Advanced Television

Standards

India’s Trai considers STB freedom

In a similar move to the FCC in the US which is proposing to free up set-top box supply, India’s broadcast and telecom regulator Trai is looking at making set-top boxes interoperable. “We are working on introducing interoperability on set-top boxes. The idea is to make them more like a telecom device,” Trai chairman Ram […]

February 22, 2016By Colin Mann

Japan makes 4K commitment

Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications says the country is likely to have between 19 and 22 4K channels on air by 2018. Some Japanese broadcasters, notably JSAT’s SkyPerfecTV, are already transmitting UHD programming. The Ministry says that these 4K channels are a precursor to the even higher quality 8K ‘Super Hi Vision’ broadcasts […]

February 18, 2016By Chris Forrester

Freeview Play specs available for all

Digital UK has published the technical specification for Freeview Play, opening the connected TV service to broadcasters, platforms and equipment manufacturers worldwide. Previously available only via formal registration, the document details the technologies required to design and implement Freeview Play TVs and boxes. The publication follows strong interest in the service from both UK manufacturers […]

February 18, 2016

AirTies joins RDK Community

AirTies Wireless Networks, an international provider of in-home wireless systems, has licensed the RDK (Reference Design Kit) to support the RDK community’s newest initiatives for broadband devices (RDK-B). “We’re excited to join the growing RDK community, especially as it turns its attention to new broadband equipment in the home,” said Bulent Celebi, Executive Chairman and […]

February 18, 2016

Huawei digital transformation initiatives

Global ICT firm Huawei has unveiled its five ‘Big Initiatives’ for the telecom industry to accelerate its digital transformation. Huawei also endorsed open platforms to enable collaboration so that shared success can be achieved in telecom industry. In addition, the company announced innovative solutions for 4.5G, Internet of Things (IoT), 2K/4K video, and Safe City. […]

February 17, 2016By Colin Mann

CableLabs: Full Duplex DOCSIS 3.1 speed breakthrough

Cable industry research consortium CableLabs has revealed details of a project that illustrates how DOCSIS 3.1 technology provides the basis for continued evolution of system capacities by supporting symmetric multi-Gigabit service over the cable network. According to Belal Hamzeh, VP Wireless, R&D and Dan Rice, SVP, R&D, building on state of the art technology, ongoing […]

February 17, 2016By Colin Mann

UK programmers commit to VoD child protection

Members of the Commercial Broadcasters Association (COBA) – the UK industry body for digital, cable and satellite broadcasters and on-demand services – have signed up to a Statement of Practice for Video-on-Demand (VoD) services, committing to make child protection a priority. The Statement, launched on Safer Internet Day, pledges to provide on-demand viewers with a […]

February 9, 2016

AirTies joins Fair Standards Alliance

The Fair Standards Alliance (FSA) has announced that AirTies Wireless Networks, a supplier of advanced wireless technologies, has become its 18th member. The Alliance was launched in November 2015 to promote the licensing of standards-essential patents (SEPs) on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. FSA chairman Robert Pocknell said: “We are delighted that AirTies has […]

February 9, 2016

Huawei, Expway partner for video quality standardisation

Huawei is partnering with wireless multicast specialist Expway to form a joint working group to promote standardisation of end user video experience, with a specific focus on improving the quality of mobile video. The pair say the partnership ushers in a new era for the video industry. According to the cooperation agreement, Huawei and Expway […]

February 5, 2016

DTG considering VR standardisation

Richard Lindsay-Davies, Chief Executive of the DTG, has suggested the digital media technology innovation collaboration centre will consider the standardisation of Virtual Reality (VR). Having recently returned from consumer technology show CES in Las Vegas, where he observed the emergence of VR, Lindsay-Davies told delegates at a Westminster Media Forum Keynote Seminar on TV Convergence […]

February 4, 2016By Colin Mann