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| Vizio Ups Feature Set For Connected HDTVs |
Valued-oriented TV maker Vizio this week added a range of new content and services to its line of Internet-connected HDTVs.
By the end of 2009, all Vizio Internet Apps TVs will offer access to eBay, Facebook, Radiotime, fantasy sports site Rallypoint, web TV service Revision 3 and Twitter, the company said. The sets will also include add-on content for Showtime programming and access to Vudu's library of HD content.
The new offers will join Vizio's previously-announced content apps, including Amazon Video On Demand, Blockbuster On Demand, Flickr, Netflix, Pandora and Rhapsody.
Vizio's line of Internet Apps HDTVs feature built-in 802.11n wireless networking support along with Ethernet for connecting to a home network. From there, the user can access the company's list of content providers right through the TV with the touch of a button. And, according to a recent report from Parks Associates, it's a market segment that's growing. Based on Parks' research, there are some 2.5 million North American broadband households that are ready to buy a web-connected TV.
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| 25 Jun 2009 - 12:11 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Satellite and Programming |
SATELLITE: Volkswagen To Offer Sirius Trial For Used Cars
Car buyers that pick up a Sirius-equipped certified pre-owned Volkswagen will now receive an introductory 3-month trial of the satellite radio service, just like new car buyers do, the companies announced Tuesday. Sirius is currently a standard feature on most Volkswagen vehicles and has been available on select VW models since 2007.
PROGRAMMING: Cablevision Reaches 100 HD Channels; Verizon And Entourage; Cox Expands HD Lineup; MyPrimetime in Hampton Roads
With the launch of 27 new high-def channels on its Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut systems, Cablevision on Tuesday announced that it had reached its goal of offering more than 100 HD channels across its footprint --- Verizon has kicked off a sweepstakes based on the HBO series "Entourage" that will offer a range of prizes including TVs, DVD sets and a grand prize trip to Los Angeles to live the Entourage lifestyle --- Cox on Tuesday added several new high-def channels - including Disney Channel HD, ABC Family HD, WPXV HD ION and HBO2 HD - to its HD lineup. Content from the channels will also soon be available on demand, Cox said -- In other Cox news, subscribers in the Hampton Roads, Va. area now have on demand access to a variety of first-run network shows via the provider's MyPrimetime service. The free content will be available on demand the day after it airs on the network.
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| 24 Jun 2009 - 12:00 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Report: Shopping For Electronics Is A Drag |
Despite falling prices and the increasingly consolidated retail space, consumers still despise shopping for consumer electronics, according to a new survey commissioned by online shopping site Retrevo.
Almost 90 percent of respondents told Retrevo that CE retail's reliance on product specs and reviews has made the process more complicated than it needs to be, adding that the industry's love affair with technical jargon ("Full HD" anyone?) just adds to the confusion. What's more, the selection at most stores remains almost mind boggling, with products and models from a range of companies offering almost too much choice for buyers.
Most shoppers, the survey found, walk into the average CE retailer worried that they'll buy the wrong thing or end up paying too much.
“Electronics are an integral part of every person’s daily life, but the rate of change has outstripped people’s ability to make sense of what’s available and what best meets their needs,” said Retrevo CEO Vipin Jain. “This research indicates a very large, ready and willing market for something better than the status quo today."
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| 24 Jun 2009 - 11:59 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Industry and People |
INDUSTRY: European Pay TV Households; Canal+ To Offer Weekend-Only Subscriptions
The number of Western European households that subscribe to a pay TV service is on track to exceed 180 million by 2013, according to a new report from market research firm Parks Associates. What's more, the firm said, these new users will drive increased demand for advanced services like DVRs, VOD and advanced set-top boxes --- In other European multiplatform news, French TV provider Canal+ last week announced plans to offer a "weekend subscription" starting this fall that will give users access to paid programming from Friday evening to Sunday night. According to reports, the service is expected to cost users about half of what a full subscription would cost.
PEOPLE: Moves At USA; Discovery; Rentrak
Following four years at Spike TV, Bill McGoldrick is returning to his roots at USA Network to take over as senior vice president of original scripted programming --- In another return move, Steve McGowen is returning to Discovery Channel as senior vice president of research. McGowan had most recently worked at Nielsen --- Media measurement firm Rentrak tapped Bill Livek to take over as CEO.
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| 22 Jun 2009 - 11:00 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| New Details About Upcoming Hughes Broadband Satellite |
Hughes Network Systems last week announced plans to bolster its HughesNet broadband services fleet with a new, high performance satellite.
This week new details are emerging about the plan.
Contracted to Space Systems/Loral, the $400 million bird is set to launch in early 2012 and will be based on an enhanced version of the IPoS standard. Most intriguingly, however, the satellite will be capable of supporting throughput up to 100 Gbps, according to Hughes. It will employ a multi-spot beam and Ka-band architecture and will initially be used to support Hughes' SPACEWAY 3 satellite system, launched in 2008.
Said Pradman Kaul, Hughes CEO: "In a little over a year since successfully launching HughesNet service on SPACEWAY 3, we are once again poised to push the envelope and bring a sophisticated, high throughput satellite to market -- based on cutting-edge industry standards, and with capabilities that position us well into the future as a successful integrated satellite service provider."
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| 22 Jun 2009 - 10:57 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Programming, Industry, and Satellite News |
PROGRAMMING: DIRECTV At Wimbledon; Comcast and the Red Sox
DIRECTV will once again offer an interactive HD programming package from the Wimbledon Championships. Starting June 22, subscribers will have access to a six-in-one Mix Channel, five dedicated court channels, real-time scoring and a match guide summary from each of the court channels --- Comcast has launched Red Sox On Demand to customers in New England. Although the service will not current season offer game coverage to start, it will include team news, features and various documentaries on Red Sox history.
INDUSTRY: LG Bringing OLED TV To Market; Sirius XM Launches iPhone App
LG this week announced plans to begin offering a 15-inch OLED TV in Korea this December, and will take the product worldwide shortly thereafter. Often considered a future rival to LCD, OLED technology enables maker to offer extremely thin televisions without sacrificing image quality or brightness --- Users of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch can now access Sirius XM content directly through their portable devices thanks to a new app for the satellite radio service. Oddly enough, Howard Stern's show is not accessible via the app.
SATELLITE: Eutelsat Signs Capacity Deal With Astrium; New Mexico Spaceport To Break Ground
In an effort to improve its coverage in Africa, Astrium signed a new five-year deal with Eutelsat for 36 Mhz of capacity on its new W2A satellite. Astrium offers a range of satellite communications services across Africa, including voice service and secure networking --- The dream of commercial space flight will move a step closer Friday when workers began construction of Spaceport America in the southern New Mexico desert. Once completed, the facility will offer two-hour space flights for about $200,000 per person. Makes that $20 bag fee that the airlines are charging look like chump change, doesn't it?
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| 20 Jun 2009 - 08:39 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| HDTV Popularity Not Translating to Blu-ray Growth |
Although almost half of U.S. households (47 percent) now have a high-def TV, adoption of Blu-ray HD disc players has not been as successful, according to a new survey from Harris Interactive.
Based on the Harris Poll, just seven percent of Americans owns a standalone Blu-ray player, though nine percent own the Blu-ray-enabled Sony Playstation 3 video game console. Oddly enough, the numbers actually trail the now defunct HD DVD player, which are in 11 percent of U.S. households. It's been over a year since Blu-ray was declared the winner of the high-definition "format war."
Unfortunately for CE makers, this situation isn't going to get better anytime soon, as only seven percent of non-Blu-ray owners said they were likely to purchase a player in the next year, according to the survey.
"Consumers today can easily watch high definition TV channels or use the Internet or video-on-demand to access high definition movies," said Milton Ellis, VP of Harris Interactive's technology, media and telecom practice. "In the near future, access to high definition movies may be a download or streaming delivery of one’s favorite movies to a home media server that eliminates the need for a Blu-ray player and Blu-ray disc."
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| 20 Jun 2009 - 08:36 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Bundling Remains Popular Option For Subscribers |
According to a report released Wednesday by market research firm Pyramid Research, more than half of North American TV households subscribe to some sort of bundled media service from their provider, making this the world's leading region in terms of multiplay penetration.
In Canada, more than 60 percent of households subscribe to a bundle, according to the report, compared to 51 percent in the U.S. In Europe, the figure is closer to 40 percent of households, though the continent is expected to close that gap in the next few years given its high rate of multiplay adoption.
"Service bundling has gained popularity in recent years because it helps to slow subscriber churn and allows a service provider to drive revenue through market share gains and increases in average revenue per customer," said Ozgur Aytar, Pyramid's senior research manager.
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| 18 Jun 2009 - 10:24 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| DISH Shifts Advertising Stance |
DISH Network has a new target in its quest to attract new subscribers ... DIRECTV.
OK, maybe DTV isn't such a new target for DISH, but for the first time in recent memory, the Colorado-based DBS provider is going after its rival directly in a new series of advertisements.
Launched in 90 newspapers (yes, newspapers) nationwide this week, the new campaign presents DIRECTV as the more expensive satellite TV option and alleges that the provider passes costs related to NFL Sunday Ticket to all of its customers (including those that don't subscribe to the premium service). The ad also reiterates DISH's recent claim that it offers more HD content that any other pay TV provider.
According to DISH, the ads are scheduled to run through at least the end of June along with a companion web site at dishbeatsdirectv.com.
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| 18 Jun 2009 - 10:20 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| DISH Launches CV 24 To Puerto Rico Customers |
DISH Network on Tuesday added Spanish-language channel CV 24 to its lineup in Puerto Rico, becoming the exclusive DBS provider of the Hispanic network on the island.
?CV 24 is now available on DISH Network channel 21 in Puerto Rico and is available at no extra charge to customers who subscribe to local services. The in-language network offers a range of exclusive programming including Ruben Sanchez Directo, Fenomenal con Hector Marcano, Aida, Escenas de Matrimonio, Xica Da Silva and Perla, among others, and broadcasts content including entertainment, news, sports, drama and children's programming.
In the U.S., CV 24 reaches some 4.5 million Hispanic households in Miami, New York and Chicago, among other areas, and is carried by Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Liberty Cable and others.
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| 17 Jun 2009 - 10:15 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Profits Fall at Best Buy Despite Sales Boost |
Even consumer electronic mega-chain Best Buy is not immune to the effects of the economic downturn.
On Tuesday the retail giant reported that its profits fell 15 percent in the first fiscal quarter to $153 million, despite a 12 percent increase in net sales. Granted, a large portion of Best Buy's earnings losses were due to a $25 million restructuring charge it took related to its European Carphone Warehouse operation, but even without the charge factored in the store's profits were essentially flat for the quarter.
And that was, despite all the red ink, enough for Best Buy to beat analysts' estimates for the period.
The company credited its sales gains to the addition of 185 new stores worldwide, including 115 in the U.S. where sales increased one percent. Same-store sales struggled, however, dipping 6.2 percent in the quarter chain-wide.
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| 17 Jun 2009 - 10:14 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| All Systems Go For TerreStar Launch |
After scrubbing its earlier launch date due to an incident with another operator's satellite, TerreStar Networks on Tuesday announced plans to launch its TerreStar-1 satellite on July 1.
Launch services provider Arianespace has reportedly agreed to the change and begun making preparations for the mission.
"We have conducted extensive analysis and our vendors have also conducted exhaustive testing and analysis. As a result, we believe TerreStar-1 is ready to launch," Dennis Matheson, CTO of TerreStar said.
The TerreStar-1 launch was originally delayed from June 24 so technicians could perform additional testing to its S-band payload, although the company stressed that the delay had "no bearing on the flight worthiness or TerreStar-1." Once in orbit, the 2 Ghz mobile services satellite will offer up to 500 configurable spot beams.
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| 17 Jun 2009 - 10:14 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| SATELLITE: Gilat Announces New VSAT Platform; RRsat To Distribute Fashion TV HD; Eutelsat Signs Eurovision |
Gilat Satellite Networks on Monday introduced a new satellite communications platform called NetEdge that it said was designed to meet the needs of corporate private networks and cellular backhaul --- RRsat has been chosen to distribute the Fashion TV Paris HD channel to North America via DISH Network. The feed will be distributed by the Galaxy-19 satellite --- The European Broadcasting Union's Eurovision service has signed two new contracts for capacity on Eutelsat's W2A satellite in the Ku- and C-bands. In addition to giving Eurovision its first permanent C-band capacity over Africa, the deal will allow the provider to consolidate its European coverage at 10 degrees East and 7 degrees East.
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| 16 Jun 2009 - 09:55 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Arianespace Signs Launch Agreements With ESA, RUAG |
Launch services provider Arianespace is on track for a busy summer, and on Monday the company announced a pair of launch services agreements with the European Space Agency (ESA) and RUAG Aerospace.
Under terms of the ESA deal, Arianespace will provide launch services for a range of future ESA missions from the European Spaceport in French Guiana. In addition to defining ESA's launch services protocol, the agreement was designed to facilitate European preference for launches.
With RUAG Aerospace, Arianespace contracted for a series of payload adapters to be used on the 35 upcoming Ariane 5 launches. This isn't the first time RUAG Aerospace and Arianespace have worked together, and the company also provided the launch services firm with the Ariane 1's satellite separation system.
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| 16 Jun 2009 - 09:54 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| NASA repairing space shuttle’s leaky tank |
Agency to decide whether Endeavour or lunar mission will launch first
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA is repairing a leaky hydrogen gas line on Endeavour’s fuel tank in hopes of launching the shuttle on its space station construction mission Wednesday, four days after the first try was called off.
But another NASA mission, involving a pair of science spacecraft bound for the moon, is scheduled to blast off Wednesday. Top space agency officials will decide Monday whether to bump the moon mission to make way for Endeavour.
Mission management team chairman LeRoy Cain said it’s likely Endeavour will go first — if the repair effort goes well, no other shuttle problems crop up and the weather cooperates.
“A lot of things have to go our way,” Cain said Sunday.
Hydrogen gas began leaking from a vent line hookup on Endeavour’s external tank during fueling early Saturday, and the countdown was halted just hours before the scheduled morning liftoff.
The same kind of leak postponed a shuttle launch in March. Technicians replaced the vent line hookup and a pair of Teflon seals back then, and the leak did not recur. NASA is hoping for similar results this time. The hookup and seal replacements on Endeavour’s tank were expected to be completed Monday morning.
Read More... |
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| 15 Jun 2009 - 07:43 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Fisher Channels Return To DISH |
After several months of litigation, DISH Network and Fisher Communications have buried the hatchet and on Thursday announced that they had reached a multi-year carriage agreement that has brought Fisher stations in seven local markets back to the DISH dial.
As part of the deal, the companies also ended their court battle, according to DISH. Financial terms were not released.
The following Fisher stations have returned to DISH: KOMO and KUNS in Seattle, Wash.; KATU and KUNP in Portland, Ore.; KIMA in Yakima, Wash.; KVAL in Eugene, Ore.; KBCI in Boise, Idaho; KIDK in Idaho Falls, Idaho; and KBAK and KBFX in Bakersfield, Calif.
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| 15 Jun 2009 - 07:27 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| LG Intros TVs With Built-In Netflix Streaming |
LG on Thursday introduced two new lines of HDTVs that support instant streaming via Netflix's "Watch Instantly" service.
The TVs build on LG's existing relationship with Netflix. Last fall the CE maker introduced a Network Blu-ray Disc player that offered a similar streaming feature, and has since added the functionality to a pair of home theater systems as well.
According to LG, the new HDTVs with "NetCast Entertainment Access" require no external hardware, allowing Netflix members to simply connect them to their home broadband network to access the company's online content library. The launch includes 47- and 50-inch LCDs, available now, as well as 42- and 60-inch models coming later this summer.
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| 12 Jun 2009 - 15:51 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Intelsat To Refresh Asia-Pacific Satellite Fleet |
Fixed satellite services provider Intelsat on Thursday announced a significant investment in its satellite fleet serving the Asia-Pacific region, including plans to launch 11 satellites by the end of 2012 to provide new and replacement capacity in the region.
The move is part of an effort to increase Intelsat's media and networking services as well as take advantage of defense-related opportunities in the area.
“Intelsat has served the Asia-Pacific region for more than four decades, and the acceleration and expansion of our investments with respect to these satellites and our ground network reflect our commitment to providing our customers with a growth path that supports their strategic objectives,” said David Ball, Intelsat’s regional vice president for Asia-Pacific. “With globalization of content, the increasing importance of HD programming, further deployment of enterprise and broadband services and mobile applications, and continuing popularity of DTH television services, Intelsat will have the connectivity and capacity to serve its customers in the region and as they distribute their content around the globe.”
In addition to the fleet upgrade, Intelsat said it continues to improve its ground network infrastructure, including a recent upgrade at its Paumalu Transport in Hawaii and the expansion of its teleport facility in South Korea.
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| 12 Jun 2009 - 15:50 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Fisher Channels Return To DISH |
After several months of litigation, DISH Network and Fisher Communications have buried the hatchet and on Thursday announced that they had reached a multi-year carriage agreement that has brought Fisher stations in seven local markets back to the DISH dial.
As part of the deal, the companies also ended their court battle, according to DISH. Financial terms were not released.
The following Fisher stations have returned to DISH: KOMO and KUNS in Seattle, Wash.; KATU and KUNP in Portland, Ore.; KIMA in Yakima, Wash.; KVAL in Eugene, Ore.; KBCI in Boise, Idaho; KIDK in Idaho Falls, Idaho; and KBAK and KBFX in Bakersfield, Calif.
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| 12 Jun 2009 - 15:49 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| HARDWARE, SATELLITE, and INDUSTRY Updates |
HARDWARE: New HDMI Spec Released
The group responsible for licensing the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) on Monday released its latest version of the technology's software to adopters. In addition to Ethernet networking capabilities, HDMI 1.4 adds upstream audio support, new connection options and 3D capabilities to the popular home theater interconnect standard.
SATELLITE: Hughes Signs Control4; TerreStar Reschedules TerreStar-1 Launch
Broadband satellite provider Hughes Network Systems on Monday announced that it had signed home automation company Control4 as a reseller for its HughesNet internet service. The move adds 1,400 U.S. and Canadian Control4 dealers to Hughes' sales network --- Due to a potential overlap with another operator's satellite, TerreStar Networks has rescheduled the launch of its TerreStar-1 for a July 7-12 window. Launch services provider Arianespace, which is scheduled to carry the bird into orbit, has agreed to the change and has updated its launch schedule accordingly.
INDUSTRY: Harris Ranks Nat Geo Number One; WealthTV Taps Rentrak; Rumors Swirl Around Tribune's Zell; New CableLabs CEO?
National Geographic Channel has been named number for quality and trust among cable networks in Harris Interactive's new EquiTrend industry study. The results mirror NGC's number one for quality finish in Harris' 2008 brand equity study --- WealthTV has selected Rentrak to serve as its official television measurement provider, the network announced Monday --- According to reports, Tribune owner Sam Zell may be on his way out of the company if a proposed debt-for-equity plan between the company and its creditors goes through. Under terms of the bankruptcy deal, the creditors could receive a majority stake in Tribune in exchange for some of the company's $8.6 billion in debt --- CableLabs is expected to announce its new CEO later this morning ... stay tuned.
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| 9 Jun 2009 - 10:00 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| WildBlue Taking Satellite Broadband Show To Washington |
Satellite broadband provider WildBlue Communications is bringing its latest high-speed ISP technology to Washington this Thursday, with a hands-on demonstration at the foot of the U.S. Capital building in Washington, D.C. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The demonstration mirrors a similar event that the WildBlue "demonstration trailer" held at the Colorado State Capitol in April. This time, however, the purpose of the demo is to show off WildBlue's "next generation" Internet service and promote satellite broadband's seat at the $7.2 billion broadband stimulus table.
“Satellite broadband is an essential ingredient in our nation’s plan to bring broadband Internet access to every American,” said WildBlue CEO Dave Leonard on Monday. “No other technology can economically reach the most remote areas of our country. Our demonstration on Capitol Hill showcases how satellite broadband is currently meeting the needs of the country’s most underserved audience, and how tomorrow’s technology improves this vital service by an order of magnitude.”
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| 9 Jun 2009 - 09:58 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Dishnetwork Customers Should Read This! |
TiVo Wins EchoStar Case
TiVo last Tuesday finally won its patent case against EchoStar when U.S. District Court Judge David Folsom ruled in favor of the DVR developer and ordered EchoStar to disable the digital recording function in most of its installed set-top boxes.
Most importantly for TiVo, the court also awarded the company an additional $103 million plus interest in its decision, on top of the $105 million EchoStar has already paid TiVo.
As for EchoStar, the court denied its motion for a stay, pending appeal.
Editorial Note:
Current Dishnet customers may call Dishnet Technical support regarding their concerns. Technical support does not have much information about the court decisions, but they have the official record and a statement from Dishnetwork that the court case is being appealed to a higher court and nothing will be immediately affecting their customers DVR viewing or recording ability. If and when any court decisions may affect their customers they will be notified at that time.
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| 3 Jun 2009 - 11:42 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| Earth is 1st stop as probe looks for other worlds |
It may help scientists understand data collected from exoplanets...
A robotic probe sailing out in space to look for planets beyond the solar system has its first target in sight — Earth.
The idea behind observing the home planet is to give scientists an understanding of how an alien Earth may look in the data collected by future telescopes, chemical-analyzing spectrographs and other instruments.
"It's basically an extra tool to have in our tool belt as we go looking for exoplanets," said Nicolas Cowan, with the University of Washington.
Cowen and colleagues have been using NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft to study Earth from millions of miles away. Originally dispatched to blast a hole into comet Tempel 1 so scientists could study the comet's interior, Deep Impact was given a follow-on assignment to visit comet Hartley 2 in November 2010 and search for extrasolar planets along the way.
Cowen focused on understanding how an ocean-bearing world like Earth, with continents interspersed with water, would impact the overall reflectivity of light in seven select wavelengths, particularly those in the near-infrared.
They found that as Earth completed a 24-hour rotation, the change in brightness varied by about 30 percent up and down. The shift is caused by the planet's reflectivity as the sun alternatively shines on oceans and then continents.
"The key is to look at how the planet changes over time," Cowen told Discovery News.
Clouds were not found to be a significant contributor to the change in brightness because they typically do not completely dissipate or form within a 24-hour period.
"You could imagine some weird planet where the clouds change very quickly and then you wouldn't be able to use this technique. You'd be hosed," Cowen said.
Another show-stopper would be if a planet's water were in one hemisphere and its mass of land on the other, as the total amount of light reflected from its parent star would stay stable throughout a rotation.
Read More... |
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| 2 Jun 2009 - 10:51 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| PROGRAMMING: BBC America to Launch in HD; Surprise! Octomom Coming to Reality TV |
U.K.-based network BBC America announced plans to launch a high-def simulcast for U.S. subscribers starting July 20. As part of the kick-off of BBC America HD, the network will air a week of sci-fi programming including a new Doctor Who special and the season finale of Primeval --- Surprise! Infamous octuplet mom Nadia Suleman has signed on to star in a new reality TV series to be produced by 3Ball. The company, which is also responsible for such gems as "Beauty & The Geek," said it had not yet sold the show to a network.
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| 2 Jun 2009 - 10:44 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES Inks Deal with in DEMAND |
Satellite provider SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES on Monday signed a multiyear distribution agreement with VOD firm iN DEMAND Networks for the delivery of its NBA League Pass and MLS Direct Kick subscription packages.
Under terms of the deal, SES will deliver the sports programming packages to U.S. cable subscribers via its HD-PRIME network on its AMC-1 satellite. The news comes in addition to the iN DEMAND content that SES AMERICOM-NEW SKIES already carries on its satellites, including movies, boxing and out-of-market sports packages for MLB and the NHL.
According to iN DEMAND, the NBA League Pass package includes more than 1,000 regional games, while MLS Direct Kick offers some 100 matches throughout the season.
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| 2 Jun 2009 - 10:44 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| EchoStar, AsiaSat Launch Joint Venture |
EchoStar has launched a new DTH venture in partnership with Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) that will deliver satellite television service to Taiwan and other parts of Asia.
The joint offering, set to become available in the second half of 2009, will include operational expertise and equipment from EchoStar and satellite capacity from AsiaSat. The new pay TV service will broadcast in all-digital from AsiaSat 4.
Said Steve Schaver, EchoStar president: "This joint venture between AsiaSat and EchoStar makes it possible to enter the growing Asian market that seeks a popular lineup of all digital television channels at an attractive price. The opportunity to partner with AsiaSat for delivery of video services creates an exciting opportunity for EchoStar as we enter the DTH market in Asia.”
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| 2 Jun 2009 - 10:43 by soullezz |
Industry News
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| DIRECTV, TiVo Delay Joint DVR Until 2010 |
Instead of launching their DIRECTV-TiVo DVR in late 2009 as was previously announced, the DBS provider and DVR maker on Friday said the joint product's launch date has been pushed back to early 2010.
The news came after TiVo announced $4.1 million in quarterly net losses, which has understandably put a damper on new product roll-outs. Aside from that, however, no reason for the delay was discussed.
In related news, however, TiVo execs did verify that they have been working to finalize relationships with other providers, including Comcast, and are working on a product for cable's tru2way platform. According to TiVo CEO Tom Rogers, Comcast has been helping the DVR company upgrade its applications to tru2way middleware, though no details were given about how the upgrades would change the TiVo experience.
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| 1 Jun 2009 - 14:08 by soullezz |
Industry News
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