Category: Software

NEW DELHI: The measures suggested in the budget proposals for 2007 and the latest government notifications issued on 1 March, will not only make manufacturing of STBs dearer, they will also escalate manifold the price of broadcasting programmes.

These are the conclusions, an exclusive analysis for indiantelevision.com by a senior tax expert on the matter have thrown up.

The exemption from CVD has been withdrawn on specified parts of STBs, like tuners, RF Modulators and remote controls, according to Essel Group vice president and MSO Alliance leader Arvind Mohan.

Mohan handles all the tax issues for the Esssel group.

“Earlier, the exemption on CVD was granted by Notification No.21/2002-Customs. However, this has now been withdrawn vide Notification No.20/2007 March 1, 2007,” Mohan tells indiantelevision.com.

Accordingly, he argued, now 16 per cent of CVD would be levied on the import of these parts. To that extent, the domestic production of STBs would become costlier.

“It is quite surprising that though the CVD exemption benefit has been withdrawn from the specified part of STB, the exemption from levy of 4 per cent of Additional Duty of Customs in respect of cell phone parts, components and accessories, as was available only till April 30 2007, has been extended through the present budget proposals till June 30, 2009.

“It is a clear-cut discrimination between the Telecom Industry and Broadcasting & Cable Industry,” Mohan says.

Mohan shows also that the notification regarding the broadcasting sector would also shoot up their costs dramatically.

Concessional rate of custom duty at the rate of 5 per cent was levied on the following items used in broadcasting sector vide Notification No.21/2002, on 14 major items. These are

• Television cameras (with portable field video recorders (professional grade);
  
• Audio recording equipment;
  
• Tabletop post production video editing machines;
  
• Four-source editing controllers to control editing machines;
  
• Eight-channel video mixer/switches;
  
• Special effect generators for fading and superimposing of text and graphics;
  
• Time-base correctors/frame synchronisers;
  
• Broadcast standard 3-D computer graphic systems;
  
• Professional grade colour video monitors;
  
• Portable lighting equipment with lamps for shooting in low light situation;
  
• Professional-grade photographic cameras of all formats;
  
• Darkroom equipment including enlargers;
  
• Computer control editing machines;
  
• And spares and accessories of above mentioned equipment as permitted by the Deputy Principal Information Bureau in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

However, these concession have now been withdrawn vide Notification No.20/2007-Customs. Accordingly, now the basic custom duty at the rate of 10 per cent shall be applicable on all these items,” Mohan says.

“Consequently all the related duties and taxes would also go up. What you must remember is that professional TV cameras, audio recording equipment, video editing machines, etc. are being regularly used by various channels, specially news channels in their day to day working. This move is likely to adversely affect all channels, including news channels.”

He points out also that exemption from Customs Duty has been withdrawn on recorded magnetic films used for producing TV serials.

These items will now attract peak rate of custom duty at the rate of 10 per cent.

Similarly, the Excise Duty exemption on recorded video cassettes, U-matic tapes, Betacam, any similar format, etc. intended for TV broadcasting, has also been withdrawn and excise duty at the rate of 8 per cent has been imposed.

“This move is also going to adversely affect the broadcasting sector,” Mohan argues.

Despite announcements by the government and reiteration by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, on the initiative to introduce digitisation in all the major cities of India by 2010 (Commonwealth Games), no fiscal concession has been extended in order to catalyse the process, he asserts.

“This is clearly contrary to the approach adopted by the government for expanding telecommunication services, which were duly-supported by a lot of fiscal incentives and some of these incentives are still continuing.

“In order to create a level playing field between IT, newspaper and TV sectors, it is imperative that similar fiscal concessions are extended to broadcasting and cable sector also, to realise the objective of digitisation,” Mohan argued.

He stresses that while no fiscal concession has been extended for digitization initiative despite the representations and recommendations of Trai and the information & broadcasting ministry, a lot of concessions have been accorded to the delivery of content to cinema in digital form namely, which he felt was also discriminatory action.

As examples, he shows that digital cinema development projects have been notified as project imports under heading 9801 and will thus attract the project rate of 7.5 per cent customs duty.

The services provided in relation to delivery of content of cinema in digital form after encrypting electronically have also been exempted from the payment of service tax.

“Similar concessions are required to be extended for promotion digitisation of broadcasting and the cable sector.

“World over, there has been a migration from analogue to digital regime as analogue is increasingly becoming obsolete. In all countries, various concessions in the form of subsidies, fiscal incentives, tax holidays for establishment of digital infrastructure are being extended by the respective governments, Mohan says.

He clearly asserts that creditable role of the government in the process of digitisation, but says that if the targets are to be achieved in the stipulated timeframe at the national level, the necessary support to boost digitisation efforts is required to be extended by the government, as have been done in case of telecom sector.

MUMBAI: IPTV service platform IOL Broadband has announced that it is set to offer the three main channel bouquets available in India – Star, Set-Discovery OneAlliance and Zee Turner – totaling to over 60 Premium Pay IPTV channels along with 90 free-to-air channels.

The announcement comes ahead of IOL‘s “imminent” commercial deployment of IPTV in the country.

This represents a watershed event in that a credible option to CAS & DTH has now become available for the first time in India, the company asserts.

Company director AS Oberai said that with the introduction of commercial services by IOL IPTV on fibre and ADSL networks; India has joined an elite club of developed countries like Japan and Korea where IPTV has been recently introduced.

IOL is deploying IPTV all over the country after integrating proven technology providers, a company release states.

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures International secured the rights from Ripley Entertainment Inc and plans to distribute “mobisodes,‘‘ or segments of the Ripley‘s Believe It or Not! television show on mobile phone and Internet.

The segments include unbelievable and completely wacky humans, incredible feats and animal oddities ranging from a microchip dog to mountain stilt hikers.

“The show segments are expected to be available to the public later this year and will be available through mobile devices, Internet, airline in-flight entertainment and on-demand channels.

The three-year deal signed with CPT Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television International showcases the need for mobile information and content for the Internet.

“We are pioneers in the broadcasting of weird and wacky and unbelievable material, both on radio and television. Through the years, we have proven that truth is absolutely stranger than fiction,‘‘ said Ripley Entertainment president Bob Masterson.

“These shows transcend time and we‘re fortunate to have the ability to adapt the clips for use in today‘s popular media platforms through our partnership with Sony, ” he added.

Norm Deska, Executive Vice President of Intellectual Property for Ripley Entertainment, agrees that most of the show segments are timeless.

“When we worked with Sony years ago on the production of these shows, we never dreamed this footage would have any use other than that of television. We are excited that a whole new generation will have the opportunity to witness amazing Believe It or Nots! through a more contemporary channel of communication.”

Sony Pictures Television will draw in material from the 79 one-hour episodes of the Ripley Believe It or Not! Television hosted by Jack Palance that aired in the 1980s and from the 88 one-hour episodes in the Dean Cain series that ran between 1999 and 2003.

MUMBAI: Net Insight, which develops scalable optical transport solutions for media, IP and broadcast networks, announces the Nimbra 360 multiservice access/edge switch.

This solution integrates transport of digital terrestrial television (DTT) TV operators deploying Digital Terrestrial TV based on Nimbra 360 not only get a DTT network but a multi-service transport infrastructure that opens up new business opportunities.

The multicast feature makes it easy to distribute both digital TV and radio. Adding a higher-speed backbone and plug-in modules for uncompressed video and audio services turns the network into a media contribution platform. The built-in GbE interface and Ethernet multicast features make the solution very suitable for IPTV distribution or WiFi/Wimax aggregation. The same platform can also be used for mobile TV whether distributed over IP or ASI MPEG.

DTT and Mobile TV often require a Single Frequency Network (SFN) where the transmitter stations must be synchronized to send their signals at exactly the same time. Nimbra 360 has a time transfer capability that allows accurate distribution of real time over the same network that carries the video signals. This eliminates the need for costly and potentially vulnerable GPS receivers in the network.

DTT networks are being built, and are going to be built in many countries during the coming years. In Norway, Norkring AS delivers infrastructure and network services to premier broadcasters. The company, owned by Telenor ASA, has nation-wide transmission networks for television and radio where Nimbra 360 nodes are being deployed.

Net Insight CEO Fredrik Träg?rdh says, “The Nimbra 360 was especially designed for Digital Terrestrial and Mobile TV networks and has several unique features for these applications. In addition, Nimbra 360 offers a flexible and cost-effective solution for delivering advanced multimedia services in broadcast and media networks and for IPTV/CATV distribution.”

With four built-in multirate SONET/SDH SFP ports and one Gigabit Ethernet port the product is ready-to-go for demanding applications already in its basic configuration. In addition, up to 16 DVB-ASI ports or other combinations of multiservice access and trunk interfaces are available using the two slots for plug-in modules.

TV operators deploying DTT based on Nimbra 360 not only get a DTT network but a multi-service transport infrastructure that opens up new business opportunities. The unique multicast feature makes it easy to distribute both digital TV and radio. Adding a higher-speed backbone and plug-in modules for uncompressed video and audio services turns the network into a very powerful media contribution platform.

The built-in GbE interface and Ethernet multicast features make the solution very suitable for IPTV distribution or WiFi/Wimax aggregation. The same platform can also be used for mobile TV whether distributed over IP or ASI MPEG.

Strong group participation is also expected at BroadcastAsia2007 with pavilions from Singapore , China , France , Germany , Italy , Korea , USA and UK . More than 80 per cent of the show floor has already been filled.

This year’s BroadcastAsia will also feature a high definition (HD) studio demonstrating a full suite of high definition production workflow – from production to final content output. Industry professionals will be on hand to explain the features and processes of the studio as well as highlight the differences in quality between standard definition and HD transmissions to visitors.

Over the years, BroadcastAsia has proven to be 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 greater depth to event is the BroadcastAsia International Conference. In partnership with various industry organisations, the conference features a series of sessions focussing 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 & development, digital multimedia, IPTV, content delivery to creating new opportunities.

Calvin Koh who is the project manager for communications events with organizer Singapore Exhibition Services “This year’s conference saw over 60 representatives who responded to its call for contribution. The overwhelming response was an indication of the industry’s enthusiasm to use the conference to share and update fellow professionals”.

Spread over a total of eight halls, BroadcastAsia, alongside with CommunicAsia, EnterpriseIT, InteractiveDME and ComputerGraphics Overdrive — 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 solutions and entertainment arenas.

Reflecting the growing importance of the interactive digital media industry in Singapore , which had been identified as a key growth sector for the local economy, interactive and digitised media and entertainment content will be a highlight on the show floor.

The convergence of media, communications and IT has dramatically changed the landscape of the media and entertainment industry, and is revolutionising the way we think, live, work and play. According to industry observers, the estimated size of the global media and entertainment industry in 2009 is expected to hit $1.78 trillion, while the Asia-Pacific market is predicted to reach $431 billion in the same period. Some ‘hot’ converged applications include digital cinema, IP TV, connected digital home devices and online gaming, amongst others.

Some ‘hot’ converged applications that visitors can expect to see include 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, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) and Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) Digital Networks — covering Next Generation Networks (NGN), Voice over IP (VoIP) and Information Security.

CG Overdrive will also be held alongside BroadcastAsia for the first time, to answer the growing interest in animation and demand for Asian animated content. Despite being a relatively young trade show, CG Overdrive has built a reputation as a must-see event for computer graphics and animation enthusiasts in the Asia-Pacific region.

One of the main highlights of CG Overdrive is a knowledge-centric conference that will address topics such as character animation techniques, character modelling and production of CG cinematics for gamers. Fringe activities like digital film screenings, digital art gallery and networking parties will be staged to connect CG enthusiasts to the gurus.

MUMBAI: Google‘s YouTube may be facing the heat from the likes of Viacom on copy protection issues but the popularity of the online video network continues to grow. The British Broadcasting Corp. has struck a multi-year content deal with YouTube that will make programming available via three branded channels on the search giant‘s video-sharing site.

Three YouTube channels — one for news and two for entertainment — will carry content from BBC. BBC Worldwide will air promotional trailers for new programmes and clips from its old hit series on the website.

The aim is to bring new audiences to the proposed BBC iPlayer service, and to secure commercial revenue via BBC Worldwide, its commercial subsidiary, to supplement the licence fee.
While the current deal includes its promotion of its non news programming, the publicly funded broadcaster also said that news clips will be added in the near future.

From the BBC channel there will be content based on current hits such as Life on Mars and Doctor Who, while from BBC Worldwide there will be clips from old favorites such as Spooks and Top Gear, which are sold globally.

The BBC Worldwide arm also plans to offer around 30 news items a day, though the advertising-funded news clips will not be available to users in Britain who pay the license fee that funds the BBC. The news channel will be launched later this year.

The output will include specially created video diaries such as actor David Tennant taking viewers around the sets of Doctor Who and reporter Clive Myrie on the streets of the red zone of Baghdad.

This would mirror the type of deal that YouTube has in place with US sports organisation NHL. Under the original deals the partners have used the platform for promotional purposes. Channel 4, for example, has a branded promotional channel plugging Ugly Betty.

Several large broadcasters in the US have similar arrangements with YouTube including CBS, which claimed 200,000 extra viewers for The Late Show with David Letterman after clips from the show were posted on the video-sharing website.

“The partnership provides both a creative outlet for a range of short-form content from BBC programme makers and the opportunity to learn about new forms of audience behaviour. It’s essential that the BBC embraces new ways of reaching wider audiences with non-exclusive partnerships such as these.”

Google CEO and Chairman Eric Schmidt said,”We‘re delighted to be joining forces with the BBC to bring the best TV programming available to the YouTube community. We will continue to invest in our platforms and technologies to help our partners make the most of the enormous opportunities presented by the billion people now online.”

YouTube CEO and Co-Founder Chad Hurley said, “We’re constantly looking for innovative ways to bring the best content to our community. The BBC is a premier source for quality programming, and we’re excited that they are leading the way in enabling two-way dialogue and real engagement with an entirely new audience. We hope to open up an entirely new audience for their content, while deepening their relationship with their existing viewers.”

MUMBAI: Audio equipment firm Bose India has introduced the Companion 5 multimedia speaker system for computer users who enjoy movies, music, and games.

With one USB connection, the system turns the computer into a complete entertainment hub, delivering today’s multi-channel audio content from two visible speakers and a hideaway Acoustimass module.

The new Companion™ 5 system requires no software installation, no sound card upgrade, no adapters or complicated wiring for setup. With plug-and-play simplicity, it creates a desktop-theater, providing much of the performance of a fully wired five-speaker system.

A new generation of proprietary TrueSpace surround processing circuitry, developed specifically for computer applications, enables the system to deliver a vivid, immersive soundstage without using rear speakers; sound seems to come from beyond the enclosures themselves. This technology provides the 5.1 audio experience many games and movies are encoded to deliver, and also enhances the enjoyment of stereo music collections many people now store on hard drives.

The Companion 5 system’s speaker arrays come preassembled on stands for out-of-the-box setup. Angled for accurate performance, each array measures only 6? wide and 4? deep, fitting neatly and inconspicuously to the right and left of a computer monitor.

The small control pod puts system operation within easy reach, letting users adjust volume and access one-touch muting. It also offers a headphone jack and input for an additional audio source –- such as an MP3 player.

Bose proprietary integrated signal processing maintains accurate tonal balance even at low listening levels, ideal for users who listen in areas where louder volume could distract others. Music maintains depth and clarity, even when played softly in the office or during a late night at home.

The Companion 5 system is compatible with both PC and Mac platforms. For the best performance, Bose recommends Windows XP or later for PC users and OS X 10.4.6 or later for Mac users.

In addition to introducing the new Companion 5 system, Bose has updated the Companion 3 and Companion 2 multimedia speaker systems. The Companion 3 system, designed for premium stereo performance, comes with newly designed speakers now pre-positioned on stands. The Companion 2 system, offering a simple yet high-quality speaker upgrade for computers or portable players, has also been refreshed with a new speaker design.

MUMBAI: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) in the US is celebrating the arrival of the next phase of the historic digital television (DTV) transition.

All products shipped with analog television tuners will also include a DTV tuner. The milestone marks the final phase-in of DTV tuners and comes as DTV industries and consumers prepare for all-digital broadcasting in February 2009.

CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro says, “The finish line for the transition to digital broadcasting is less than two years away, and the consumer electronics industry has reason to celebrate this latest milestone on the pathway to a successful transition.

“As of 1 March, any product shipped with an analogue TV tuner will also include a DTV tuner, making access to the benefits of DTV a reality for more American consumers as these shipments reach the retail store shelf.”

Shapiro explained that consumers are not required to purchase a new television in order to continue receiving programming after the DTV transition; owners of analog sets will be able to view broadcast television with a digital-to-analog converter box or through cable or satellite service. But in order to enjoy the full benefits of DTV – particularly high-definition television (HDTV) with its eye-popping pictures and digital surround sound – the consumer would want to purchase an HDTV.

As part of CEA’s ongoing effort to help consumers understand the transition from analog to digital television, CEA’s Video Division Board adopted language last year for manufacturers and retailers to alert consumers purchasing an analog-only set that a digital converter box will be required as of February 17, 2009 for over-the-air reception.

In a February 2007 letter to more than 600 retailers, Shapiro encouraged retailers to include the analog labeling language in product displays as an additional measure to ensure consumers are informed about how analog sets will receive over-the-air broadcasts after the transition. This voluntary labeling initiative is part of an industry-wide educational effort that supports a successful digital television transition. CEA also has a wealth of consumer DTV educational material available on www.myCEknowhow.com. This is a web destination for information on the digital television transition.

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) just released a Consultation Paper on the issues issues arising out of the provision of the direct-to-home television service.

The Trai paper‘s focus is on three issues – interconnect agreements, quality of service standards and technical and commercial interoperability for set top boxes.

On the Interconnection issues, Trai is taking up those relating to standardisation of interconnection agreements and use of the reference interconnect offer methodology. Additionally, issues relating to provision of access to broadcasters, must carry obligations and the related issue of carriage fee are also being taken up.

On the tariff question, the Trai paper remains consistent with the line taken earlier as well by the sector regulator that it will not intervene or regulate matters of pricing of DTH services.

On the subject of quality of service standards, the paper has issues of whether QOS standards for DTH should be mandated.

The other two issues on this subject are

• Whether the approach suggested by Trai for the telecom sector where it mandates the details of the grievance redressal machinery – maintenance of call centre, appointment of nodal officers for grievance redressal and establishment of appellate body – can be followed in the case of DTH also.
  
• And whether quality of service standards can be voluntarily evolved by the service provider.

Another major issue is whether technical interoperability of STBs should be retained or whether it should be replaced by commercial interoperability. And then again, if commercial interoperability is to be introduced then what is the manner in which this is to be done.

“Interconnection for DTH is already covered on issues relating to “must provide”. However, the reverse obligations regarding “must carry” as well as issues relating to standardisation of agreements have not yet been addressed and these have been raised in the consultation paper.

“On the quality of service standards, the basic issue is whether these should be mandated and if so, in what manner.

“Finally, the regulatory issues regarding set top boxes focus on the need for commercial interoperability and whether this should replace the technical interoperability. The major issues posed for consultation are indicated in the box placed alongside,” the statement concluded.

As regards pricing, it may be mentioned that in relation to the case between Zee Turner versus TataSky, the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal had asked a few weeks ago, whether Trai would be looking into this. Trai had later responded that the process is on, and this paper now comes in part as a result of that exercise.

“At present, apart from Doordarshan, which provides free to air channels, there are two other DTH service providers for pay channels and two more have obtained license to commence operation, a statement from Trai said today.

The statement says that there are a number of issues relating to tariffs, both at the wholesale and at the retail level.

“The foremost issue is whether there is need for any regulation of DTH tariffs since the DTH service is in fact providing some competition to cable television. Competition provides an excellent method for ensuring the consumer‘s interests are protected.

“Accordingly, regulation has a rationale when the market does not function or the level of competition is inadequate. It has been seen in the recent past that there has been some competition between the two DTH service providers as well as between DTH and cable.

“Competitive packages and offers have been made by all the service providers as against the situation just one year back when the consumer had virtually no choice and options.

“Considering all these developments, it has been decided that these issues should be looked at after some time when the impact of the competition in general, and impact of roll out of the CAS in cable TV in particular can be assessed. Accordingly the tariff issues have not been posed for consultation at present,” the statement said.

The major issues posed for consultation related to interconnection, quality of service standards and regulatory issues regarding set top boxes.

The consultation paper can be found on the Trai website, at www.trai.gov.in.

MUMBAI: Kolkata-based multi-system operator (MSO) Manthan Broadband Services has integrated its enryption system using the Irdeto system and has gone totally online with it.

Manthan is deploying the Irdeto Digital TV solution as part of its analogue to digital migration project in Kolkata and outlying areas. “We have totally gone online with the Irdeto system,” says Manthan director Gurmeet Singh.

Irdeto will provide Manthan with it’s newest smart card, the Irdeto Zeta Card. The Zeta Card contains advanced security functionalities like Irdeto’s patented FlexiFlash technology for the rapid, secure deployment of new functionalities and security upgrades, as well as an advanced DRM feature that can be used to enforce business rules for content stored on personal video recorders.

Says Irdeto CEO Graham Kill, “Irdeto is providing a next-generation digital TV solution and support services to help Manthan expand the digital era in India.”