Hardware (DVD, TV, PMP, Set-top Box, …) News

CNES contracts with ST for satellite broadband chipset
Oct 1, 2014 – CNES has signed a contract with STMicroelectronics to develop the ASTRAGAN chipset, which aims to bring satellite fast broadband to users everywhere, including in areas outside those covered by terrestrial fixed and mobile broadband networks.
News categories: STMicroelectronics, CNES, Thales, Broadband, Digital TV, DVB-S2, Europe, France, Gateway, Satellite, Semiconductor, Worldwide

Novabase to supply STBs to Russia's Akado Telecom
Oct 1, 2014 – Akado Telecom has signed a contract with system integrator AMT Group for the supply of 20,000 set-top boxes. The boxes, manufactured by Portugal's Novabase, are to be delivered in mid-October.
News categories: Novabase, Akado, AMT Group, Cable TV, Digital TV, Russia, Set Top Box

Digital now revenue backbone of home entertainment
Oct 1, 2014 – Growth in digital subscriptions, rentals and purchases will hold total consumer revenue from traditional home entertainment sources steady, according to new analysis released at the PEVE Entertainment Business conference, held by IHS.
News categories: IHS Inc, Dan Cryan, Blu-ray, Digital TV, Market Research, Streaming, Worldwide

Unotel iON TV pay TV launches in Brazil
Sep 30, 2014 – Unotel Telecom's pay-TV platform iON TV is to launch in Brazil on October 1st. The service combines satellite pay TV with free-to-air terrestrial and online content. The service is provided to customers via Unotel's ISP partners.
News categories: Unotel Telecom, KAON, iON TV, Brazil, Digital TV, IPTV, Satellite, Set Top Box, Terrestrial

Czech Telecommunication Office updates 'D Book' for DTT with HEVC
Sep 30, 2014 – The Czech Telecommunication Office (ČTÚ) has published an updated ‘D-Book’ specification for digital terrestrial television in the country.
News categories: Český telekomunikační úřad, Czech Republic, Digital TV, Set Top Box, Smart TV, Terrestrial

LG U+ unveils Ultra HD IPTV service
Sep 30, 2014 – LG U+ has announced the launch of an Ultra HD IPTV service via its new U+ tvG 4K UHD set-top box. The box is the first to be based on a quad core processor and the first to be able to display 4 channels simultaneously on the TV screen.
News categories: LG Uplus, Digital TV, IPTV, Korea, Set Top Box

40% of broadband households in Germany and Spain own a smart TV
Sep 30, 2014 – Research from Parks Associates has shown that more than 40% of broadband households in Germany and Spain own a smart TV, while U.K. adoption of smart TVs is 33%.
News categories: Parks Associates, Brett Sappington, Digital TV, Germany, Market Research, Smart TV, Spain, Streaming, UK

MPEG LA offers HEVC patent portfolio license
Sep 29, 2014 – MPEG LA has announced the availability of the HEVC Patent Portfolio License. The joint license includes patents that are essential to the High Efficiency Video Coding standard (HEVC, also known as H.265 and MPEG-H Part 2).
News categories: MPEG LA, Larry Horn, Bill Geary, Blu-ray, Digital TV, Gaming, Licensing, Patent, Set Top Box, Smart TV, Worldwide

Singapore launches Digital TV Assistance Scheme
Sep 29, 2014 – The Media Development Authority (MDA) of Singapore has launched a Digital TV Assistance Scheme for low-income households. The package includes a free digital TV set-top box, an indoor antenna and installation.
News categories: Media Development Authority, Koh Lin-Net, Digital TV, Set Top Box, Singapore, Terrestrial