Newsclip Service
Archive - April 2001
26 April 2001
Multi-function set-top boxes
Dauphin Technology, Inc. have recently announced that its first OraLynx(TM) digital set-top box (STB) model is now in production. This is the first of three models Dauphin plans to produce over the course of calendar year 2001. All three models will offer front-end services and capabilities including DSL, Ethernet, ATM, Fiber Optics, Cable, Satellite and dial-up modem along with full computing capabilities. (see press release)
NTL and Telewest to run video-on-demand
According to a recent article he cable TV operators, NTL and Telewest, have signed up the pay-per-view specialist, On Demand Group, to develop a video-on-demand service. (see article)
2-Way Satellite Delivered Internet
This link provides comprehensive details developments leading to commercial services of 2-way satellite delivered internet including broadband services.
24 April 2001
Wireless Delivery of Movies and Video to TVs Offered Via the Internet
Kanakaris Wireless will begin marketing products which easily allow TV viewing of video available on the Internet. The products will be sold on the Kanakaris Wireless flagship CinemaPop.com website which features the what is claimed to be the largest click-and-play library of feature films. A scan converter is an essential piece of hardware to make the PC to TV Connection. (see press release)
FutureTV launches iTV printing for the home
FutureTV has announced a new facility that allows printable material (such as background materials, pictures, coupons and vouchers) to be associated with media assets and directly delivered to the living room for output on a printer such as the HP e-printer e20. They claim that this will be especially useful when associated with advertising. In addition, documents of all types can be browsed, selected and billed for as simply as any other media in the Service Offering. (see press release)
BBC might help fund free set-top boxes
According to a recent article The BBC might help fund free set-top boxes as part of its strategy to increase the take-up of digital television and is reportedly beginning talks with iTV companies Granada and Carlton. (see article)
16 April 2001
Plan to give out free digital TV sets
According to a recent article the UK government is planning to give away digital television equipment to targeted "neighbourhoods" in order to pave the way to switching off analogue television signals. (see article)
12 April 2001
VDSL to transport multi-channel digital TV
In the US iMagicTV and Inovia Telecoms are planning to use to very high bit-rate DSL (VDSL) that enables service providers to offer multi-channel digital television over the technology. (see article)
9 April 2001
Web.DVD - a new Italian video-on-demand service
Web.DVD is the tool that delivers the service. Similar in size to a decoder and equipped with an infrared keyboard, Web.DVD, which combines the functions of a TV, a video recorder and a DVD player, supplies Internet access to standard television sets. This means that even if there is no computer around, the household can go online, select specific programming and even retrieve e-mail.
The programming is provided by e.BisMedia through its specific content producers: Nexos, RaiClick and IlNuovoTG.
Nexos features movies, programs, special reports, sports, concerts, theater performances, cartoons and documentaries. RaiClick, a joint venture between e.BisMedia and the Italian state broadcaster, Rai, contains more than 10,000 hours of programming from Rai's archives, along with content from the current program schedule. IlNuovoTG, the e.Biscom multimedia newspaper developed specifically for the Internet, will provide online information with interactive digital video content and continuous real-time updating. In addition, the platform will provide the satellite channel content without the need for a dish. (see article)
What happened to Tivo?
It was supposed to be a revolution in home entertainment but, six months after Tivo - the UK's first personal video recorder - was launched, its sales have been far from awesome. (see article from BBC Online)
5 April 2001
50 per cent of UK consumers plan to switch to digital TV by 2002
Consumer enthusiasm for digital television appears to be gathering pace, according to new research published today. According to a Gallup poll of 1,000 consumers for Pace Micro Technology, over 40 per cent of the UK population plan to be using digital television before the end of 2001. While 28 per cent currently receive digital TV, a further 13 per cent say they intend to switch within 12 months. Adding this total to the number of respondents planning to switch within two years, the research indicates upwards of 50 per cent of consumers will be using digital TV by the end of 2002. (see press releases)
3 April 2001
US study reveals consumers want interactive TV services now and are willing to 'trade up' to get content
According to a recent US survey the majority of consumers understand what interactive television is, they want it now, and they are willing to upgrade from analog to digital cable, or switch between cable and satellite services, in order to get interactive content delivered to their homes, according to a recent national study commissioned by interactive technology companies ACTV, Inc. (Nasdaq: IATV), Liberty Livewire Corp. (Nasdaq: LWIRA), Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), OpenTV (Nasdaq and AEX: OPTV) and Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI; Nasdaq: UEIC). The study, aimed at gauging consumer interest in getting interactive TV services and their reaction to various delivery options, was conducted by Boyd Consulting, a market research firm located in Palm Desert, Calif. (see press release)
2 April 2001
Granada & BBC get £42 investment for digital education service
The DfEE’s has decided to commission both Granada and the BBC to create and distribute digital resources to support the teaching and learning of six key GCSE subjects: English, French, Geography, History, Maths and Science. The DfEE’s £42 million investment will involve a series of digital video, interactive, printable worksheet, collaborative and web resources, which would available to students and teachers in school classrooms and at home. The materials would be distributed via a combination of narrowband internet, DVD, CD Rom and digital television technologies. (Source: Granada)(see press release)