digiBIZ + BITZ
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More than 100 million mobile phones are in operation in Japan… that’s one heckuva tempting content target! And so Disney decided to join up with Softbank Corporation and are diving into the Japanese cell market… which seems somewhat strange, given the fact that Disney decided to dump their U.S. attempt at same. Disney is now what is called a MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator. This is the definition given to a firm that is buying capacity (through which content can be poured) from another company that provides the cell services. Sharp manufactures the mobile appliances that are festooned with Mickey Mouse silhouette images. The service is called Disney Mobile.
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The DVB Project is forming a licensing program to cover patents for its content protection and copy management technology (CPCM). At its meeting in Budapest on March 12th, the DVB Project asked users who believed their technology has been used in the CPCM technology to consider licensing these patents on fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms. So far, 12 companies have made their technologies available for patenting. The CPCM technical specification was recently finalized and approved by the DVB Steering Board for formal standardization by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
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Hannover Fairs USA, Inc. (HFUSA) will be launching a dynamic new conference and exposition focusing on the delivery of digital content across all technology platforms. The Multichannel Content Distribution Conference (MCCD) will be held February 4th through 5th, 2009, at the Universal City Hilton in Los Angeles, California.
“This two-day event will offer a unique opportunity for key players in all aspects of the content creation and distribution communities to discuss the current status of the business and the exciting business opportunities unfolding daily,” said Art Paredes, President and CEO of HFUSA. “Terrestrial broadcasters, satellite and cable operators, wireless network providers and the leaders of Silicon Valley will meet face-to-face under one roof with top officials from the Hollywood content community.” Paredes also noted that the conference will focus on international content distribution.
Additionally, HFUSA has retained the services of The Carmel Group to assist in the development of the conference program. The Project Manager for the Conference and Expo will be Harry Thibedeau, a 20-year satellite/telecommunications industry veteran who recently joined the HFUSA team. “This conference will take place only days before the transition to digital broadcasting in the United States,” Thibedeau said. “The world of content distribution is changing daily — this event will be a ‘must-attend’ for those who want to play in the digital world.” More info….
In the world of consumer oddities with a digital connection, how’s this? Your computer’s USB port can actually become an interface for a doggie… simply insert the USB Humping Dog into your machine’s USB port and watch as the pooch actually grinds out sit-ups by the thousands. A reminder for you to lose some weight? An embarrassment you’ll look upon in a day or two and wonder why on earth you spent good money on a USB port attachment that actually does NOTHING but sit-ups? That’s correct, there’s no storage, there’s no lights, there’s no dongle use… simply a featureless, plastic dog cranking out sit-ups… if this gadget makes a best-seller list, one could assume there is NO threat of a recession…
digiCONTENT, CREATION + DELIVERY
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Digital Rapids will be at the NAB Show 2008 in booth number SL8724, April 14-17, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will be presenting some new, and some improved, products:
- Digital Rapids Broadcast Manager 1.2 live encoder management software, with a new graphical scheduling interface and a comprehensive Web Services API for integrating Broadcast Manager into third-party applications
- StreamZ Live (new product) live streaming media encoders for applications from live IPTV channels to webcasting. Choice of encoding format (including H.264/AVC, VC-1/WMV, On2 VP6 for Adobe Flash, 3GPP/Mobile and MPEG-2)
- Carbon HD, (updated version) HD/SD digital disk recorder (DDR) with integrated HD/SD format conversion
- Copper C2 (new version) data delivery software transfers media and data over FTP
- StreamZ studio media encoding, transcoding and streaming with hardware-based pre-processing for output to multiple formats including H.264 (AVC), VC-1/WMV, Adobe Flash (On2 VP6), MPEG-4/2/1, QuickTime, AVI and more
- StreamZHD (new software version) HD/SD studio media ingest, encoding, transcoding and streaming server with integrated HD/SD format conversion. expands the powerful and flexible features of StreamZ into the high definition domain
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EEG has debuted their DE280 HD Caption Decoder. This is a professional EIA-708 closed caption decoder. The DE280 applies EEG‘s expertise to create a highly advanced HD open caption display for monitoring data quality and standards compliance. The EEG DE280 offers a number of highly useful features, including: configurable from the front panel to display caption data in all HD Services 1 through 6, and all caption channels present in the EIA-608 compatibility bytes; user-selectable fonts, colors, and opacity for easy caption reading, as well as transparent, accurate display of upstream encoded fonts and settings; dial-up modem, serial port, and file-based input methods for generating high-quality open caption displays; powerful processor platform to enable a wide variety of custom decoder-based applications; additional applications and firmware updates are field-programmable using a front panel USB port, or a LAN connection. The company will also be at NAB in booth #SL11215.
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JK Audio has three new products ready for debut at NAB 2008. There’s BluePack, a wireless interview tool that allows a balanced microphone, headphones and a recorder to connect to a cell phone via a Bluetooth connection. A 3.5mm stereo line input jack allows recordings to be mixed into a broadcast. Next up is the RemoteAmp Blue, a wireless Bluetooth headphone amplifier that allows broadcasters to use a cell phone for IFB (interruptible feedback or foldback), using this beltpack to drive headphones or an IFB earpiece. Lastly, the company will be showing their RemoteAmp Two, a stereo headphone amplifier. The unit is a beltpack headphone/IFB amplifier with XLR and stereo 3.5mm input.
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Gamers now have the opportunity to create and post videos that are the absolute proof of any record-breaking achievements they’ve accomplished as well as to share their techniques for improving scores. Pinnacle Studio version 11 allows gamers to capture a game session, drag and drop into a timeline, and then edit the content to show the most interesting parts as well as the ultimate score. For creating toots, users can include a variety of transitions, titles and sfx that are all included with Pinnacle Studio. One example could have the user revealing a special game technique at live play speed and then show the same steps again in slow motion—or even paused—to reveal the technique, with text added to explain the winning procedure. Pinnacle Studio Plus version 11 without HD support, and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate version 11 with HD support, retail at $129.99 and $49.99, respectively. And to make things easier for customers and browsers, the company has just redesigned their U.S. website to make navigation easier and bring into play their Pinnacle Life section that’s packed within information without the technical jargon and complexity. And, should you decided to visit Pinnacle Life before March 10th, you’ll receive a 10 percent discount on your purchase of Pinnacle products via their eStore. www.pinnaclesys.com.
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There are new production switchers debuting from Ross Video that are now shipping—Vision 1M, Vision 2M, and the Vision 2X control panels. The M control panels have 24 crosspoint buttons. The X control panel has 32, which is a huge number for a 2 ME panel. These new panels extend the line of Vision panels already including the Vision 1, 2, 3, and 4. The configurability of these switchers is also extended as they have the ability to connect any of the seven control panels to either the 3RU chassis or the 8RU chassis and then populating any number of MEs. Also new is an LCD monitor module for the Vision series, optionally providing live video or teleprompter text on the control panel itself. Vision is also shipping with a full complement of device control capability including serial or Ethernet control of VTRs, Video Servers, Audio Servers, Audio Mixers, Robotic Cameras, Character Generators, UMDs, Monitor Walls, and more! A full connection of a Vision switcher to newsroom control systems is also possible with the Ross OverDrive Automated Production Control System.
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With all of the television shows coming back on air following the writers’ strike, timing could not have been any better for Westinghouse to debut their new 42-inch TX-4@F450S high-end 1080p LCD HDTV. The consumer receives a true cinema experience, directly in their own home. The television’s features include 1920×1080 high resolution HDTV with ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM tuner; 1080Pure all HD input connectors for the 1080p signal; multiple HD input connectors, including four HDMI connectors; an ultra high 5000:1 dynamic contrast ratio; a wide 176-degree viewing angle; 6.5ms response time (perfect for gaming, by the way); and preset and custom video modes—an amazing MSRP of $1,199 for an amazing TV!
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