HD DVD’s backers strongly rebutted claims by a top Sony Pictures executive that Blu-ray is unique in being able to display movies in their native 24 frames per sec. format (CED Oct. 23 p1). Sony’s suggestion that HD DVD can’t do the same was “incorrect” and its explanation of the issue “quite confusing,” an HD DVD spokesman told Consumer Electronics Daily.
In-building broadband over powerline (BPL) provider Telkonet and ISPs are targeting 31 million families living in multiple dwelling units, as ISPs coping with rapid loss on the dial-up side turn to new technologies to provide broadband, said Telkonet Exec. Vp Albert Diehl. Broadband penetrates to only 45% of MDU households, creating “a market that is both large in size and also right for delivery of services,” Diehl told us. EarthLink recently said it’s teaming with Telkonet to provide broadband, VoIP and networking services to MDUs in the Washington, D.C., area.
In-building broadband over powerline (BPL) provider Telkonet and ISPs are targeting 31 million families living in multiple dwelling units, as ISPs coping with rapid loss on the dial-up side turn to new technologies to provide broadband, said Telkonet Exec. Vp Albert Diehl. Broadband penetrates to only 45% of MDU households, creating “a market that is both large in size and also right for delivery of services,” Diehl told us. EarthLink recently said it’s teaming with Telkonet to provide broadband, VoIP and networking services to MDUs in the Washington, D.C., area.
Blu-ray will provide a more cinematic experience in Europe than elsewhere because of an option to output movies in their native 24 frames per sec. format, Sony told reporters at a London news conference Fri. In what was the most informative explanation and demonstration of Blu-ray yet seen in Europe, the company and allied studio Sony Pictures Home Entertainment also clarified murkier regional coding issues.
The value of unlicensed spectrum below 2 GHz came into dispute as key players answered an FCC notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on policy for the jam-packed 904-909.75 MHz and 919.75-928 MHz spectrum, known as location & monitoring service (LMS) bands. With licensee Progeny LMS seeking re- examination of the rules, advocates of the status quo claimed the arrangement was defined clearly in the 1999 LMS auction, simply dooming licensed spectrum in those bands.
Microsoft will challenge JPEG compression for a piece of the burgeoning digital photography market by pushing a still- photo codec of its own. At this week’s Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Seattle, the software giant unveiled its Windows Media Photo platform, to be part of the forthcoming Vista OS and also to be made available to Windows XP users. Its crucial claims for WMP are great detail, color depth and contrast compared with the reigning JPEG and JPEG 2000 codecs when compressed at the same level. As an example, Microsoft showed photos in 24:1 compression that were visibly superior to JPEG at the same ratio. Because of WMP’s greater efficiency and smaller file-size, Microsoft will tout it for cellphones, PDAs and shirtpocket digital cameras where storage space and battery power are at a premium. In addition, the smaller file-size enables quicker printing and digital transfer of images between hardware devices, Microsoft said. It made many of the same arguments for Windows Media Audio -- greater music fidelity in the same file-sizes as MP3, or equal quality in smaller file size. Microsoft didn’t reveal licensing terms for WMP, but as with WMA and VC1 compression for HD optical discs, said it wouldn’t impose licensing terms that would stunt widespread adoption.
Microsoft will challenge JPEG compression for a piece of the burgeoning digital photography market by pushing a still- photo codec of its own. At this week’s Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Seattle, the software giant unveiled its Windows Media Photo platform, to be part of the forthcoming Vista OS and also to be made available to Windows XP users. Its crucial claims for WMP are great detail, color depth and contrast compared with the reigning JPEG and JPEG 2000 codecs when compressed at the same level. As an example, Microsoft showed photos in 24:1 compression that were visibly superior to JPEG at the same ratio. Because of WMP’s greater efficiency and smaller file-size, Microsoft will tout it for cellphones, PDAs and shirtpocket digital cameras where storage space and battery power are at a premium. In addition, the smaller file-size enables quicker printing and digital transfer of images between hardware devices, Microsoft said. It made many of the same arguments for Windows Media Audio -- greater music fidelity in the same file-sizes as MP3, or equal quality in smaller file size. Microsoft didn’t reveal licensing terms for WMP, but as with WMA and VC1 compression for HD optical discs, said it wouldn’t impose licensing terms that would stunt widespread adoption.
Former FCC Chief Economist Thomas Hazlett and Michael Calabrese, vp of the New America Foundation, disagreed sharply on where the FCC should draw the line in promoting unlicensed spectrum as an alternative to auctions. They faced off in a Catholic U. telecom symposium debate on the advantages of unlicensed vs. licensed spectrum.
Former FCC Chief Economist Thomas Hazlett and Michael Calabrese, vp of the New America Foundation, disagreed sharply on where the FCC should draw the line in promoting unlicensed spectrum as an alternative to auctions. They faced off in a Catholic U. telecom symposium debate on the advantages of unlicensed vs. licensed spectrum.
The EchoStar-10 satellite will be among tools EchoStar needs to cut the cost of implementing MPEG-4 compression across its receivers, EchoStar said in a 10K filed with the SEC. MPEG-4 is only in EchoStar’s HD-capable receivers. The new compression technology is coupled with EchoStar’s move several years ago to deploying 8-phase-shift keying (PSK) technology, a digital modulation scheme that conveys data by changing the reference signal phase. EchoStar-10, launched in Feb., is expected to go into service the 2nd quarter at 110 degrees W. It has 49 spot beams using 42 140 w traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) and will enable the satellite service to expand delivery of local HD programming, the company said. EchoStar delivers local programming in 164 markets in the U.S., but only 13 in HD, it said. EchoStar aims to cover more than 50% of U.S. households with local HD programming by year-end, the company said. EchoStar-10 will replace transponder space EchoStar leases on SES Americom’s AMC-15 bird at 105 degrees W. for delivery of local channels, the company said. In seeking to expand its service, EchoStar expects a Space Systems/Loral satellite to be built by 2007. It got FCC approval earlier this month of a critical review design milestone for its Ka-band license for operating a satellite at 117 degrees W., the company said. It has licenses for 97 degrees W. and 113 degrees W. that require construction and launch of satellites by Dec. 2008 and Oct. 2009, respectively. EchoStar leases transponders on SES’s AMC-16 bird at 85 degrees W. for local channels and possible Internet services. SES has asked the FCC to relocate the satellite to 118.7 degrees W. Among EchoStar’s fleet of 11 in-orbit satellites, the craft it acquired in Nov. from Cablevision at 61.5 degrees W. is being used in a 13- transponder, 270 w per channel configuration for delivery of local channels and other programming, the company said. It can be used with 22 spot beams. Meanwhile, AT&T deemphasized sales of the EchoStar service the 2nd half of 2005, but made a deal to modify and extend the pact in Q4, EchoStar said. AT&T predecessor SBC Communication began selling the EchoStar service in May 2004. Under the new pact, EchoStar assumes gear and installation costs of acquiring new subscribers via AT&T, EchoStar said. EchoStar has revealed little of plans for a satellite-based Internet access service, but has set up EchoStar Data Network Corp. (EDNC) in Atlanta. EDNC sells gear for distributing Internet and other content via satellite. Samina-SCI remains EchoStar’s top receiver supplier with JVC and Celetronix also providing models, EchoStar said. Meanwhile, EchoStar settled a 1999 suit claiming the firm violated warranties when it described the satellite service with expressions “crystal clear digital video,” “CD-quality audio” and “on-screen program guide.” No terms disclosed. The suit was filed in Cal. Superior Court by David Pritkin and nonprofit Consumer Advocates. A judge last year rejected a motion to grant class action status to the suit (CED March 17/05 p3).