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HD Highlights
Unlicensed devices pose interference threat to DTV, says Hubbard
Apr 4, 2006 11:16 AM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
In a written statement presented to the Senate Commerce Committee March 14, Robert Hubbard, president and CEO of Hubbard Broadcasting, told members that efforts to allow unlicensed devices into “allegedly” unused broadcast channels threatens interference to 73 million television sets and do harm to consumer acceptance of DTV receivers and digital-to-analog set-top boxes.
Making his comments on behalf of the Association of Maximum Service Television, Hubbard said it would be premature to make any move to allow such devices to be used before the FCC and IEEE 802.22. The working group on wireless regional area networks determine “whether, and if so, how” they could enter the band without degrading free, over-the-air television service.
According to Hubbard, proposals requiring the FCC to allow unlicensed devices into the broadcast spectrum within as little as six months “would short change the scientific discovery process, short circuit the IEEE’s important work and would wrongly prejudge complicated engineering questions.”
One of the association’s chief concerns, according to Hubbard, is the lack of a method to “prevent or even remedy interference” from such devices to television broadcast signals and “wireless microphones” that are used in the production of emergency news coverage, sporting events and political conventions.
According to Hubbard the “much vaunted ‘spectrum sensing’” technology envisioned as being able to prevent an unlicensed device from interfering with a broadcast station “has never been built, tested or proven to work in the broadcast band.”
Proponents of unlicensed devices operating in “unused” broadcast spectrum tell policy makers to “trust” that there will not be interference, Hubbard said. “MSTV respectfully submits that the public’s spectrum resource should be managed based on facts and engineering science, not on unsubstantiated promises.”
Hubbard was elected MSTV secretary and treasurer Jan. 30.
To read the statement in its entirety, visit www.mstv.org/docs/hubbard.1.pdf.
Toshiba begins HD-DVD player sales
Apr 4, 2006 11:53 AM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Toshiba began selling the HD-XA1 HD-DVD player in Japan March 31, launching a first-strike in the war with the Blu-ray camp to be the dominant HD optical recording and playback medium.
Priced at less than $950, the product is the first commercially available HD-DVD player only product. The company promises U.S. deliveries later this month. In the United States, the player is expected to cost less than $800.
VOOM HD launches Gameplay HD channel
Apr 4, 2006 12:05 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
VOOM HD Networks is launching Gameplay HD, a high-definition channel solely dedicated to the world of video gaming.
The channel features three tiers of entertainment, including news and information from the industry, original series and specials, and tournaments and competitions from around the world. Gameplay HD is part of VOOM HD Networks available nationally on DISH Networks.
The channel also has a deal with CNET Networks' Gamespot to produce two new series for the channel: “GameSpotting,” a half-hour series of news, reviews and previews, and “CinemAddicts,” an hourly series featuring video games in a cohesive cinematic story.
For more information, visit www.rainbow-media.com.
Wireless home HD connectivity
Apr 4, 2006 12:34 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
One more impediment to simplified home HD setup seems poised to topple with two separate announcements on the home wireless connectivity front.
On March 28, the Bluetooth SIG announced its selection of the WiMedia Alliance multiband orthogonal frequency division-multiplexing (MB-OFDM) version of ultra-wideband (UWB) for integration with current Bluetooth wireless technology. The move is the next step in its plan to create a version of Bluetooth wireless technology with a high speed/high data rate option.
This new version of Bluetooth technology will meet the high-speed demands of synchronizing and transferring large amounts of data and enabling high-quality video and audio applications for portable devices, multimedia projectors and television sets.
The Bluetooth SIG and the WiMedia Alliance will help UWB achieve global regulatory acceptance. Both have agreed to develop a high speed, high data rate Bluetooth solution that uses the unlicensed radio spectrum above 6GHz.
Separately, wireless and wireline broadband communication silicon provider Metalink has announced it will demonstrate its WLANPlus chipset at The National Show (NCTA) in Atlanta, GA, this month. The company will demonstrate delivery of HDTV over a wireless LAN, at wire line quality.
According to the company, its WLANPlus family of products, which includes a baseband device and radio frequency integrated circuit, can deliver multiple HDTV streams to any location within 1000ft while maintaining full quality of service.
For more information, visit www.bluetooth.com and www.metalinkbb.com.
CEA honors 2005 Digital Television Pioneers
Apr 4, 2006 2:04 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
The Consumer Electronics Association last month honored the winners of the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers (DTV Academy) Awards in five categories during its Entertainment Technology Policy Summit luncheon in Washington, D.C.
The winners included:
- Best DTV Program Provider: DIRECTV
- Best DTV Leadership (Industry): Peter Fannon, Panasonic Corp. of North America
- Best DTV Leadership (Government): Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) and Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI)
- The People's Choice Award for Favorite HDTV Programming: NFL Monday Night Football (ABC)
- The President's Award for Outstanding Contribution: Rick Chessen, former chair, FCC Digital Television Task Force and Bureau Chief of the Media Bureau.
For more information, visit www.ce.org.
HD Showcase
Water Productions puts Fujinon HD lens, Panasonic Varicam to the test
Apr 4, 2006 2:17 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
 Water Productions uses its Fujinon HA18x7.6BERM HD ENG/EFP lens and Varicam under extreme weather conditions, like the snowy, cold setting for “Sledsense,” which airs on the Outdoor Channel 2 HD. |
A little more than a year ago Water Productions, a Canadian sports television production company, made significant high-definition equipment upgrades, and since that time has put the new gear to the test in extreme weather conditions.
One day, the company has buried its new Fujinon HA18x7.6BERM HD ENG/EFP lens fitted to a Panasonic Varicam in the snow. The next it has hung the equipment from boats. Miraculously, it has continued to work.
Applied Electronics, a reseller based in Toronto, sold Water Productions the Fujinon HA18x7.6BERM lens. The lens has a long focal length (137mm, 274 with a 2X extender) and a wide angle of view (64.5 degrees at 7.6mm).
For more information, visit www.fujinonbroadcast.com.
U.K. production facility 3sixtymedia adds Kahuna SD/HD switcher
Apr 4, 2006 3:04 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
3sixtymedia, an ITV Productions/BBC Resources joint venture broadcast studio, has acquired a Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD production switcher.
Installed at Studio 12 in Manchester, the Kahuna offers versatile source selection, access and mixing capabilities that have been invaluable in the creation of complex television programs, such as “Soapstar Superstar” and “A Question of Sport.”
The Kahuna’s ability to enable simultaneous SD and HD operations on the same control surface and in the same mainframe provides 3sixtymedia with a future-proof, fully HD-capable solution that has integrated smoothly into the studio’s existing infrastructure and will support more advanced broadcast systems and productions as further upgrades are made to the facility.
Kahuna’s unprecedented flexibility enables 3sixtymedia to work initially in SD-only mode and later, after refurbishing its studio, monitoring, and infrastructure, upgrade to multiformat SD/HD operation. In multiformat SD/HD mode, Kahuna’s FormatFusion technology allows SD sources to be integrated into HD productions and vice versa.
3sixtymedia replaced an aging switcher with a 3M/E Kahuna system, featuring a 4M/E option installed in the mainframe, a separate master auxiliary panel, six remote auxiliary panels, four channels of DVE, and an 80-input option.
For more information, visit www.snellwilcox.com and www.3sixtymedia.co.uk.
Soundoff
Java programming language brings high level of interactivity to Blu-ray
Apr 4, 2006 3:32 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Despite the HD optical disc format wars between HD-DVD and Blu-ray, it’s apparent that another important piece of the high definition jigsaw puzzle will fall into place as the product becomes available to U.S. consumers within the next few months.
One of the more frequently overlooked aspects of Blu-ray is its underlying use of the Sun Microsystems Java programming language to bring a high level of interactivity to the optical disc format.
With deliveries of Blu-ray players to U.S. consumers due shortly, HD Technology Update approached Bill Sheppard, Senior Industry Marketing Manager of Emerging Markets, to discuss the role of Java in the format. Sheppard also shed some light on the High Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA), which Sun Microsystems helped to found.
HD Technology Update: Sun Microsystems announced in January of 2005 that it would become a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association and back the format. What was the thinking behind backing Blu-ray and did Sun do so to the exclusion of HD-DVD?
Bill Sheppard: The Blu-ray Disc Association made a decision early on to base the format on Java technology. So it only made sense to join and help ensure BD-J is well-synchronized with other digital TV specifications based on Java, specifically OCAP (OpenCable Application Platform) for U.S. cable companies and MHP (Multimedia Home Platform) for the rest of the world, and that both the Blu-ray and the MHP/OCAP communities would benefit from the common Java-based platform.
HDTU: Now that Blu-ray has made its official debut in the United States at CES and will be rolled out soon, could you please discuss what unique interactive Java capabilities developers are using to create new revenue opportunities in movie and game applications?
BS: Nothing is released yet, so I will speak to what’s expected. It is really very open-ended. We anticipate the studios will put their creative talent to work here. With Java as an interactive platform, there are few limitations on the kind of content that can be created. Some ideas include downloading new content for use with an old movie. For instance, a year after a movie has been released on Blu-ray, consumers would still see current trailers and information related to the movie rather than just what was present when they made their original purchase. There’s also the possibility of enable e-commerce, such as making available clothing or goods featured in the film, or enabling the purchase of different formats of the movie for display on a video iPod or to be moved to the home PC.
Other interactive sorts of applications might include chatting with the producer or director of movie at a specific time, or a chat room and/or a message forum you can access as you are watching.
In terms of gaming, there is lots of opportunity for creating games related to the movie, including networked multiplayer games. Moving beyond strictly movie titles, there is great potential to use the Java platform to enhance educational or children's titles. Live help could be provided, or updated content as you progress through the title. The Java platform will allow an application to evolve over time and provide continually refreshed content.
There is also the user interface for the movie itself. Today, DVDs have a fairly common look and feel. The graphics change but the way you interact with the DVD doesn’t change much. Move up and move down, make a selection. With the Blu-ray Disc Java platform, the interface can be changed to reflect the feel of the movie. “The Matrix” could have a futuristic type interface reflecting the tone of the movie, while children’s’ titles could have much simpler interfaces. There’s much more flexibility for the creative community to adapt an interface to its target audience.
HDTU: Late last year, Sun announced it would be participating as a founding member of the HANA Alliance, which has as one of its goals making the home HD experience easier for consumers — especially in terms of connectivity. Please describe the barriers as you see them.
Bill Sheppard: Today, you have typically, a monitor or display system, a cable set-top box, DVD player, home audio system, perhaps multiples of some of those components. Each has a remote, and frequently each component needs to be connected to every other component. How do you select the right input on the TV and receiver? Which remote should be used? These are the things that are impediments for many consumers to creating a HD home theatre system.
HANA has a vision that this can all be greatly improved. Each component can be connected by only a single cable and one remote control can control the entire system, where the devices have enough intelligence to pass controls to other devices to execute what the consumer is trying to do. The goal is to simplify hook up, and simplify how you would operate all the devices, such as scheduling a recording or turning on a particular surround mode.
HDTU: Please describe Sun’s DReaM (Digital Rights Management everywhere available) technology and the role you see it playing in a HANA compliant implementation.
BS: DRM is clearly an important part of the content landscape, and it is also an area that has been very proprietary and can complicate the interconnection of devices. It can also put a single company in control of a system in a way that consumers or other vendors may not want.
DReaM is intended to enable digital rights management in an open standard, royalty-free framework. We believe helping to create a royalty-free DRM solution will help the industry progress much more quickly in bringing solutions to the consumer. HANA doesn’t depend on DReaM, but DReaM will work well within the HANA environment.
Tell us what you think! HDTU invites response from our readers. Please submit your comments to editor@broadcastengineering.com. We'll follow up with your comments in an upcoming issue.
A Glance At The Stats
Digital satellite set-top market to reach 79 million units by 2009
Apr 4, 2006 3:08 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
The digital satellite set-top box market reached 65 million units in 2005 and will grow to 79 million units by 2009, according to a new report from market research firm In-Stat.
Digital satellite set-top boxes include pay TV boxes whose features are often specified by satellite pay-TV providers, and Free-To-Air (FTA) boxes that are used to receive unencrypted TV signals, the high-tech market research firm says.
The report, “Digital Satellite Set Top Boxes” found:
- H.264 coding and 8PSK modulation are becoming common among providers for the delivery of HD signals; thereby increasing the demand for 8PSK demodulator ICs and H.264 decoder ICs in the set-top boxes.
- Connectivity options in advanced boxes today include USB in many DVR boxes and HDMI in most HD boxes.
- More Ethernet connections in satellite set-top boxes are likely in the future as more satellite pay TV providers offer services in partnership with broadband providers.
20 million new households to adopt HD over next two years, says CEA study
Apr 4, 2006 3:26 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
New research from the Consumer Electronics Association shows that 33 percent of non-owning high-definition television (HDTV) households are interested in having a professional install an HDTV in the next two years. That translates to 20.5 million households.
The CEA research also found that 43 million U.S. households now have broadband Internet access compared to 2 million in 1999. It is possible that dial-up Internet connections will be a thing of the past by the end of the decade, according to CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. The leader of the trade association made the findings public March 30 at the Electronic House Expo in Orlando.
The United States ranks No. 15 in the world in high-speed Internet penetration. Asian countries top the list, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan all having higher than 50 percent penetration, and Japan reaching 49 percent.
Dial-up Internet access is on a notable decline in the United States, according to the study. In 2000, dial-up Internet connections accounted for 74 percent of all U.S. residential Internet connections. That dropped to 60 percent by 2003, and currently stands at 36 percent.
Cable Internet access has lost ground when it comes to customer value and popularity, the study found. In October 2000, cable broadband accounted for 15 percent of all Internet connections, compared to four percent for digital subscriber line (DSL). By March 2006, cable and DSL were head to head, each with 29 percent of the residential Internet market.
For more information, visit www.ce.org.
HD Products & Reviews
Citytv Toronto to broadcast news in HD
Apr 4, 2006 4:03 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
CHUM Television's flagship station Citytv Toronto will broadcast its news programming in high definition using the Ross Video Synergy 4 MD-X digital production switcher beginning in September.
Citytv Toronto is positioned to become the first daily newscast in Canada to broadcast in HD. Installation of the OverDrive production control system and Synergy 4 MD-X digital production switcher is targeted for completion by summer. As part of several CHUM HD initiatives, "BT-"Breakfast Television", "Cityline", "CityNews at Noon", "CityNews at Six" and "CityNews Tonight" will all broadcast in HD.
CHUM Television has invested in several Synergy digital production switchers including: A-Channel Barrie, A-Channel Ottawa, A-Channel London and Citytv Toronto. Both A-Channel Barrie and now Citytv Toronto have invested in the OverDrive Production Control System.
For more information, visit www.rossvideo.com and www.chumlimited.com.
TV One introduces C2-7300 HD video processor
Apr 4, 2006 4:11 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
 The C2-7300 provides 32 channels of stereo audio processing, which allows simultaneous embedding of 8 stereo audio channels for each of the two HD-SDI inputs. |
TV One’s new C2-7300 multiformat, dual-channel HD video processor adds full HD-SDI multichannel audio processing to the capabilities of the C2-7200 introduced at NAB2005.
The new C2-7300 was created solely to address the evolving needs of the broadcast market and supports nearly all bi-directional analog-to-HDTV conversion in a compact 1RU enclosure.
The C2-7300 provides 32 channels of stereo audio processing, which allows simultaneous embedding of eight stereo audio channels for each of the two HD-SDI inputs and extraction of eight stereo audio channels from each of the two independent HD-SDI outputs. These audio channels are available in the AES3-id format on the rear panel of the unit via a pair of HD-44 connectors.
An optional A2-7301 conversion unit is available to convert from AES3-id to standard AES-3 on XLR connectors.
For more information, visit www.tvone.com.
Rule Broadcast Systems purchases Canon HD, SD portable lenses
Apr 4, 2006 4:32 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
 Rule Broadcast recently added Canon Broadcast SD and HD lenses. |
Rule Broadcast recently strengthened its inventory of portable EFP (electronic field production) lenses with Canon Broadcast’s high definition HJ17ex7.7B IRSE lens, HJ11ex4.7B IRSE wide-angle lens, and the standard-definition J35ex11B IASD SD telephoto lens.
Rule Broadcast has been in the business of both renting and selling broadcast equipment for more than 20 years. Its purchase of two HJ17ex7.7B IRSE HD EFP lenses and an HJ11ex4.7B IRSE HD lens is designed to serve an increasing number of HD production clients.
Canon’s HJ17 lens is a wide-angle HD zoom weighing 3.83lbs for maximum portability and versatility in EFP applications.
For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com and www.rule.com.
Dayang unveils VIPS HD video server
Apr 4, 2006 4:48 PM, HD Technology Update e-newsletter
Dayang has introduced the VIPS 3000 video server for high definition or multiformat broadcast applications.
The VIPS 3000 provides simultaneous output of HD and SD signals. HD ingest and playout can be performed in MPEG-I, MPEG-IBP and DVCPRO HD formats. SD ingest and broadcasting of files in DV25, DV50, MPEG-I and MPEG-IBP formats are also supported.
The 4RU VIPS 3000 HD server provides RAID-5 data protection and supports multiple data stream file formats, including Motion-JPEG, MPEG-2. MPEG-4, DV and WMV. The VIPS 3000 also allows MXF file interchange and the VDCP universal control protocol, allowing easy integration with broadcast automation systems. Server status can be monitored via SNMP-protocol TCI/IP. Microsoft Windows XP is incorporated to ensure a stable operating platform and user-friendly graphic interface.
For more information, visit www.dayang.com.
