ITV

Tag: HD

  • International Datacasting Corporation wins contract from Shin Broadband for New Asia IPTV service

    International Datacasting Corporation wins contract from Shin Broadband for New Asia IPTV service

    MUMBAI: Shin Broadband Internet in Thailand has awarded a contract for a next generation Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) push video on demand service in Asia to International Datacasting Corporation to provide IDC’s Datacast XD Content Management and Distribution software.

    The contract calls for the initial roll-out phase of the system with options for expansion as the service reaches full deployment.

    Shin Broadband Internet pushes High Definition (HD) movies over the Shin Satellite Ipstar system across Asia to low cost consumer Set-Top-Boxes (STBs) located in user’s homes. IDC’s Datacast XD software will be used to manage the delivery of this content on this network.

    IDC is also responsible for the project management and system integration of the project which also utilizes Irdeto encryption for content security inside the STBs which are manufactured by Homecast of Korea.

    Ipstar is a new satellite network that provides business and residential Internet service throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The total number of satellite user terminals provided by Shin Satellite is currently over 70,000 and growing.

    The new PUSH-VOD service uses excess Ipstar satellite bandwidth when available to push HDTV movies onto the local hard disk drive of the Homecast STB, storing digitized movies for later use. The new PUSH-VOD subscription service ensures that users receive new movies daily and operation of the STB is similar to the way a consumer plays back movies from a PVR/DVR at any time.

    The STB utilizes the most modern MPEG AVC/ H.264 video compression technology available to provide the highest quality video possible along with multi-channel sound. The STB inside of the customer’s house is connected to the TV and to the Shin’s Ipstar terminal.

    Ron Clifton the President and CEO of International Datacasting Corporation said “Shin Satellite is one of the most advanced service providers in Asia and we are delighted that they selected our technology and recognized our skills and experience in integrating IPTV systems of this type.

    Our Datacast XD technology was originally developed to meet the needs of satellite, cable and IPTV customers for a broad range of multimedia file transfer and streaming applications. The inclusion of Datacast XD in a consumer set-top-box has opened new doors for this product line in a rapidly growing market and hopefully this opportunity will be the first of many such consumer applications.”

    Teerayuth Boonchote, Vice President of Ipstar, said that “Shin Satellite and our sister company Shin Broadband Internet are excited by the potential of this new service offering to our Ipstar customers which we will initially roll-out in Thailand. A success in Thailand means we’ll expand the service throught our Asian footprint.

    IDC was chosen because they have demonstrated commitment and performance in terms of their proven Datacast XD content delivery technology which is easily integrated into set-top-boxes and because they have an excellent history of successful systems integration projects.”

  • Warner, LG look to resolve confusion in HD DVD arena with hybrid offerings

    Warner, LG look to resolve confusion in HD DVD arena with hybrid offerings

    MUMBAI: Right now high definition (HD) DVDs have not taken off in the US due to the prevailing system of two incompatible formats.

    One is blu ray which has the backing of Sony and the other is HD DVD which has the backing of Toshiba. Now however there could be some light at the end of the tunnel.

    Warner Bros. media reports state will introduce a high-definition DVD that can hold films and TV shows in rival and incompatible formats. Warner said that it developed the Total HD Disc.

    Warner Bros. will place both formats of movies on a single disc. This though shows that there is no resolution on a single format.

    Meanwhile LG Electronics is planning to market a dual-format DVD player. Other electronics makers are expected to do the same.

    Warner Bros. has also patented a disc that can hold three versions of a film — one in each of the rival high-def formats and a third that can be viewed on standard-definition players. This eliminates the need for the consumer to upgrade his DVD if he/she does not want HD in the first place. Reports add that from a technological standpoint this could be as groundbeaking as when LP records were introduced in the late 1940’s.

  • Pubcaster DD does high definition twist

    Pubcaster DD does high definition twist

    MUMBAI: The Marathi TV creative community in Mumbai was excited last month. The reason: pubcaster Doordarshan flagged off a high definition (HD) production studio at its Mumbai kendra. Set up at a cost of Rs 18 crore, the studio has already started producing music programs, plays, series and shows such as Aaj Che Dawedaar Uddyache Super Star and Dhina Dhin Dha which come on DD Sahaydari.

    Mukesh Sharma says that the broadcaster is moving towards an HD world

    While this is great, says a media observer, it is a case of putting the cart before the horse as DD has no HD transmitters. The net result: it has been downgrading the programs to standard definition (SD) for terrestrial and satellite telecasts of DD daily.

     

    Agrees DD Sahyadri Additional director general (programming) Mukesh Sharma adding that the studio will only be used for HD content production. “We are looking at changing and adapting to HD and this is the first stage,” says Sharma.

     

    The Mumbai HD set includes six new Ikegami HD cameras, Dolby surround system, new microphones, a Kayak switcher as well as a new post production set up for editing. The system integration for the approximately 900 sq metre of an old studio in the new DD building in central Mumbai was done by Shaf Broadcast. The pub-caster currently has plans to upgrade its old world SD transmission network to HD over the next few months. Reports are that some 10 terrestrial HD TV channels are on the anvil.

    It says it does not want to wait until it starts transmitting in HD; it would rather build its program catalogue in HD now for future exploitation. We are going to have more studios in metros like Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata very soon, added Sharma. The first to come online with its HD set up was Delhi in May 2013.

    DD’s attempt to adapt to changes by introducing HD systems

     

    Questions are being raised whether DD is doing the right thing migrating to HD? Will it be more money down the drain for a broadcaster which has a mandate of public service? Are private players generating enough excitement amongst media planners to allow them to plonk their advertising dollars on their HD chanels?

     

    “Not really,” observes the media observer. “Advertisers are approaching HD channels cautiously. They prefer a shot gun approach on SD channels where they get mass audiences than in a HD service which is being watched by smaller more elite audiences. They obviously are playing safe so far.”

     

    NDTV Lifestyle chief executive director Smeeta Chakrabarti too tends to agree. She has been filming the channel’s show in HD for a few years now and says advertisers have been chary of parking their bucks there. Says she: “The cost of buying HD equipment is not much higher than normal ones but the cost of broadcasting is not recovered through revenue.”

     

    “I don’t know why such a brou-ha-ha is being made about DD moving to HD,” says another media observer. “Almost all of the terrestrial broadcasters the world over have made the transition; DD is doing it in its unique fashion like it does so for all its activities. So be it.”

  • BBC unveils technological innovations around the Fifa World Cup

    BBC unveils technological innovations around the Fifa World Cup

    MUMBAI: Innovation is at the heart of UK pubcaster BBC’s sporting coverage and the Fifa football World Cup will be the first football tournament to be broadcast in the UK on High Definition (HD).

    The overall BBC HD trial will kick off with the BBC’s share of World Cup matches up to and including the 9 July final in Germany.

    The site – bbc.co.uk/worldcup – will offer an in-depth guide to the tournament both during and ahead of kick-off.

    New for this tournament will be Player Ratings where website and TV viewers can rate players in-match, while the very popular Mini Motty, the desktop news pop-up of John Motson, returns.

    Also returning, but improved, is Virtual Replay, the 3D-style recreations of key moments from every match.

    Virtual Replay will offer bbc.co.uk/sport users the chance to watch 3D animations of all shots and goals from each of the World Cup matches after they happen.

    Users will be able to view the action from different camera angles and enjoy an ‘as live’ experience as the match is being played.

    Football fans can also add themselves to the website – a new feature called ‘The Beautiful Frame’ will allow users to send in their World Cup-related photos from around the world.

    Public participation also extends to a World Cup Blog which will invite users to live the tournament through the eyes of two BBC journalists.

    As they drive around Germany in a camper van, the bloggers will take direction and advice from readers, regularly relating back their adventures on the long and winding road to Berlin.

    Viewers with digital TV will have access to a number of extra interactive options.

    The BBC Sport Interactive service will be available on all Digital TV platforms with coverage divided into two applications, Live Match and Replay. Interactive will be available 24/7 during the tournament.

    Viewers will have the audio choice of BBC match commentary, Five Live’s commentary or the real-time noise from the stadium.

    Additionally the BBC live match coverage will be extended on interactive beyond its BBC ONE transmission window to allow for extra post-match analysis. Viewers will also be able to replay in full earlier matches via the red button.

    Also on interactive, between BBC match broadcasts, are a number of special streams: three x 15 minute edits of every World Cup match; an England channel, with interviews pre and post-match press conferences; and a round up of the best goals of the tournament.

    Big Screen : The BBC will operate four fixed big screens in Birmingham (not all games), Hull, Leeds and Manchester with more venues to be announced, showing all of the BBC’s games.

    Five Live will also operate a number of mobile, truck-mounted screens travelling all around the UK to a wide range of locations and communities.

    On air World Cup Stories on BBC Two showcases six one hour documentaries on different countries’ World Cup histories from 7 May.

    World Cup Goals on BBC Three is a countdown of the best 100 goals. When Lineker met Maradona is a BBC One documentary with Gary Lineker and Maradona.

  • Consumers ‘quickly’ embrace radio’s digital platforms; Study

    Consumers ‘quickly’ embrace radio’s digital platforms; Study

    MUMBAI: The proliferation of digital broadcast platforms such as Internet radio, satellite radio, HD and podcasting is a testament to the popularity of radio programming in US.

    The Infinite Dial: Radio’s Digital Platforms, a new study by Arbitron Inc. and Edison Media Research, explores this expansion of the radio market and its implications for advertisers and media planners.

    “Consumers are quickly embracing radio’s digital platforms and this new research reveals that these advertising vehicles are becoming increasingly viable,” said Arbitron Sr VP marketing Bill Rose.

    “Our research shows that regardless of the platform consumers see all these options as merely being new forms of ‘radio’” said Edison Media Research president Larry Rosin. “This report provides crucial measurement on the development of radio as it is consumed in new and different ways.”

    The findings reported here are based on a 13 January – 12 February, 2006 telephone survey of 1,925 people who were interviewed to investigate Americans’ use of various forms of traditional, online and satellite media.

    Growth of Internet Radio
    Internet radio is growing rapidly. The monthly audience age 12+ now tops an estimated 52 million; an increase from an estimated 37 million people in 2005. The weekly Internet radio audience also increased 50 percent over the past year, with 12 percent of the US population age 12+ (an estimated 30 million) having listened to Internet radio in the past week, up from 8 percent in 2005, according to the findings.

    Advertiser highlights: Online radio reaches nearly one in five (19 percent) persons per week aged 18-34 and 15 per cent of persons aged 25-54. Weekly Online radio listeners are 36 percent more likely than the average consumer to live in a household with an annual income of more than $100,000.

    Satellite Radio In 2006, awareness of XM and Sirius satellite radio has reached equal levels of 61 percent awareness each among those aged 12 and older. Nearly one in five non-subscribers to satellite radio say they are ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ likely to subscribe to satellite radio in the next 12 months.

    Advertiser highlights: Twenty-seven per cent of satellite radio subscribers live in households with an annual income of more than $100,000, nearly double the percentage of all households (14 per cent).

    Podcasting When asked to define podcasting in their own words, there was some confusion among respondents regarding the differences among podcasting, Internet broadcasting and downloadable music. When read a definition, eleven percent of Americans say that they have ever listened to an audio podcast.

    Advertising highlights: Podcasting attracts a youthful audience: one out of five who have ever listened to an audio podcast are 12-17 years old, and more than half (53 percent) are under the age of 35.

    HD Radio More than one-third of Americans say they are ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ interested in HD Radio; more than 40 percent of satellite subscribers say they are interested in HD Radio as well.

    More than one-third of those who said they were interested in HD Radio say they would be likely to purchase an HD Radio receiver at a $100 price point, and 58 percent of those interested say they would be likely to purchase at $50.

    AM/FM Radio While there has been tremendous growth in usage of radio’s new digital platforms, AM/FM radio does not appear to be losing Time Spent Listening (TSL). Daily radio TSL is 2 hours 45 minutes for the average consumer, compared with 2 hours 48 minutes among those who listen to digital radio.

    Seventy-seven per cent of Americans say they expect to listen to AM/FM radio as much as they do now despite increasing advancements in technology. The same holds true for Internet radio listeners (77 per cent) and those who have tried audio podcasting (73 per cent). Satellite radio subscribers showed slightly less dedication to traditional broadcasting, with 64 per cent saying they plan to continue listening to the same amount of AM/FM radio.

    This study, as well as previous studies, may be downloaded free of charge via the Arbitron and Edison Media Research Web sites at www.arbitron.com and www.edisonresearch.com.
  • Crown Media Holdings not to sell Hallmark Channel US

    Crown Media Holdings not to sell Hallmark Channel US

    MUMBAI: Crown Media Holdings, Inc., which owns and operates the Hallmark Channel, has decided not to sell out the channel. The company, after extensive review of strategic alternatives including a possible sale of the company, announced that the board of directors has decided to terminate this process and fully commit the company’s resources to continuing to operate its channels and its VOD and HD programming services.

    “We worked diligently with the Special Committee and our financial advisors to evaluate various strategic initiatives. Ultimately the board determined that the greatest value for our shareholders will be derived by our continued operation of our business. Given the record ratings results, subscriber growth, and solid advertising and subscriber fee revenue increases we have been able to achieve, we believe that the underlying business fundamentals are in place to enhance the value of Crown Media by building a more successful business. Our results in the first quarter continue to reflect the success of our programming strategy and subscriber expansion as we solidify our appeal to viewers and advertisers on a broad national level,” stated Crown Media Holding president and CEO David Evans.

    “Our management team is prepared to meet the challenges ahead with the talent and experience that have made us a top ten cable channel with over 72 million subscribers. We intend to implement cost saving strategies and emphasize programming and marketing promotions to continue our efforts to target a younger audience. We have initiated discussions with our distributor partners in order to renew our licenses and intend to aggressively pursue those renewals on favorable terms. We will continue to pursue opportunities to improve our capital structure. We are extremely pleased to have the support of our partners as we work together to operate the business on a long-term basis,” he added.

    Hallmark Cards, Inc., which owns 67 per cent of Crown Media, has indicated its continuing support of the channel by agreeing to extend its trademark license agreement with Crown Media.

    “We are proud to be associated with a channel with such strong ratings and advertiser support. Our relationship with Crown Media has been mutually beneficial. Crown Media has been able to leverage the consumer recognition and strength of the Hallmark brand and together we have collaborated on successful co-marketing programs between Hallmark Channel and the more than 4,000 Hallmark Gold Crown stores,” said Hallmark Cards, Inc. president and CEO Don Hall Jr.

    The company had announced in August 2005 that its board of directors had authorised management to explore strategic alternatives for the company. After pursuing a number of alternatives and meeting with interested parties, the company and the Special Committee of the board has determined that the best course of action at this time is to continue to operate the business. The company will continue to explore ways in which it can improve its capital structure.

  • BBC Worldwide in content deal with European ISP T-Online

    BBC Worldwide in content deal with European ISP T-Online

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s commercial consumer arm, has concluded an agreement with European ISP T-Online to provide content for its Video on Demand service.

    The agreement will see science, factual and arts programming from BBC Worldwide available to subscribers via T-Online’s Video on Demand portal. Additionally, a selection of the programming will soon be accessible in High Definition (HD) format.

    For the introductory price of €1.95, subscribers can view their chosen programme as often as they like within the 24-hour rental period. All that’s needed is a DSL connection, a T-Online tariff and a PC or, for use on a living room TV, a Media Receiver certified ‘Ready for T-Online Vision’.

    BBC Worldwide head of German Speaking Territories IIsabelle Helle said, “Video on demand is revolutionising the way the world watches television. Today’s agreement will allow Germany’s T-Online customers to view BBC programmes in an exciting and innovative way. It also further emphasises BBC Worldwide’s commitment to this new and important method of content provision.”

    T-Online International’s Burkhard Graßmann, said, “This agreement strengthens T-Online’s place at the forefront of next generation home entertainment, providing our customers with the opportunity to enjoy a range of films and communication services direct to their living rooms. Furthermore, this partnership gives users the possibility to see a number of documentaries in trend-setting high definition quality.”

    The announcement with T-Online follows a number of other agreements which BBC Worldwide has secured to provide content for video on demand services to such international VoD providers as Versatel in Holland, Hot Vision in Israel, Ebismedia in Italy and Telefonica in Spain.

  • BroadcastAsia2006 to focus on latest technologies

    BroadcastAsia2006 to focus on latest technologies

    MUMBAI: BroadcastAsia 2006, the Asian International Electronic Media Technology Exhibition & Conference, will take place from 20 June to 23 June 2006 at the Singapore Expo.

    Organised by Singapore Exhibition Services (SES), the event promises a bigger and more comprehensive platform for India to source for the latest broadcast technologies and solutions to meet the growth of its media industry. IPTV, HD Technologies, and digital audio broadcasting (DAB) will be the highlights of this year’s show.

    Indian participation at this year’s BroadcastAsia2OO6 exhibition include All India Radio, Monarch Computers, Essel Shyam Communications and Cicada Broadcast Solutions.

    Geared to meet India’s demand, BroadcastAsia2OO6 is expected to gather over 750 international companies, with nine group pavilions from countries such as China, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain, Singapore, UK and USA.

    Highlights at this year’s exhibition include the latest in Professional Audio Technology, IPTV, computer graphics and animation, HD Technology, broadcasting to handhelds, video on demand, personal video recording, and digital audio broadcasting (DAB).

    Director and CEO of Cicada Broadcast Solutions Pvt Limited Prasanta kumar Ghatak said, “It is our desire to extend our reach beyond India and obtain a foothold in the Asia Pacific region. We believe that our participation in BroadcastAsia2OO6 will give us the opportunity to reach out to our target customers effectively. Cicada Broadcast Solutions is committed to bringing the same quality of service and dedication to customers beyond our shores, and BroadcastAsia2OO6 is a fantastic platform from which to do so.”

    In view of this, animation buffs will not be disappointed as ComGraphics&Animation2006 (CGA), held in conjunction with BroadcastAsia2OO6, will feature the latest hardware, software and services designed especially for the computer graphics and animation industry, film and motion picture industry. A number of conferences and masters classes will also be held for developers and professionals to exchange ideas & expertise learn and network.

    “With India’s healthy growth in movie and film output, significant market opportunities are now available for those within the broadcasting industry. BroadcastAsia2006 complements India’s remarkable industry growth by offering not only the latest, but most relevant technologies and solutions to meet the media expansion plans that are set to take place in India” said Jackson Yeoh, project director with event organiser Singapore Exhibition Services.