (LMT-200), the SRX-R220 4K projector is able to achieve 4:4:4 RGB signal path from media block, while avoiding the "triple-flash" artifacting of current 3D solutions. It can also deliver a 60P 3D display that is especially effective for sports or other fast-moving content in 3D. The system was developed to give exhibitors the flexibility to switch between showing 4K and 3D content. The 3D adaptor attaches onto the lens mount of the projector and is compatible with all Sony 4K projectors currently in the field and can be easily removed or re-attached within minutes. The adaptor is designed to work with a maximum screen size of 55 feet (4.5 ftL brightness on 2.3 gain silver screen). Sony will be demonstrating the 3D adaptor in a technology suite) at ShowEast in Orlando. The 3D adaptor is expected to be available in March 2009.
VUDU Inc. has unveiled HDX, a video format that, for the first time, allows the viewing of Internet-delivered movie content in full HD 1080p format optimized for 40-inch and larger HDTVs and Home Theaters. HDX delivers the highest quality available from any Internet, broadcast, cable, or satellite on-demand service. A true cinematic experience is delivered, with a vividly detailed and virtually artifact free picture accompanied by immersive, high-resolution sound. HDX movies are available today to all VUDU customers and are offered at the same price as standard HD titles — customers can get HDX quality for not a penny extra. VUDU has already compiled a library of 65 films now available in the new HDX format and will offer every newly released HD title in the new format. VUDU will also deliver many recent releases and timeless classics in HDX, providing consumers a growing library of HDX content. With this new offering, VUDU is the only Internet movie delivery service offering consumers a choice between an instant-start HD experience and a superior quality HD download version. HDX content is displayed in the true cinematic gold standard of 1080p at 24 frames per second. HDX delivers 2x the resolution of other Internet HD formats and high resolution sound at a 40 percent higher bit-rate than standard surround sound DVD's.
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Oregan Networks has announced a successful industry-first certification and availability of its Digital Media Player (DMP) reference design. This certification is as per Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) 1.5 expanded guidelines, supporting High Definition WMV-9 and mobile H.264 video codecs, along with other baseline media format requirements. In addition, the company has achieved the status of DLNA 1.5 Testbed Reference Device, which is to be used by DLNA members and Independent Certification Vendors (ICVs) during future plugfests and as part of the consortium’s generic certification process. Oregan’s reference device implements the latest technologies encompassed by DLNA standards, building on the success of 3,000 devices from a multitude of leading industry brands, currently bearing the DLNA hallmark of interoperability. The Oregan Media Browser solution has passed rigorous testing to ensure that it delivers the full value of interoperability to its downstream customers represented by Multiple Service Operators and Consumer Electronics brands. The device is certified as a Digital Media Player (DMP) and supports the following popular use cases — discovery and playback of commercial and personal images, audio and video content — rendering of images, audio and video content, “pushed” or served by mobile Servers and Control Point devices, including mobile phones and networked Digital Cameras. DLNA announced the expansion of its Certification and Logo Program in October 2007, as part of the ongoing effort to create an “any device, any content, any network” interoperability ecosystem. Version 1.5 of the DLNA guidelines includes mobile devices whose interests are represented within the alliance by key industry stakeholders: Sony Ericsson, Nokia, and Motorola.
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It's great news when you realize your voice is heard — and so it goes for Apple iPhone developers, who up until now, have been required to sign the non-disclosure agreement in order to write apps for Apple's (AAPL) app store.
Apple's statement from the ivory tower is as follows: "We have decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for released iPhone software. We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple inventions and innovations that we would like to protect, so that others don’t steal our work. It has happened before. While we have filed for hundreds of patents on iPhone technology, the NDA added yet another level of protection. We put it in place as one more way to help protect the iPhone from being ripped off by others.
"However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone’s success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA covering released software within a week or so. Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released. Thanks to everyone who provided us constructive feedback on this matter."
Good job, everyone agrees. The situation needed to be corrected as it has become difficult for developers who haven't been permitted to discuss iPhone development or share code as well as authors/publishers who in some instances have had to delay (or cancel) iPhone developer books because they violate the NDA.
Up until now IPTV consumers have experienced slow response times, and sub-standard picture quality, further affected by pixelation. And, these problems tend to increase in homes with multiple STBs.
Jungo Ltd., provider of software solutions for residential gateways, announced OpenRG™ residential gateway software that now supports a patent-pending, fast channel-switching feature. This solution enables service providers to enhance consumers’ IPTV experience by improving the channel-switching performance of broadband access equipment.
Subscriber Quality of Experience (QoE) is critical to the success of an IPTV service. A key QoE element is how quickly and reliably subscribers can change TV channels. Subscribers expect switching between hundreds of channels to be smooth and fast.
A channel switching delay of under two seconds is considered acceptable to users. Jungo’s new technology removes channel-switching overheads by employing a mix of tactics, including an enhancement of the regular IGMP Leave and Fast-Leave operations, known as ‘Aggressive Leave’, the monitoring of available resources such as bandwidth and virtual circuits (VCs), and intelligent bandwidth usage assumptions. Jungo's solution can be used on any off-the-shelf STB.
OpenRG, Jungo’s residential gateway solution, helps service providers to successfully introduce and grow triple play services. By reducing channel switching time across their networks, IPTV service providers can be more confident that they will meet the expectations of their subscribers. Arik Gilad, Jungo’s Chief Technology Officer, commented: “Channel switching time is a major issue in the IPTV industry. Jungo is pleased to be able to offer operators a solution that will deliver an enhanced experience to users, and therefore help service providers to grow their businesses.”
Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) has announced their KA-MR100G professional docking SxS (S-By-S) memory card recorder. JVC will launch the memory card recorder as the company’s first product featuring native XDCAM EX file recording and an SxS memory card slot. This device will record and playback XDCAM EX files on an SxS memory card. The KA-MR100G will also attach to current JVC ProHD GY-HD200/250 series professional high definition camcorders, via a specially designed adapter. Future products from JVC will attach directly to the KA-MR100G. The KA-MR100G will be available in March 2009 in Europe with a suggested retail price under 2,500 euros and in the U.S. for under 3,000 dollars. JVC will also release the KA-UM100G Intermediate Adapter at the same time. As recording media, an SxS memory card can transfer a large amount of HD video data recorded by the KA-MR100G to a NLE system. The recorded files are compatible with Sony XDCAM EX series products and also NLE systems that support XDCAM EX. The KA-MR100G docks with JVC GY-HD200/250 series ProHD camcorders using the separately sold KA-UM100G adapter, without an external IEEE 1394 or other cable. In this configuration, the camcorder can record HD video with audio onto videotape and SxS memory card, simultaneously.
The pan African sports channel SuperSport has contracted Gearhouse Broadcast to build three Flyaway systems to cover domestic football leagues in a number of African countries to be carried on Africa’s leading pay television platform DStv. DStv is a pay television offering from MultiChoice which has more than 2 million subscribers in Sub Sahara Africa. The SuperSport channels are Africa’s best known channels for their quality and variety of sports coverage. SuperSport has made extensive investments for the football rights in Kenya, Angola, Nigeria, and Zambia as well as in the purchase of the appropriate broadcast equipment to deliver quality football coverage, made in Africa for Africa. Following a complex and involved tender process, Gearhouse Broadcast won the contract and is providing its flyaway production monitor stack solutions. The Flyaway units contain an 8-camera system made up of Sony BVP E30s cameras, a Sony DVS 9000 vision mixer, Teletest rack mount monitors, Harris Inscriber G1 graphics, 2 x 6 Channel SD EVS XT2, Harris glue, Pro-Bel router, RTS/Telex comms system, Yamaha mixing desk and Glensound commentary units and a mixture of new and used Canon
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UDcast and Rohde & Schwarz are offering a playout system that gives DVB-H network operators the option to broadcast up to 40 percent more programs. The system includes the R&S AVE264 audio/video encoder and the R&S AVP264 multiplex manager from Rohde & Schwarz. Encoder hardware and software implement statistical multiplexing to optimize transmission channel use. The Rohde & Schwarz instruments are compatible with the IPE-10 IP encapsulator from UDcast and can be integrated into existing DVB-H networks. The joint solution from Rohde & Schwarz and UDcast is already being deployed by DVB-H network operators. The R&S AVE264 encoder uses a variable bit rate and statistical multiplexing. This takes advantage of the fact that DVB-H transmits multiple TV programs with different data rates over a single channel. Data rates must be varied because picture sequences with frequently varying scenes and many changes require a higher data rate than static content.
The statistical multiplex manager from Rohde & Schwarz coordinates the requirements of the audio/video encoder so that the transmission channel is used at or near its maximum capacity. Instead of the usual 10 programs per DVB-H channel, as many as 14 mobile programs can be broadcast. If operators do not wish to broadcast additional programs, they can improve the transmission quality of their existing programs. The data rate saved by statistical multiplexing can only be utilized when combined with adaptive time slicing. The individual bursts automatically adapt to the changed data rates of the audio/video encoders. As a result, broadcasters no longer have to perform manual alignment. In a complementary product development, UDcast has equipped its IP encapsulator with adaptive time slicing functionality. Together, the UDcast IPE-10 encapsulator and the Rohde & Schwarz encoder and multiplex manager become an extremely efficient playout system. The IPE-10 inserts the IP data stream from the encoder into a DVB-H transport stream it has created. Programs are processed using constant and variable bit rates (CBR and VBR) that are suitable for statistical multiplexing.
Volantis, a supplier of Intelligent Content Adaptation solutions for the mobile Internet won over five, short-listed nominees, by a judging panel of 400 of the mobile content world's respected executives, covering all aspects of the industry to be named “Best Publishing Platform” at last week's ME Awards 2008. Volantis' mobile Internet service, Ubik.com (www.ubik.com) was receipient of the award at The Royal Garden Hotel in London on September 25 , which brought together the key players of the mobile content world to celebrate industry excellence. The ME Awards event, which rewards creativity, innovation and those who work in the mobile sector, attracted nearly 400 delegates from over 120 companies in media, technology and entertainment around the world. The wide range of categories covered all aspects of the mobile entertainment space, including software, hardware and B2B applications.
After receiving the award, Volantis co-founder and CEO Mark Watson said: "This is the best form of validation since it comes from our peers. It shows how powerful Ubik.com can be for small businesses and individuals who are on the cutting edge of the mobile Web."
“The mobile content market has had another blistering year, turbo-charged by a collective drive to take mobile rich media into the mainstream,” said Tim Green, executive editor of Mobile Entertainment magazine. “We’re delighted that nearly 400 execs came together to help us celebrate the industry’s amazing progress. Congratulations to all the winners.”
Ubik.com is part of the Volantis strategy to democratize the mobile Web for developers, small businesses and consumers. Both Volantis and Ubik.com provide free solutions that automatically adapt to the complexity of the non-PC device world: Volantis offers its Mobility Server for enterprise developers, and Ubik.com provides the Mobilizer for small businesses and consumers. With these tools, companies of any size and individuals can easily build a mobile-optimized Web site.
Ubik.com and AdMob, winner of “Best Advertising & Marketing Company” ME Awards 2008, are working together to enable Ubik.com users to opt-in to advertisements from AdMob on their sites.
| Political Party Conventions Get HD'd By Fujitsu For CBS News... | October 06, 2008 |
| Sony Debuts Easier Digital Reading That's Portable + Flexible... | October 06, 2008 |
| Even More Advanced — Digidesign's New Pro Tools... | October 06, 2008 |
| Adapting 3D To 4K Made Easier For DigiCinema By Sony... | October 06, 2008 |
| Pumpin' Up The HDTV Quality Is VUDU... | October 06, 2008 |
| DMP Reference Design Makes The Grade For Oregan Networks... | October 06, 2008 |
| digiBITZ | October 06, 2008 |
- DELIVERY — Sprint Nextel has launched WiMAX broadband wireless service in its first market, Baltimore. Sprint’s Xohm service (“zome”) provides average download speeds of 2 to 4 Megabits per second. The service is designed to be a wireline broadband replacement or a mobile Internet service. The Baltimore debut will be followed by introductions into Chicago, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, markets. The cost is $25 for home users, $30 for mobile users, and $50 per month as a guaranteed cost "for life" covering two devices.
- REGULATION — The federal Copyright Royalty Board last Thursday left the royalty that songwriters receive on sales of CDs and digital downloads at 9.1 cents per song for the next five years. Songwriters and music sellers applauded the ruling, albeit for different reasons. Apple Inc., which had threatened to shutter its iTunes store if the rate increased, appeared to have scored a clear win. The Recording Industry Association of America, representing record labels, was pleased the rate was frozen for the first time since 1977, meaning if song prices increase, royalties will make up a falling percentage of the companies' costs. This was the first time in nearly three decades the recording industry couldn't set a fee on its own for sales of recorded music. The last government hearing to set the so-called mechanical royalty rate was in 1980 and was triggered by a change in federal law.
- CINEMA — Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) and Shanghai United Circuit (SUC) announced that Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D recently debuted in China at the premiere ceremony in SUC’s Yong Hua Cineplex on September 25, 2008. Journey 3D was the first digital 3D cinema movie released in China. Journey 3D is opening on 21 SUC digital cinemas screens featuring Dolby 3D Digital Cinema. SUC announced last March that it adopted Dolby Digital Cinema for 100 of its screens.
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CONTENT — Entertainment for All® Expo (E for All®), produced by IDG World Expo, concluded its second event yesterday, attracting thousands of video game enthusiasts to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the ultimate entertainment experience. Throughout the three-day event, which was held October 3-5, 2008, approximately 15,000 hardcore and casual gamers, developers, retailers, students, media and other members of the game community were able to test-drive the latest video games and gadgets as well as attend competitive video game tournaments and educational programs. The video game event also found ways to support the local Los Angeles community through a program featuring five gaming legends who came together to aid local foodbanks, and by serving as host to the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival.
- AWARD — Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild has selected film and TV star James Earl Jones as the next recipient of its lifetime achievement award. The guild said the prize is awarded annually to an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession" and is scheduled to be presented to Jones at the "15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards," which is to air live on TNT and TBS on January 25, 2009.
- BUSINESS — Sony Corporation has completed their acquisition of Bertelsmann’s 50 percent stake in Sony BMG, which was originally announced on August 5, 2008. The music company, to be called Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (SMEI), is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. SMEI is comprised of premier music labels such as: Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records, Jive Records, RCA Records, and Zomba.
| Apple Drops NDA ASAP | October 03, 2008 |
Apple's statement from the ivory tower is as follows: "We have decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for released iPhone software. We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple inventions and innovations that we would like to protect, so that others don’t steal our work. It has happened before. While we have filed for hundreds of patents on iPhone technology, the NDA added yet another level of protection. We put it in place as one more way to help protect the iPhone from being ripped off by others.
"However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone’s success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA covering released software within a week or so. Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released. Thanks to everyone who provided us constructive feedback on this matter."
Good job, everyone agrees. The situation needed to be corrected as it has become difficult for developers who haven't been permitted to discuss iPhone development or share code as well as authors/publishers who in some instances have had to delay (or cancel) iPhone developer books because they violate the NDA.
| Jungo's OpenRG Takes the Jungle Out of Fast Channel-Switching | October 03, 2008 |
Jungo Ltd., provider of software solutions for residential gateways, announced OpenRG™ residential gateway software that now supports a patent-pending, fast channel-switching feature. This solution enables service providers to enhance consumers’ IPTV experience by improving the channel-switching performance of broadband access equipment.
Subscriber Quality of Experience (QoE) is critical to the success of an IPTV service. A key QoE element is how quickly and reliably subscribers can change TV channels. Subscribers expect switching between hundreds of channels to be smooth and fast.
OpenRG, Jungo’s residential gateway solution, helps service providers to successfully introduce and grow triple play services. By reducing channel switching time across their networks, IPTV service providers can be more confident that they will meet the expectations of their subscribers. Arik Gilad, Jungo’s Chief Technology Officer, commented: “Channel switching time is a major issue in the IPTV industry. Jungo is pleased to be able to offer operators a solution that will deliver an enhanced experience to users, and therefore help service providers to grow their businesses.”
| SxS Memory Card Becomes JVC's Next Storage Medium For HD Video... | October 03, 2008 |
| DStv Gears Up With Gearhouse... | October 03, 2008 |
| UDcast + Rohde & Schwarz Into Playout... | October 03, 2008 |
The statistical multiplex manager from Rohde & Schwarz coordinates the requirements of the audio/video encoder so that the transmission channel is used at or near its maximum capacity. Instead of the usual 10 programs per DVB-H channel, as many as 14 mobile programs can be broadcast. If operators do not wish to broadcast additional programs, they can improve the transmission quality of their existing programs. The data rate saved by statistical multiplexing can only be utilized when combined with adaptive time slicing. The individual bursts automatically adapt to the changed data rates of the audio/video encoders. As a result, broadcasters no longer have to perform manual alignment. In a complementary product development, UDcast has equipped its IP encapsulator with adaptive time slicing functionality. Together, the UDcast IPE-10 encapsulator and the Rohde & Schwarz encoder and multiplex manager become an extremely efficient playout system. The IPE-10 inserts the IP data stream from the encoder into a DVB-H transport stream it has created. Programs are processed using constant and variable bit rates (CBR and VBR) that are suitable for statistical multiplexing.
| U Bet, Ubik.com Was Named Best Mobile Publishing Platform | October 03, 2008 |
“The mobile content market has had another blistering year, turbo-charged by a collective drive to take mobile rich media into the mainstream,” said Tim Green, executive editor of Mobile Entertainment magazine. “We’re delighted that nearly 400 execs came together to help us celebrate the industry’s amazing progress. Congratulations to all the winners.”
Ubik.com is part of the Volantis strategy to democratize the mobile Web for developers, small businesses and consumers. Both Volantis and Ubik.com provide free solutions that automatically adapt to the complexity of the non-PC device world: Volantis offers its Mobility Server for enterprise developers, and Ubik.com provides the Mobilizer for small businesses and consumers. With these tools, companies of any size and individuals can easily build a mobile-optimized Web site.
Ubik.com and AdMob, winner of “Best Advertising & Marketing Company” ME Awards 2008, are working together to enable Ubik.com users to opt-in to advertisements from AdMob on their sites.
