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Digital Broadcasting Update


39 ITU 3DTV Recommendations


The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has set out new recommendations that will make television programming, picture quality and viewing comfort more enhanced. The new ITU Recommendations have been developed by the ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) in collaboration with experts from the television industry, broadcasting organisations and regulatory institutions in its Study Group 6.


The group focuses on 3DTV programme production and broadcasting in two formats which are in use worldwide – the ’720p’ and the ’1080i’ environments. Recommendations were also agreed on the digital interfaces used in studios for 3DTV programme production, and on the general requirements for 3DTV, the statement noted.


ITU-R Study Group 6 also agreed on a Recommendation for the methods to evaluate the quality of 3DTV images, which relate to picture quality, depth, and comfort levels. (www.advanced-television.com)


HbbTV Consortium Holds Second General Assembly


The second General Assembly of the HbbTV consortium has been held at the EBU headquarters in Geneva. Around 30 delegates heard reports of successful launches for the hybrid broadcast and broadband protocol in France, Germany, Spain, Austria and the Netherlands. There were also updates on the development of the specification and details of the proposed testing regime. The consortium, which published its first specification in June 2010, now has some 60 members. (Digital TV News)


HbbTV makes DASH to Version 1.5


The HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) consortium has announced the publication of version 1.5 of its hybrid TV specification. Support has been brought in for HTTP adaptive streaming based on the recently published MPEG- DASH specification, which improves the perceived quality of video presentation on busy or slow internet connections.


It also enables content providers to protect DASH delivered content with potentially multiple DRM technologies based on the MPEG CENC specification, improving efficiency in markets where more than one DRM technology will be used. Broadcast TV schedule information has also been enhanced to allow for full seven-day electronic programme guides to be deployed across all compatible receivers. (Broadband TV News)


BBS’s New Interactive Video Player for Olympics


UK broadcaster the BBC has unveiled the new interactive video player it has developed for live coverage of the 2012 London Olympic Games which start in July. The new player is intended to enable broadband-enabled viewers to watch any event taking place during the games, jump back in time within the player to watch a previous event, and move back to live coverage. It also offers HD coverage of the action in the full-screen player, and features an array of add-ons, including an extras button for additional information, alerts


to key moments from around the games, and an “athletes panel” which delivers in-depth information on the competitors. (IPTV News)


Miscellany New Palmcorder for Stable ENG


Sony showed a new palm-sized HD camcorder that uses a gyro-stabilised-style lens assembly to ensure steady shots with a single hand. It is one of the smallest, lightest handheld professional camcorders currently available for professionals. The new camera will be available in June 2012 and employs the company’s proprietary Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation technology to reduce camera shake in challenging shooting applications. It combines the entire lens and image sensor assembly into one floating element that moves as a unit to protect against an unsteady hand.


The camera records at full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution and its 1/2.88-inch image sensor uses CMOS technology, which significantly enhances low-light performance, speeds image readout, reduces rolling shutter artifacts and enables a range of frame rates. Using AVCHD recording, the camera includes 96 GB of internal memory (for approximately 40 hours of HD content storage).


(Broadcast Engineering) Next-Gen “Natural User Interface” For Cable TV


Following a new trend in television interaction, a company has developed new ways to allow consumers to experience television via multi-channel “natural user interfaces”. The company showed how digital TV consumers can forego the remote control and use voice, facial-recognition and simple gesture-based movements to access personalized content and interact with a cable set-top-box.


This natural user interface help consumers find personalised content and to navigate to their favourite show with the wave of a hand. Natural user interfaces (NUI) – including touch, voice, video and gesture interfaces – in devices ranging from smartphones and tablets to peripherals such as videogame consoles provide an opportunity for cable companies to deliver personalized interactive customer experiences.


(Broadcast Engineering)


Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Markets Ready for a Bumpy Ride


The satellite manufacturing and launch markets will be facing both softening demand and increasing competition until 2016. However, in the second half of the next decade the manufacturing market will be back on an upward track, while the launch services market will see more years of stagnant growth according to a published report.


Overall, the report forecasts more than 950 satellites will be ordered between 2012 and 2021. At an average rate of 108 satellites launched every year over the same period. (IBE News)


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