23 August 2003
Innovative AIB member You/Com is at the technological forefront again. They are to supply at least 10,000 stand-alone Webradios for a group of the sick and elderly who are unable to attend their local church service on Sundays. The Webradio is based on internet technology, but without the need of a PC. It is as simple to operate as an alarm clock and not much larger. The Webradio is the worlds first stand-alone unit, which can be operated from the armchair by remote control and can also be remotely managed over the telephone network.
An Ethernet port is available to connect to a cable modem, ADSL or wifi. A power supply and telephone connection are required to be able to operate the Webradio. A display indicates the source to which one is connected. Independent of location in the world one can listen to the content selected.
And in another shrewd move, You/Com has produced two new standalone MPEG Audio to DVB-convertors, the XTS and XXTS. The XTS is used for the supply of audio programmes to DVB networks (terrestrial, satellite and CATV). The XTS eliminates the need for a codec, thereby cascading and results in improved sound quality and reduced costs.
23 August 2003
Egypt’s public TV channel ESC has already been attacked for anti-semitism in the programme Horseman without a Horse, which is a serial inspired by The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
The Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA) of France signed a convention some years ago which enables the Egyptian channel to broadcast via satellite in France and in other European Union countries. The watchdog now complains: Despite its fictional nature, this serial could constitute an offence of incitement to racial hatred and would be liable to disturb public order.”
The watchdog adds that at the end of July it sent a letter to the Egyptian authorities in charge of the channel and decided to hear the channel’s representative in France. This hearing will take place at the end of the summer break. The case was put to the CSA in November and December 2002 by several organizations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, private individuals and a deputy.
23 August 2003
The Arabiyah TV channel, run by CNBC, covering the Arab world, the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent, has opened a centre in Dubai Media City
The opening of the centre follows the inauguration of similar centres by other international media houses, which opened their offices in the DMC to benefit from its unique facilities and incentives. There are 650 media establishments currently operating from the city, in addition to 15 satellite TV channels.
CNBC Europe is a member of the AIB
20 August 2003
Embattled French giant Vivendi is trying to sell off its US media assets, but there seems to be an ever-decreasing number of takers.. Liberty Media, NBC, Viacom, and a consortium led by Edgar Bronfman are still in the running, but maybe another way has to be found, perhaps involving NBC.
Vivendi has set out to dispose of $18.3 billion of assets, and aims to raise $8 billion from sales this year, but may be unable to reach its targets. Some kind of merger with NBC might then be devised.
19 August 2003
Satellite operator RR Satellite Communications is offering a unique service. Via the RRSat Global Network you can now publicise your satellite reception equipment on DrDish@TV, a show that goes out every two months.
RR Satelllite Communications, who provide uplink, downlink and turnaround services gives worldwide coverage to the Dr Dish show, which it retransmits via a total of 5 satellites. The show, featuring the latest satellite receivers and other information about the latest developments in satellite reception, is repeated daily during a full week. To be seen on the show, you just have to provide videos of your own reception equipment, or any other videos of interesting features about satellite reception.
You can even co-host the show, if you can get to Bonn in Germany, joining Dr Dish himself, aka Christian Mass, editor-in-chief of worldwide Tele-Satellite international magazine. The next Dr Dish show is scheduled for 10 September 2003 on Intelsat 707.
