Smart TV (Connected TV, Integrated Digital Television, IDTV) News

Netherlands - Digital television in more than 3 million households
May 30, 2008 – At the end of the first quarter of 2008, the number of digital connections in the Netherlands grew to 3.2 million, or 45% of households. Ziggo has now become undisputed leader in terms of connected households.
News categories: GfK, iMMovator, Cable TV, Digital TV, IPTV, Market Research, Netherlands, Satellite, Smart TV, Subscribers, Terrestrial

Germany: Consumer Electronics Market Index CEMIX Q1-Q4 2007
May 30, 2008 – Results from Q1 2008 of the Consumer Electronics Market Index (CEMIX), a German market indicator for Consumer Electronics markets, are now available for download.
News categories: GfK, Camcorder, Digital TV, DVD, Germany, Market Research, Optical Disc Recorder, Peripherals / Accessories, Satellite, Set Top Box, Smart TV

Axel Springer and Philips establish global alliance for Personal TV
May 30, 2008 – Axel Springer (Frankfurt: SPR) Digital TV Guide and Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) establish an alliance for the introduction of a global innovation in the sector of Personal TV. The new offering TV DIGITAL PERSONAL is powered by APRICO.
News categories: Philips, Axel Springer Digital TV Guide, APRICO, Digital TV, DVR, Middleware, Mobile, Set Top Box, Smart TV, Streaming

Panasonic chooses S&T's MHEG Engine for UK Freesat Service
May 27, 2008 – Strategy & Technology (S&T) Client Systems has announced that Panasonic has confirmed that it has chosen the company's RedKey™ 2 MHEG-5 interactive TV engine for use within IDTVs to receive Freesat, the UK's new, free satellite TV service.
News categories: Strategy & Technology, Panasonic, Digital TV, MHEG-5, Middleware, Satellite, Smart TV, UK

Sony Electronics and Major U.S. Cable Operators Negotiate National 'Two-Way' Plug and Play Solution
May 27, 2008 – Sony Electronics and major U.S. cable operators have signed an agreement that will enable consumers to purchase innovative 'two-way' digital TVs and other devices that can receive interactive digital and HD video services without a set-top box.
News categories: Sony Electronics, NCTA, Cable TV, Conditional Access, Digital TV, Middleware, Set Top Box, Smart TV, USA

NEC Electronics Introduces Cost-effective EMMA Digital SoCs for Next-Generation H.264 Video Standard
May 21, 2008 – NEC (TSE: 6723) has introduced two new image-processing solutions based on their EMMA™ platform. The new EMMA3SL/HD™ and EMMA3SL/SD™ devices enable users to build set-top boxes (STBs) or Digital TVs with next-generation H.264 video compression.
News categories: NEC Electronics, Digital TV, ICs, Semiconductor, Set Top Box, Smart TV

DIVA Consortium Unveils a New Interface Standard for Next-Generation Interactive Digital TV and CE Networking
May 21, 2008 – At the China Digital Living Forum & Showcase 2008, the China Video Industry Association (CVIA) announced its support of the DIVA Consortium's efforts to create a new interface for next-generation interactive digital TV and CE networking.
News categories: DIVA Consortium, China, Digital TV, Smart Home, Smart TV

Mobile TV and video services are possible without 3G and dedicated mobile broadcasting networks, says Analysys Mason
May 21, 2008 – While many mobile network operators are planning to use a combination of 3G and dedicated mobile broadcasting networks to deliver mobile TV and video services, they must not overlook emerging alternatives, according to a new Analysys Mason report.
News categories: Analysys, 5G, Digital TV, Market Research, Mobile, Smart Home, Smart TV

UWB-based Short Range Wireless Technology to Have a Profound Impact on Future Mobile Device Communications
May 19, 2008 – Wireless USB, based on the WiMedia Alliance's Ultrawideband (UWB) common radio platform which is promoted by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), is slowly garnering attention from mobile device manufacturers as it has exhibited efficient power consumption.
News categories: Frost & Sullivan, Market Research, Mobile, Semiconductor, Smart Home, Smart TV, Tablet