20 March 2007
RadioScape extends Software Defined Radio solutions to additional DSP platforms and announces plans to support new ADI BF52x series for Mobile TV
RadioScape announced today that it plans to extend the range of programmable semiconductor platforms that will support its proven software radio solutions. Having already had significant success in developing a broad range of software, module and subsystem solutions for the DAB digital radio market based on Texas Instruments DSPs, the company believes that in emerging digital radio segments there will be demand for its proven stacks and applications for DAB, DMB, DAB-IP, DRM, FM and AM on other platforms. The first of these will be the Analog Devices Blackfin® BF52x series of processors, announced today.
John Hall, RadioScapes CEO, commented: A significant strength of the Company, since inception 10 years ago, has been our ability through our Software Defined Radio (SDR) approach to quickly incorporate new standards as well as the embedded applications that make these standards user friendly in a consumer device. As digital radio finds its way in to all manner of consumer products such as cell phones, PCs, personal media players, in car entertainment systems, in addition to the more traditional radio products we see today, device manufacturers are looking for much more innovative solutions. In some cases this will simply be a software load for an embedded processor already in the consumer device, and in some cases it will be for the entire broadcast receiver subsystem. By extending our support for new platforms we will be able to satisfy a broader range of radio and mobile TV applications.
In conjunction with the announcement by Analog Devices (ADI) today of its new BF52x family, RadioScape has announced that it has developed a highly integrated software implementation of its DAB baseband decoder and audio video decoder for this new platform to address the emerging mobile TV market. This has already been demonstrated to potential customers and initial products will be available later this year. (See separate release). This work paves the way to include the ADI platform across the range of RadioScapes digital radio solutions in the future.
Hall added: Our selection of additional platform partners is driven by two key considerations. First there has to be a great fit in terms of feature set and price against our roadmap requirements. Second, there has to be a strong alignment in strategic market focus between the two companies we want our partners to be as committed to growing the digital radio and mobile TV sectors as we are. That means they will continue to invest in developing optimised silicon platforms for the future.
Andrew Dewhurst, RadioScapes Product Manager for Receiver Solutions, added: The radio of the future will increasingly be part of a multi-standard, multi-media device. The challenges of supporting such broad functionality as well as the integration of the radio with other device features is significantly reduced through the SDR approach. We now have a highly portable code base and this gives us the opportunity to engage with other semiconductor partners as we develop our roadmap. This enables us to increasingly focus our resources on new applications and solutions for system level integration of digital radio.
RadioScapes SDR approach
Radio is enjoying a renaissance with increased listening figures according to RAJAR as new ways to listen to radio become available such as cell phones, TVs via Set Top Boxes, Internet, Home Cinema, Personal Media Players, etc. This is opening up new business opportunities for RadioScape plc to add Digital Radio functionality to these devices by using its unique Software Defined Radio (SDR) approach, which it has pioneered so successfully to create a range of award winning, DAB and DRM radio receiver solutions.
RadioScape was founded over ten years ago on the principle of using software to create Digital Radio solutions. This unique SDR approach has enabled the company to pioneer the development of both broadcast and receiver technology where upgrades and enhancements are often made simply through software uploads. This allows future proofing of both existing and new designs.
The use of SDR allows receiver solutions to be quickly tailored to individual customer and product requirements. This ensures that products can have differentiating features while also reaching the marketplace in the minimum time.
RadioScape extends Software Defined Radio approach to Mobile TV using ADIs Blackfin Processor and achieves significant system level savings compared to todays solutions
RadioScape plc is extending its leadership in Mobile TV broadcast technology with the addition this year of solutions for Mobile TV receivers, which will be based on the latest additions to the Blackfin® processor family from Analog Devices (ADI). Announced today these new, high performance, low power processors will enable RadioScape to integrate the DAB baseband decoder and the audio video decoder onto a single platform. This provides a clear saving in costs while being very competitive on space and power compared to the conventional approach today of having these on two separate chips.
RadioScape is leveraging its extensive Digital Radio systems knowledge, which comes from being the only, end-to-end technology provider for DAB, to focus on creating Mobile TV (MTV) receiver solutions based on the Eureka 147 DAB standard, including the T-DMB and DAB-IP standards. DAB-based standards have been adopted for MTV in many parts of the world as they use spectrum that is already available and provide robust reception. RadioScapes initial MTV solutions will provide DAB/T-DMB and DAB-IP reception as well as DAB radio. Its Software Defined Radio (SDR) approach means that it can add additional standards as appropriate to meet market demands and create multi-standard MTV solutions.
Using our tightly integrated solution of DAB radio and MTV in mobile phone handsets or Personal Multimedia Players will enable many features and applications to be created in software that will further enhance the user experience, said Les Sabel, RadioScapes VP of Technology. These include music downloads, Electronic Programme Guide, picture downloads, broadcast websites, interactive voting and games, and other user specified feeds such as sport, news, traffic, and weather. Our Software Defined Radio approach also allows service providers to deliver value-added applications to existing customers though software updates in the field.
RadioScapes solution integrates both the Eureka 147-based, baseband decoder software (including DAB audio, DAB data, T-DMB and DAB-IP) with the Audio and Video decoders (H.264 video and MPEG 4 for both AAC+ and BSAC audio) into a single software solution. This approach provides significant cost savings over traditional multiple ASIC designs while maximising the flexibility of MTV and Digital Radio solutions, said John Croteau, General Manager, Convergent Platforms & Services Group, at ADI.
The use of SDR allows MTV and Digital Radio solutions to be quickly tailored to individual customer and product requirements. This ensures that products can have differentiating features while also reaching the marketplace in the minimum time. The SDR approach also allows future proofing for both existing products and new designs. New product designs can be generated through the addition of a number of multimedia features (such as pause, rewind, record and cache service) and, in addition, the Blackfin has the flexibility to be either the system master or a slave coprocessor.
The ADI investment in technology development and their evolutionary path provides an excellent route to lower cost, lower power solutions that will have backward compatibility with previous product generations. This continuity in the development process minimises the total cost of ownership by improving product development efficiency relative to traditional approaches where ASIC hardware changes cause significant costly and time-consuming rework, added Les Sabel.
RadioScape is now demonstrating this advanced MTV solution to lead customers.
20 March 2007
Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has recently received orders from three leading Lebanese broadcasters Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), National Broadcasting Network (NBN) and Future TV for its standard definition/high definition (SD/HD) broadcast products. These sales were secured by the Harris reseller in Lebanon, ORBINET.
Our business continues to thrive in the Middle East, particularly for our NEXIO servers and Inscriber® graphics products, said Dave Dougall, vice president of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for the Harris Broadcast Communications Division. Our recent SD/HD sales wins in Lebanon underscore the success of our approach to provide locally based, Arabic-speaking engineers to support customers at a time of flux and trepidation as their businesses evolve. In addition, we continue to deliver robust, flexible and scalable solutions, using the latest SD/HD technology developments, to meet the ever-growing needs of our worldwide customers.
LBCI, one the most popular channels in the Middle East, ordered an upgrade for its existing
H-Class ADC Playout Automation system as well as two Inscriber® RTX graphics systems and an Integrator® 96×64 routing matrix as part of an upgrade to launch new channels to the regional market. All the Harris equipment at LBCI is SD/HD-compliant, allowing for easy transition to HD as LBCIs business model develops.
NBN, a leading 24-hour general entertainment station in Lebanon, selected the Harris® NEXIO XS SD/HD server platform for a new master control room (MCR). This installation also includes a Harris® IconMaster master control and branding system, a Harris® Integrator® routing matrix, a range of 6800+ series modular products, Videotek® VTM Series test and measurement consoles and a Videotek® SDC-101 color corrector. This MCR installation was handled as a complete turnkey project by ORBINET and included design, installation, commissioning and training services.
Lebanon-based satellite channel Future TV chose Harris equipment as part of its launch of a new 24-hour all-news satellite channel dedicated to the Middle East. Future TV selected a 32×32 Integrator routing matrix, 6800+ series modular products, 10 X75 multiple-path converter/synchronizers and Harris® clocks.
Designed on a seamless codec model, the NEXIO XS server enables back-to-back playout of multiple formats on every channel, and is able to encompass new codecs the moment they become available. It provides an extensive range of I/O types, integrated applications support and encode options, including Long GOP MPEG2 at SD and HD resolutions, DV25, DV50 and IMX. Front-panel access to boot and media drives, as well as USB and IEEE-1394 (FireWire®) ports, makes NEXIO XS easier to use and service than other available options.
The ADC Playout Automation application is a premier production room tool for automated dubbing, content management, and program playout. Ideal for small- to mid-size broadcasters, the ADC Playout Automation application is capable of controlling a full range of devices, including all the latest integrated switchers and branding equipment, and the management of complex effects and playout tasks. Each pre-configured ADC can be customised to add air channels or device controls with the option of expansion as station needs grow.
20 March 2007
Arqiva provides satellite communications system to connect six major CNBC studios across Europe
Enables live video contribution feeds to be viewed during news broadcasts
Allows CNBC reporters across Europe to conduct down the line interviews without the need for permanent infrastructure
Arqiva has extended its contract with CNBC Europe, the leading pan-European business and financial TV network, to provide a satellite communications system to link up six of its major European studios. The studios in Brussels, Frankfurt, Zurich, Amsterdam, Madrid and Oxford will be connected via a VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) network, enabling live video contribution feeds to be viewed during CNBC news broadcasts. Arqivas solution enables CNBC correspondents to carry out down the line TV interviews from their individual studios for distribution to viewers across Europe without the need for permanent infrastructure.
The VSAT network works by connecting each of CNBCs European studios to Arqivas UK teleport. The transmissions from the CNBC studios go via the Telstar 12 satellite to Arqivas teleport for onward distribution via fibre to CNBCs London headquarters. The network will be controlled remotely by the CNBC team in London, enabling the broadcaster to switch seamlessly between locations.
John Turner, director of operations at CNBC Europe said, Keeping our viewers up-to-date in a rapidly changing market requires constant communication with our colleagues across Europe. Arqiva has worked closely with us to gain a real understanding of our needs and their solution allows us total flexibility and complete control of our output.
Chris Walder, senior sales manger for news and sport at Arqiva added, We are delighted to continue our association with such an internationally-renowned broadcaster. The VSAT network offers a simple and flexible solution, enabling CNBC to focus on delivering the news to their viewers promptly and accurately.
20 March 2007
At NAB 2007 (Booth #SL4810), Vizrt will introduce Viz|Video Hub, a robust and intuitive, plug-and-play media asset management solution. Based upon the proven and widely used technology of Ardendos Ardome media asset management software, Viz|Video Hub allows customers to easily access video clips, stills, graphics and audio clips from a standard PC.
Viz|Video Hub is an easy-to-use system, ideal for the demanding pace of a newsroom or the flexible workflow of a production company. It provides users with direct access to the most powerful search options, most recent material, best search options, and pre-editing functions resulting in a significantly faster workflow
Viz|Video Hub will integrate with existing Vizrt software such as Viz|Content Pilot content management and Viz|Trio CG. This integration makes it possible to easily search for video clips from graphical templates just as users would search for images or data elements from a newsroom system or directly from Viz|Trio and Viz|Content Pilot.
Viz|Video Hub can easily scale to offer a media asset management solution to a large broadcast facility or smaller multi-media outfits. Vizrt Viz|Video Hub Technical Project Manager Tim Child said that the need for an easily deployed and scaleable system factored into the products evolution. Weve taken a successful media management system and made it easy to deploy, while maintaining scalability, explained Child. What was an intensive integration process has been replaced by easy configuration screens, allowing customers to start using it right away.
Viz|Video Hub uses industry-standard metadata fields based upon the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI). Fields for title and a brief synopsis of the clip stored are pre-defined. Retrieval is fast and easy with Viz|Video Hub, explained Child. A user can search through the search engine with free text, Boolean commands and keywords. The back and forth between library archivists and production is eliminated because the user can access the system themselves, search for what they need, and get right back to work.
The base version of Viz|Video Hub comes bundled with two basic editing functions Ardendo PreCut and Ardendo EasyCut. Ardendo PreCut enables up to twenty users to simultaneously rough cut video and create new clips. Journalists retain more control over their story during the creation process and can instantly determine whether the video they need to illustrate their point exists, added Child.
The Ardendo EasyCut feature is a slightly more advanced timeline-based video editing tool. With either option, the newly created material can be browsed continuously and is available immediately.
The benefits of Viz|Video Hub reach a number of departments by streamlining the overall production workflow:
Newsrooms save time with direct access to the most recent material with powerful search options and pre-editing functions
Staff can automatically add content with drop folders or through an optional video server. Automatic updating eliminates the need to convert and re-save material
Instant access to ingested material speeds control room functions
System administrators dont need to install specialized hardware as all ingest, search and editing functions can be carried out on standard PCs. The system easily expands as needed.
20 March 2007
On the occasion of the contract signature on the ARABSAT stand today at the CabSat show in Dubai, Mr. Jean STOCK, Executive Chairman of LUXE.TV, and Mr. Khalid BALKHEYOUR, Chief Executive Officer and President of ARABSAT (Arab Satellite Communications Organization), announced the official launch of “LUXE.TV HD”, the very first High Definition TV channel to be broadcasted over the Middle-East & North-Africa region. The channel is broadcasted on Badr-4, Arabsat’s newest satellite at its 26°E Direct-to-Home “Hot-Spot”.
LUXE.TV is the new — and first — international network exclusively dedicated to the luxury world in its entire scope. With 100% original premium content, LUXE.TV opens the doors to a disruptive concept in digital television. Fully produced in High Definition, and broadcast both in High and Standard Definition, LUXE.TV provides high-end coverage of the fascinating diversity of the world of luxury by covering 6 main areas of the luxury lifestyle: Real Estate & Home Design, Sports & Leisure, Hotels & Gastronomy, Beauty & Fashion, Cars & Yachting, and Jewelry & Watches. Viewers are taken on a journey to discover all aspects of the world of luxury in the comfort of their homes with the very best of viewing technology. All content production is being shot in HD in the world’s top 20 luxury capital cities. Available in French, English and German, throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, via 5 satellites, LUXE.TV has an immediate direct access to 250+ million viewers worldwide.”
“The LUXE.TV team is delighted to be the first channel to provide the 130 million Middle East and North Africa viewers of Arabsat BADR-4 with the amazing beauty and comfort of High Definition pictures. We believe that the parallel broadcast of LUXE.TV in Standard Definition [“SD”] is an excellent tool to actively promote the new HD standard. It was very important for LUXE.TV to be broadcasted in the Middle-East where amateurs appreciating the luxury lifestyle are so many”, commented Jean STOCK, Executive Chairman of LUXE.TV.
Mr. Khalid BALKHEYOUR, Arabsat President & CEO, warmly welcomed the launch of the LUXE.TV set of programs, both in High Definition and Standard Definition, as part of the Arabsat rapidly expanding offering of channels and technologies, wishing them every success.
“We are very proud to have been selected for broadcasting LUXE.TV in High Definition over the whole Arab world via BADR-4, our brand new state-of-the-art satellite launched as recently as end of last year, and we feel truly honored by their trust in our system and confidence in the extensive penetration of Arabsat’s constellation of BADR satellites at our 26° East primary fast growing DTH neighborhood, the region’s preferred “Hot Spot” for Direct-to-Home broadcasting”, he declared.
The arrival of LUXE.TV’s High Definition channel constitutes a critical milestone in achieving Arabsat’s strategy of introducing and widely spreading– the very latest TV technology across the entire MENA region, thus delivering on our strong commitment to help our customers succeed and steadily support their growth throughout the region as well as constantly stay at the forefront of high-end technological developments. We’re convinced that the dual-broadcast approach of both SD and HD signals is definitely the way forward to rapidly motivate the region’s viewers for switching over onto the stunning crispy picture quality and enjoyment of HD” he added. “We are very impressed with LUXE.TV’s technical investments, as well as by their ambitious strategy to broadcast in three different languages over two technical formats he concluded.
