Category: Technology

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Discovery has enhanced its Discovery News service to include daily video webcasts, featuring breaking news in areas of increasing concern for consumers.

As the first major feature of these video webcasts, Discovery News has broken a story from Montana, where Jack Horner, renowned paleontologist and chief curator of the Museum of the Rockies discovered the fossil of a baby triceratops skull, only the sixth ever found.

Horner says, “Over the years people have been out here in the Hell Creek formation collecting dinosaurs and almost all that‘s been collected are adults. The best thing about this little triceratops is that it is actually a baby. This is probably one of the best baby triceratops skulls ever found.” Horner says that the baby triceratops discovery is significant as younger fossils can answer many questions about the growth and development of triceratops

The broadcaster says that the discovery reflects the type of subjects to be explored on the new Discovery News webcast. The news service will provide consumers fast, in-depth and relevant information in the areas of science, nature, health, travel, all things about planet earth and current affairs.

Discovery senior executive VP for strategy and development Don Baer says, “Expanding Discovery News into broadband video taps into the public‘s confidence in our ability to bring them trusted and timely factual information about some of the most important topics in the world.

“To have landed an exclusive story of the magnitude of Jack Horner‘s find, and right in the sweet spot of our core DNA of content
strength demonstrates Discovery‘s ability to cover breaking real-world news while expanding ways consumers count on Discovery to bring them the whole world.”

Discovery News Broadband and Narrowband Features Updated daily with original short-form video that is searchable for consumers at any time, Discovery News says that it offers cutting-edge perspective and commentary from multiple video sources. The company is tapping an in-house development and editorial team.

It has also announced an agreement for video content from Associated Press Television News. Other news organisation partnerships, as well as the cultivation of new journalists and personalities, will be announced in the coming weeks. Stories running on the video player include a segment on the recent flooding of the National Archives and the road to reopening its doors.

In conjunction with the launch of the daily video news webcast, Discovery says that it has has more than doubled the amount of coverage of text-based news on its narrowband site discoverychannelnews.com, which now features 10 genre-specific subject pages across the company‘s core content areas.

Stories currently on the Discovery News text website that reflect topics of particular interest to Discovery viewers include a report on a new study related to global warming and a piece about a species of shark in danger of
extinction, among many others.

MUMBAI: Radio Disney in the US has joined forces with MobiTV, which works in the area for television and digital radio services for cellular, WiFi and broadband enabled devices.

The two companies will launch a Radio Disney mobile channel to be broadcast via MobiTV‘s MobiRadio service.

Radio Disney‘s base of millions of listeners can turn on to new technology with MobiRadio, and they can now use their mobile phones to access their favorite Radio Disney content.

The MobiRadio service offers cellular subscribers immediate and live access to music, news, sports, weather and entertainment from the top artists and brands in talk radio.

Radio Disney executive director of brand marketing Michael Peterson says, “The Radio Disney MobiRadio channel will reach our extended audience of kids, tweens and their families; they trust our programming, content, and most of all, they love the hit music.

“Our audiences appreciate that Radio Disney continues to evolve with the newest technologies, because the various platforms provide them with the ability to listen anywhere, any how and any time they want.”

MobiTV senior director of business development and programming Erik Smith says, “With more than a million subscribers on our mobile TV and radio services, we know that consumers enjoy the thrill of getting their media on their mobile device. Radio Disney offers more great branded content for our loyal subscribers and their kids.”

Radio Disney president, GM Jean-Paul Colaco says, “Forging new paths for Radio Disney has proven to be quite successful. Radio Disney‘s union with MobiRadio is another growth strategy to keep Radio Disney connected with kids and family, whenever and wherever they are.”

This recent venture with MobiRadio complements Radio Disney‘s most recent launch on mSpot, another mobile phone multimedia service. Radio Disney is celebrating 10 years on the airwaves. It caters to kids, tweens and families on the radio. Radio Disney has full national coverage in the US through 50 plus terrestrial stations, XM and Sirius satellite radio (channel 115), digital cable (MUSIC CHOICE), XM/DIRECTV (channel 867) and via streaming on RadioDisney.com. Radio Disney offers hit music, inspired programming and superstar promotions.

MUMBAI: US internet service provider AOL is testing closed captions for streaming news content from CNN that will enhance the online media experience for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Captioned CNN video content will be available throughout the AOL network, including the AOL service, the free AOL.com Web portal and the AOL Video portal.

AOL says that it is the first consumer Internet service to provide captioned online videos, has offered closed captioning since 2003 for select content on its KOL service for kids aged 6 to 12, including Princess Natasha the original cartoon series created exclusively for KOL. AOL also offered synchronized text transcripts for CNN news updates that were limited to the text of a news anchor‘s script.

Now, content from CNN, including videos for the day‘s headlines, current events, new stories, entertainment and more, will be manually captioned to ensure all of the audio in a video stream is completely accessible. AOL plans to provide closed captioning for additional video content over the coming months.

AOL has been working on this initiative with WGBH‘s Media Access Group, the organisation behind the development of technologies and services that make all forms of media accessible to the 36 million Americans who rely on captioning or video descriptions. This work was also supported by a grant to WGBH from NEC Foundation of America, which supports programmes with national reach and impact in assistive technology for people with disabilities.

AOL says that its captioning initiative is an extension of AOL‘s Accessibility Policy, a company wide priority that aims to address and meet the technology needs of people with disabilities.

AOL adds thast closed captions for streaming videos builds upon its leadership position as one of the best online destinations for video. AOL delivers an array of products and services that together provide a complete video experience, including compelling video programming, best-in-class video search and a high-quality video playback experience for all Internet consumers.

MUMBAI: The California-headquartered Silicon Image, Inc., a global player in semiconductors for the secure storage, distribution and presentation of high-definition content, has announced a landmark agreement with the China Video Industry Association (CVIA) under which CVIA will promote and support the use of High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) by the consumer electronics industry in China.

The agreement with CVIA positions China to play a major role developing next-generation digital consumer electronics technology.

As part of the agreement, Silicon Image and CVIA have agreed to work together to promote HDMI adoption among domestic Chinese electronics manufacturers, co-develop new technology applicable to HDMI, and collaborate on establishing testing and interoperability certification labs that complement the capabilities of the HDMI Authorized Testing Centers established by Silicon Image, states an official release.

In addition, Silicon Image will support the China Digital Interface Industry Alliance (CDIA), an industry alliance consisting of major Chinese electronics manufacturers that CVIA is establishing. CDIA will work to promote the use of HDMI in consumer electronic products, promote communications among manufacturers in China and abroad, and strengthen coordination between hardware manufacturers and content providers, the release adds.

In a related announcement, HDMI Licensing, LLC, announced a global reduction in the annual administration fee charged to HDMI adopters. The fee reduction was made possible by HDMI‘s growing success in the marketplace; more than 400 makers of consumer electronics and PC products worldwide have adopted HDMI, including 82 companies in China.

Based in Beijing, the China Video Industry Association (CVIA) is China‘s industry association for manufacturers of digital television, digital movie/broadcasting, high definition optical disc, set-top box and information technology equipment and components, and is focused on promoting China‘s digital consumer electronics industry.

In 2005, China manufactured 82 million televisions and 140 million DVD or VCD players, according to CVIA. Sales of plasma and LCD TVs are forecast to grow 105 percent this year to $5.5 billion, and are estimated to reach $10.5 billion in 2008, according to IDC.

“Today China is taking a major step forward in promoting the development of its digital consumer electronics industry,” says Department of Broadcasting and Television, Ministry of Information Industry director Bai Weimin. “CVIA‘s agreement to partner with Silicon Image to develop new digital interface technology will further the development of China‘s electronics manufacturers as leaders in creating advanced digital technologies.”

“Under this agreement, China‘s companies will not only embrace the global HDMI standard but will partner with Silicon Image to participate in future technology development for HDMI,” says CVIA vice secretary-general Hao Yabin. “This agreement will help China develop its own intellectual property, protect the interests of China‘s digital consumer electronics industry, and improve the cooperation and mutual benefit of the domestic and international high definition technology industries.”

“Silicon Image will work closely with China‘s digital consumer electronics industry to help create innovative, cutting edge products and technologies,” says Silicon Image president and CEO Steve Tirado. “This agreement represents an important expansion of the HDMI standard into the world‘s largest consumer market, and strongly re-affirms HDMI as the worldwide standard for high-definition digital devices.”

New Testing Labs

As part of the agreement, Silicon Image and CVIA will cooperate in establishing testing and interoperability certification labs. Silicon Image will continue to operate HDMI Authorized Testing Centers (ATCs) and Simplay HD Testing Centers in China. In addition, Silicon Image, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Simplay Labs, LLC, and CVIA will work together to establish testing and interoperability certification labs that complement the capabilities of the HDMI ATCs.

Silicon Image today also announced the opening of China‘s second combined HDMI ATC / Simplay HD Testing Center in Shanghai, and with the support of CVIA plans to open a third such facility in China at a location to be determined.

The Simplay HDTM Testing Program consists of branding, compatibility testing, and education for consumers to provide them with a consistent “plug and play” user experience and to maximize their access to premium high definition (HD) content.

MUMBAI: Ceva, Inc., the California-headquartered licensor of digital signal processor (DSP) cores, multimedia and storage platforms to the semiconductor industry, and Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Ltd (Astri) have announced the Ceva-TeakLite DSP and associated multimedia software. The software will be developed into a fully integrated, low power audio SoC platform solution.

This is one of the projects driven by Astri IC Design Group‘s Multimedia Platform (MMP) initiative. The mission of MMP is to enable a platform-based solution with comprehensive video/audio codec Intellectual Properties (IP) for semiconductor companies in Hong Kong and Greater China. This solution is for developing a cost-effective SoC for a wide range of multimedia applications, including portable multimedia players and IPTV, informs an official release.

The Ceva-TeakLite‘s unique feature, which combines optimal performance and complete audio and imaging codec software, is the key factor for Astri‘s decision to licence the DSP. Using a single source for both the DSP and the software, the platform offers Astri the benefit of a highly optimized system that delivers power and performance advantages, and ease-of-integration — all crucial factors in the successful development of a product for the highly competitive portable multimedia markets, the release further informs.

“By collaborating with a world-class IP company like Ceva, we are able to provide state-of-the-art technologies for manufacturers that compete at the highest level within the semiconductor industry,” says Astri IC Designs Group VP and R&D director Raymond Chiu.

“Partnering with Astri is of significant importance to our expansion strategy into the growing semiconductor industry in Greater China,” says Ceva CEO Gideon Wertheizer. “Astri‘s relationship with local China-based fabless companies and proven track record in IP deployment provide an excellent platform from which we can deliver our Ceva-TeakLite DSP and multimedia software in highly optimized and affordable solutions to the portable multimedia markets.”

SINGAPORE: VOD solutions provider ICTV has introduced its ActiveVideo platform at the 11th Annual Broadcast Asia Conference and Exhibition being held from 20-23 June 2006.

In its demonstration, ICTV has showed how the ActiveVideo platform combines the attributes of television and the web and enables operators, programmers and advertisers for the first time to successfully bring broadband video programming and advertising models from the internet to the television, informs an official release.

The platform delivers web-driven programming and both live and VOD streams. ActiveVideo programming is delivered through the widely deployed VOD infrastructure through any VOD-capable set-top and navigated with standard remotes, adds the release.

Capitalising on the ability to deliver web programming as MPEG video to any digital set-top box, the ICTV ActiveVideo platform is entirely standards- based, requiring no custom integration or proprietary development. Live and VOD programming can be blended with content that is created and modified quickly using standard web tools and talent, and distributed to the headend via standard web infrastructure. The ActiveVideo platform runs within the existing VOD infrastructure, delivering all programming from the headend as MPEG video, and integrates with and extends existing set-top based interactive approaches.

“Viewers have been taking greater control of their video experiences, particularly on the PC and increasingly on mobile devices,” said ICTV president and CEO Jeff Miller. “The ActiveVideo platform enables the delivery of programming that most precisely meets the needs of the individual viewers, as well as high-CPM ads that are targeted, auditable and interactive.”

The ICTV demonstration at Broadcast Asia also includes two applications of the ActiveVideo platform: An ActiveVideo Mosaic, the multichannel, customizable, personalized mosaic for video-rich navigation, and ActiveVideo Channels, which enable existing broadband networks to be delivered to the TV in real time, adds the release.

The ICTV ActiveVideo Mosaic creates a simplified, personalised navigational experience by providing live video from, and navigation through, multiple channels simultaneously. The ActiveVideo Mosaic can be personalized based upon subscriber, operator, or programmer choice, or via system response to subscriber viewing habits- all on any digital set-top box. Interactive elements, including web-driven targeted advertising, can be incorporated within the mosaic screens.

With ActiveVideo Channels, network operators and programmers can enhance the value of existing channels by allowing viewers to take active control of what they see and when they see it. With the use of their remote controls, television viewers can select an ActiveVideo Channel from the standard program guide and enter a broadband experience that includes video, navigational elements, channel branding, banner advertisements, and links to different video segments. Screens can be manipulated to reflect personal viewing interests and purchasing preferences.

MUMBAI: The Asia/Pacific region is leading the global revolution of IPTV in infrastructure deployments, applications development and subscriber adoption, reports global research firm In-Stat. The study reveals that the region‘s broadband penetration and regulatory support help to foster the fastest-growing IPTV market in the world.

“With IPTV, incumbent telcos have the opportunity to fundamentally change their broadband customers‘ video service experience from the traditional video clip streaming and downloading model,” says In-Stat analyst Bryan Wang. “IPTV is expected to be the real killer application in the telcos‘ broadband services portfolio that will increase ARPU and preserve user stickiness.”

A recent report by In-Stat found the following:

— By 2011, the Asia/Pacific market is expected to reach 39 million IPTV subscribers.

— Total IPTV revenue in the region will reach US$8.1 billion by 2011.

— Providers will need to find a unique approach to packaging and bundling in order to attract customers and maintain a competitive edge. As a result, most IPTV service providers have strategically integrated services in their triple-play bundled offerings.
 
The research, “Asia/Pacific IPTV Market: Hype and Hope?”, covers the market for IPTV in the Asia/Pacific region. It contains forecasts for IPTV subscribers for the region and by major national markets, along with revenue for the region through 2011. It includes analysis of market drivers, challenges, and the regulatory environment. Also included is a look at specific conditions in major regional markets including China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, states an official release.

MUMBAI: JumpTV, a global player in the delivery of international television over the internet, has entered into a strategic partnership with Cutting Edge Media, one of India‘s independent media sales company, to expand JumpTV‘s presence in South Asia.

JumpTV will work with Cutting Edge Media to secure new broadcast agreements using internet protocol; enter into distribution agreements for JumpTV‘s global TV roster with Indian cable, mobile telephony, and IPTV providers and build on JumpTV‘s existing menu of South Asian television content.

Currently, JumpTV has signed internet-broadcast agreements with Indian channels: Sony Entertainment Television Asia, India TV, Punjab Today and Balle Balle.

Other South Asian channels the company has roped in are: OnTV, Channel i, RTV from Bangladesh;TV One and HumTV from Pakistan.

Cutting Edge Media oversees brokering distribution, advertising and subscription deals for foreign media companies entering the Indian markets and those Indian outlets looking to grow their international audiences. Its clientele includes Cartoon Network, CNN, Reality TV, The Hallmark Channel and Channel News Asia.

“South Asia is an incredibly vibrant media market. Television stations create and broadcast truly innovative programming, which is closely followed by a passionate viewer base living all over the world. By partnering with Cutting Edge Media, JumpTV will develop new relationships and deepen existing relationships with leading broadcasters from the sub-continent, serving as a platform to internationalize their content over the Internet,” says JumpTV‘s Asia Pacific general manager, Kevin Foong.

He adds, “While our Asian lineup of more than 25 channels includes highly popular South Asian broadcasters such as India‘s SET Asia, Pakistan‘s TV One and Hum TV, Jaya TV, as well as Bangladesh‘s leading stations nTV and Channel i, we are always looking for new ways to serve the vast Pan-Asian communities living away from their respective homelands.”

Cutting Edge Media CEO Murtuza Kagalwala states, “The Internet provides the ideal platform for reaching audiences scattered around the globe. The partnership with JumpTV will allow us to develop significant channel partnerships with Pan-Asian television stations, providing them with the technological platform to become part of the Internet revolution.” 

NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: The many meanderings the CAS (conditional access system) story, which began in 2003 with a government notification, could well have reached its final denouement.

The Delhi High Court today passed an order that makes it imperative on the government to ensure that the three metros of Mumbai, Kolkata and the Capital itself be fully “CAS delivered” on or before 1 January 2007.

And making clear its resolve that there be no further delays in the matter, the court declared that all pending and any new issues related to CAS raised by the government would be taken up only after the CAS‘ implementation deadline of 31 December 2006. It therefore set the next date of hearing on the matter for 10 January 2007.

The court also recorded a commitment by the joint secretary broadcasting Baijendra Kumar in this regard. The government official‘s commitments were taken on record by the court as part of an order passed on 10 March 2006, which had directed the government to implement CAS in Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai within a month‘s time.

The government also assured the court today that a new notification on CAS would be issued by 31 July 2006.

The government‘s stand on the issue means that from 1 January 2007 all pay channels will have to pass through a set-top box (STB) on a mandatory basis or else they stand to be blacked out of all cable homes in the metros.

Multi-system operators (MSOs) have welcomed the court‘s decision as addressability would make the industry transparent on subscriber numbers. “Addressability will benefit the entire industry as well as the subscribers,” said Wire and Wireless India Ltd (WWIL) CEO Jagjit Kohli.

Hathway Cable & Datacom CEO K Jayaraman feels this time round there is a lot of clarity on pricing, STBs and choice with a regulatory framework in place. The fear among consumers that CAS pricing would be the same or even more than what is prevailing on analogue cable is unfounded.

“Addressable pricing is set in motion by the recent TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) ruling in the DTH (direct-to-home) case. If that is the trendsetter, broadcasters will have to make their content available on digital cable at half the price of what they are quoting on analogue systems. The customers, thus, do not have to worry about paying more for all the channels that they are getting now. And in any case, in a CAS regime they are select the channels they want to watch,” he said.

Besides, MSOs are making available the STBs on rental scheme. “Customers will not be locked to the boxes and can move to other services. The regulatory framework is setting things in place,” he added.

Commenting on the development, MSO Alliance chief Ashok Mansukhani said, “We are delighted by the outcome. CAS will enable the cable industry to deliver more choice to consumers at competitive prices.”

The industry also feels that a five-month breathing period is a practical implementation schedule. But how ready are the MSOs? “WWIL is fully prepared to roll-out STBs not only in the notified areas but throughout the country,” Kohli said. It will be using Headend in the Sky (HITS) technology which will enable it to cover the entire country with a single Digital Headend. “Our value-added boxes will enable subscribers to browse internet, chat, send & receive e-mails, on their existing TV sets without the necessity of having a personal computer. STBs will also have full triple play features including facility for VOIP digital telephone lines using their existing telephone instruments,” he added.

Among the other features being introduced by WWIL are movie on demand (MOD) /video on demand (VOD), pay per view (PPV), interactive games, smart card based real time payment solution and e-banking, the company said in an official release.

MSOs and independent cable operators will have to work out commercial agreements with broadcasters including fixing of channel rates. Said SET Discovery Ltd president Anuj Gandhi, “Now the focus will be on MSOs to show their preparedness for CAS. We hope to be ready with our rates in the next three months. By setting 1 January as the deadline, we will have to compress the time frame a bit.”

A clutch of MSOs had filed a petition in the Delhi HC in 2004 alleging that the government‘s stand on CAS and keeping it in abeyance has resulted in heavy financial losses to the cable industry

Also Read:
Delhi HC orders Government to implement CAS within four weeks

MUMBAI: Reuters and mobile operator Airtel are working jointly on a pilot project to provide commodity prices through text messaging service.

Aimed at the farmer community, subscribers can receive quick updates on the commodity market.

The pilot project is slated to kick off in August for the Maharashtra region, Reuters South Asia managing director Samir Shah said on the sidelines of a press conference.

The messaging service will be provided in the Marathi language. The farmers will have access to real-time information on commodity prices. This will enable them to make informed choices about when and where to sell their produce.

“The aim is to link farmers and traders and also provide them reports on commodity prices from all major markets. By using the mobile messaging service, the farmers can obtain the market updates. They can also be informed about the international prices in their own language,” Shah said.

Reuters is targeting early next year to launch this service on a national scale by tieing up with various mobile operators.

Earlier addressing the press conference, Shah said Yes Bank has chosen to make prices on Reuters Trading for Foreign Exchange (RTFX).

The bank has also signed up for Reuters leading edge pricing engine technology, Reuters Electronic Trading for Automated Dealing (RETAD), to automate its FX transactions in a real time environment over the bank‘s intranet.

Recently, Reuters had signed in Union Bank of India, the first public sector bank in India to become a market maker on Reuters Trading for Foreign Exchange (RTFX) and Reuters Trading for Bullion.