Category: Software

NEW DELHI: The Ortel-ETV stand off continued, with the former once again stating its clear intent of filing a contempt of court petition against the Andhra broadcaster for no complying with the TDSAT orders of giving the digital feed of its Telugu channel to OTV, the Ortel channel.

Ortel vice president BP Rath told indiantelevision,com from Bhuvaneshwar that ETV had done nothing, despite all cooperation extended by his company. “They want to just delay the process,” Rath said today.

However, the tricky ground on which both are standing becomes clear when one hears the ETV version.

“We are ready to comply with the TDSAT order,” Bapineedu, ETV vice president told indiantelevision.com from Hyderabad. “From where we do it is not an issue.”

Yet, Ortel says that is precisely the issue, for they allege that in their last communiqué ETV has said it would give the signals for the Telugu channel through ETV‘s cable operators, “which is illegal as per Trai regulations and even the Supreme Court in the recent order in the Sea TV case has said this cannot be the practice,” Rath countered.

The TDSAT had issued an order on April 2 to ETV to give Ortel signals for the Telugu channel on the latter‘s digital platform, a case now famous as voluntary introduction of Cas. But the Hyderabad company has not done so far.

On the other hand, ETV has formed a JV with Zee Tv to come up with a network to tackle the terror, which they along with other LOCs in Orissa allege Ortel to be indulging in to smash competition.

ETV and Zee TV have joined hands to form the JV firm Variety Entertainment Pvt Ltd, which is now setting out its network across the state.

Last week, Ortel had announced it would file a contempt case against ETV, but have not done so till now.

“After we sent them the letter warning a contempt case, they wrote to us saying they wish to give us the connection, but needed many information about our Cas SMS company, postal registration, names of places where we wanted their signals, equipment details, etc.,” Rath said.

“After we sent them the letter warning a contempt case, they wrote to us saying they wish to give us the connection, but needed many information about our Cas SMS company, postal registration, names of places where we wanted their signals, equipment details, etc.,” Rath said.

Ortel says that since ETV promised to give the signal once they get the information, the former did not file the contempt case.

“We had wanted their signals in six or seven places in the state where we have our digital network. After several clarifications from us, they wrote to us on April 20 that they would give us the signal at three of the places we needed out of those six.

“They advised us to contact Variety Entertainment, their agent. But the latter told us that they would give us the signals through their cable network.

Ortel says it refused to take the signals from another cable operator because of three reasons:

“They have so far not given us the decoders,” Rath said.

Bapineedu, however, reiterated that ETV is committed to give the signals as per TDSAT orders.

Digital signals?

Yes, he says, digital signals.

From their headends?

Bapineedu said: “Where we give it from that we shall see and in any case, this is a small issue”, without clarifying further.

The TDSAT order of April 2 had said that the signals have to be given by ETV to Ortel by April 9, but this has not happened after a lapse of 15 days, Rath said.

MUMBAI: CG Overdrive, an event for computer graphics (CG) and animation enthusiasts held in Singapore for the first time last year, will return this year with an enhanced line up of activities and a new event partner.

Organised by Visual Communication Order (VCO) an affiliate of 3dsense Media School, the company has signed on Singapore Exhibition Services (SES) as co organiser for CG Overdrive, to propel Asia‘s media industry forward.

This year, CG Overdrive will be held from 16 – 22 June 2007 at Singapore Expo in conjunction with BroadcastAsia, CommunicAsia, EnterpriselT and interactive digital media and entertainment exhibition and conference (IDME).

VCO project director Justin Chua said, “The success of CG Overdrive last year, it‘s inaugural year, is a vivid manifestation of the desire for a dedicated and committed Computer Graphics (CG) Platform in Asia that facilitates the transfer of CG knowledge and vital networking opportunities. We are greatly heartened by the strong and invaluable support from the CG Community.

“This year, we are pleased to have SES on board as VCO‘s partner in organising CG Overdrive. Their invaluable experience in event organisation will be instrumental in anchoring CG Overdrive as a key event for CG buffs and enthusiasts with the aim of growing it together with the booming animation industry in Asia.”

Speaking on the synergy between CG Overdrive and BroadcastAsia as well as VCO and SES, SES CEO Stephen Tan said, “it only makes practical sense to place CG Overdrive side by side BroadcastAsia. CG Overdrive opens the window to inspiring and creating dynamic digital content for different mediums. BroadcastAsia showcases the latest and most innovative technologies for delivery of that content.

“The computer and animation industry is constantly challenged to produce more ambitious work in a shorter space of time. CG Overdrive and BroadcastAsia will address various techniques for efficient production and delivery in a highly competitive and time constrained industry.”

CG Overdrive‘s knowledge centric event will comprise a total of four major segments, up from the original two, namely the CG Conference, CG Festival, Masterclasses and Forums, and the CG Guilds Gathering segments.

A week long event, CG Overdrive 2007 will commence with Interactive Forums aimed at discussing issues critical to the healthy development of the CG Industry and Hands on Masterclass sessions that strive to impart vital techniques and artistry to professionals and students.

The CG Conference will address topics such as character animation techniques, digital paintings, character modeling, 3D film making, visual effects and production of CG cinernatics for games and etc.

A host of CG Festival activities such as an exhibition, digital film screenings and a digital art gallery will also be staged to connect and inspire CG enthusiasts.

The Recruitment Overdrive section will likewise be held to allow CG talents and aspiring CG artists a conduit to submit their portfolios and present their talent to recruiting local and international studios.

MUMBAI: Asian digital multimedia and entertainment technology event, BroadcastAsia, will return to Singapore Expo from 19 – 22 June 2007.

Visitors from India will be introduced to a showcase of the latest digital technology, professional equipment and services.

Singapore Exhibition Services (SES) is organising the event. Its project manager Calvin Koh says, “With the focus on interactive, digital media‘and entertainment, BroadcastAsia2007, alongside with CommunicAsia, EnterpriselT, InteractiveDME and ComputerGraphics Overdrive, will prove to be a relevant platform for the Indian broadcasting industry to source for the latest broadcasting solutions”.

The events will see the gathering of over 2,400 companies as they come together to demonstrate the transforming powers of digital technologies that are redefining the boundaries of traditionally segmented telecommunications, networks, enterprise.

SES says that with convergence in India arriving faster than expected, visitors from India can expect to see some ‘hot‘ converged applications at BroadcastAsia2007 include digital cinema, mobile entertainment, IPTV, connected digital home devices, as well as mobile and online gaming, amongst others.

Some of the key enabling technologies that will occupy top prominence on the show floor this year are:

Wireless covering 3G, HSDPA, WiMax/ WiBro, Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC), as well as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Embedded technologies

Broadcasting covering Satellite, D.igital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) and Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)

Digital Networks covering Next Generation Networks (NGN), Voice over IP (VoIP) and Information Security

Companies at BroadcastAsia2007 including Harris, Sennheiser, Miranda. Vizrt, Magna, InnOXiLIS, Conax and Qualcomm will demonstrate a full spectrum of products and applications from media content creation to delivery including new technologies birthed as a result of digital convergence.

Strong group participation is expected at BroadcastAsia 2007 with pavilions from India, Singapore, China, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, the US and UK. Companies from India such as Associated Cable Cord, Cinecita, Comcon Industries, Cable Quest Satcom Pvt Ltd, Visual Technologies India PL are also using the event as a platform to reach out to key players in the broadcast industry. More than 80 per cent of the show floor has already been filled says SES.

Over the years, BroadcastAsia has aimed at being a one stop sourcing ground for broadcasters, production and post production companies as well as network with the industry. BroadcastAsia2007 expected to attract over 10,000 industry professionals, decision makers, vendors and buyers from 50 countries.

Adding depth to the event is the BroadcastAsia International Conference, In partnership with various industry organisations, the conference features a series of sessions focusing on critical industry issues and will bring greater clarity to the new technological and business opportunities within the industry.

Addressing the how, what, where and why the BroadcastAsia2007 International Conference will cover areas in file based production, media production and development, digital multimedia, IPTV, content delivery to creating new opportunities.

MUMBAI: MobiTV, which provides mobile and broadband television and music services in the US has announced a cooperation agreement with Intel.

The two companies have agreed to work together to optimise the personal computing version of the MobiTV service for use on Intel® Centrino® processor technology notebooks, Ultra Mobile Personal Computers (UMPCs) and Mobile Internet Devices (MID).

MobiTV VP business development Ray DeRenzo says, “We are pleased to announce this collaboration with Intel to deliver a live television service optimized for Intel Notebooks and the new category of Mobile Internet Devices. MobiTV and Intel will work with the Other Equipment Manufacturers to deliver a true out-of-the-box television experience.”

The MID is a new category of devices offering consumers a unique mobile form factor, persistent Internet connectivity, and access to a rich and compelling set of personalized entertainment and productivity applications.

Intel’s Ultra Mobile Group director of marketing Rob DeLine says, “MobiTV is a welcome addition to the mobile Internet ecosystem. Combining Intel’s mobile hardware technology leadership with the recognized leader in mobile television will ensure the best possible TV experience on notebooks, UMPCs and MIDs.”

Intel and MobiTV will work to develop, sell and distribute the MobiTV services, which are optimised for interoperability with Intel Architecture-based notebooks, UMPCs and MIDs. The two companies expect to work on next generation platforms and services to personalise and improve the user experience.

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) and Daum Communications (Daum) have signed the first ever free video-on-demand (VoD) licensing deal with a Hollywood studio in Korea.

Under the deal, SPTI will license a selection of titles from its extensive library to South Korean internet portal Daum annually to stream via its portal, www.daum.net. South Korean consumers will be able to watch these movies on-demand for free as the movies will be ad-supported. The service will also be geo-filtered to ensure that the movies are only viewable to consumers in South Korea.

SPTI is the first Hollywood studio to sign a free VoD deal in Korea and the first to partner with Daum. The closing of this deal introduces a new business model for video-on-demand providers across Asia.

SPTI senior VP, distribution, Asia Ross Pollack said, “SPTI is very proud to be the first to collaborate with Daum to introduce the free video-on-demand model to Asia. We feel such a model represents a win/win proposition not just for the content licensee and licensor, but, more importantly, for advertisers and consumers as well. Consumers will be able to access free, quality content and advertisers will be able to reach their target audience.

“SPTI prides itself on being at the forefront of digital distribution and this is an example of how aggressively we are pursuing new forms of digital distribution here in Asia,” Mr. Pollack continued.

SPTI’s executive director, licensing, Asia Soojin Chung said, “Korea has one of the highest broadband penetration rates in the world and is the ideal market to introduce this free video-on-demand service. Moreover, Daum is the ideal partner for this deal as they are one of the top internet portals in Korea and are already offering streaming content through their portal.”

MUMBAI: Philips Electronics India has launched its new range of ‘GoGear’ digital audio/video MP3 players for the Indian market. Targetted at music loving youngsters, the portable digital audio/video MP3 players offer an experience of ‘Entertainment on the go’.

The product looks to delivering on the brand promise of Sense and Simplicity. The product Philips says has been designed to cater to personalized needs of the consumers. Philips GoGear range offers benefits such as MP3 and WMA playback, voice recordings, more music with Digital FM Radio with 10 station presets, 1.8″ colour screen for easy navigation and photo viewing, supports video files up to QQVGA (160×128 pixels) resolution, Philips Video Converter software to convert your video files and a battery life of 10 hours.

Available in four models at select multi-brand consumer electronics outlets, mobile phones counters and ARENAs- network of exclusive Philips brand shops.

Philips Electronics India director, entertainment solutions, consumer electronics Tunjan Srivastava said “Philips is committed to using innovation to bring convenience to its customers for an enriched user experience. The GoGear range that provides customers with an ‘ultimate control’ over playback and browsing is testimony to this philosophy. We are confident that this mix of cutting edge technology at an attractive price proposition will change the dynamics of the Portable Media Player market in India.”

The combined Portable Media Player (PMP) and MP3 player market represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the consumer electronics industry today. Although high import duties make branded portable MP3 players in India expensive, thereby making it the prerogative of the upper middle class audiences, the Philips GoGear digital aido/video MP3 range will throw open the market to the burgeoning middle class youngsters of India.

MUMBAI: Inspired by the edgy, pop culture cool of manga and anime, rock singer/songwriter Avril Lavigne has used both mediums in a new business surrounding her latest CD release, The Best Damn Thing.

She not only penned her own manga but also developed animated manga shorts that will air on Anime Network mobile offerings.

Lavigne‘s new cross promotional relationship with Anime Network is part of a multimedia project developed by her management company Nettwerk and Sony BMG to extend both the reach and brand value of the popular Grammy Award nominated artist. Under the terms of the agreement, ADV Films of Japan promoted the artist‘s new 17 April CD release and Make 5 Wishes manga series across its Anime Network and Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly magazine.

In exchange, Lavigne will provide ADV Films with broadcast and mobile distribution rights to the animated manga shorts. Additionally, the rock star will provide online advertising, record promotional IDs and sign copies of her manga and CD for online sweepstakes and giveaways. The deal was orchestrated by Index Global Rights, a digital media consultancy based in New York and Tokyo.

Both the manga series and the music videos deal with an introverted teenager, Hana, whose life is changed forever when she meets her hero Avril Lavigne and, through her, finds the courage to conquer her own personal demons. Bringing the manga series to life, music videos incorporating songs from Lavigne‘s new CD release The Best Damn Thing with animations from the manga series, are available to view and/or download at $1.99 per episode online through the website, www.make5wishes.com and Nettwerks‘ website.

The project features writing and production collaborations between Lavigne and Dr. Luke (Lady Sovereign, Pink), Rob Cavallo (Green Day, The Goo Goo Dolls), Butch Walker, and her husband Deryck Whibley of the platinum selling band Sum 41. Among the titles included in the new CD and featured in the manga-based animations are the hit song Girlfriend, Everything Back But You and I Can Do Better. New music video animations are released weekly on the Make5wishes.com website.

NEW DELHI: A decision on Vodafone‘s deal to buy controlling stake in Hutch-Essar has been put off for the third time in a row by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, this time because of lack of clarity over the foreign shareholding in the company.

After the meeting, Ajay Dua, who is Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion said the Board would meet on 27 April to discuss the issue. He said the Law Ministry‘s views had been received just today and had been circulated among the members.

Refusing to comment on whether his Department had given its views on the issue of foreign shareholding pattern in Hutch-Essar which is the country‘s fourth largest mobile company, Dua added that there had to be collective decision by all the participants of FIPB.

Earlier, doubts had been raised over the minority stake of 12.6 per cent held jointly by Hutch-Essar Managing Director Asim Ghosh and Max Group chief Analjit Singh, and the Reserve Bank of India was examining the issue. It is however learnt that the Law Ministry has cleared Hutchison, which has sold a direct 52 per cent stake to UK‘s Vodafone for over 11 billion dollars.

MUMBAI: Hinduja TMT Ltd, which houses the cable and media businesses, has started trading again after spinning off its ITES-BPO functions into a separate company.

HTMT‘s shares closed at Rs 599.35, up 2.83 per cent from its previous trading of Rs 582.85 on 28 March. Wire & Wireless India Ltd (WWIL), the other cable company to be listed, ended today at Rs 80.45. The scrip (face value of Re 1) was marginally down by 0.62 per cent from its previous close.

HTMT has 63 per cent stake in IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (IMCL), which is engaged in cable TV distribution, cable internet, cable movie and home shopping channels, film financing and content agregation.

HTMT also holds cash of Rs 5.11 billion and owns a 47-acre property in Bangalore. It has a paid-up capital of Rs 205.3 million and networth of about Rs 5.87 billion as on 31 December 2006.

The ITES-BPO business, which has been demerged into HTMT Global Solutions Ltd, is expected to list next month, subject to completion of regulatory approvals.

“Post this demerger, there would be two companies listed on the stock exchanges (Hinduja TMT Ltd and HTMT Global Solutions Ltd), HTMT said in a release.

Earlier, HTMT unified its media subsidiaries under one umbrella. As part of the restructuring, In2Cable (subsidiary which is into broadband business) and InNetwork Entertainment (content) were merged into IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd (cable TV distribution under Incablenet brand).

Cable operations were started in 1995 and the facilities were upgraded to provide digital cable TV by installing over 6000 km of fibre optic cables.

IMCL runs a Bollywood movie channel ‘CVO‘ which has a Hindi movie library of over 1000 movies. CVO reaches 50 cities with an eight million household viewership. Shop24Seven, the shopping channel, is telecast on the IMCL network and is available on time slots through other satellite channels.

IMCL leases its spare capacity in the fibre optics network to major telecom companies such as Hutch, Tata and Railtel. IMCL is already providing twin play (Video content & Internet data) and is readying to provide triple play through its network, the company said in a release.

As of March 2007, IMCL had posted total revenues of approximately Rs 2.7 billion (provisional and unaudited) and a net profit of approximately Rs 990 million (provisional) which includes Rs 860 million profit from the Hutch stake sale. IMCL continues to be a debt free company, the release added.

MUMBAI: Hoping to cash in on the interest around cricket as the World Cup enters its final stages, mobile lifestyle applications company Mobio Networks is offering free GPRS downloads in India.

In association with Indiatimes, Mobio Networks‘ cricketing applications is now available with no download charges. Mobio Cricket Centre – Live & Mobio Cricket Centre – Fantasy are the services on offer.

Additionally, on Airtel Live there are no usage charges involved for the remaining matches of the World Cup that includes the two semi-finals on 24 & 25 April & the final on 28 April.