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Trade row on electronics?

The US is considering action against the European Union with the World Trade Organization over tariffs the EU imposes on some electronics products, Trade Representative has told the CES in Las Vegas. Schwab said the US is talking to other countries who also feel that EU tariffs on products like set-top boxes are a violation […]

January 11, 2008

US digital conversion 'free'

Converting to digital in the US could, theoretically be free as EchoStar Communications announced it teamed up with Sling Media to brand a converter box that it said will sell for $39.99. They say it will comply with the National Telecommunications & Information Administration’s specifications for devices that can be covered entirely by the NTIA’s […]

January 9, 2008

BT Vision secures Motorola and Xbox deals

BT has selected Motorola as the lead supplier of next-generation set-top boxes for its BT Vision digital TV service. Motorola will supply BT with second-generation V-Boxes boasting a new look, the potential for improved energy efficiency and enhanced capabilities for deployment in 2009. The HD-capable V-Box digital TV recorder will provide access to up to […]

January 8, 2008

Cable's portable DVR

Comcast and Panasonic will launch a co-branded portable digital video player that can show videos like Apple's iPod and record shows from any US cable operator’s system. The AnyPlay device is the first of a range of new electronic devices based on technology developed jointly by the cable industry and consumer electronics makers intended to […]

January 8, 2008

STMicroelectronics HD STB decoder

STMicroelectronics, supplier of integrated circuits for digital set-top boxes (STBs), has released a new single-chip high-definition STBbox decoder combining both the demodulation and decoding functions on a single device. The STi7111, which has been designed to meet the requirements of major satellite operators worldwide, including DirecTV, will allow OEMs to target the high-volume market for […]

January 7, 2008

FCC digital transition

The Federal Communications Commission has approved new rules giving broadcasters more flexibility in making the switch to digital television from traditional analogue signals. The rules will even allow some stations to make a “phased transition” to digital broadcasting; stations will be allowed to reduce or terminate their analogue service before the February 17th, 2009 deadline […]

January 3, 2008

Pace profits

UK STB maker Pace Micro posted strong profits for the second half of 2007, and said it was confident of meeting full-year 2008 expectations. The company, currently in the process of buying Philips Electronics set-top box business for a reported E95 million, reported a net profit of £14.4 million (E19.3m) for the seven months, compared […]

December 30, 2007

Pace acquires Philips STB unit

Philips Electronics has reached an agreement in principle to sell its Set-Top Boxes (STB) and Connectivity Solutions (CS) businesses to UK-based technology provider Pace Micro Technology. Philips will sell the businesses to Pace in exchange for 70 million Pace shares. Philips will retain 22.5 per cent of the enlarged share capital of Pace. The deal […]

December 20, 2007

STB manufacturers respond to increasing risks

The status of the STB (Set-Top Box) within pay-TV households faces significant risk from the development of two-way, digital-cable–ready TVs, media centres, and residential gateways, among others. STB manufacturers are responding in several ways according to ABI Research, “In recent times, Comcast created a residential network gateway project, which ultimately will act as a convergence […]

December 19, 2007

Connected demand in Europe

According to research from Cisco, broadband users in Western Europe may be even more interested in living 'The Connected Life' than US consumers, and many are willing to pay for the value a service like this can provide. Ninety-per cent of European broadband users expressed an interest in a connected life service – anytime, anywhere […]

December 14, 2007