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Technical Review | January-March 2012
Digital Broadcasting German DAB+ Boosts Sales
Germany launched digital radio format DAB+ in August last, which is expected to significantly impact sales of portable audio devices (e.g. portable radios, clock radios, radio receivers and other product categories) in Germany. Research data shows there was a “considerable” increase in radio sales in the last few months. A month ago almost eight per cent of all portable radios sold were DAB+ devices. DAB+ technology being particularly interesting to manufacturers as the equipment has a much higher sales value than simple FM receivers. Eight per cent of the units sold account for 17 per cent of the value in the portable radio category in Germany.
(Advanced Television) Hybrid TV Drive from EBU
More than 20 members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have agreed to collaborate to unlock the full potential of Hybrid TV for a European roll-out of the technology in 2012. This group of public service broadcasters will exchange best practices and support one another to push through a fast, comprehensive roll-out of hybrid television services by EBU Members in 2012.
Underpinning the cooperation is the shared conviction that only high quality, creative content can breathe life into the promise of hybrid technology, and only a flexible, cross-border approach will create the necessary impetus. In signing up to the Hybrid TV project, the participating members are making a commitment both to open standards, such as HbbTV, MHP and MHEG5, and to delivering a compelling new experience to their audiences.
(Digital TV News) Test and Monitor Ride Digital TV Wave
The inexorable march towards digitalisation and digital broadcasting is set to have a positive ripple effect on the global video test equipment (VTE) markets. The key challenge for vendors will be to design open testing systems and to maintain margins, even while offering consumers cost-effective products with enhanced functionalities.
Analysis of the markets finds that they generated $298.3 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach $359.4 million in 2015. The research covers both analogue and digital VTE. The transition from analogue to digital broadcasting initiatives is being driven by the freeing up spectrum which, in turn, is boosting the VTE market. The migration to digital has had a significant impact on the VTE market. Broadcasters need to upgrade their facilities and equipment, which, in turn, has meant more testing.
China TV Global Expansion
China Central Television is launching a major expansion in pursuit of an international audience, increasing its overseas staff fivefold by the end of next year and almost tenfold by 2016. The broadcaster hopes to win millions of viewers in the US and Africa with English-language services produced in Washington and Nairobi. At the heart of operations will be six hubs: two probably in London and Dubai and others in South America and the Asia-Pacific region. (Advanced Television)
Dramatic Shift in Traditional TV Viewing Experience
Consumer hunger for social media connectivity and demand for ‘anytime, anywhere’ entertainment, is driving the most dramatic industry convergence for the past 20 years and radically shifting the traditional TV viewing experience, according to a global study released report.
Key trends from the 2011 report are; Online engagement and social TV, mobile TV, personal cloud services, and home automation are redefining the home ecosystem; Digital entertainment and social media enhance the traditional TV experience, Consumers are hungry for content and connection and new forms of entertainment and connected services create additional revenue streams and opportunities to strengthen customer relationships.
(Rapid TV News) India for Digital Cable TV
The introduction of mandatory cable television digitalisation in India would improve the business profile of multi-system operators (MSOs) over the medium to long-term, driven by improved transparency through accurate reporting of the subscriber base. This in turn will provide greater comfort to investors to provide capital to this sector.
The greater transparency will also improve broadcasters’ revenues as they may negotiate better prices. However, the proposed mandatory digitalisation, which is presently awaiting parliamentary approval, will require significant capex to develop digital infrastructure. This will involve significant investments in digital set-top boxes, based on the
Update
Evolving customer trends have resulted in an escalating demand for advanced TVs. For instance, there is greater demand for LCD TVs rather than for flat panel display (FPD) TVs, such as plasmas and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Such trends are fuelling greater demand for advanced video test sets. (Advanced Television)
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