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

Sharp expands deal with Espial for Smart TVs
Jul 8, 2014 – Espial has announced that Sharp has selected Espial TV Browser for additional mid-range smart TV models in select geographies to offer rich Smart TV Apps and HTML5 user experiences.
News categories: Espial, Sharp Corp, Kirk Edwardson, Digital TV, HTML5, Middleware, Smart TV, Worldwide

Digicel set to launch pay TV in Papua New Guinea
Jul 8, 2014 – Digicel Papua New Guinea (Digicel PNG) has said that it plans to launch a terrestrial pay television service in November. The new TV offering, which is expected to grow to 30-40 channels, would be both free-to-air and prepaid.
News categories: Digicel PNG, Digital TV, DVB-T2, Melanesia, Set Top Box, Terrestrial

Tata Sky unveils plans for 4K set top box
Jul 5, 2014 – Tata Sky has announced plans to launch 4k set top boxes in India early next year. The plans were unveiled when Tata Sky showcased the first ever Live telecast with 4K technology on SONY SIX HD using a 4k set top box.
News categories: Tata Sky, Vikram Mehra, Prasana Krishnan, Digital TV, India, Satellite, Set Top Box

Singapore appoints M1 to roll out Digital TV Assistance Scheme
Jul 4, 2014 – Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has appointed M1 to manage the roll-out of its Digital TV Assistance Scheme. Eligible households will receive a free DVB-T2 set-top box, antenna and installation.
News categories: Media Development Authority, M1 Limited, DVB-T2, Set Top Box, Singapore, Terrestrial

Thaicom to broadcast HD-DTT channels direct-to-home via satellite
Jul 3, 2014 – Thaicom has announced that it is putting together a plan with Thailand's digital terrestrial television (DTT) operators to begin broadcasting their high definition (HD) DTT channels direct to home via satellite.
News categories: Thaicom, Suphajee Suthumpun, Digital TV, Satellite, Set Top Box, Thailand

Ultra HD TV shipment growth to average 160% per annum
Jul 3, 2014 – Global shipments of Ultra HD (4K resolution) TVs will increase from 1.5 million units in 2013 to 68.2 million TVs in 2017, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 160%, according to Digitimes Research.
News categories: Digitimes, Digital TV, Market Research, Smart TV, Worldwide

EBU policy statement on Ultra HD TV
Jul 3, 2014 – The EBU has issued a document intended to guide strategic decisions in regard to UHDTV and future TV services. It is addressed at Senior Management of EBU Members and other broadcasters and at anyone who is a stakeholder in the audiovisual content industries.
News categories: European Broadcasting Union, Digital TV, Europe, Set Top Box, Smart TV, TV Services

Sagemcom selects Broadcom for World Cup in Ultra HD
Jul 2, 2014 – Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) has announced that Sagemcom has selected Broadcom's BCM7445 video decoder and BCM7252 system-on-a-chip (SoCs) to enable a live broadcast of select 2014 World Cup events in Ultra High Definition (Ultra HD).
News categories: Broadcom, Sagemcom, Digital TV, Semiconductor, Set Top Box, Worldwide

E.Leclerc launches Réglo TV OTT in France
Jul 1, 2014 – French hypermarket chain, E.Leclerc, has announced the launch of its Réglo TV DTT plus OTT television offering. The service consists of up to 65 channels plus video-on-demand, and is available without contract at an entry price of €4.99 per month.
News categories: Leclerc, Digital TV, France, Set Top Box, Streaming