Advanced Television

STB

ALi supports Opera in its HbbTV STB platform

ALi Corporation, a set-top-box (STB) system-on-chip (SoC) solution provider, has announced that its hybrid broadcast broadband TV (HbbTV) supported STB platform is ready for mass production. ALi and Opera Software will  work together to bring a better HbbTV experience to ALi-based STBs. To create an optimal HbbTV experience, ALi and Opera offer a friendly interface […]

April 19, 2012

Pace “steady” says Leighton

UK set-top box specialist Pace issued a statement to coincide with its AGM on April 16, saying that its first 15 weeks of trading were “encouraging” and in line with expectations. Allan Leighton, Pace’s chairman, added “The business is benefitting from a stronger operational focus and this is delivering tangible benefits in procurement, operating efficiency […]

April 16, 2012By Chris Forrester

Roku launches in Canada

Roku, the US streaming platform, has confirmed the official launch of its products in Canada. Two Roku streaming player models – the Roku 2 XD and the Roku 2 XS – are available for purchase in Canada starting immediately. These small set-top boxes use the Internet to stream entertainment to the TV instantly. At launch […]

April 16, 2012

Boom time for German STBs

The end of analogue broadcasting (on April 30) has led to a boom in the supply and purchase of digital set-top boxes. Market research specialist GfK says that in the year to March 31st, sales are up 24 per cent, with January generating record sales up 60 per cent (y-o-y). Flat-panel TVs with built-in digital […]

April 13, 2012By Chris Forrester

Technicolor seeks STB partner

French media and entertainment technology specialist Technicolor hopes to find a partner for its loss-making set-top box business this year and is in talks with several parties, its chief executive Frederic Rose told Reuters. The company is also seeking to dispose of its French set-top box (STB) factory – where a planned production shutdown threatens […]

April 12, 2012By Colin Mann

Talking set-top

Ocean Blue Software has partnered with Hills Antenna & TV System, supplier of set-top boxes, to release the first of its kind ‘Talking’ set-top box in Australia. The Talking Set Top Box, Hills HD94003G, was developed with the assistance of the Australian Government and Vision Australia. As part of the Digital Switchover scheme the Australian […]

April 4, 2012

Netgem profits halve

Netgem has reported a net profit down 54 per cent to €10.7 million in 2011, including €1.5 million from a one-off gain and €3.4 million in tax expenses. The French IPTV STB maker’s gross margin was stable at 38.2 per cent on revenue down 37 per cent to €84.7 million. Operating expenses came down by […]

March 29, 2012

Samsung HD Box and HD PVR for Videotron

Samsung Canada is enhancing the way Videotron customers watch TV with the launch of two new set top boxes – the Samsung HD box and the HD PVR. Both products will be available exclusively through Videotron, in support of their next generation illico digital TV service. The advanced features of Samsung set-top boxes provide illico […]

March 28, 2012

Cisco confirms commitment to video

Cisco, which was recently rumoured to be considering disposal of its Scientific Atlanta set-top box business, has confirmed its commitment to the operation as part of its strategy to benefit from the rising tide of video consumption. Cisco has “a huge commitment to video,” John Chambers, Cisco’s CEO and chairman, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, noting […]

March 27, 2012By Colin Mann

DirecTV investing $32m into Argentina

Senior DirecTV executives, meeting with Argentina’s President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, say they expect to invest $32 million into the country about one third of which will go into the manufacturing of locally-produced set-top boxes. The balance will go into building a new broadcast centre at San Isidro, to the north of Buenos Aires. The […]

March 22, 2012By Chris Forrester