-
BIZ—Who took that last Apple? To some, running out of a product is a good indicator of its popularity—Apple Inc.’s retail stores are running out of iPhones—that could be a sign Apple is ramping up to introduce a new version of the iPhone. The tongues are wagging as reports indicate that at least 20 of Apple’s 180 stores in the US are out of iPhones and telling online shoppers it may take as long as seven days to fill their orders. The new iPhone is believed to operate on so-called thirdgen wireless networks, allowing for faster Internet downloads than are available on the two current models. The new version may sell for $400 and resemble the current model in design—Cupertino, California
-
BIZ + DELIVERY—Broadway Systems has intro’d Broadway 6.0, the company’s end-to-end advertising management solution for cable networks. This release incorporates multiple industry firsts including flexible billboard management, Internet invoice import, and accounts receivable management. Plus, it enhances the company’s existing Nielsen data integration framework for easy support of future data sources and formats. Broadway 6.0 is designed to help cable networks better serve their advertising and agency clients, while at the same time optimizing yield from inventory. Broadway 6.0 continues to provide seamless integration across departments, making it easier to go from planning to proposal to order and on to traffic, billing, and analysis within the same application. The integrated software modules—managing programming, advertising sales, traffic operations, and finances—offer significant new functionality to enhance productivity, as well as a new, intuitive, and highly-customizable user interface. Broadway 6.0 is a stand-alone, end-to-end system that relies on readily available hardware and software technologies. It was engineered on an N-Tier architecture using Microsoft .NET and SQL Server 2005. For existing Broadway users, Broadway 6.0 is implemented via a software upgrade. New users can easily import data, which makes migration from legacy systems extremely straightforward—Grand Rapids, Michigan
-
ANALYSIS—No need to duck from flying TVs according to CEA. What to do with all those TVs after next year’s transition to digital television (DTV) brings memories of the old Second City TV show (the era of John Candy and co.) wherein it showed TVs being thrown out the windows of a high-rise. But wait! That’s not going to happen, thanks to revelations taken from a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Indeed, results of the study, Trends in Consumer Electronics (CE) Afterlife reveal that households receiving broadcast signals only over-the-air (OTA) expect to remove fewer than 15 million televisions from their homes through 2010, 95 percent of which will be sold, donated, or recycled. Most OTA-only households expect to buy a digital converter box (48 percent) and continue using the same TV. Recycling is an increasingly common way to dispose of unused TVs. In fact, according to the survey, consumers report recycling nearly 30 percent more TVs in 2007 than in 2005. That trend also extends to other CE categories. While only three percent more devices were removed from homes in 2007, 27 percent more devices were recycled. Great news, and good for the environment—definitely a win-win—Arlington, Virginia
-
DELIVERY—DNF Controls debuted their Universal Automation Backup System (UABS) for reliable playout control in the event that main or backup automation systems fail. To ensure that broadcasts continue uninterrupted and as scheduled, UABS uses existing playlists from traffic and automation systems to control program and commercial channel playout. The hardware-based system stands by 24/7 to give broadcasters continuous playout support. The unit imports playlists from traffic and automation systems and can take over playout if the primary or secondary on-air system is compromised. A variety of playout options and tools allow users to perform as much or as little manual intervention as they wish in scheduling and triggering playout events. In an emergency, the UABS allows operators to roll programs (clip or tape) manually on one video server channel and automate commercial break playout on a second server channel. The operator can also choose to rely on the UABS for automated playout of both program and commercial content. The UABS supports one playlist for a full or partial broadcast day, and the playlist itself may contain time-triggered, follow-along, and manually controlled elements. Operators can modify the playlist at any time, even during playout, by adding and removing elements or by appending playlists. Also, the UABS provides as-run logs and discrepancy lists. The new UABS is available in two models. The UABS-1 features functionality more than capable of handling emergency playout, and the UABS-2 features extended capabilities such as a robust toolset addressing ingest control. Both models enable program segment playout and support secondary general purpose outputs (GPOs)—Sylmar, California
-
DELIVERY—The upcoming National Association of Broadcasters’ show in Las Vegas, Nevada is sure to be brimming with new and innovative products. Speaking of which, DVEO will be presenting four new items, as follow…
- The four channel HD-SDI PCIe Capture Card—HD-SDI Master™ Quad/i PCIe is a four channel PCI Express input card that simultaneously receives four HD-SDI input streams, with a total bitrate of almost 6 Gbps and can bring in four HD streams simultaneously to a PC workstation. This card supports video formats that include 1080i, 1080p, and 720p at 60 Hz and 59.94 Hz rates
- MPEG-2 HD Video Transmitter/Receiver—IP Caster FD is an alternative to dedicated satellite links, and is an IP gateway that connects HD digital video equipment to computer networks. It sends and receives both single and multi-program HD MPEG-2 transport streams, and converts HD MPEG-2 transport streams from DVB-ASI to IP in real time, and transmits HD MPEG-2 transport streams over Ethernet-based Internet Protocol (IP) networks and converts them to DVB-ASI
- Small Form Factor Digital HDTV Modulator—eYe Catcher’s input can be IP, USB, DVB-ASI, SMPTE 310M, or a stored transport stream from hard drive (single or multi program transport streams). The output is IP, USB, QAM, 8VSB, or a stored transport stream. One 8VSB RF channel can have up to one HD and one SD stream or three SD streams, and one QAM channel can have two HD streams
- Low Latency H.264 High Definition Encoder/Decoder – InstaView HD is a real time, 4:2:2, H.264 encoder/decoder system that delivers HD or SD video and four channel audio across IP networks at bandwidths from 256 kbps to 10 Mbps. It achieves end-to-end latency of less than 70 milliseconds compared to other broadcast encoders that have latencies above 500 milliseconds
Each encoder includes a built-in decoder for local monitoring—San Diego, California -
DELIVERY—Echolab Corporation has launched their MultiPlayMD multidefinition, multichannel, instant-replay system. This new system offers unique functionality at an affordable price point, providing continuous recording of up to 32 channels of SD or HD content. Working with MultiPlayMD, operators can switch instantly between live, play, and record functions, with instant synchronous playback available on all channels. The system is fully integrated with Echolab’s Overture1 and Overture2 production switchers and can be operated directly from the switcher control panel or from Echolab’s Conductor control integration system—Billerica, Massachusetts
-
CONTENT—The European Commission and the European Audiovisual Observatory will officially launch their new TV database called MAVISE during this year’s MIP TV on April 9th. MAVISE already holds key profile and contact data for approximately 2,500 television channels and companies in Europe. This figure will increase to over 5,000 over time. This new TV database was developed by the Strasbourg-based European Audiovisual Observatory at the request of the DG Communication of the European Commission. MAVISE will serve as a useful tool for the television industry as parts of the database will be freely accessible to the general public. Television pros will be able to use MAVISE free of charge to locate channels according to types of programming, countries where they broadcast, and to also obtain key contact information for each channel.
-
CONTENT—An additional goodie to examine when you are next online — Eyeblast.tv. This is an online platform for people to share and view videos, photos, articles and opinions on topics that are important to them. This ranges from news to political issues as well as humor. People use the site to upload, view, and share content, connect with friends, classmates and colleagues, and make new acquaintances. Everyone is welcome to visit Eyeblast to view and search public postings and polls. Registered users older than 18 can post content, rate videos, make comments, create profiles and groups, join groups, send and read e-mails, store favorite videos and content, and more. Eyeblast is brought to you by the Media Research Center, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit research and education organization—Alexandria, Virginia
-
CONTENT—Front Porch Digital has announced their DIVAworks family. This offering encompasses a range of plug-and-play content storage and protection solutions. Designed for users in TV, post-production, and other media-related fields, the DIVAworks family offers the company’s DIVArchive technology in a convenient and aggressively priced turnkey solution. The DIVAworks family includes best-of-breed IT hardware and is available in three configurations. DIVAworks Basic is an entry-level system comprised of a 24-slot datatape library, a single LTO-4 datatape drive, and a Windows-based, single-CPU server running the DIVArchive CSM software. Occupying only 4 RU of rack space, DIVAworks Basic also includes tape externalization and object-transfer utility features. DIVAworks Enhanced is a middle-level solution comprised of a 48-slot datatape library, dual LTO-4 datatape drives, and two Windows-based, single-CPU servers running the DIVArchive CSM software, offering failure protection and increased system throughput. Fitting into 9 RU of space, DIVAworks Enhanced also includes DIVArchive manager failover, tape externalization, and object transfer utility features. DIVAworks Professional is a scalable and redundant solution occupying only 13 RU of space, with an expandable 50-slot datatape library, dual LTO-4 datatape drives, and two Windows-based, single-CPU servers running the DIVArchive CSM software, offering redundancy and a clear growth path for ever-expanding file-based storage infrastructures. DIVArchive manager failover, tape externalization, and object transfer utility features are included. The system can be expanded with optional nearline disk storage arrays based on DIVAgrid technology, Front Porch Digital’s Storage Plan Manager (SPM) for faster access to important content and policy-based content lifecycle control, and Drop Folder Monitoring to allow users and third-party applications to add content to the archive quickly and easily—Louisville, Colorado
-
CREATION—I-Movix is going to showcase their new SprintCam Live V2.0 during NAB ’08. Based on the new PHOTRON SA-1.1 high speed camera, with its “unmatched light sensitivity and true 12-bit performance”, the brand new SprintCam Live V2.0 includes many enhancements and new features. The SprintCam Live V2.0 system will provide a better image quality, a better dynamic range, and better color-matching for the broadcast market. There’s a brand new camera body with a broadcast “look and feel” with direct SMPTE fiber optic connection. The brand new PHOTRON SA-1.1 delivers 30 sec @1000 images/sec memory. There’s also a brand new 2/3″ B4 optical adapter that was developed in partnership with FUJINON and PHOTRON plus a brand new OCP with new features as well as new slow-motion—San Jose, California
-
CONTENT—Microvision’s Show and Tell reveals that technology can continue to amaze, as each day new devices debut. Such is the case with Microvision as they have unveiled an ultra thin mobile laser projector that can be embedded within mobile handsets. They’ll be test driving this palm-sized, ultra-thin mobile laser projector prototype, code named SHOW, in Las Vegas, Nevada at NAB ’08 from April 1st through the 3rd. Based on the company’s PicoP display engine technology, SHOW has already attracted the interest and joint development initiatives of mobile handset device manufactures such as Motorola, carriers, and content providers. As either a mobile device accessory, or an embedded module in a handset, mobile devices that integrate Microvision’s PicoP display engine into their products will be able to project any kind of digital content in a large, full-color, high-resolution format onto any surface—Redmond, Washington
-
CONTENT + DELIVERY—Telecast Fiber Systems and Inertia Unlimited bring Gophers to NASCAR, as seen at the recent running of the Daytona 500. The Telecast Fiber Systems’ HD (high definition) POV fiber optic video/data transceiver modules helped to give NASCAR enthusiasts a unique “gopher’s-eye view” of the action at track level. The HD POV system provides the signal transport component for the “Gopher Cam,” a specialized remote-camera system developed by Inertia Unlimited and commissioned by FOX Sports and NASCAR Media Group for coverage of several NASCAR auto race events in; Las Vegas, Nevada; Atlanta, Georgia; and Bristol, Tennessee. The Gopher Cam is a new system of four HD cameras that are buried below the asphalt track surface at key NASCAR race venues. The cameras offer a camera angle that gives viewers an exciting view of the cars zooming around the turns at track-surface level. A component of Telecast’s Viper II family of modular fiber optic platforms, the HD POV system carries HD video, audio, and data signals from the Gopher Cams over the NASCAR venue’s existing fiber ring. Through bidirectional transmission of data, FOX Sports video engineers are able to control the cameras’ paint functions and iris settings remotely—Worchester, Massachusetts
-
BIZ—Uplogix has received $10 million in funding from a group of new and existing investors. The investors include Citi, Adams Capital Management and other private investors including Fayez Sarofim & Co. Uplogix attracted the new investment dollars with its remote management solution that enterprise customers worldwide are adopting as a critical component to their network and server infrastructure. Uplogix will use the new capital to accelerate global expansion to meet customer demand. Uplogix’ architecture integrates an always-available, secure and intelligent direct connection to the remote devices it manages–like putting your most trusted IT administrator everywhere, all the time. In comparison, traditional network management tools are not equipped to automate routine maintenance and recovery tasks because they depend on the network being available, and thus rely on people to do the work. The Uplogix solution is a new approach that significantly reduces labor costs and allows IT professionals to focus on more critical responsibilities—Austin, Texas
-
BIZ—Velocita Wireless, a supplier of network data services for machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase SkyTel from Bell Industries for a total consideration of 8M/USD. The closing of the acquisition, which is expected to occur in 60 to 90 days, is conditional upon certain customary closing conditions, including receiving regulatory approval for the transfer of SkyTel’s wireless licenses. Velocita Wireless operates a nationwide Mobitex™ wireless data network covering 93 percent of the U.S. business population that offers machine-to-machine (M2M) data communication solutions, including AVL/telematics, point-of-sale, location-based services and telemetry to the transportation, retail, security and energy markets. SkyTel, from its headquarters in Clinton, MS, operates a nationwide network that offers data and messaging solutions, including M2M telemetry, two-way messaging and traditional text and numeric paging, to business and government customers.
-
CONTENT—Volicon has released Version 5.0 of the Observer®, the company’s broadcast monitoring and recording solution. The Observer 5.0 includes a range of new features designed to give operators greater flexibility and broader options in different content monitoring situations, enabling users to capture, search and retrieve, review, analyze, and log video from an unlimited number of live and prerecorded channels, directly from their desktops. The Observer 5.0 brings new efficiencies to monitoring and troubleshooting transmissions, ensuring compliance, verifying advertising broadcasts, and tracking and analyzing viewer ratings and public relations information. With Observer 5.0, Volicon is delivering new functionality to support monitoring and recording of high-definition (HD) content, allowing operators to obtain closed captions from CEA-708 HD video streams through extraction of EIA-608 closed-caption data. Other new HD features include support for Dolby® 5.1 for SDI capture and support of bit rates higher than 3.0 Mbps to support capture of high-quality HD video. The new release includes advanced exporting functionality in the Observer’s web interface, which was previously only available through purchase of the optional Content Export module. Now, users can export video and selected audio tracks with time codes, banner overlays, and other features on an ad hoc basis, directly from the system’s Web front-end. The Content Export module, which enables batch and scheduled exporting, now provides support for exporting of closed-captioning data. In conjunction with Observer 5.0, Volicon is launching the Observer® QoE, a new quality assurance / quality-of-experience module. The new module makes the Observer the industry’s first video monitoring solution of its kind to provide an automated method for analyzing a video image to detect macroblocking, which has traditionally required human intervention to spot the on-screen anomalies—Burlington, Massachusetts
-
CONTENT—XOrbit has unveiled CaptionSmart, a new, secure online service that enables broadcasters to embed closed captioning data directly into SD, HD, video-on-demand (VOD), program, and transport stream MPEG files. CaptionSmart eliminates the costly and time-consuming edit suite processes involved in laying captions into productions. Powered by XOrbit‘s Xilex technology, the CaptionSmart service allows organizations to take advantage of MPEG2 file encoding on a periodic basis and operates completely over the Internet. Customers install the CaptionSmart application on their desktop computers, which securely connects to XOrbit’s high-bandwidth data center. Users simply point the application to an SD, HD, or VOD MPEG2 file and up to two closed caption files. The application automatically handles uploading, file conversion from numerous vendors, MPEG processing, and downloading, showing the progress of each task. Most programming can be turned around in less than four hours—Columbia, Maryland
-
BIZ—In his keynote address at CTIA Wireless 2008, Yahoo! Inc.’s Marco Boerries, Executive Vice President of Connected Life, articulated the company’s strategy to foster the mobile ecosystem and extend Yahoo!’s operations in mobile. Yahoo! has spent the past three years rolling out a comprehensive offering targeted at addressing key needs of the mobile ecosystem, including consumers, developers, and advertisers. Most notably, Boerries stated Yahoo! is delivering essential mobile services indispensable to consumers’ daily lives; has released an open technology platform that overcomes the complexity of the fragmented mobile landscape; is developing a monetization engine that will offer sustainable value to all constituents, through which the company is serving as a catalyst for accelerating the development of the mobile ecosystem. The goal is to enable billions of mobile Internet users. Yahoo!’s offering includes…
- Mobile Homepage – a highly-personalized, dynamic, essential starting point to the mobile Internet
- Yahoo! oneSearch – mobile search providing instant answers to any query, not just web links
- Yahoo! oneConnect – an all-in-one communications application offering users the best way to keep in touch with the people they care about
- Yahoo! onePlace – a content management application letting users keep tabs on everything they care about all in one place
For the universe of everything else consumers want to experience on their mobile phones, Yahoo! is enabling the world’s developers and publishers through the Mobile Widget Platform. The mobile widgets they create for their services on this platform can be accessed by tens of millions of mobile users—Las Vegas, Nevada
digiGO!™—The Digital World… does not sell or trade subscribers’ names or personal information to any interested parties.
DISCLAIMER
digiGO! and its agents and distributors used all best efforts to collect and prepare the information published herein. However, digiGO! does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.
Copyright 2006—2008 digiGO! | High Sierra Media Group (HSMG) & SatNews Publishers. All rights reserved.
