Broadband Resource

With the February 2009 deadline for the transition from analog to digital television less than eight months away, the Senate voted to allow additional funding to assist during the switch to digital broadcasting.Amendment to Deficit Reduction Act Allows More DTV FundsIn an amendment to the Deficit Reduction Act, backed by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, additional funds left from the digital to analog converter box program may be used for two specific purposes: first, to educate elderly, minority, and rural television viewers who may not yet be aware of what the transition entails and how they might be impacted by it; and second, to make funds available to low-power television broadcasters to help them make the transition.Additional DTV Funds Relieve Concerns of Low-Power BroadcastersConcerns of low-power broadcasters that they would not be ready when the transition takes effect and that their signals would be un-viewable should be alleviated by the amendment which supersedes the original wording preventing these stations from receiving funding until October 2010.Consumer Choices in Switch from Analog to Digital TelevisionConsumers who currently watch analog television have three options to upgrade their current television sets in order to be able view the new signals that will begin on February 17, 2009. They may purchase a digital-to-analog converter box which has analog pass-through capability; or purchase a digital-to-analog converter box without analog pass-through, and then add a splitter or A/B switch to receive both analog and digital signals; or subscribe to cable, satellite, or other pay television serviceFor more information about the analog-to-digital converter box coupon program visit the NTIA website or call the coupon program 24-hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

More: continued here

Venture capital is a type of private equity capital typically provided to immature, high-potential, growth companies in the interest of generating a return through an eventual realization event such as an IPO or trade sale of the company.

More: continued here

Twelve television stations located in Central Florida’s Orlando market were among the first to test digital signals in preparation for next year’s digital conversion.The participating television stations were WKMG-TV, WESH-TV, WFTV-TV, WCEU-TV, WKCF-TV, WMFE-TV, WVEN-TV, WRDQ-TV, WOTF-TV, WTGL-TV channel 45, WBCC-TV, and WOPX-TV.60-Second Message Tests Viewers’ Digital ReceptionAt 7:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, each station briefly disconnected its analog television signal and aired a 60-second message in digital format which reached more than 365,000 households.If viewers were able to see the message, the test confirmed that their television sets are ready for digital broadcasts. Viewers who did not see the message but only saw black screens on their television sets have analog sets and will need to take steps to prepare their televisions to receive digital signals.Orlando Television Stations Advertised Test in AdvanceIn preparation for the test, the Orlando stations ran on-air television commercials asking viewers to participate in the test. The commercials appeared to be effective in that viewership increased by eight percent compared to the prior Wednesday on all of the 12 stations.Number of Viewers Not DTV-Compatible LowIn the commercials and on their websites, the stations provided a special telephone number for viewers to call who were unable to see the digital message. Only 501 calls came in to the stations. About half of the phone calls came from viewers who have television sets which are more than a year old and have been receiving analog signals via antennas. The other half came from current cable television subscribers.

More: continued here

Blizzard Entertainment has announced the development of Diablo III, an expansion of its Diablo series of online action role-playing games. The announcement was made at the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational held in Paris. Blizzard Entertainment is developing Diablo III for simultaneous release on the Windows and Macintosh PC platforms. Further information about the game will be announced as development progresses.Blizzard Entertainment Diablo Series of Online Role-Playing GamesLaunched at the end of 1996, the original Diablo won critical and commercial success. The game’s sequel, Diablo II, shipped in 2000 and won several Game of the Year awards. Diablo II’s award-winning expansion set, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, debuted in 2001.Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment said, “We’ve wanted to expand on the epic story and gameplay elements of the Diablo universe for some time now. We know that players have also been long awaiting a return to the series, so we’re very excited to be sharing this announcement with Blizzard gamers around the world.”Blizzard’s Diablo III to be Available at Battle.netDiablo III will feature a custom 3D-graphics engine to render a high level of detail and special effects. The game’s physics-enhanced environments will be interactive and destructible. These elements, along with a new quest system and random scripted events, will be integrated into the game’s random-level generator. Cooperative and competitive play will be available online through an upgraded version of Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming service, Battle.net.Blizzard Entertainment GamesBlizzard Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, is a developer and publisher of entertainment software. Its games include World of Warcraft and the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo series.

More: continued here

Thomson has announced the finalization of a purchase agreement with Comcast to supply the cable company with digital-to-analog (DTA) adapters, a one-way device that enables cable operators to move quickly and cost-efficiently to all-digital infrastructures by delivering digital-quality video and audio service to existing analog cable customers.Thomson will Supply Digital-to-Analog Adapters to ComcastFollowing the February 17, 2009 broadcast digital transition, cable operators will provide analog, standard- and high-definition digital broadcast signals to their customers. The DTA adapter is one of the ways cable providers will be able to deliver analog and standard-definition broadcast signals following that transition.Frederic Kurkjian, vice president of video premises systems for Thomson’s systems division, said, “Thomson is pleased to enter the U.S. cable video market and expand our relationship with Comcast by becoming a supplier of DTA adapters. The experience on this project will be invaluable for us as the world prepares to follow suit and migrate from analog to digital.”Thomson’s Digital Video Technologies, Services, and SystemsThomson provides technology, services, and systems and equipment to help its media and entertainment clients - content creators, content distributors, and users of its technology - realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group is the partner to the media and entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA, and Thomson brands.Comcast Corporation, the Nation’s Largest Cable ProviderComcast is a provider of cable, entertainment, and communications products and services and is principally involved in the development, management, and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

More: continued here

AT&T has announced the launch of its U-verse TV and U-verse High-Speed Internet services to customers in northeast Wisconsin. The services are available to more than a dozen communities including Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Oshkosh, and parts of the Racine and Milwaukee metro areas and will become available in more areas on an ongoing basis. U-verse service is delivered over AT&T’s Internet Protocol (IP) network.”With AT&T U-verse, consumers have free professional installation, and most plans include a DVR with 100 percent digital picture quality,” said John DeVaul, AT&T general manager for Wisconsin.AT&T U-verse Service Now Available to Northeast Wisconsin CustomersScott T. VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin, said, “”We’re thrilled to be able to provide more customers in Wisconsin with television services. Thanks in part to the passage of the Wisconsin Video Competition Act, AT&T is bringing video products to more Wisconsin consumers.”AT&T U-verse offers a Variety of Packages and FeaturesDepending on the service location, AT&T U-verse features include:• A variety of subscription packages• Download speeds up to 10 Mbps and upstream speeds up to 1.5 Mbps depending on the package• Up to 320 channels, including music, local programs, movies, sports, HD, and more• DVR records up to four programs at one time• Upload and view photos on your TV screen• Customizable weather, stock, sports, and traffic information• Play AT&T Yahoo games on the TV screen• Video on Demand with advanced search• Parental controls• Wireless home or office networking at no extra cost

More: continued here

The Wi-Fi Alliance has announced the launch of a new certification program for voice-capable Wi-Fi devices. The Wi-Fi Certified Voice-Personal program will test the performance of voice-capable WI-Fi devices used in homes and small offices to determine that the products provide good voice quality over Wi-Fi links.Edgar Figueroa, executive director of the Wi-Fi Alliance said, “Wi-Fi enabled devices are increasingly used for data and also multimedia applications. Our certification programs deliver interoperability and quality of service between Wi-Fi certified devices. Now, the Voice-Personal program goes to the next level, helping to ensure good voice quality for calls made over a Wi-Fi network.”Wi-Fi Alliance to Certify Voice-Capable Wi-Fi Devices to Ensure QualityVoice over Wi Fi is typically used in mixed voice and data environments where multiple data streams compete for the available network resources. Products that successfully achieve Voice-Personal certification prioritize voice communication over data, audio, or video traffic, and also have met strict performance levels for key metrics that ensure a quality experience in voice applications: packet loss, latency and jitter.Experts predict shipments of Wi-Fi/cellular converged phones will reach between 250 and 350 million within three years. In a converged Wi-Fi/cellular phone, Wi-Fi connectivity can offer significant throughput to support bandwidth-intensive applications. By allowing subscribers to utilize Wi-Fi for voice as well as data on converged phones, carriers can manage licensed spectrum resources better, as subscribers make and receive calls using a combination of licensed and unlicensed Wi-Fi spectrum. Additionally, voice over the Wi-Fi network can mean improved indoor coverageWi-Fi Certified Voice-Personal Testing Program”We are seeing increasing expectations from wireless subscribers that handsets include Wi-Fi technology to handle both voice and data, and carriers are responding in kind with an interesting array of offerings combining Wi-Fi and cellular service,” said Victoria Fodale, manager, Market Data/Intelligence for In-Stat. “Delivering a high-quality user experience with voice over Wi-Fi will be critical to the success of converged service offerings, so the Wi-Fi Certified Voice-Personal testing program is an important step for the industry.”

More: continued here

Cox Communications and Crown Media Holdings, Inc., owner and operator of the Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movie Channel, have announced a multi-year agreement granting Cox Communications the right to carry the high definition version of the Hallmark Movie Channel that was launched in April. Cox currently distributes the Hallmark Channel as well as the standard definition version of the Hallmark Movie Channel.Cox Communications to Offer Hallmark Movie Channel in High DefinitionHenry Schleiff, president and CEO of Crown Media Holdings, Inc., said, “We are pleased to announce this new agreement with Cox, one of Crown Media’s most important partners. The Hallmark Movie Channel offers our audience family movies and we are happy to be presenting them in HD format at a time when there is a growing demand for family-friendly programming. Most importantly, we are excited to be able to join with our distribution partners to offer this opportunity to our viewers.”Hallmark Movie Channel Owned by Crown Media HoldingsCrown Media Holdings currently operates and distributes Hallmark Channel to subscribers in the U.S. Crown Media also operates a second 24-hour linear channel, Hallmark Movie Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel HD. Significant investors in Crown Media Holdings include: Hallmark Entertainment Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, Liberty Media Corp., and J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), LP, each through their investments in Hallmark Entertainment Investments Co.; VISN Management Corp., a for-profit subsidiary of the National Interfaith Cable Coalition; and The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Cox Communications Offers Cable Television, Phone, and High-Speed InternetCox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company providing cable television, phone service, and high-speed Internet to its residential and business customers. Cox is an investor in programming networks including Discovery Channel.

More: continued here

Charter Communications has announced the launch of its Charter High-Speed Internet Max service throughout most of the company’s service area in Michigan. The high-speed service offers download speeds up to 16 megabits per second (Mbps). Charter Business, which provides services to business, education, and government, also offers up to 16 Mbps high-speed Internet service in Michigan.Charter 16 Mbps High-Speed Internet is Nine Times Faster Than DSL”At 16 Mbps, Charter High-Speed Internet Max allows customers to download a song in just 2.5 seconds, or as many as 24 photos in just 8 seconds,” said Joe Boullion, vice president and general manager for Charter in Michigan.Charter High-Speed Internet Max speeds are up to 9 times faster than DSL and 270 times faster than dial-up. Charter also offers Charter High-Speed Plus, with download speeds up to 10 Mbps, and Charter High-Speed Internet, with download speeds up to 5 Mbps.Charter Communications’ Billion Dollar Investment to Enhance ServiceOver the past year, Charter Communications, Inc. has invested over a billion dollars in capital to enhance its service capabilities. Charter is a broadband communications company and the third-largest publicly traded cable operator in the U.S. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including Charter Digital video entertainment programming, Charter High-Speed Internet access, and Charter Telephone. Charter Business similarly provides scalable, tailored broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, video and music entertainment services and business telephone. Charter’s advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media brand.

More: continued here

Verizon has announced it will be expanding its FiOS Internet speeds of up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and up to 20 Mbps for uploads to the company’s entire FiOS Internet service footprint in 16 states. The expanded service will be available starting this week and will impact more than ten million homes and businesses.Verizon Expands its 50/20 Mbps FiOS Internet ServiceVerizon had already offered the 50/20 Mbps and 20/20 Mbps services in its FiOS markets in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. The company is now expanding those offerings to new Verizon FiOS customers in parts of California, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, replacing existing offerings of 30/15 Mbps and 15/15 Mbps services, respectively.The mid-tier connection speed in those markets for new customers is being increased from 15/2 Mbps to 20/5 Mbps, and the basic service tier is being increased from 5/2 Mbps to 10/2 Mbps.Verizon FiOS Internet Customers Receive 50 Mbps Download SpeedsAt 50 Mbps, downloading a 5 GB file, such as a 112-minute, high-definition movie purchased online, takes approximately 13.3 minutes, while a 50 MB, or 60-minute, Web video takes eight seconds, and a 5 MB MP3 music file takes less than eight-tenths of a second.Using a 20 Mbps upstream broadband connection, a consumer could upload a 250 megabyte (MB) file of 200 photos in about 90 seconds, instead of the roughly 47 minutes it takes over a 768 kilobit-per-second (Kbps) upstream connection. A 500 MB file, such as 400 digital photos or a medical imaging data file can be uploaded in less than four minutes, compared with about 90 minutes over a 768 Kbps connection. A 3 gigabyte (GB) file, such as a one-hour family video shot with a high-definition video camera, can be uploaded in around 20 minutes, compared with more than nine hours with 768 Kbps upstream.”The appetite for bandwidth shows no signs of slowing down. Neither will we,” said Verizon president and chief operating office Denny Strigl. “We’ve already had successful trials of the 100-megabit home, which will be a reality faster than anybody thinks.”

More: continued here