Category: Set-top Boxes

  • CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016 to unveil solutions from innovations for smart homes and cities

    CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016 to unveil solutions from innovations for smart homes and cities

    MUMBAI:  Digital transformation has given rise to smart technologies, disrupting the way we work, live and play. Bringing to life new innovations, this year’s CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016 returns to Marina Bay Sands Singapore from 31 May – 3 June 2016.

    “From sensors, wearables to intelligent ecosystems, Asia Pacific will see 8.6 billion connected devices by 2020[1]. Hyper-connectivity heightened automation and opened new possibilities for enhanced productivity with innovations including artificial intelligence, robotics and more. CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016 continue to deliver value through insights and exhibitions of new Internet of Things (IoT) manifestations, unveiling thought leadership and best of breed innovations at the region’s leading technology event,” said Singapore Exhibition Services project director of communications events Victor Wong.

    “We are very eager for visitors to see what we have in store, especially at the new and improved NXT@CommunicAsia on Level 3, which will focus on IoT and Smart City innovations,” he further added.

    Highlighting the importance of smart technologies by companies in Singapore and beyond, Singapore Manufacturing Federation Secretary General Lam Joon Khoi added, “BroadcastAsia, CommunicAsia and NXT will see the convergence of multiple establishments showcasing their latest innovative technologies. We encourage all visitors and exhibitors to visit the Singapore Pavilion and network among the frontrunners of the industry. Trade shows like these are excellent platforms for collaborative partnerships to take flight, not only within the domestic market but international markets as well.”

    New technologies to drive Smart Cities

    Gartner highlighted the emergence of the ‘robo’ trend fueled by artificial intelligence and smart technologies driving changes in the way businesses and cities operate. The Asia Pacific region has seen adoption of robotics from food delivery to logistics management, as businesses look to new ways of working. Giving attendees a flavor of what they can expect, here are a couple of exhibitors that will be featured at this year’s event:

    • Air quality monitoring for cities and home: Singapore company MobiQuest will launch an environment monitoring platform, iSenseair, to help cities, businesses and consumers track air quality to enhance quality of life. With increasing environmental and health concerns from the region’s haze and smog concerns, solutions like this showcase how Big Data can enable better city and environmental maintenance for sustainable and liveable cities building.  

    • Enhancing communications with robotics: OTSAW Digital Inc. will be showcasing the new ground-breaking teleconferencing robot, Double, which can be remotely controlled by a mobile teleconferencing system. Remotely controlled by a mobile teleconferencing system, this device enables employees with faster and more engaging interactions, wherever they are at the time of their choice.

    From Kitchen to Security: Bringing Smart Homes to Life
    How would consumers envision smart homes of the future? This year’s event showcases the manifestations of Smart Home technologies from the kitchen to enhancing lifestyles of today’s connected consumer. The following innovations showcase automation in today’s urban home spaces:

    • Kitchen of the future: SousChef is founded by four Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) students. It is a unique multi-functional kitchen-top device that is equipped with an inbuilt memory for recipe storage allowing users to create pre-entered recipes for ingredient dispensing and automated cooking of their favorite dishes. 

    • Home security at your fingertips: Device Electronics will showcase a first of its kind App-controlled surveillance robot for home use. Targeted at families with young children or elderly parents, the device provides consumers with the ability to remotely manoeuvre robots for easy home monitoring.

    Creating new content experiences to engage today’s consumers  

    New, on-demand content and delivery have changed the broadcasting and production industry. Brands need to create engaging and innovative content to capture today’s multi-screen audience. The event also unveils latest innovations including:

    • Redefining content experience 360 degrees: Expandore Electronics brings to the region the new KODAK PIXPRO, enabling today’s content creators to film 360 degree virtual reality videos, bringing images and video viewing experiences to the next level.

    • Capturing moments with fast deploying drones: Singapore company, Cathay Photo, in partnership with Taiwan-based Cheng Seng Group, will be launching the adaptable and ready-to-fly system drone, the Freefly ALTA 6 Camera Drone which can unpack and be ready to shoot in less than 5 minutes

    All the solutions from innovations for smart homes and cities will be showcased at CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016, Asia’s largest and most integrated ICT and broadcasting industry event.

  • CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016 to unveil solutions from innovations for smart homes and cities

    CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016 to unveil solutions from innovations for smart homes and cities

    MUMBAI:  Digital transformation has given rise to smart technologies, disrupting the way we work, live and play. Bringing to life new innovations, this year’s CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016 returns to Marina Bay Sands Singapore from 31 May – 3 June 2016.

    “From sensors, wearables to intelligent ecosystems, Asia Pacific will see 8.6 billion connected devices by 2020[1]. Hyper-connectivity heightened automation and opened new possibilities for enhanced productivity with innovations including artificial intelligence, robotics and more. CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016 continue to deliver value through insights and exhibitions of new Internet of Things (IoT) manifestations, unveiling thought leadership and best of breed innovations at the region’s leading technology event,” said Singapore Exhibition Services project director of communications events Victor Wong.

    “We are very eager for visitors to see what we have in store, especially at the new and improved NXT@CommunicAsia on Level 3, which will focus on IoT and Smart City innovations,” he further added.

    Highlighting the importance of smart technologies by companies in Singapore and beyond, Singapore Manufacturing Federation Secretary General Lam Joon Khoi added, “BroadcastAsia, CommunicAsia and NXT will see the convergence of multiple establishments showcasing their latest innovative technologies. We encourage all visitors and exhibitors to visit the Singapore Pavilion and network among the frontrunners of the industry. Trade shows like these are excellent platforms for collaborative partnerships to take flight, not only within the domestic market but international markets as well.”

    New technologies to drive Smart Cities

    Gartner highlighted the emergence of the ‘robo’ trend fueled by artificial intelligence and smart technologies driving changes in the way businesses and cities operate. The Asia Pacific region has seen adoption of robotics from food delivery to logistics management, as businesses look to new ways of working. Giving attendees a flavor of what they can expect, here are a couple of exhibitors that will be featured at this year’s event:

    • Air quality monitoring for cities and home: Singapore company MobiQuest will launch an environment monitoring platform, iSenseair, to help cities, businesses and consumers track air quality to enhance quality of life. With increasing environmental and health concerns from the region’s haze and smog concerns, solutions like this showcase how Big Data can enable better city and environmental maintenance for sustainable and liveable cities building.  

    • Enhancing communications with robotics: OTSAW Digital Inc. will be showcasing the new ground-breaking teleconferencing robot, Double, which can be remotely controlled by a mobile teleconferencing system. Remotely controlled by a mobile teleconferencing system, this device enables employees with faster and more engaging interactions, wherever they are at the time of their choice.

    From Kitchen to Security: Bringing Smart Homes to Life
    How would consumers envision smart homes of the future? This year’s event showcases the manifestations of Smart Home technologies from the kitchen to enhancing lifestyles of today’s connected consumer. The following innovations showcase automation in today’s urban home spaces:

    • Kitchen of the future: SousChef is founded by four Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) students. It is a unique multi-functional kitchen-top device that is equipped with an inbuilt memory for recipe storage allowing users to create pre-entered recipes for ingredient dispensing and automated cooking of their favorite dishes. 

    • Home security at your fingertips: Device Electronics will showcase a first of its kind App-controlled surveillance robot for home use. Targeted at families with young children or elderly parents, the device provides consumers with the ability to remotely manoeuvre robots for easy home monitoring.

    Creating new content experiences to engage today’s consumers  

    New, on-demand content and delivery have changed the broadcasting and production industry. Brands need to create engaging and innovative content to capture today’s multi-screen audience. The event also unveils latest innovations including:

    • Redefining content experience 360 degrees: Expandore Electronics brings to the region the new KODAK PIXPRO, enabling today’s content creators to film 360 degree virtual reality videos, bringing images and video viewing experiences to the next level.

    • Capturing moments with fast deploying drones: Singapore company, Cathay Photo, in partnership with Taiwan-based Cheng Seng Group, will be launching the adaptable and ready-to-fly system drone, the Freefly ALTA 6 Camera Drone which can unpack and be ready to shoot in less than 5 minutes

    All the solutions from innovations for smart homes and cities will be showcased at CommunicAsia2016, EnterpriseIT2016 and BroadcastAsia2016, Asia’s largest and most integrated ICT and broadcasting industry event.

  • Nagra highlights new growth opportunities and IP strategies for pay-TV at Communicasia 2016

    Nagra highlights new growth opportunities and IP strategies for pay-TV at Communicasia 2016

    Comprehensive showcase of latest content protection and cloud/IP technologies enable a secure, engaging and everywhere pay-TV experience for consumers

    Cheseaux, Switzerland And Singapore – May 24, 2016 – Nagra, a Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) company and the world’s leading independent provider of content protection and multiscreen television solutions, will be at Communicasia 2016, From May 31-June 3 In Singapore, highlighting new growth opportunities and IP-based strategies designed to help the region’s pay-TV operators deliver a secure, engaging and everywhere experience to consumers. Nagra will be located on booth 1H-214, along with Kudelski Group subsidiaries Conax and Smardtv, at the Marine Bay Sands convention.

    “Pay-TV Operators, particularly in the asia-pacific region, are at the crossroads of exciting new opportunities to reach consumers on any screen, anytime and anywhere, as well as engage into a more interactive viewer relationship,” said Stéphane Le Dréau, Nagra’s general manager for Southeast Asia. “Largely driven by the accelerated adoption of IP-based delivery networks, these opportunities also bring about new technical challenges – from content protection to the consumer experience – where Nagra is uniquely positioned to help. We look forward to unveiling our latest innovations and demonstrating how service providers can embrace the new IP environment.”

    Nagra’s technology showcase will feature the award-winning intuiTV solution, a managed cloud-based platform that can be configured with a full line-up of premium content and advanced TV services featuring live TV, VOD, SVOD services (like Netflix and YouTube), PVR/nPVR, social TV and other standard TV features such as search and recommendation (including voice) – all accessible via an innovative streaming device, ‘swipe-to-tune’ user interface and a contextual, programmable e-ink remote control. 

    Visitors will also learn about Nagra’s growing footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and see latest deployments of the MediaLive Suite, including OpenTV 5 connectware and Nagra’s set-top box reference solution for Netflix which was recently deployed at StarHub in Singapore. Such innovations have enabled operators to deploy next generation services – from basic to more advanced – and expand their offering by enabling them, for instance, to seamlessly integrate SVOD services in their content line-up through a single user interface and TV input.

    New developments in content protection will complement the showcase and feature anyCAST’s unique adaptive security concept which comprehensively addresses all devices and use cases for a new generation of enhanced content, featuring connected security, 4K content protection and watermarking. Nagra anyCAST gives pay-TV service providers the industry’s largest and most trusted range of conditional access (CAS) and digital rights management (DRM) solutions. Using a single Security Services Platform, Nagra anyCAST seamlessly controls an entire range of cardless, card-based, embedded and two-way connected secure clients as well as 3rd-party DRMs, enabling any service provider to create the perfect security solution for their network or combination of networks.

     

  • Nagra highlights new growth opportunities and IP strategies for pay-TV at Communicasia 2016

    Nagra highlights new growth opportunities and IP strategies for pay-TV at Communicasia 2016

    Comprehensive showcase of latest content protection and cloud/IP technologies enable a secure, engaging and everywhere pay-TV experience for consumers

    Cheseaux, Switzerland And Singapore – May 24, 2016 – Nagra, a Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) company and the world’s leading independent provider of content protection and multiscreen television solutions, will be at Communicasia 2016, From May 31-June 3 In Singapore, highlighting new growth opportunities and IP-based strategies designed to help the region’s pay-TV operators deliver a secure, engaging and everywhere experience to consumers. Nagra will be located on booth 1H-214, along with Kudelski Group subsidiaries Conax and Smardtv, at the Marine Bay Sands convention.

    “Pay-TV Operators, particularly in the asia-pacific region, are at the crossroads of exciting new opportunities to reach consumers on any screen, anytime and anywhere, as well as engage into a more interactive viewer relationship,” said Stéphane Le Dréau, Nagra’s general manager for Southeast Asia. “Largely driven by the accelerated adoption of IP-based delivery networks, these opportunities also bring about new technical challenges – from content protection to the consumer experience – where Nagra is uniquely positioned to help. We look forward to unveiling our latest innovations and demonstrating how service providers can embrace the new IP environment.”

    Nagra’s technology showcase will feature the award-winning intuiTV solution, a managed cloud-based platform that can be configured with a full line-up of premium content and advanced TV services featuring live TV, VOD, SVOD services (like Netflix and YouTube), PVR/nPVR, social TV and other standard TV features such as search and recommendation (including voice) – all accessible via an innovative streaming device, ‘swipe-to-tune’ user interface and a contextual, programmable e-ink remote control. 

    Visitors will also learn about Nagra’s growing footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and see latest deployments of the MediaLive Suite, including OpenTV 5 connectware and Nagra’s set-top box reference solution for Netflix which was recently deployed at StarHub in Singapore. Such innovations have enabled operators to deploy next generation services – from basic to more advanced – and expand their offering by enabling them, for instance, to seamlessly integrate SVOD services in their content line-up through a single user interface and TV input.

    New developments in content protection will complement the showcase and feature anyCAST’s unique adaptive security concept which comprehensively addresses all devices and use cases for a new generation of enhanced content, featuring connected security, 4K content protection and watermarking. Nagra anyCAST gives pay-TV service providers the industry’s largest and most trusted range of conditional access (CAS) and digital rights management (DRM) solutions. Using a single Security Services Platform, Nagra anyCAST seamlessly controls an entire range of cardless, card-based, embedded and two-way connected secure clients as well as 3rd-party DRMs, enabling any service provider to create the perfect security solution for their network or combination of networks.

     

  • Govt moots long-term financing for Indian STB manufacturers

    Govt moots long-term financing for Indian STB manufacturers

    NEW DELHI: The government is working on a plan for long-term financing to Indian manufacturers of set top boxes to accelerate digitization of cable television. This information was given by the Information and Broadcasting ministry to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which examines issues relating to I and B.

    The Committee expressed the hope that the ministry will be able to meet the targets of cable TV digitization and recommend that the issues of long term financial support to domestic manufacturers to negate easy procurement of Chinese made STBs need to be looked into and addressed suitably by the Ministry.

    While informing the Committee that just around nineteen manufacturers were manufacturing indigenous STBs, the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) said it can scale up the capacity if there is a demand but for that there is need of government support in creating a level playing field for domestic STB manufacturers to compete with the Chinese imported STBs.

    The Committee was given to understand that as of now there is easy facility for obtaining long-term credit to procure the Chinese STBs and this option is not available in the Indian banking system.

    The ministry claimed that it had declared STBs as part of the telecommunications network equipment and reduction of Value Added Tax on domestically manufactured STBs. An indigenous Conditional Access System (CAS) had been developed which will give further impetus to the domestic STB manufacturers to produce and supply the indigenously manufactured STBs.

    However, the Committee said the ministry may also think in terms of increasing the allocation for Mission Digitization which at present is merely taking care of procedural requirement to support the needs of domestic manufacturers.

    This will not only give a further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government but also help in employment generation in a big way, the Committee said.

    Noting that digitization of the Cable TV sector in the country is one of the thrust areas of the ministry of I&B during the 12th Five Year Plan, the Committee said a look at the budgetary allocation and utilization of funds during 2015-16 under the Scheme of Mission Digitization showed that the ministry had spent Rs 1.25 crore out of Rs 1.30 crore made available at the Revised Estimate stage. Another Rs 5 crore had been allocated at the Budget Estimate stage for the year 2016-17. 

  • Govt moots long-term financing for Indian STB manufacturers

    Govt moots long-term financing for Indian STB manufacturers

    NEW DELHI: The government is working on a plan for long-term financing to Indian manufacturers of set top boxes to accelerate digitization of cable television. This information was given by the Information and Broadcasting ministry to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which examines issues relating to I and B.

    The Committee expressed the hope that the ministry will be able to meet the targets of cable TV digitization and recommend that the issues of long term financial support to domestic manufacturers to negate easy procurement of Chinese made STBs need to be looked into and addressed suitably by the Ministry.

    While informing the Committee that just around nineteen manufacturers were manufacturing indigenous STBs, the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) said it can scale up the capacity if there is a demand but for that there is need of government support in creating a level playing field for domestic STB manufacturers to compete with the Chinese imported STBs.

    The Committee was given to understand that as of now there is easy facility for obtaining long-term credit to procure the Chinese STBs and this option is not available in the Indian banking system.

    The ministry claimed that it had declared STBs as part of the telecommunications network equipment and reduction of Value Added Tax on domestically manufactured STBs. An indigenous Conditional Access System (CAS) had been developed which will give further impetus to the domestic STB manufacturers to produce and supply the indigenously manufactured STBs.

    However, the Committee said the ministry may also think in terms of increasing the allocation for Mission Digitization which at present is merely taking care of procedural requirement to support the needs of domestic manufacturers.

    This will not only give a further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government but also help in employment generation in a big way, the Committee said.

    Noting that digitization of the Cable TV sector in the country is one of the thrust areas of the ministry of I&B during the 12th Five Year Plan, the Committee said a look at the budgetary allocation and utilization of funds during 2015-16 under the Scheme of Mission Digitization showed that the ministry had spent Rs 1.25 crore out of Rs 1.30 crore made available at the Revised Estimate stage. Another Rs 5 crore had been allocated at the Budget Estimate stage for the year 2016-17. 

  • Q1-16: Connected Homes segment revs Technicolor revenue 57 percent

    Q1-16: Connected Homes segment revs Technicolor revenue 57 percent

    BENGALURU:  Buoyed by its Connected Homes segment which more than doubled its revenue, TechnicolorGroup (Technicolor, Group) reported a 57 percent revenue jump on constant currency basis for the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q1-2016, current quarter) as compared to Q1-2015. Except for its Technology segment which reported a 4.9 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in the current quarter vis-à-vis Q1-2015, all the other segments reported a hike in revenue.  Further, Technicolor closed the acquisitions of Cisco Connected Devices and The Mill, which had a positive impact on prior-year result comparison.

    Technicolor CEO Fredric Rose said, “Our significant customer wins in the first quarter demonstrate the successful start to integrating our 2015 acquisitions. This puts us in good stead to achieve our financial objectives.”

    Technicolor Group reported revenue of €1,262 million in Q1-2016, which as 56.7 percent more than €805 million in Q1-2015.

    Connected Home

    Connected Home revenues amounted to €698 million in Q1-2016, including a €396 million contribution of Cisco Connected Devices. Technicolor says that excluding Cisco Connected Devices, Connected Home recorded year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth in all regions, except for Latin America. Revenues in North America, EMEA and APAC regions were up 26 percent year-on-year at constant currency. Latin America revenues were impacted by the Brazilian crisis and recorded a sharp drop of 45 percent year-on-year at constant currency.

    Within Connected Home, by product, Video revenue went up by 2.65 times YoY to €428 million in Q1-2016 as compared to €164 million. Broadband revenue increased 81 percent to €270 million in the current quarter to €164 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Entertainment Services

    Entertainment Services revenues amounted to €450 million in Q1-2016, up 34.6 percent at constant currency compared €338 million to Q1-2015. This performance reflected a strong double-digit growth in Production Services, including the contribution of last year’s acquisitions, combined with increased DVD Services revenues.

    Production Services revenues amounted to €179 million in Q1-2016, up by more than 50 percent at constant currency compared to the first quarter of 2015. This strong performance resulted from a double-digit organic revenue growth and the additions of OuiDo, Mikros Image and The Mill.

    The level of activity in Visual Effects for feature films was stable year-on-year as the Group started ramping up new titles in the current quarter and thus fully offset the completion of large-scale projects in Q3-2015.

    DVD Services revenues amounted to €272 million in the current quarter, up 25.2 percent at constant currency compared to Q1-2015. This performance was driven by a 24.6 percent year-on-year growth in total volumes from 271 million in Q1-2015 to 337.5 million, reflecting new customer additions secured in 2015, as well as selected key new release theatrical titles produced in the Q1-2016. During the period, DVD volumes increased by c.12 percent, while Blu-ray disc volumes were up c.26 percent compared Q1-2015. Overall Games volumes increased by c.6 percent year-on-year, as growth in Xbox One Blu-ray games volumes was tempered somewhat by the ongoing (and largely complete) shift in demand from the prior generation DVD based Xbox console. CD volumes were up substantially in the first quarter, due primarily to last year’s new customer additions.

    The company reveals that key theatrical titles produced in the current quarter included Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Disney), Spectre (Fox), as well as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (Lionsgate), while key games titles included Tom Clancy’s The Division (Ubisoft) and Quantum Break (Microsoft).

    Technology

    Licensing revenues amounted to €112 million in Q1-2016, down €6 million at current currency compared to Q1-2015. This decrease was due to a €62 million decline in MPEG LA revenues, which was partially compensated by a strong quarter in Patent Licensing, driven by Video Coding and Digital TV activities. In Video Coding, the strong performance was driven by the first material licensing agreement for the use of its HEVC patent portfolio thatTechnicolor signed with a leading technology company in early February.

    In the current quarter, Technicolor slightly increased its Trademark Licensing revenues and continued to make additional progress in the dissemination of its High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology. Technicolor says that several silicon manufacturers have started to embed its technologies, for TVs or set-top boxes, and chips will be available by the end of this year.

    Click here for detailed report.

  • Q1-16: Connected Homes segment revs Technicolor revenue 57 percent

    Q1-16: Connected Homes segment revs Technicolor revenue 57 percent

    BENGALURU:  Buoyed by its Connected Homes segment which more than doubled its revenue, TechnicolorGroup (Technicolor, Group) reported a 57 percent revenue jump on constant currency basis for the quarter ended 31 March 2016 (Q1-2016, current quarter) as compared to Q1-2015. Except for its Technology segment which reported a 4.9 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in the current quarter vis-à-vis Q1-2015, all the other segments reported a hike in revenue.  Further, Technicolor closed the acquisitions of Cisco Connected Devices and The Mill, which had a positive impact on prior-year result comparison.

    Technicolor CEO Fredric Rose said, “Our significant customer wins in the first quarter demonstrate the successful start to integrating our 2015 acquisitions. This puts us in good stead to achieve our financial objectives.”

    Technicolor Group reported revenue of €1,262 million in Q1-2016, which as 56.7 percent more than €805 million in Q1-2015.

    Connected Home

    Connected Home revenues amounted to €698 million in Q1-2016, including a €396 million contribution of Cisco Connected Devices. Technicolor says that excluding Cisco Connected Devices, Connected Home recorded year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth in all regions, except for Latin America. Revenues in North America, EMEA and APAC regions were up 26 percent year-on-year at constant currency. Latin America revenues were impacted by the Brazilian crisis and recorded a sharp drop of 45 percent year-on-year at constant currency.

    Within Connected Home, by product, Video revenue went up by 2.65 times YoY to €428 million in Q1-2016 as compared to €164 million. Broadband revenue increased 81 percent to €270 million in the current quarter to €164 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Entertainment Services

    Entertainment Services revenues amounted to €450 million in Q1-2016, up 34.6 percent at constant currency compared €338 million to Q1-2015. This performance reflected a strong double-digit growth in Production Services, including the contribution of last year’s acquisitions, combined with increased DVD Services revenues.

    Production Services revenues amounted to €179 million in Q1-2016, up by more than 50 percent at constant currency compared to the first quarter of 2015. This strong performance resulted from a double-digit organic revenue growth and the additions of OuiDo, Mikros Image and The Mill.

    The level of activity in Visual Effects for feature films was stable year-on-year as the Group started ramping up new titles in the current quarter and thus fully offset the completion of large-scale projects in Q3-2015.

    DVD Services revenues amounted to €272 million in the current quarter, up 25.2 percent at constant currency compared to Q1-2015. This performance was driven by a 24.6 percent year-on-year growth in total volumes from 271 million in Q1-2015 to 337.5 million, reflecting new customer additions secured in 2015, as well as selected key new release theatrical titles produced in the Q1-2016. During the period, DVD volumes increased by c.12 percent, while Blu-ray disc volumes were up c.26 percent compared Q1-2015. Overall Games volumes increased by c.6 percent year-on-year, as growth in Xbox One Blu-ray games volumes was tempered somewhat by the ongoing (and largely complete) shift in demand from the prior generation DVD based Xbox console. CD volumes were up substantially in the first quarter, due primarily to last year’s new customer additions.

    The company reveals that key theatrical titles produced in the current quarter included Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Disney), Spectre (Fox), as well as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (Lionsgate), while key games titles included Tom Clancy’s The Division (Ubisoft) and Quantum Break (Microsoft).

    Technology

    Licensing revenues amounted to €112 million in Q1-2016, down €6 million at current currency compared to Q1-2015. This decrease was due to a €62 million decline in MPEG LA revenues, which was partially compensated by a strong quarter in Patent Licensing, driven by Video Coding and Digital TV activities. In Video Coding, the strong performance was driven by the first material licensing agreement for the use of its HEVC patent portfolio thatTechnicolor signed with a leading technology company in early February.

    In the current quarter, Technicolor slightly increased its Trademark Licensing revenues and continued to make additional progress in the dissemination of its High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology. Technicolor says that several silicon manufacturers have started to embed its technologies, for TVs or set-top boxes, and chips will be available by the end of this year.

    Click here for detailed report.

  • India enters niche STB global market with indigenously designed CAS system, funded by DeiTY

    India enters niche STB global market with indigenously designed CAS system, funded by DeiTY

    New Delhi: ByDesign India Pvt Ltd of Bangalore has successfully completed development of Conditional Access System (CAS) for Set Top Boxes (STBs) and enabled India to enter a niche market hitherto dominated by five big global companies.

    The Communications and Information Technology Ministry said in a note today that the CAS had been developed under a project funded by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) for promotion of Electronics design and manufacturing in the country.

    Prasar Bharati sources told indiantelevision.com that Doordarshan’s free-to-air DTH Freedish has also adopted a version of this design for raising the number of channel slots on the platform from 64 to 112.

    The global STB market is estimated to be about 250 Million (25 crore) STBs per annum and the CAS market is expected to be nearly $2 billion ($200 crore) per annum. The projected demand in India for completing the digitization of broadcasting network is nearly 100 Million (10 crore) STBs, thereby signifying an attractive domestic market. 

    ByDesign India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, was selected and awarded the task for development and implementation of Indian Conditional Access System (iCASTM) in association with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in November 2014 with technical specifications that were the best in the world.

    C-DAC was responsible for design review, code review, monitoring, testing and validation of the entire project. The Development Stage of iCASTM was successfully completed on 14.11.2015 within the specified time. 

    The developed iCASTM already supports seven Indian Languages and will support fifteen more languages in the near future. The iCASTM has been tested at the Cryptography Verification Labs, accredited by NIST in the United States and has also been widely field tested under Indian conditions. 

    ByDesign is required to tie up with at least five Operators and install STB with iCASTM in atleast 2,50,000 STBs. The implementation of iCASTM in the cable networks has already started.

    More than 25,000 STBs with iCASTM have already been deployed across the country in the last two months, from Haldwani in the North to Madurai in the South and Durgapur in the East to Satara District in the West. 

    iCASTM exemplifies successful collaboration between industry and Government for R&D and IPR generation in Electronics design and manufacturing. The iCASTM is also beneficial to domestic STB manufacturers because it is available to them at a price of $ 0.5 license for a period of three years as against market price of $ 4 to 5 license for other competing products. 

  • India enters niche STB global market with indigenously designed CAS system, funded by DeiTY

    India enters niche STB global market with indigenously designed CAS system, funded by DeiTY

    New Delhi: ByDesign India Pvt Ltd of Bangalore has successfully completed development of Conditional Access System (CAS) for Set Top Boxes (STBs) and enabled India to enter a niche market hitherto dominated by five big global companies.

    The Communications and Information Technology Ministry said in a note today that the CAS had been developed under a project funded by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) for promotion of Electronics design and manufacturing in the country.

    Prasar Bharati sources told indiantelevision.com that Doordarshan’s free-to-air DTH Freedish has also adopted a version of this design for raising the number of channel slots on the platform from 64 to 112.

    The global STB market is estimated to be about 250 Million (25 crore) STBs per annum and the CAS market is expected to be nearly $2 billion ($200 crore) per annum. The projected demand in India for completing the digitization of broadcasting network is nearly 100 Million (10 crore) STBs, thereby signifying an attractive domestic market. 

    ByDesign India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, was selected and awarded the task for development and implementation of Indian Conditional Access System (iCASTM) in association with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in November 2014 with technical specifications that were the best in the world.

    C-DAC was responsible for design review, code review, monitoring, testing and validation of the entire project. The Development Stage of iCASTM was successfully completed on 14.11.2015 within the specified time. 

    The developed iCASTM already supports seven Indian Languages and will support fifteen more languages in the near future. The iCASTM has been tested at the Cryptography Verification Labs, accredited by NIST in the United States and has also been widely field tested under Indian conditions. 

    ByDesign is required to tie up with at least five Operators and install STB with iCASTM in atleast 2,50,000 STBs. The implementation of iCASTM in the cable networks has already started.

    More than 25,000 STBs with iCASTM have already been deployed across the country in the last two months, from Haldwani in the North to Madurai in the South and Durgapur in the East to Satara District in the West. 

    iCASTM exemplifies successful collaboration between industry and Government for R&D and IPR generation in Electronics design and manufacturing. The iCASTM is also beneficial to domestic STB manufacturers because it is available to them at a price of $ 0.5 license for a period of three years as against market price of $ 4 to 5 license for other competing products.