Entropic Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENTR) has announced their RF4400 ATSC Silicon Tuner has been selected by EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS), for inclusion in its HD over-the-air (OTA) module for select HD STB — the RF4400 is an advanced silicon tuner that provides high performance in a small form factor. Entropic’s RF4400 boasts a compact, single-chip design. It was engineered to meet or exceed the A/74 compliance specification of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) digital TV standards. The RF4400 is a solid state device that integrates the tracking filter, low-noise amplifier (LNA), mixer, channel filter and both the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and phase-locked loop (PLL) functionality in one high-performance chip. The RF4400 allows key characteristics of the tuner to be programmed via software to optimize front-end performance for different environmental conditions. The result is an advanced silicon tuner that eliminates the performance barriers restricting most discrete tuners and provides customer premise equipment (CPE) manufacturers’ high-performance in a small form factor solution. EchoStar models 222K and 722K include an option for consumers to insert an OTA module that contains two RF4400 ATSC tuners per module, which allows consumers to watch and record two different HD terrestrial channels simultaneously.
Qwest Communications (NYSE: Q – News) and DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV) have announced a five year extension to their existing strategic partnership that allows Qwest to continue to offer DIRECTV services to residential customers. Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. The agreement extends a strategic alliance that started in October 2004. Since then, Qwest customers have enjoyed the full suite of DIRECTV products bundled with Qwest’s broadband and voice services. Under the agreement, Qwest will provide an enhanced customer experience through streamlined customer support and the development of integrated products and services in partnership with DIRECTV. In addition to the new agreement, Qwest and DIRECTV have launched a new suite of integrated services that enable consumers to maximize the value of their home entertainment experience through the dynamic combination of DIRECTV service and their Qwest High-Speed Internet connection. New integrated services include:
- Remote Recording: Customers won’t miss their favorite program because they forgot to hit record. DIRECTV’s DVR Scheduler from Qwest provides customers with the flexibility to record programs or order Video on Demand from any internet-enabled computer – anytime, anywhere via the Qwest High-Speed Internet portal
- Integrated Calling: Customers with a qualifying Qwest bundle and a broadband-connected DVR can manage their Qwest home phone service from the television. Currently in beta, Qwest’s new Integrated Calling Features allow customers to play voice mail messages, see incoming Qwest-branded Caller ID alerts, keep track of incoming and outgoing calls, and even return calls with the touch of a button from their DIRECTV remote
Snell announced that London’s On Sight HD LAB, a specialist in HD broadcast services, has adopted the Snell FilmTools module for its Alchemist Ph.C – HD motion compensated frame-rate standards converter. Coupled with the transparent standards conversion capabilities of the Alchemist Ph.C – HD, FilmTools‘ features for converting low-frame-rate, film-based material allow On Sight to deliver high-quality SD and HD content to broadcasters all over the world. On Sight uses the Alchemist Ph.C – HD with the FilmTools module to create masters from HD and SD content, and those masters serve as a basis for subsequent copies including Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and broadcast content. In reversioning media for the international market, On Sight uses the Alchemist Ph.C – HD primarily for HD frame-rate conversion for distribution to the United States. The company also employs the Snell converter to provide smooth down- and crossconversion from HD to SD when only SD is required. FilmTools provides smooth and seamless conversion of 25 fps or 29.97 fps material to 23.98 fps or 24 fps for output to traditional film, digital cinema, and Blu-ray formats. FilmTools is also useful for converting material with 2:3 pulldown, or content that has been telecined from film, to 24 fps. In addition, FilmTools provides motion compensated deinterlacing for conversion from interlaced to progressive video, resulting in superb picture quality and a cinematic or “film-like” look.
