ITV

Tag: HDTV

  • US consumers embrace built-in features in HDTVs: CEA Study

    US consumers embrace built-in features in HDTVs: CEA Study

    MUMBAI: Consumers in the US are using the built-in features on their HDTV at a high rate, with an increasing number gaining access to Web-enabled content directly through their televisions.

    More than one in five US adults owns a smart app-enabled HDTV and almost all (90 per cent) use the apps available on their displays in some capacity.

    In addition, more than four in ten HDTV owners connect their primary displays to the Internet, with 76 per cent connecting at least one external device with smart app capabilities to their primary displays. Half of all HDTV owners connect a video game console or a DVD/Blu-ray player to their primary displays. Smart app users are most likely to stream video content from the Internet (61 per cent), browse the Internet (56 per cent) and view pictures (54 per cent) using smart apps on their televisions.

    Consumers are also looking for displays with built-in Wi-Fi and Internet browsing when purchasing a new HDTV, which trail only high-quality audio and video as the most important purchase factors of HDTVs. Approximately one in three consumers plans to purchase a new HDTV within the next 12 months.

    Another way many consumers are experiencing Web-enabled content for HDTV is through a second screen on a portable connected device. Social networking is the most common activity on the second screen. Among HDTV owners who also own a tablet, two-thirds (67 per cent) use their tablets for social networking while watching TV. Among HDTV owners who also own a smartphone, more than half (58 per cent) are using a social network on that device while watching TV.

    CEA senior research analyst Kevin Tillmann said, “We are living in an app-dominated world, whether it’s on your smartphone, tablet or television. Consumers want access to their apps at all times and they will use whatever device, TVs included, that offer the best and most convenient user experience.”

    As 3D becomes a more common feature on HDTVs sold in the US, consumers have not only become more aware of the technology, but, according to the study, they are also beginning to embrace it. Today, 21 per cent of US homes own at least one 3D-enabled television. CEA’s most recent U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecast shows that unit sales of 3D televisions will reach an estimated 5.6 million in 2012, representing 18 per cent of total TV sales, up from eight per cent of total TV sales in 2011.

    Nearly half (42 per cent) of 3D-capable HDTV owners watch five or more hours of 3D content a week. By comparison, three-quarters (75 per cent) of 3DTV owners watch more than five hours of 2D content on their 3DTV a week. However, one in ten (nine per cent) report watching more than 15 hours of 3D content a week.

    Movies are the most common content source for viewing 3D, with nearly half (48 per cent) of 3DTV owners having watched a 3D Blu-ray disc. Live programming (42 per cent) and video games (30 percent) are also popular sources of 3D content. Overall, two-thirds (68 percent) of 3DTV owners rate the visual experience of 3D programming as excellent or good.

    “Consumer interest in 3DTVs and 3D content continues to grow as ownership rates increase. Continuing to expand and innovate with 3D content will be extremely important for future usage and will continue to drive sales,” said Tillmann.

  • NBC to celebrate Thanksgiving with ‘Seinfeld’ retrospective

    NBC to celebrate Thanksgiving with ‘Seinfeld’ retrospective

    MUMBAI: It has been several years since Seinfeld left television screens in the US. Now NBC has announced that it will celebrate the best memories of the classic comedy with a special The Seinfeld Story, which will air on 25 November.

    The special will be telecast in high definition. As a result of new film transfers, this will mark the first time that Seinfeld has ever been broadcast on HDTV. The TV special will coincide with a special edition DVD release.

     
    Jerry Seinfeld will host the TV special. Fellow cast members Jason Alexander, Michael Richards and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, as well as co-creator and executive producer Larry David Curb Your Enthusiasm will all be interviewed.

    During the interviews, each cast member will talk about the series’ genesis and concentrate on the first four years when Seinfeld formed its unique style until it emerged as an acclaimed comedy classic.

    Seinfeld ran from 1989-1998, primarily on Thursday nights. In India the show aired on Zee English. Dubbed “the show about nothing,” the program earned a total of 10 Emmies and 70 nominations.

  • Cea heralds next phase of digital TV transition in the US

    Cea heralds next phase of digital TV transition in the US

    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.

  • Sharp launches new range of HDTVs

    Sharp launches new range of HDTVs

    MUMBAI: Sharp India has launched its latest range of AQUOS Full-Spec High Definition Televisions (HDTV).

    The firm says that the television sets employ LCD panels made from the eigth-generation mother glass substrate manufactured at Sharp’s second Kameyama Plant in Japan, which started operations in August 2006.

    The features the products have Sharp says include high dynamic contrast ratio and fast response time. The dynamic contrast ratio of 10000:1 enables reproduction of images with enhanced lighting and shadowing. Dynamic contrast detects the source video characteristics and smoothly adjusts the screen brightness accordingly to achieve deeper black level. The 4ms High Speed Response Time reduces the sense of visual lag as a result of high-speed moving images, thus reproducing clean, clear and “easy-on-eyes” pictures.

    Sharp notes that the reason for the excellent quality of high-definition signals is high-density information. Therefore, the AQUOS employs Full-Spec HD panel (1920 x 1080) to deliver high-resolution, high-definition picture in its entirety with same quality as the High-Definition signal format (1080i/p). This it says is in contrast to any other high-definition panel (1366 x 768) which delivers only about 50 per cent of the image information.

    In addition by applying Multi-Pixel Drive on the LCD panel, each RGB sub-pixel is further divided into two cells, thus having a greater control over color gradation. Viewers get to have a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees from top to bottom and from left to right, which results in greater freedom in viewing position. MPD takes care of light reflection and colour tone changes caused by angled viewing. Reproduction of people’s natural skin color can be enjoyed without white out.

    Sharp also states that its proprietary Four-Wavelength Backlight System adds crimson to the three conventional color wavelengths (blue, green and red) enabling the expression of deep red colours which were conventionally difficult to reproduce. It also enables reproduction of neutral colors such as translucent clear natural skin or healthy skin. The Four-Wavelength Backlight System reinforces overall color reproductivity.

    Sharp’s TVs are also equipped with Dual High-Definition Multimedia Interface inputs which are compatible with all current and future 1080p sources, such as Blue-ray player or next generation game consoles. With the DVI-I terminal, the LCD TV can also be turned into a marvelous computer monitor.

  • France to set pace for digital TV in Europe: Study

    France to set pace for digital TV in Europe: Study

    MUMBAI: France has set a new benchmark for European digital television (DTV) policy.

    Strategy Analytics Broadband Media and Communications service has come out with a study Digital TV Transition: Europe Watches France’s Mandates As Terrestrial HDTV Arrives.

    France’s new ‘TV of the Future’ law has taken an important step towards high definition television (HDTV) on the digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform by allocating capacity for HD channels and mandating HD tuners in HD-Ready TV sets.

    These decisions will have ramifications for other countries in Europe, which will watch these developments with interest. There will also be important lessons from the French approach to licensing HD channels that takes place over the next few months.

    According to this report, the decisions made in France will put increased pressure on other European countries to accelerate their own policies towards HD on DTT platforms.

    Strategy Analytics principal analyst David Mercer says, “Most other European countries are still at the discussion stage regarding the introduction of HDTV on their DTT platforms.

    “France has taken an important lead by allocating the capacity for HDTV and ensuring that future HDTVs will be able to receive these new channels. The industry will be satisfied that France has set clear policy goals on these important issues.”

    Also according to the report, France’s plan to switch off analogue television broadcasts by 30 November, 2011 remains an ambitious goal, given much of the country’s still heavy dependence on those signals. But the country’s aggressive top-down approach to policy setting gives much-needed clarity to industry decision makers, which will allow technology vendors and service providers to plan with confidence.

  • Banff World Television Festival, NHK announce partnership

    Banff World Television Festival, NHK announce partnership

    MUMBAI: The Banff World Television Festival joins forces with NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, to offer up the NHK Prize.

    This is a new version of the NHK President’s Prize which has been awarded for the past six years. The new NHK Prize will be given for the best HD international co-production. NHK will sponsor it with a $20,000 (Cdn) cash award. The winner will be announced at the 2007 Awards ceremony during the event which takes place in Banff, Canada,from 10 -13 June 2007.

    BWTVF CEO Robert Montgomery says, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with NHK again. As leaders in HD technology, NHK’s support of this award will help to ensure that the best new HD productions are recognized.”

    NHK head International programme acquisition and co-production Fumio Narashima says, “NHK always has a keen eye on quality programming and strives to explore the frontiers of innovation and creativity with international partners. Given our dedication to superior programming and the increasing global dominance of HDTV, we hope to further encourage excellent HD international co-productions with this new award”.

    All internationally co-produced HD programmes submitted for the 2007 Banff Television Awards will be eligible for nomination. Producers are urged to submit as soon as possible as the deadline for submissions for the Awards is 23 February 23, 2007.

    The Banff World Television Awards include 18 categories covering the major programme genres. New to the awards this year is the Best Telenovela/Drama Serial Program category. In addition to this, BWTVF’s 2007 programme competition will include several expanded categories for its Interactive Programme: Best Mobile Programme Enhancement Award, Best Internet Programme Enhancement Award and Best Internet Only Production Award.
     

  • HDTV alliance established in Beijing

    HDTV alliance established in Beijing

    MUMBAI: The Beijing Gehua CATV Network has formed an alliance with other companies to provide high-definition television (HDTV) service and accelerate the development of the service in China.
     
    The parties are Dazhong Electronics as well as TV manufacturers like Changhong and Haier.

    Media reports state that the co-founders also include Huacheng Film and TV Digital Programme, Beijing BAMC Communication Digital TV Co Ltd, Dolby Laboratories and other TV manufacturers such as Hisense, Panasonic, TCL and Sharp.

    According to the agreement, Huacheng Film and TV Digital Programme together with Shanghai Media Group will provide HD TV channels. Gehua CATV Network takes charge of communicating signal. The HD TV sets made by the above manufacturers should comply with the related national standards and the standards of Gehua CATV’s network.
     
    Huacheng says that its CHC high-definition film is the first of its kind in China and will work with others to provide this to the alliance, while Gehua is mainly responsible for signal transmission among alliance members. The six TV manufacturers promise that their TV sets sold at Dazhong retail outlets conform with the national high-definition standard.

  • Casbaa to organise satellite industry forum in Singapore in June

    Casbaa to organise satellite industry forum in Singapore in June

    MUMBAI: The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) will stage the seventh annual Casbaa Satellite Industry Forum in Singapore on 18 June 2007.

    The Casbaa Satellite Industry Forum traditionally acts as a curtain-raiser for the CommunicAsia and BroadcastAsia trade shows in Singapore.

    Themed Converging on Satellite, issues to be addressed during the e meeting of global and regional industry leaders include the impact on satellite markets of proposed Wimax deployments, the real story behind the satellite-to-mobile TV opportunity and the demand drivers for HDTV services.

    Invited satellite industry leaders include International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary General Hamadoun Toure, Intelsat CEO David McGlade and Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg.

    There will be a focus on satellite market development within Asia, with leading speakers drawn from some of the fastest growing markets in the world – India, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Malaysia – sharing their insights.

    Meanwhile, the regulatory environment underpins our industry and a close examination of that environment will provide new insights on the future of the Asia-Pacific market.

    Casbaa Satellite Industry Committee chairman David ball says, “Given the opportunities provided by the changing Asian landscape and the challenges from new technologies, we are seeing unprecedented development within Asia”.

    Casbaa CEO Simon Twiston Davies says, “The Casbaa Satellite Industry Forum is the premier forum in Asia for satellite market strategy discussions. This year will be a banner year for Asia Pacific satellite services as their value as primary carriers for video and back up for data services is reinforced.”

  • StarHub launches HDTV in Singapore

    StarHub launches HDTV in Singapore

    MUMBAI: Singapore, through pay TV platform StarHub, is the first country in Southeast Asia to launch High Definition Television (HDTV).

    This launch follows StarHub’s successful HDTV trial that kicked off with the 2006 Fifa World Cup on 10 June 2006 and ended at the close of the year. During this trial, 1000 StarHub Digital Cable customers enjoyed all 64 World Cup matches as well as quality programmes from Discovery and National Geographic Channel in full high-definition (HD) splendour.

    With HDTV, StarHub says that viewers can expect up to four times greater picture clarity. The 16:9 screen ratio will also provide a panoramic view that can be up to 33 per cent more than what they can enjoy on the standard 4:3 TV screen. As many HD programmes contain Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, viewers with a Dolby Digital Home Theatre system can also be treated to superior audio quality, not unlike the quality available at the cinemas.

    In addition to an enhanced audio and visual experience, customers using the HD set-top box will also enjoy all innovative features that users of StarHub’s digital set-top box currently have access to. These include the Onscreen TV Guide, Programme Alert, Auto-Tune, Video Mosaic, Info Bar, Quick Surf, Chat, access to Demand TV and complimentary FunZone games.

    StarHub president and CEO Terry Clontz says, “We are very excited about our HDTV launch, and are proud that we are the first operator in Southeast Asia to introduce the service.

    “StarHub is constantly enhancing its customers’ TV viewing experience. Our introductions of Digital Cable in 2004, Demand TV in 2005 and Smart TV in 2006 are examples of how we give customers more control over what they watch, and when they watch their favourite programmes. And who knows, maybe someday we can even give customers choice on where they can view their favourite programmes too. ”

    With StarHub’s launch of its HDTV service, a new content group named “HD Plus” will be introduced. HD Plus, with a subscription fee of $15 comprises two new HD channels – Discovery HD and National Geographic Channel (NGC) HD.

    Clontz adds, “Discovery and National Geographic Channel are longtime content partners of StarHub, and both are very well-known for their production of high-quality programmes. We know that our customers will be delighted with the quality of the content, and with the superior viewing experience that HDTV brings.”

    Discovery HD Channel showcases on the channel include science, world culture, natural history, wildlife, engineering, travel and lifestyle.

    Discovery Asia MD, executive VP Tom Keaveny says, “Discovery is once again happy to be pioneering HD. We were the first international HD channel to launch in Japan in 2005, and with this launch in Singapore, Discovery HD is now available in 15 international markets and over nine million households. Discovery is committed to providing our viewers with the highest quality content available and Discovery HD will deliver an audio and visual experience that is richer, deeper and more expansive than ever before”.

    NGC HD takes viewers into the heart of the action from science, the modern world and investigations to lost cultures and natural history, National Geographic Channel in high definition will bring viewers unique insights, groundbreaking new findings and unforgettable television experience.

    NGC International executive VP, group MD– Asia PacificWard Platt said, “Today is a heartwarming moment as we witness the launch of the brand new National Geographic Channel HD in Singapore. We congratulate Singapore and StarHub for being the most innovative country and the first operator in Southeast Asia to launch a commercial high-definition television service. Singapore viewers can now truly enjoy National Geographic Channel’s unsurpassed quality programming and compelling stories in stunning visuals and cinematic surround sound.”

    Consumers must subscribe to a minimum of three Basic Groups and HD Plus, and own StarHub’s HD set-top box and a HD-ready TV set in order to enjoy StarHub’s new HDTV service.

  • LG earns Cablelabs certification for two-way interactive digital cable HDTV

    LG earns Cablelabs certification for two-way interactive digital cable HDTV

    MUMBAI: Paving the way to integrated digital cable-ready HDTVs with two-way interactive capability, LG Electronics recently showcased a TV platform in the US.

    The LG plasma HDTV has achieved certification status as Ocap-enabled interactive digital television set, including the multi-stream CableCard (M-Card) system, from a recently concluded certification by Cablelabs.

    LG’s 42-inch OpenCable plasma HDTV set (42PC1DN) was honoured with a 2007 CES Innovations Award — features built-in Ocap technology, M-Card capabilities and interactive capabilities, as well as high-definition content and interactive services like Video-on-Demand and Pay-Per-View. The LG 42PC1DN has been honoured as a 2007 CES Innovations Award recipient.

    This retail device can connect directly to a local cable TV system, and receive current advanced interactive cable TV services, as well as be ready for future interactive applications –without the need for a separate digital set-top box (STB). Ultimately, a common US platform for delivering interactive cable applications would be enabled by implementing the OpenCable specification, a process in which LG is an active contributor.

    The company adds that it is committed to commercialising retail interactive digital cable-ready TVs and STBs to accelerate the rollout of OpenCable and Ocap across the North American Cable industry. LG says that it has now have advanced devices capable of receiving and displaying advanced cable services such as program guides and video-on-demand (Vod) without requiring separate cable STBs.

    In parallel with ongoing inter-industry standardisation efforts, it will continue working with the cable industry to commercialise this platform.

    LG’s close collaboration with Cablelabs and cable TV operators has enabled the company to develop products that run cable services including an interactive programme guide, Vod and other interactive applications and services. “At the same time, LG is continuing to explore additional new features to maintain product leadership and be a market differentiator.