Category: Software

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.

MUMBAI: The country‘s only private direct-to-home operator Dish TV has moved the Supreme Court seeking relief in regards to TDSAT‘s (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) recent ruling that Star India will have to distribute the signals of all its channels at half the price at which they are available to cable operators.

Dish TV, in its petition filed yesterday before the apex court, has sought further modifications in the price rate for accessing Star channels.

The petition spells out that Dish TV is open to the offer that Star India had come up with in the year 2002 for all the Star channels. According to the Dish plea, the offer then was that all the Star channels will be made available to Dish TV subscribers at one-fourth the rate at which they are available to cable operators.

While issuing its order last Friday, TDSAT had said, “We have no basis to lay down the actual rates per channel, which we feel is the prerogative of Trai. However, to begin with, we feel that 50 per cent of the rates being charged for cable platform be made applicable to the DTH platform.”

The ball is now in Star India‘s court on how to respond to this latest move by Subhash Chandra‘s network.

Also Read:

TDSAT to Star: give channels to Dish TV

Dish moves TDSAT against Star

TDSAT puts a lock on any DTH operator carrying Star channels

Tdsat rules in favour of Dish TV; MTV has one month to get onto DTH platform

MUMBAI: US wireless network operator Verizon Wireless is giving its customers a front row seat to the music based reality show Rock Star: Supernoa which airs in the US on CBS.

In India, the show airs on Star World.

Verizon Wireless customers can not only help choose the next lead singer of a newly formed group of former members from some of the most acclaimed American rock bands – including Tommy Lee (Motley Crüe), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses) – but they can also V Cast video performances from the show, V Cast music downloads, ringtones, ringback tones and wallpaper.

For the uninitiated Rock Star: Supenova is produced by reality TV guru Mark Burnett. It is a reality show that combines the world of rock music with a relationship-style unscripted drama performance competition. The lives of the contestants will be broadcast twice a week throughout the series from a Hollywood Hills mansion. The winner will front a new rock group Supernova.

Verizon Wireless V Cast customers can catch the latest action from the show with video content on their V Cast-enabled phones. Fans can watch musical performances, behind the scenes footage and eliminated performer interviews, as well as news coverage of post-show interviews. Customers also can check out each contestant’s performance from every show by visiting the V CAST Showcase Channel in the Entertainment aisle on V CAST-enabled phones.

Immediately following every show, Verizon Wireless customers with V Cast music-enabled phones can download the full song of each contestant’s performance to their phone. Customers can also get ring tones and Ringback Tones of these performances, plus the original versions of the songs by the original artists, from the V Cast Music catalogue.

V Cast will also feature the latest in music from the show in V Cast Music. This includes contestants’ cover performances and full music downloads. Verizon Wireless’ V Cast Music is the world’s most comprehensive, over-the-air mobile music download service with more than one million songs available for download.

Verizon Wireless customers can also purchase ringtones and Ringback Tones to personalise their phones from a selection of music from the show with the VZW Tones Deluxe application on select Get It Now-enabled phones. Customers can also choose from a variety of “ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA” wallpaper options by visiting getPIX on their phone, selecting featured PIX and then Rock Star Ring Tones and Graphics on Get It Now-enabled phones and purchasing select content.

Verizon Wireless customers with text messaging-capable phones can vote for their favourite contestant each Tuesday night following the performance show. To vote, Verizon Wireless customers send the text message with the word “VOTE” to the ROCK plus the number for their favorite contestant

MUMBAI: Samsung India has unveiled a new line of the World’s slimmest mobile phones with the launch of The Ultra Edition Series in India. The company claims this Ultra Edition transcends the current market offering by presenting consumers with unparalleled breakthroughs in technology while retaining simplicity of use.

The first model to be launched within the series is ‘The Ultra Edition 6.9’. Made with fiberglass re-infused plastic, the phone is a marvel in just 6.9mm thickness, packing along with it a 2 megapixel camera, MP3 Player, Direct TV Out function, 80 MB memory apart from a host of other features.
 
Ultra Edition 12.9 (D900) – The slimmest slider phone and the Ultra Edition 9.9 (D830) – The slimmest clamshell phone will be launched in the subsequent month.

Samsung says that the Ultra Edition series illustrates its sensitivity to consumer needs by delivering mobile phones with deceptively discreet but stylish exteriors while embedding world leading technology features inside. This path breaking slimness coupled with rich multimedia capabilities in The Ultra Edition phones is a result of Smart Surface Mounting Technology (SSMT) pioneered by Samsung worldwide.

The Ultra Edition phones have been constructed using Titanium, Magnesium and Fibreglass re-infused plastic to impart the solid strength to these Ultra Thin breakthroughs, basis which these are made to pass strict proprietary tests to certify each product’s durability.

Samsung India senior VP Ihn-Chul Chung said, “Samsung’s foray into Ultra Slim phones is part of the company’s aggressive global strategy to take on the leadership position in the mobile phone market. Understanding that each consumer has different needs Samsung has facilitated convergence in mobile communication with a rapid pace of technological advancement and aesthetic design”

Samsung india MD HCRyu said, “India is a very critical market for Samsung and the launch of The Ultra Slim Series in India is a testimony to our commitment to meet the growing aspirations of consumers for sleek phones that accentuate their personality without compromising on premium multimedia capabilities”

Samsung says that the Ultra Edition 6.9 (X820) is its commitment to create the slimmest and lightest product in the market today. Weighing a mere 66 grams and measuring a slim 6.9mm depth, the lightweight Ultra Edition 6.9 is today’s definitive tool to help users stay connected, take pictures with the 2 megapixel camera, or enjoy their favourite tunes with the music player. The Ultra Edition 6.9 balances slim elegance with a functional keypad and tops off its supreme design with a beautifully beveled cut surface for a natural grip.

Fiberglass-infused plastic is also used to increase durability to protect the features that are compressed into the 6.9mm frame using the Smart Surface Mounting Technology (SSMT).

Samsung claims that the Ultra Edition 9.9 (D830) raises the bar in slimness and design of clamshell handsets. The company says that the 9.9 mm ultra slim clamshell is the result of Samsung’s constant efforts to go above and beyond the boundaries of form and function. This lightweight mobile comes outfitted with a 2 megapixel camera to capture those special moments wherever the customer goes.

The Ultra Edition 12.9 offers the latest in multimedia technology with premium slide-up design for business professionals. The 12.9mm slide-up is the thinnest slider ever designed to come equipped with a powerful 3.13 megapixel camera — leading the 3 megapixel camera phone trend in the global market this year. Unique and dynamic user interfaces enhance user’s mobile experience.

The main screen will reflect networks and call status by displaying animated graphics to alert users of missed calls or unread messages, and imported documents can be viewed on the vivid 262K color screen. Users can also enhance the multimedia experience with the Bluetooth stereo headset. Whatever your desires may be, the Ultra Edition 12.9 will “slide up” next to the customer for his/her‘s next command.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV has announced that Courtney William Holt is the group’s executive VP of digital music and media.

A recognised expert in the convergence of new media, music and marketing, Holt will oversee digital initiatives for MTV‘s Music and Logo Group, including the MTV: Music Television, VH1 and CMT music brands; Logo, the network for the LGBT audience; and Urge, the digital music service recently launched to strong industry support.

Holt will partner with the teams who direct the day-to-day operations of each brand’s online and wireless properties such as MTV’s Overdrive, VH1’s VSpot, mtvU’s Uber and CMT’s soon-to-launch Loaded.

Holt joins MTV Networks from Interscope Geffen A&M, where he was executive vice president of new media, creative and strategic marketing. At Interscope Geffen A&M, Holt embraced emerging technology to break new marketing ground, galvanizing communities of fans around top musical artists.

At MTV, Holt will be responsible for continuing to expand the reach of MTV Networks’ premier music brands, engaging audiences across a spectrum of touchpoints – on air, online, on the handset and through its new digital music service.

MTV US president Van Toffler says, “It’s only fitting to have a creative music executive like Courtney – who started his career producing videos that appeared on our channels – join our stable of talent. Courtney’s background and experience is a perfect fit for our brands, which deliver innovative short- and long-form music entertainment that connects with our audience on many screens.”