Berlin Plans DVB-T2 Trial
A DVB-T2/HEVC trial is to take place in Berlin this autumn. It will test network parameters – including an encryption system – and manufacturers will also be able to test their products.
Brazilian Tender is Criticised
Anatel, the Brazilian communications regulator, has opened a tender to provide mobile broadband services in the 700MHz band. The frequency is currently used for broadcast services. In response the Association of Brazilian broadcasters (Abert) issued a statement of concerns. Abert said that Anatel’s plan to set aside BRL3.6 billion ($1.6 billion) to cover broadcasters’ costs … Read more
DTT Funding Increase Proposed in Russia
Lenta, a Russian newspaper, has said that the Ministry of Communications has proposed allocating more money to develop broadcasting in the country. An additional RUB26 billion ($720 million) has been proposed, taking the total to RUB147.6 billion ($4 billion). The money will be used to aid the transition to digital broadcasting.
Microsoft Competes With Chromecast
Windows Phone Daily has uncovered an FCC filing detailing a Chromecast-like dongle for Windows Phone smartphones. The ‘Microsoft HD-10’ possesses WiFi, HDMI and USB connectivity. It also supports Miracast (used for Windows Phone 8.1’s ‘Project My Screen’ feature) and WiFi Direct, and has been seen in the WiFi Alliance product database.
Nigeria Sets ASO Deadline
Analogue switch-off will take place in Nigeria by June next year. The head of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Emeka Mba, said that broadcasters who continue to transmit in analogue after that date will not benefit from signal protection.
SVoD Popularity Will Rise Rapidly in Europe
More than 20% of European TV households will pay for VoD packages (subscription VoD, or SVoD) by 2020. Digital TV Research forecasts that the overall figure will be 59.4 million (20.7%), up from 18 million (6.4%) at the end of 2014. Households in Eastern Europe will be much less likely to take SVoD packages: only … Read more
Chunghwa Chooses Broadpeak for Trial
An UltraHD HEVC streaming trial is being run by Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan. Chunghwa is using solutions from Broadpeak, a content delivery network technology specialist. Both VoD and NVoD (near video on demand) services are being trialled, delivered via unicast and multicast, respectively.
Japan Adds Features to UltraHD
Japan is ready to announce its latest roadmap towards 8k (Super Hi-Vision, or SHV) broadcasting, according to Advanced Television. The roadmap – unannounced at the time of writing – will require three UltraHD channels on air in 2016, as well as one SHV channel on satellite. By 2018, public broadcaster NHK will have its own … Read more
Test UltraHD Systems With Cablelabs
A microsite (http://4k.cablelabs.com) where users can access UltraHD video has been set up by Cablelabs. The intent is to assist stakeholders, such as vendors and network operators, conduct tests using the format. Content is available under the Creative Commons License. Video can also be uploaded, so users can make their own videos available for testing.
$70 Million Pay-Out Settles Lenovo Lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit, which has been ongoing in the USA for more than a year, is now being settled by Lenovo. The suit said that the company’s Ideapad U310 and U410 ultrabooks had an inherent design flaw, making it ‘nearly impossible’ to remain connected to a WiFi network. Around 83,000 devices were affected. Lenovo has … Read more
Apple to Replace Sub-Par iPhone Batteries
A number of iPhone 5 smartphones have been found to have underperforming batteries. These units, sold between September 2012 and January 2013, have a shorter battery life than intended. Customers in Europe, the USA and China possessing these phones can now swap their old batteries for new ones. To check eligibility, visit http://tinyurl.com/k6zyga3.
Microsoft Denies Overheating Issue
Despite some models appearing to show an heat warning, the Surface Pro 3 does not overheat, Microsoft has said. Some of the Core i7 models have been found to show a thermometer icon instead of the boot screen, indicating that they are too hot to turn on. In a statement, Microsoft has said that this … Read more
