Advanced Television

UHD

SDV will boost HD

Switched Digital Video (SDV) technologies provide an excellent, long-term approach that is helping cable operators keep up the pace with expanding High Definition TV and super-high-speed data services, reports In-Stat. “Initial deployments will create a strong market for upgrades, which will become dominant in 2012,” says Gerry Kaufhold, In-Stat analyst. “The strategic key to success […]

March 27, 2008

Envivio AVS video encoding in Shanghai

Envivio, technology provider of IP video convergence encoding solutions from mobile to HD, has revealed that its 4Caster C4 encoders are being used in extensive broadcast trials in Shanghai that, for the first time, combine AVS video encoding with China's standard for DTT broadcasting. This is the first large-scale evaluation of AVS with the DTMB […]

March 26, 2008

RRsat goes HD

RRsat Global Communications Network announced the inauguration of a new High Definition playout centre. The new facility is capable of providing end–to-end HD services, including high resolution graphics and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. This new installation will expand the playout services we currently provide to more than 90 channels, as well as the global […]

March 19, 2008

Experts propose Advanced Digital Television Services

From Colin Mann in London A group of telco and broadcasting industry senior executives has revealed what it described as 'radical proposals' to increase significantly the number of HD services carried on the UK digital terrestrial network, and with further developments could reach 40, plus the inclusion of mobile TV and portable services. The group, […]

March 11, 2008

VOOM HD for Norway

VOOM HD Networks has launched the VOOM HD channel by Get, Norway's second leading cable television provider. Get, which has aggressively incorporated high-definition television into its evolving digital platform, will feature VOOM HD in its new HD channel line-up this month. Building on VOOM HD's growing reach throughout Scandinavia, this latest carriage deal was made […]

March 11, 2008

HD falters in Europe

The recent closure of two of Germany’s HDTV channels has cast a shadow over European hopes for a rapid transition to high definition, according to Strategy Analytics. The report concludes that Europe’s television providers should concentrate their resources initially on building pay television rather than advertising-based business models in order to reach the critical mass […]

March 6, 2008

RAI, BBC and NHK to develop Ultra-HDTV

From Branislav Pekic in Rome Italian public broadcaster RAI has signed an agreement with its counterparts from the UK (BBC) and Japan (NHK) for joint research towards the development of the Ultra–HDTV technology. Talks between the three partners initiated in February 2007, but no agreement was reached on a common business plan. After several meetings, […]

March 4, 2008

Sky expands HD line-up

Sky UK will offer more high definition programmes on its service by increasing the range of channels available via its HD service. Over the next couple of months, Sky Sports HD 3, Sky Movies Premiere HD and FX HD will be added to the line-up offering a wealth of new content and a number of […]

March 3, 2008

Comstar-Direct HDTV service

Comstar-Direct's Stream service, the largest broadband operator in Moscow, has launched a high-definition TV offering. The soft-launch of Stream's HDTV offering will run till June 1. It currently offers four channels—Discovery HD, MelodyZen, Luxe TV and Voom HD—and a package of ten movies via VOD.

February 29, 2008

Eutelsat W3B satellite

Eutelsat has confirmed that Thales Alenia Space has been commissioned to build the W3B satellite which will provide Eutelsat with significant new capacity for broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband services. These additional resources will enable Eutelsat to support the expansion of existing customers, notably broadcasters now launching their first HDTV channels, and will also bring fresh […]

February 28, 2008