As Sling Media rolls out 2nd-generation Slingbox devices with faster processors, lower prices and HD capability, it’s also in “wide-ranging” talks that could embed the technology in cable or satellite set-top boxes, Mktg. Vp Rich Buchanan told us.
As Sling Media rolls out 2nd-generation Slingbox devices with faster processors, lower prices and HD capability, it’s also in “wide-ranging” talks that could embed the technology in cable or satellite set-top boxes, Mktg. Vp Rich Buchanan told us.
The Assn. of Public-Safety Communications Officials said the group is “very disappointed” about Sprint Nextel’s suggestions (CD Sept 21 p4) that the movement of public safety licensees to other bands in phase 2 of the 800 MHZ rebanding process be suspended so all systems can be moved at one time. Sprint put out a clarification.
U.K. retailer Dixons is tuning out analog radio sales. Given booming DAB digital radio sales there, the CE chain will pull the plug on analog sales this year -- the 100th anniversary of the first radio broadcast with audio. “The decision follows substantial growth in the sale of digital radios, and expansion in the number and range of digital transmitters. Digital radios outsell analog 30 to one at Dixons, the retailer said. DAB’s growth has been driven by improved and expanded transmissions as well as greater selection and availability of radios, including new portables, Dixons said. It offers digital radios for as little as Pounds 30 ($56). The first DAB receivers cost about Pounds 2,000 a decade ago. DAB radios offer significant advantages over their analog predecessors, including crisper sound, text-based services, pause and rewind functions on some models and a host of content not available to AM or FM listeners, the retailer said. “The snap, crackle and pop of the traditional wireless is rapidly being replaced with the crystal-clear sound of digital audio broadcasting,” said Nick Wilkinson, group managing dir. for Dixons. Through March, 3 million DAB radios were sold in the U.K. It took 5 years to sell the first million, 9 months for the 2nd million and 5 months for the 3rd. Other products on Dixons’ “endangered species” list include the personal CD player and the boom box, “reflecting the changes that the MP3 player and the iPod are making on the portable audio market,” the retailer said.
Warner Home Video claimed bragging rights Tues. with the most HD movie releases of any studio. With the release of 7 new Blu-ray and HD DVD titles Oct. 10, the studio’s offerings will total 55, 70% more than any competitor’s, WHV said. The new releases consist of 2 for Blu-ray (Syriana and 16 Blocks) for 5 for HD DVD (Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Polar Express, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). Batman Begins and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will make their HD DVD debut with WHV’s In-Movie Experience, an interactive feature that lets viewers watch interviews and other bonus material while the movie is running, without pausing. The HD DVD titles will have $28.99 SRPs and the Blu-ray discs will be $34.99. All DVD bonus materials will be included on the HD DVD and Blu-ray versions, WHV said.
DENVER -- Digeo, licensor of Moxi media center and PVR set-top box software to cable operators, will adapt its tools for HD digital cable set-tops sold at retail starting next year, Digeo told reporters at a CEDIA briefing here late Thurs.
The FCC likely will hand T-Mobile, other wireless carriers and airlines a victory over the Mass. Port Authority (Massport) on a Massport demand that Continental Airline yank a Wi-Fi antenna from its frequent flyer lounge at Boston- Logan International Airport. Sources involved in the fight said Wed. the order has big implications for Wi-Fi’s future. Continental wants to offer customers free Wi-Fi service, competing with Massport’s $7.95-a-day service (CD June 5 p4).
The FCC likely will hand T-Mobile, other wireless carriers and airlines a victory over the Mass. Port Authority (Massport) on a Massport demand that Continental Airline yank a Wi-Fi antenna from its frequent flyer lounge at Boston- Logan International Airport. Sources involved in the fight said Wed. the order has big implications for Wi-Fi’s future. Continental wants to offer customers free Wi-Fi service, competing with Massport’s $7.95-a-day service (WID June 5 p6).
TiVo ran a 2-week Showcase long-form ad augmenting Coca- Cola’s “subLYMONal” campaign for new Lymon-flavor Sprite. Long-format ads download automatically to a special section of the TiVo PVR’s hard drive. To hold viewers, each spot begins in voiceover: “Welcome to ’subLYMONal’ advertising. For best results, do not blink.” The ads also say they're “DVR Ready,” to encourage recording. Viewers who replay the ads can find extra content, including embedded codes that can be entered at a special Web site for premiums. The campaign was by Sprite’s ad agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky; the ‘SubLYMONal’ site, by AKQA. The subLYMONal ads air on Soul Train Weekly, G4 and MTV. TiVo subscribers pause the linear TV stream to reach the “subLYMONal” Showcase. Showcase enables subscribers to view more Sprite “subLYMONal” ads and use TiVo trick-play features to learn how to use embedded codes. Coca-Cola was among the first companies to embrace PVRs, signing a pact in 2000 with then-independent ReplayTV to develop interactive ads. The deal began with banner ads on the ReplayTV service, but never advanced to interactive commercials. ReplayTV now is owned by D&M Holdings, which purchased it from Sonicblue. ReplayTV has since shifted its focus to PCs.
Consumers are confused, manufacturers are frustrated and govt. bodies underestimate the challenge of the U.K.’s switch to DTV and corresponding analog shutoff, Sony U.K. Managing Dir. Steve Dowdle said last week at a London conference hosted by CE trade association Intellect. Unless the course is righted, the ship will sink and govt. officials “will go down with it,” he said.