Network security aspects of allegations that MCI/WorldCom fraudulently mishandled call routing and access fees had been expected to push the govt. to take a harder look at the company’s contracting status, industry observers told us this week. The General Services Administration (GSA) late Thurs. proposed barring the company from receiving new federal contracts (see separate story, this issue). After AT&T alleged MCI had created national security risks by routing calls through Canada to avoid access charges, MCI countered Tues. that secure govt. traffic traveled over its network via a dedicated connection, with encryption, and that those calls were handled properly.
New GM lineup will offer DVD-based automotive entertainment systems from Panasonic as factory-installed option, Panasonic Automotive Systems Co. of America announced Tues. Option will be available on 20 of GM’s 2004 models, compared with 14 last year, and new configurations include sunroof-compatible model, Panasonic said. Company’s DVD passenger entertainment systems were introduced in GM’s 2003 model-year full-size SUVs, full-size pickups and crossover vehicles. For 2004 model-year vehicles, Panasonic system option has been expanded to midsize SUVs in Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC lines, as well as new Cadillac SRX. Overhead-mounted DVD entertainment system features retractable 7W LCD screen, 2 sets of wireless headphones, wireless remote and integrated DVD/CD player that directs sound to vehicle’s speakers. System also features auxiliary AV inputs to connect additional devices such as videogames, camcorders or digital cameras. Parental control switch is included to allow driver to play, pause and mute system from front seat. Widescreen LCD has adjustable viewing angles and on-screen display menu. Wireless headphones have child-resistant battery cover, independent on/off with LED indicator, and auto turn-off feature to preserve battery life when not in use. Wireless remote can be used for GM system as well as for many other Panasonic DVD players, Panasonic said.
New PVR products enabling users to view and record TV on PCs will ship this month from AverMedia Technologies. Company said UltraTV PCI 300 ($69.99) and UltraTV PCI 350 ($99.99) had broadcast tuners and downloadable EPG for TV viewing and time- shift recording on PC’s hard disc drive, where instant replay was possible. TV programs and video from sources such as camcorders also can be recorded to DVD if PC has burner installed, AverMedia said. Bundles have internal PCI card, wireless remote control and related proprietary software, and permit TV viewing either in full screen or in window when user is working on other applications. PVR component of UltraTV PCI 300 and 350 records all forms of video -- broadcast or analog video input -- in real- time. Live TV can be paused, rewound, and replayed instantly, even while continuing to record same program in real-time. Bundled neoDVDstandard Digital Suite DVD authoring software from MedioStream lets users complete wide range of basic and advanced video editing tasks such as creating chapters, adding music, inserting titles and credits, combining photos with video. All types of video equipment including analog camcorders and VCRs, DV and MiniDV digital camcorders, are supported. Products also include TV recording scheduler compatible with free Titan TV online broadcast guide (www.titantv.com) for recording programs when away from home, or while watching 2nd program. Step-up UltraTV PCI 350 adds Stereo/SAP (Secondary Audio Program) capability and FM radio tuner, and enables user to record FM programs to PC’s hard drive in MP3 format. UltraTV PCI 350 also comes with 2-in-1 cable and FM radio antenna
Chipmaker LSI Logic said JVC’s recently-announced DVD Multi recorder would use company’s DiMeNsion DMN-8600 DVD recorder processor. In using LSI Logic processor for DR-M1, JVC becomes first Japanese CE manufacturer to do so, LSI said. Company said DMN-8600 was world’s first single-chip DVD recorder system processor and offered benefit of reducing cost, design complexity and time-to-market for DVD recorders. DR-M1 will be available this month in Japan and Europe -- JVC has yet to announce plans for U.S. DR-M1 records on DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD-R blanks in DVD-Video or DVD-VR formats, and plays DVD-Video, DVD-VR, VCD, MP3, JPEG and audio CDs. It has Time Slip function inherent to DVD-RAM format, allowing users to pause, rewind or instantly replay live TV. DVD Multi deck also enables users to connect digital camcorders through high-speed IEEE-1394 connection and digitally transfer personal video content from camcorder to blank DVD.
In issuing the text of the FCC’s order Wed. changing the rules that govern the nation’s media, Chmn. Powell said that only Congress essentially could ignore the realities of today’s diverse media marketplace and force a return to the old rules. The 257-page order and 56-page addendum and appendixes held few surprises. The FCC release was more about the commissioners themselves and their widely divergent opinions about the state of the nation’s media. Each issued a separate statement reflective of the 3-2 vote on June 2 (CD June 3 p1).
Long battle between Interactive Digital Software Assn. (IDSA) and St. Louis County may not be over after all. Earlier this month, 8th U.S. Appeals Court, St. Louis, on constitutional grounds struck down St. Louis ordinance that had sought to ban sale of violent videogames to minors (CED June 5 p3). But IDSA said Thurs. that St. Louis County officials had submitted motion for reconsideration of ruling.
Microsoft, which failed in first attempt to crack cable market with Windows CE platform for set-top boxes, introduced new Microsoft TV Foundation Edition at NCTA show in Chicago Mon. New platform, which gained initial design win with Cablevision digital cable TV system in Mexico, will target video-on-demand (VoD), among other services, by delivering “consistent VoD user experience” regardless of provider, Microsoft said. It also offers support for range of cable STBs including Motorola products, and allows cable operators to customize device.
Two weeks after receiving setback in its battle against series of laws regulating sales of violent videogames when Wash. Gov. Gary Locke (D) signed new bill into law (CED May 22 p3), Interactive Digital Software Assn. (IDSA) found much to be happy about with Tues. ruling by 8th U.S. Appeals Court, St. Louis. IDSA Pres. Douglas Lowenstein called ruling by 3-judge court striking down St. Louis County ordinance that had sought to ban sale of violent videogames to minors “a total and unambiguous affirmation of our position that videogames have the same constitutional status as a painting, a film or a book… The decision sends a powerful signal to government at all levels that efforts to regulate consumers’ access to the creative and expressive content found in videogames will not be tolerated.”
Colo. gov.’s veto of a communications piracy bill gives opponents new ammunition as they fight similar legislation in other states, D.C. lobbyists monitoring measures said Thurs.
Nearly 3 years after first effort to “bridge” DVD Forum recording formats and 2 years since spec has been available, first home DVD Multi recorder will be introduced by Toshiba. In worldwide announcement scheduled for today (Thurs.), DVD-RAM proponent will take wraps off Model D-R1 that adds DVD-RW recording and playback to same DVD-R and DVD-RAM functions.