ITV

Category: Hardware

  • World’s first single-chip hybrid direct broadcast satellite terrestrial and IP devices for STBs

    World’s first single-chip hybrid direct broadcast satellite terrestrial and IP devices for STBs

    NEW DELHI: Broadcom Corporation, a global innovation leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, today announced the world’s first family of eight new hybrid satellite and terrestrial system-on-a-chip (SoC) broadcast devices for set-top boxes (STBs).

                               

    The new series unveiled at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam is engineered with pin-to-pin compatibility, allowing a single set-top design to be leveraged across the entire family. Broadcom will demonstrate the chips at IBC, 12 to 16 September.

     

    The new series brings Broadcom’s high efficiency video compression (HEVC) technology to terrestrial markets, enabling broadcasters to utilise spectrum more efficiently than with current MPEG-4 video compression standards. As a result, broadcasters gain options to deliver more competitive channel line-ups and improved content quality through the same or lower spectrum footprint. Broadcom’s new family of devices also combines HEVC with the advanced modulation efficiencies of DVB-S2, DVB-T2, ISDB-T and ATSC, and high-performance IP connectivity with MoCA 2.0. This unprecedented level of integration provides set-top manufacturers with a compelling value proposition for broadcasters as they continue service upgrades.

     

    “The combination of satellite and terrestrial front-ends that this family offers now provides significant benefits to viewers who want the best channel and content selection available,” said Broadcom senior vice president of marketing, broadband & connectivity Rich Nelson.

     

    “We believe HEVC will continue to be a key driver for the delivery of high-quality content. Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to our customers to proliferate HEVC broadly across our set-top box product family.”

     

    “Broadcasters and regulators throughout Europe and in emerging regions, including Africa, are waiting for the arrival of DVB-T2 with HEVC to launch or extend HD terrestrial services. In addition, we expect the ability to deliver hybrid IP-services using HEVC will benefit broadcasters launching premium add-on services, including some delivered over bandwidth-constrained cellular networks,” said ABI Research practice director Sam Rosen.

     

    “In addition to allowing the next generation of services, Broadcom’s  integration of HEVC in terrestrial, satellite and cable chipsets provides broadcasters with a future-proof to ensure the set-top boxes they deploy today will provide value through 2020 and beyond.”

  • Videocon introduces 4K ultra HD TV

    Videocon introduces 4K ultra HD TV

    MUMBAI: After bringing to India 4K HD quality service through its DTH arm Videocon d2h, Videocon has unveiled its 4K UHD LED TV.  With the new range of 4K UHD LED smart TVs, it aims to increase its market share in the flat panel display (FPD) segment to 20 per cent from the current 16 per cent.

     

    With 8.3 megapixels, the LED displays four times more pixels than a conventional full HD and eight times more than any HD LED.  Its ability to connect with the smart phone’s N Screen interface allows one to run the device’s content on the LED and vice-versa.

     

    Unveiling the new 4K UHD LED range, Videocon director Anirudh Dhoot said, “Videocon is committed to bringing the latest technology at a great value to all our customers, and the new 4K UHD range reflects this. In our constant efforts to enhance TV viewing experience, we have expanded our remarkable UHD 4K LED range and added 5 new models. With this launch we are targeting a 50 per cent increase in our TV sales when compared with last year. As 4K is the future, we will continue to expand in this segment to deliver unmatched products and premium experience to our customers.”

     

    Elaborating on the features of Videocon 4K UHD LED, Videocon COO CM Singh said, “Videocon 4K UHD LED TV is designed to provide stunningly crisp and realistic picture with 4K resolution that is full in details and true in colour. The new models are part of our cherished 4K range which has garnered a tremendous response from our consumers. We have carefully studied consumer’s requirements and have added features such as 3D gaming with motion sensing. With many more features, we are certain that Videocon 4K UHD LED is the India’s most feature-packed 4K ultra high definition smart TV.”

     

    It has innovative features like 3D gaming and face recognition the LED offers an unparalleled TV viewing experience which allows game enthusiasts and movie buffs to view content in 3D. Videocon 4K UHD LED offers 3D gaming with motion sensing feature which adds to the complete gaming experience. The smart TV comes with an in-built application store that aims to enhance the user experience.

     

    Allowing strong connectivity, the 4K UHD LED is powered by N screen and home cloud technology to enable the users to share media from the phone directly to their LED through wi-fi, and wireless display allows effortless streaming of movies from the mobile device to the HDTV.

     

    Equipped with MHL interface, the UHD LED allows users to connect their smart phones, tablets and other portable consumer electronic gadgets while simultaneously charging the device. This allows users to view content from their device on a 4K screen, without any lag. It is the first made in India MHL enabled LED.

     

    The LED can be controlled with a touch of a finger by the extraordinary touch pad remote. The LEDs grant ease of use for the most dramatic and impactful home entertainment experiences. Touted for its nautilus sound mode, the LED brings truly immersive high-quality surround sound.

      

    Comprising five new models in different screen sizes between 40 inches to 85 inches, Videocon 4K UHD LED will be available across markets by September.

     

    Videocon will also be coming up with a special 360 degree advertising campaign that would be spread across all major mediums to build top of mind recall. It also plans to add more models to its 4k range.

     

    The TV set price starts from Rs 91,000 with a target of selling 1 million units this festive season. Videocon d2h will be launching its 4K UHD service by October 2014.

  • Gemini FX purchases three Pablo Rio 4K color and finishing systems

    Gemini FX purchases three Pablo Rio 4K color and finishing systems

    MUMBAI: Gemini FX, the Chennai-based digital film operation and part of the giant Gemini Industries and Imaging group, has purchased three turnkey Quantel Pablo Rio 4K color and finishing systems. One of the systems is equipped with the Neo color panel, and two with compact Neo Nano panels. Gemini now has a total of 12 Quantel color correction and finishing systems making it the largest Quantel-based post facility in India.

     

    Pablo Rio is Quantel’s high quality color and finishing system that provides the ultimate productive post workflow. Pablo Rio runs on high performance PC hardware and exploits NVIDIA Maximus multi-GPU technology to deliver true interactivity and maximum productivity, with realtime performance at 4K 60p and beyond. Pablo Rio is available as software only and as a range of Quantel-backed turnkey systems.

     

    “Quantel systems have been at the heart of our digital film workflow since 2009,” said Mr Manohar Prasad, Managing Director at Gemini Industries & Imaging Ltd & Group of Companies. “At Gemini, we pride ourselves on giving our customers stunning results on screen, delivered quickly and efficiently. With the industry rapidly moving to 4K and beyond, we needed to ensure that we are able to meet our all our customers’ needs now and into the future. Pablo Rio, with its proven realtime 4K and 6K operation and its comprehensive color and finishing workflow, is the natural choice to take Gemini forward.”

     

    Quantel Sales Director, Martin Mulligan, said, “Gemini has been a Quantel customer for many years and continues to stand at the forefront of southern India’s post production industry. We are delighted they have once again chosen Quantel post systems as they look to a 4K future and beyond.”

  • Axom Communications aims to install 1 million STBs in NE

    Axom Communications aims to install 1 million STBs in NE

    KOLKATA: Assam based multi-system operator (MSO), Axom Communications and Cable, which already boasts of around six lakh cable TV connections in the state including the lower and central parts, is aiming to spruce up its digitisation drive.

     

    By the end of the phase IV of digitisation, it aims to install one million set top boxes (STBs) not only in Assam but also in other states of the north-eastern region.

     

    Axom Communications and Cable director Sanjive Narain says that the MSO has already installed the digital headend in the year 2009 and has laid down the fiber connectivity linking around 250 kms from three sides of Guwahati, the commercial hub of Assam. The setup of the digital headend was supported by Cisco, from whom Axom would be purchasing STBs as well. 

     

    “We aim to have a million boxes seeded by the end of 2015. We have around 10 analogue headends and one digital headend,” he says. According to sources, the MSO had spent Rs 3 crore for installing the digital headend.

     

    Out of 6 lakh connections, more than 70,000 cable homes have been converted into digital mainly in Guwahati, even before the digitisation process has started in the state.

     

    The seven sisters come under phase III and IV of digitisation. “Right now the process has not started in the true sense but the industry is getting ready,” adds Narain. He expects the current deadline of December 2014 to be extended as well. This could be because the government is addressing the loopholes witnessed in phases I and II.

     

    “Fibre network connectivity work is still progressing in states like Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya to name a few,” he adds.

     

    The north east terrain is such that cable TV cannot reach everywhere. Therefore DTH made a sizeable penetration in this market. “We will convert the DTH subscribers into cable by giving a lucrative option to consumers,” he says adding that the MSO may charge Rs 250 plus tax for offering 350 channels.

     

    As far as the funding for the undertaking is concerned, Cisco’s capital arm is one of the options amongst others such as private equity or JVs with other parties.

  • Xbox One TV tuner to launch in Europe in October

    Xbox One TV tuner to launch in Europe in October

    MUMBAI: Microsoft recently announced that it is going to release a digital TV tuner adapter to allow people in Europe to experience premium live TV features on Xbox One. Launching in October in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the UK, the digital TV tuner adapter will allow European Xbox One owners to turn their consoles into a TV set-top box.

     

    Announcing the news on its website, Xbox said, “Xbox One users in those markets will get an over-the-air digital terrestrial TV experience through the USB single tuner, an alternative to accessing TV content from a cable or satellite set-top box connected through the HDMI-In port. The new digital TV tuner will also support free-to-air DVB-T, DVB-T2 and DVB-C television standards.”

     

    This will give users the features like voice control through OneGuide, watching TV while in Snap mode, pause live TV, viewing TV listings in the OneGuide, OneGuide on Xbox SmartGlass , creating personal favourite channels and even checking TV On demand.

     

    The Xbox One Digital TV tuner will go on sale priced at Euro 24.99 in the UK and Euro 29.99 in France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

  • Broadcast & Media Technology 2014 makes a Good Beginning

    Broadcast & Media Technology 2014 makes a Good Beginning

    MUMBAI: Broadcast & Media Technology 2014, South India’s First International Exhibition on Broadcast Equipment and Technology was held on 18 & 19 July at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. Organised by All India Broadcst Manufacturers and Distributors Association, AIBMDA, and supported by ITPO and FICCI, the exhibition was attended by 28 leading Indian companies representing more than 100 foreign principals from 25 countries. Some of the companies that displayed their latest range of products and services at the exhibition were AGIV India, BECIL, Benchmark Broadcast, CDM Technologies, Canara Lighting, Cineom Broadcast, Datapoint Impex, Datavideo Technologies, Falcon Technologies, Harman International, Hytech Communications, Ideal Broadcasting, Ikegami, MediaGuru, Netweb Technologies, Panasonic, Pranav Mediatech, Prime Tech Communications, Real Image, Ross Video, SRSG Broadcast, Setron India, Singh World, Visual Technologies and WASP3D.

     

    Right from the time the exhibition was thrown open to visitors, a constant stream of  engineers and professionals from radio and TV channels in Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram strolled into the brightly lit exhibition hall. Among the dignitaries who visited the show were Mr. R. Roshan Baig, Hon. Minister for Infrastructure Development & Information, Govt. of Karnataka, who specially flew to Chennai to see the exhibition, Mr. N. Thiyagrajan, Chief Engineer South Zone, Doordarshan and members of the press. Mr. Prakash Javadekar, Hon. Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India wished the exhibition well. Mr. Jawhar Sircar, CEO Prasar Bharati, who was scheduled to inaugurate the exhibition but could not make it due to the ongoing parliament session, also sent his best wishes for the success of the exhibition.

     

    Feedback received at the end of the exhibition revealed that the exhibition, spread over an area of 1,000 sqm, was appreciated by exhibitors and over 700  quality visitors who visited it over a period of two days. What they liked most was the conducive atmosphere provided by the hotel for holding meaningful discussions between buyers and sellers. When contacted, Mr. Satish Aggarwal, President, AIBMDA said ‘We plan to double the size of the exhibition next year’.  ‘But only after a thorough review and consultation with our members’ added Mr. S. C. Oberoi, Secretary, AIBMDA.

  • Broadcom to supply HEVC SoC for Tata Sky Ultra HD STBs

    Broadcom to supply HEVC SoC for Tata Sky Ultra HD STBs

    MUMBAI: Broadcom Corporation has announced that it will be providing its BCM7252 high efficiency video codec (HEVC) H.265 system-on-chip (SoC) to Tata Sky. This will be utilised in the DTH operator’s Ultra HD set top boxes (STBs).

     

    Tata Sky and Technicolor have teamed up to design and deploy its 4K STBs by 2015. Broadcom’s HEVC-enabled chipsets provide the compression and high-throughput required by operators and OEMs to rapidly introduce Ultra HD subscriber hardware and content. The Broadcom BCM7252 Ultra HD SoC improves coding efficiency and reduces video bandwidth usage by 50 per cent.

     

    “We are committed to delivering an innovative and world class TV viewing experience. With the arrival of HEVC technology, our subscribers will soon be some of the first in the region to experience the live-action quality that only Ultra HD can provide,” said Tata Sky MD and CEO Harit Nagpal. “As Ultra HD TVs continue to become more affordable and Ultra HD content becomes more widely available, we anticipate increased subscriber demand for Ultra HD-capable set top boxes.”

     

    “Technicolor is at the forefront of Ultra HD, working to enhance the Ultra HD experience on all screens by providing content preparation and 4K image certification for high quality STBs and video gateways. By leveraging Broadcom’s advanced Ultra HD devices with integrated HEVC compression technology, we can deliver 4K resolution at a frame rate of 60 frames-per-second while substantially reducing the bandwidth required for video transmission, and providing the advanced features and capabilities needed to enable the ultimate home viewing experience,” said Technicolor Connected Home Division senior vice president APAC Georges Laplanche.

     

    “As consumer interest in Ultra HD continues to grow, Broadcom is delivering advanced devices with market-specific features and price points that allow consumers to enjoy an enhanced viewing experience regardless of their geography,” said Broadcom senior vice president marketing BCG Rich Nelson. “Broadcom continues to demonstrate its commitment to furthering the Ultra HD ecosystem across the globe, providing the innovation required by our customers to drive this technology quickly into the market, particularly as lower-cost Ultra HD TVs drive consumer awareness.”

     

    Key Features of the BCM7252 Ultra HD SoC

    •    High-performance dual-core Brahma15 10000 DMIPs ARMv7 processors

    •    2180p60 or dual 1080p60 decode and transcode capabilities

    •    Integrated connectivity peripherals including USB 3.0, PCIe, Gigabit Ethernet and MoCA 2.0

    •    Highest level of platform security, content protection and DRM robustness

    •    Dual display allowing presentation of two simultaneous video channels from the same STB via independent HDMI outputs and remote control devices

    •    Dedicated interfaces to a range of Broadcom companion front end cable, DOCSIS, satellite and 802.11ac Wi-Fi devices

  • InFocus appoints Visual Display as its national distributor

    InFocus appoints Visual Display as its national distributor

    MUMBAI: InFocus, the manufacturer of digital display technology and interactive touch-screen devices in the US, has appointed New Delhi based Visual Display Solutions as the national distributor in India for its projector range.

     

    InFocus’s tie-up with Visual Display Solutions is part of its business expansion strategy to meet the rising demand of digital projectors in the Indian market. InFocus is offering a dedicated range of digital projectors to the Indian market. Various innovative models with high brightness, contrast, long lamp life and advance projection technologies differentiate the US brand from the contemporary rivals to a great extent. In the early few quarters, InFocus is going to target industries like education, home entertainment, PSUs and corporate in metros and tier I and II cities.

     

    Visual Display Solution director Sanjay Dhuria said, “We are very excited to partner with InFocus, this partnership will add more depth to our product range. With InFocus’s wide range of cost effective and technologically superior products, we shall be able to address variety of customers from multiple industries.”

     

    InFocus APAC region sales manager Harsh Pandey added, “With this partnership we shall enhance our geographical reach and cater to the vast unexplored Indian market. We remain committed to offer our world class technology products to India; the world’s second largest market.”

  • Videocon d2h and Broadcom partner for HD service

    Videocon d2h and Broadcom partner for HD service

    MUMBAI: A few weeks after Videocon d2h familiarised Indians with 4K Ultra HD technology, it has now announced an official deal with Broadcom, which is a leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, for growing its HD service.

     

    The DTH provider has selected Broadcom’s integrated satellite set top box (STB) system-on-a-chip (SoC) device to power its HD digital video recorder (DVR). Broadcom’s BCM7358 HD satellite STB SoC enables the operator to fasten the deployment of its HD STBs with reduced design complexity, size and cost.

     

    Videocon d2h’s DVR is capable of recording on a USB device with digital picture quality and 1080p resolution. The HD USB DVR is supported by Broadcom’s BCM7358 single-channel 1080p HD advanced video coding (AVC) satellite receiver chip, featuring a high performance CPU and graphics engine, digital living network alliance (DLNA) connectivity support and advanced security functionality.

     

    Says Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera, “The silicon innovation that Broadcom provides has been a key factor in our continued success in delivering rich content to our growing subscriber base. We’re leveraging a variety of Broadcom STB silicon throughout our portfolio and plan to extend our manufacturing capabilities to meet the needs of other cable operators in the region.”

     

    “The Indian television market is undergoing a major transition and operators such as Videocon d2h are leading the charge in dramatically improving the quality and variety of content delivery,” adds Broadcom India senior director of business development Rajiv Kapur. “As an established leader in STB silicon innovation around the world, Broadcom is delivering the technology required for a growing number of consumers to enjoy more sophisticated features such as HD quality content, digital video recording and on-demand services.”

     

    IHS Technology states that STB industry revenue will reach a record $ 22.8 billion in 2015, driven largely by growth in emerging markets and subscriber demand for HD content. “As pay-TV operators move to accommodate changes in delivery platforms and formats, including the adoption of HD, STB shipments will continue to rise, hitting record levels for the next few years,” said IHS Technology director for connected home research Daniel Simmons.

     

    “Technology-based service differentiation is becoming increasingly important for pay-TV operators in emerging regions, as these markets begin to mature and saturate. Transitioning subscribers from SD to HD at minimal cost will be critical for driving further pay-TV growth in emerging markets.”

  • Technicolor ships 11th million STB to Tata Sky; celebrates 10 years of partnership

    Technicolor ships 11th million STB to Tata Sky; celebrates 10 years of partnership

    PARIS: Technicolor  (Euronext Paris: TCH ; OTCQX: TCLRY) is proud to announce two special landmarks in its relationship with Tata Sky India’s leading direct to home (DTH) service provider and HD market leader – the 10 year anniversary of the partnership and the delivery of the 11 millionth Technicolor set-top box.

    These special milestones follow an announcement in May of this year for Technicolor to ship 4K set-top boxes in volume to Tata Sky from early 2015.

     

    “On behalf of Technicolor, I’d like to thank Tata Sky for its ongoing co-operation and congratulate the company on its achievements as India’s market leader. We look forward to continuing our partnership and helping to deliver even more successful and exciting services to consumers across India in future,” said Michel Rahier, President of Connected Home Division at Technicolor.

     

    Tata Sky MD & CEO, Harit Nagpal, added “Over the past 10 years Tata Sky’s vision has been to offer its customers the best, most compelling video experience. Technicolor has been a true partner in that quest, delivering high quality products and services. And 2015 will be a great year for our partnership as we deploy 4K STBs across the Indian market, once again, underlying our commitment to delivering the most recent technologies and the highest quality content.”