Newsclip Service
November 2002
These news-clips have been collated from various news sources because they are considered possibly relevant to Interactive TV learning developments.
Newsclip Service
November 2002
These news-clips have been collated from various news sources because they are considered possibly relevant to Interactive TV learning developments.
26 November 2002
(UK) Set-top boxes could halve in size
Zarlink Semiconductor has launched a range of DTV processors that will enable consumer electronics manufacturers to design set-top boxes that are slightly smaller than a wallet. Zarlink’s STB reference design is about half the size of current set-top boxes and includes the RF tuner and power regulations. It measures 90 mm-by-55 mm-by-25 mm and consumes only 4 watts. (Source: Zarlink) (http://news.zarlink.com/common/parser/archive/2002/Nov/26/hV3bc.html)
25 November 2002
(USA) Video-on-demand becomes widely available
There have been significant developments in Video-on-demand for the USA, as key providers Time Warner Cable, Comcast and Cablevision are now offering their services throughout the country. The Yankee Group has estimated that by the end of the year about seven million homes around the USA will have access to video on demand. (Source: New York Times) (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/25/business/25VIDE.html?ex=1038891600&en=ab1f7edf62f4f4ac&ei=5040&partner=MOREOVER)
(UK) VOD trial for Northwest London
itvt has reported that Video Networks in association with British Telecom, will conduct a 6-month VOD pilot in Northwest London next year. Richard Currie, Video Networks spokesperson, told itvt that a few thousand current HomeChoice subscribers would be participating in the trial, which will consist of a package of free-to-view programming and pay-per-view premium content. (Source: Tracy Swedlow's InteractiveTV Today Issue 4.82 November 25, 2002 Part 1)
22 November 2002
(UK) iTV at forefront of EU Agenda
The EU has welcomed the growth of interactive digital television and is encouraging open standards across member states to ensure interoperability between national services. It has also been revealed that every government has been instructed to consider digital television as a key element in delivering its services. (Source: PCPro) (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/news_story.php?id=35541)
21 November 2002
(USA) TiVo hits 500,000 subscribers mark
TiVo has announced an increase of 46,000 new subscribers, which takes their total subscriber base to 510,000. Mike Ramsay, Chairman and CEO of TiVo said “TiVo surpassed the 500,000 subscriber milestone this quarter, a significant achievement for our company, and yet another signal of building momentum for the category.” (Source: TiVo Inc.) (http://a423.g.akamai.net/7/423/1788/cbae8d60877be9/www.tivo.com/images/03_q3_earnings_press_release_final_112102.pdf)
20 November 2002
(UK) Low Cost Internet add on for Freeview set top box
Netgem have launched a new device that gives access to the internet from the freeview set-top box, it will give users access to e-mail, on-line games, special offers on shopping and holidays, and the world wide web. Viewers will be offered this device when buying a "Freeview" set-top box for an additional £50. (Source: Netgem) (http://www.netgem.com/files/homepage/iplayerlaunchuk.pdf)
12 November 2002
(Spain) ADSL Connections rise in Spain
In October Spain’s ADSL internet connections reached a total of 827,595 including the wholesale service lines, Europe Press wrote. This growth makes Telefonica goal of having 900,000 ADSL lines at the end of the year a realistic possibility. (Source: Telecom.paper.com)
11 November 2002
( USA) Turning PC’s in to TV’s
SnapStream Media have developed TiVo like software for the PC that offers users the chance to record their chosen programs in variety of ways. This latest version also lets users watch their recordings on their television through the network-enabled Sony PlayStation 2 and QCast media player software. It is priced at under $100 and is due for release early in December. (Source: SnapStream) (http://www.snapstream.com/press/releases/granite.htm
8 November 2002
(USA) Further Uncertainty for US Digital TV
Further debate over DTV is expected with the appointment of a new Senate committee chairman, Sen. John McCain in January. He is currently developing his agenda and priorities, but his spokeswoman Pia Pialorsi has said that he is skeptical the analog broadcasters are going to give the spectrum over to the government as they agreed to do in 1998. It is also thought he may address the issues of copyright protection for the industry and a speedier delivery of DTV (Source: Wired News) (http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,56244,00.html)Previous News :-
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Last updated 30 April 2004